AGP Executive Report

Hospital Medication Error: A Nashville hospital drug mix-up left four patients affected and one woman paralyzed after a spinal injection of potassium instead of anesthesia during routine knee surgery, with officials saying the pharmacy caused the error. Local Safety & Justice: Memphis police and prosecutors continue to respond to serious cases, including a serial rapist sentenced to 60 years and a family seeking justice in the murder of 3-year-old Joseph Martinez. Metro Watch: Cheekwood’s planned $35 million parking garage faces neighbor pushback at a Metro hearing, while Memphis residents raise privacy concerns about Flock surveillance cameras. Power & Data Centers: TVA approved a new higher wholesale electricity rate for data centers, and SpaceXAI is seeking a direct grid connection for its Mid-South supercomputers. Community & Culture: Memphis renamed a stretch of Homer Street to Jerry “The King” Lawler Street, and the weekend calendar highlights festivals and live events across the Mid-South. Sports: Tennessee football commit David Gabriel Georges put up a big Week 1 TSSAA performance, and the Lady Vols stayed perfect with a 4-0 win over Milwaukee.

Cycling Tragedy: Two Milligan University cyclists, Haylan Engdahl and Brayden Rogers, were killed and seven others hurt after a driver struck the team during a training ride in Carter County; the 69-year-old North Carolina man was arrested and charged. Public Safety: Tennessee’s TBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Coffee County that left one person critically injured, while Nashville police charged a man after he crashed into two empty patrol vehicles and fled. Nashville Entertainment: Miranda Lambert will headline the opening-night concert Oct. 1 at Nashville’s new The Truth venue, with tickets set to go on sale Aug. 21. Vols Sports: UT unveiled its 2026 Smokey Grey alternate football uniforms honoring Gen. Robert Neyland, and Lady Vols basketball will debut Adidas jerseys with a new sponsored patch deal while keeping the Pat Summitt patch. State Policy: Tennessee lawmakers heard updates on the AG’s new civil rights enforcement division, and hemp tax collections are down sharply after THC product bans. Community & Education: City National Bank marked 15 years in Nashville by awarding six $15,000 grants to local nonprofits, and Nashville School District approved a virtual Scrapper Virtual Academy for 2026-27.

I-24 Choice Lanes: Tennessee has selected Drive-TN to build and run the $9.2 billion I-24 Southeast Choice Lanes project, adding two optional lanes each direction between Nashville and Murfreesboro, with drivers able to pay for faster trips as tolls adjust to demand. Mid-South Heat & Storms: A heat advisory and severe weather risk are in play for Memphis and much of the region, with storms expected overnight and another hot, humid day ahead. Daycare Tragedy: Parents are rethinking childcare after the death of 6-year-old Winter Jones in Cordova; state inspectors say Kid University failed required checks, and the center has surrendered its license and permanently closed. Jail Death Trial: In the Gershun Freeman case, a Shelby County jury returned split results for two jailers—one convicted on lesser charges, the other acquitted. Nashville Sports: Nashville SC edged the New York Red Bulls 1-0 on a late header by Maxwell Woledzi, while Tennessee’s Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley earned spots on the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list. Public Safety Tech: Nashville is weighing “no right on red” changes as crash data points to more danger at certain intersections. Corrections: TDOC is investigating an inmate death at the Morgan County Correctional Complex.

Hospital Incident: A routine knee replacement at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Nashville left a Centerville woman permanently paralyzed after a medication mix-up, with state regulators investigating and the hospital saying it has implemented corrective safeguards. School Safety: Metro Nashville Police arrested a 16-year-old East High School student after a loaded, stolen handgun was found in a backpack he allegedly discarded outside the school. Road Safety: A Texas truck driver died after a semi crossed the median on I-65 in Maury County and hit three other commercial vehicles; two other drivers were injured. Local Crime: Memphis police are still searching for three suspects in a July shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy. Public Safety Tech: The Metro Nashville Council advanced a bill aimed at regulating drone surveillance for first responder programs, moving it one vote from final approval. Airport Fees: Nashville International Airport has started building a $564 million rental car complex after more than doubling daily rental fees, with another increase expected. Weather/Travel: A multi-car crash blocked eastbound I-40 in Memphis late Wednesday morning.

Local Government & Tech: Memphis City Council advanced a first-reading ordinance that would pause new data center approvals for 12 months while zoning and utility/land studies are reviewed, drawing pushback from business groups that say Memphis has the power and water capacity. Public Safety & Surveillance: Nashville Metro Council approved a second reading to tighten rules on police drone use, limiting deployments without council approval and requiring public hearings for future pilot programs. Child Safety Tragedy: A Memphis-area daycare, Kid University, is permanently closed after 6-year-old Winter Jones died following hours on a bus in extreme heat; state findings cited transportation and monitoring failures. Health & Housing: Tennessee’s Department of Commerce and Insurance shared renters-insurance guidance for the new school year, and a Nashville foundation repair firm highlighted common crack-and-moisture warning signs homeowners should watch. Outdoors & Permits: TWRA announced leftover 2026 WMA big game permits will be sold Aug. 19, with waterfowl blind draws set for Aug. 24. Community & Culture: Taylor Swift and Lyle Lovett were named to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame class. Sports: The BMW Championship heads to St. Louis this week, with the FedExCup field cut to 50 after Memphis. Weather: Heat and storm chances return across Middle Tennessee and the Mid-South. Crime: A Tennessee “most wanted” man tied to a brutal home invasion was arrested in Georgia.

Courts & Justice: The U.S. Justice Department is asking a federal appeals court to revive human-smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, arguing a judge wrongly threw out the case after he was mistakenly deported. Public Safety: A 5-year-old dog was rescued after being stranded on a 200-foot Tennessee cliff ledge for 17 hours. Local Government: Gov. Bill Lee and TDEC announced a $5 million loan for Pikeville to expand wastewater capacity, with principal forgiveness included. Health Care Leadership: DCH Health System named Dennis Fisher as its new chief HR officer, effective Monday. Education & Community: U.S. News ranked Central Magnet School in Murfreesboro No. 1 nationally and No. 1 in Tennessee. Sports & Local Interest: Jets coach Aaron Glenn says Breece Hall’s groin injury should keep him out 2-3 weeks but ready for Week 1 at Tennessee. Entertainment: Tributes continue after Hayden Panettiere’s death at 36, with new details and reactions from Nashville co-stars and others. Weather/Traffic: A Davidson Academy school bus crash on I-65 in Nashville was minor, with no serious injuries reported.

Entertainment & Public Safety: Hayden Panettiere, the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, died at 36 in Greenville, South Carolina; her father confirmed the death, police said there are no signs of foul play, and an autopsy reportedly found no trauma as investigators continue to look into what happened. Local Education: Greene County Thrives sent youth and adults to the 2026 TNSTRONG Youth Summit in Chattanooga, focusing on nicotine prevention, confidence, resilience, and healthy coping skills. Local Crime & Courts: Prosecutors upgraded charges in a fatal Townsend crash involving an Oliver Springs man, after a passenger died from injuries following a head-on collision. Community & Culture: A Memphis gardener’s flower business took off after neighbors shared land through a “Buy Nothing” group, showing how local support can turn a dream into a real shop. Sports & Tennessee Pride: Tennessee added a commitment from 2028 four-star QB Kaden Craft, while Nate Bargatze set a Guinness record for most tickets sold on a stand-up comedy tour. Everyday Life: AAA says Tennessee gas prices rose 10 cents over the past week, with Nashville and Memphis among the higher-cost metros.

Hollywood: Hayden Panettiere, the “Heroes” and “Nashville” star, died at 36 in Greenville, South Carolina. Police say there were no signs of foul play, and an acquaintance called 911 after she was found unresponsive; dispatch audio has mentioned possible overdose and cardiac arrest, but no official cause is released. Education & Community: UT students returned for the first day of fall classes in Knoxville. High School Sports: The Tennessee Sports Writers Association released preseason 2026 TSSAA football rankings, with South Pittsburg leading Class 1A and weekly updates set to run through the BlueCross Bowl. Local Events: Historic Rugby hosts the 15th Annual Return of the British Car Show on Aug. 22. Agriculture: UT Extension farm management specialist Alan Galloway received a National Association of County Agricultural Agents Hall of Fame Award. Transportation/Business: Nissan unveiled new installations at Nashville International Airport (BNA) celebrating thousands of Tennessee employees. Public Safety: A bomb squad responded to a reported device donated to Goodwill in Clarksville; the scene was evacuated and the investigation is ongoing.

Local Sports: Scottie Scheffler roared back in Memphis, turning a two-shot lead into an eight-shot runaway to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, his first victory in nearly seven months. Entertainment: Hayden Panettiere, known for “Heroes” and “Nashville,” died at 36; her father confirmed the news, but no cause of death has been released. UT Knoxville Tradition: Incoming UTK students kicked off the semester with Torch Night, taking up the “Torch of Service” and the Volunteer spirit. Lady Vols Soccer: No. 24 Tennessee opened 2026 with a 2-0 win over South Alabama, with first-career goals from Ayva Jordan and Devin Davis and the program’s first clean sheet. Business/Tech: Sikka.ai announced a new “Veterinary Self-Driving Practice” platform at WVC Nashville aimed at reducing vet clinic admin burnout. High School Sports: West Tennessee released fall Week 1 area schedules for golf, soccer, and volleyball as the season begins.

Sports (Tennessee football): Tennessee wrapped up its second week of fall camp with a closed-to-media scrimmage at Neyland Stadium, with coach Josh Heupel saying “pads were popping” and praising growth from the QB battle while noting some cleanup still needed before the Sept. 5 opener vs. Furman. Local outdoors: TWRA is closing the Forks of the River access road for repairs, starting Sunday at sunset through Thursday, Aug. 20, to fix potholes and reinforce roadway sections near the Will Skelton Greenway. Memphis golf: Scottie Scheffler heads into the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind with a two-shot lead, with the top 50 in FedEx Cup points still very much in play and a $20 million purse on the line. MLS (Nashville): Nashville SC routed Inter Miami 4-1 in a top-of-the-table matchup, with Lionel Messi missing another penalty as Hany Mukhtar scored twice to keep Nashville atop the standings. MLB (Memphis pipeline): Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez made history with three homers in his first three major league at-bats after being called up from Triple-A Memphis. Weather watch: A separate Level 2 severe storm threat is flagged for parts of Tennessee and the southern Appalachians Monday, mainly for damaging wind gusts.

MLS Spotlight: Nashville SC stayed atop the standings with a 4-1 rout of Inter Miami, with Hany Mukhtar scoring twice and Lionel Messi missing a penalty in the top-of-the-table clash. PGA Tour (Memphis): Scottie Scheffler heads into the FedEx St. Jude Championship final round with a two-shot lead after a 2-under 68, as Sam Burns and Sungjae Im chase in the FedEx Cup race. Titans Update: Tennessee lost defensive end Jaylen Harrell (ACL) and tight end Jaren Kanak (torn pec) to season-ending injuries after the preseason opener. Cardinals Prospect: Joshua Báez made MLB history by homering in each of his first three at-bats in his debut for St. Louis, called up from Triple-A Memphis. Heat & Safety: Titans practice ran in extreme conditions (RealFeel around 110), highlighting the team’s hydration operation. Local Sports & Events: UT Arboretum’s Butterfly Festival returns Aug. 29, and Candace Parker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Travel: Southwest announced Saturday-only nonstop flights from Nashville to Aruba starting March 13, 2027.

Titans & NFL Discipline: Tennessee cornerback Nazeeh Johnson was suspended six games for a PED violation, saying the banned substance came from fertility medication after he and his wife lost a baby. Vols Injury Update: Tennessee confirmed starting safety Edrees Farooq is out for the season with a torn patellar tendon, a major hit as the Vols prep for fall camp. Local Justice Watch: A Whitwell officer who hit a 13-year-old with his patrol car will not face charges, and officials say drug and alcohol tests were negative; the personnel file includes a prior administrative-leave incident. Crime in the Mid-South: A Baton Rouge murder suspect, Tyronne Brazille, was arrested in Memphis after police found a woman dead in the passenger seat; he’s awaiting extradition. Sports Spotlight (Memphis): Scottie Scheffler surged with a 61 to take the lead at the St. Jude Championship as the FedEx Cup playoffs heat up. Nashville MLS: Nashville SC hosts Inter Miami with Lionel Messi’s status still uncertain as the team manages his father’s death. Travel & Business: Southwest plans seven new nonstop routes from Nashville, including Caribbean service starting next March. Entertainment: Dolly Parton canceled a Dollywood appearance, blaming doctors for keeping her from traveling due to health and dehydration.

FedEx St. Jude Championship: Scottie Scheffler lit up TPC Southwind with a 9-under 61 Friday, tying the course record and taking a three-stroke lead at 11-under after the playoff opener in Memphis. Extreme Heat & Safety: Wilson County’s Tennessee State Fair is adding shade, cooling stations, misting fans and more, with some events postponed after an extreme heat warning pushed heat indices above 110 degrees. Local Poverty Help: Shelby County joined Gov. Bill Lee to launch the Human Flourishing Initiative, aiming to coordinate services for families facing housing instability, food insecurity and unemployment. Scam Watch: A Memphis report details how scammers use AI-style tactics and social media romance to steer victims toward crypto and money transfers. Tragedy in Cordova: A family is demanding answers after a 6-year-old girl died, alleging she was left on a daycare bus in extreme heat. Sports & Tennessee Football: Two Vol linebackers—Amare Campbell and Arion Carter—were named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list. Dollywood Update: Dolly Parton canceled a Dollywood appearance after her doctor advised against travel, citing dehydration and dizziness.

PGA Tour Playoffs (Memphis): Yellamaraju surged with a 5-under 65 in Round 2 of the St. Jude Championship, tying for fifth and moving into prime position to reach the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings. Travel/ID Troubles: TSA says a small number of Tennessee driver’s licenses aren’t being read, with free replacements available at Driver Services Centers; TSA says other IDs like passports still work. Health & Safety (UT): Tennessee starting safety Edrees Farooq was taken to UT Medical Center after a leg injury in practice. Heat Relief (Mid-South): Memphis reopened a cooling center Friday evening, with meals and free MATA rides. Local Government (Memphis): Memphis City Council will consider a pause on new data center permits, potentially pushing future projects outside city limits. Death Penalty (Tennessee): Legal proceedings wrapped for Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee’s death row, as her team challenges the lethal injection protocol ahead of a Sept. 30 execution date. Sports (Titans/49ers): Preseason opened with Cam Ward leading a TD drive, though coach Robert Saleh said Ward looked “sped up” and needs fixes in the passing game. Education/Community: Senator Bo Watson presented a Tennessee flag flown over the state Capitol to students at Normal Park Museum Magnet School.

Titans Preseason: Cam Ward struggled in Tennessee’s 19-13 preseason opener win over the 49ers, finishing 5-of-12 for 57 yards, while Joey Slye nailed four field goals and Kurtis Rourke’s backup-led looks gave San Francisco bright spots. Defense Watch: UT linebackers Amare Campbell and Arion Carter were named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list. Lady Vols Soccer: Tennessee opened its season with a 4-1 win over Rutgers, with Kylee Simmons scoring twice and Kai Tsakaris adding a pair. REAL ID Headache: Some Tennessee REAL IDs failed to scan at TSA checkpoints, with the state offering free replacements and urging travelers to use a passport if needed. Memphis Health & Safety: A Southaven dentist warned that tooth infections can turn deadly, after a case progressed to Ludwig’s angina and sepsis. Extreme Heat: Severe Weather Days and heat advisories continue through Monday across the Mid-South, with heat indices near 105–112. Bolivar Growth: Bolivar residents approved a $3.5 million Local Parks and Recreation grant to expand year-round recreation, including an indoor pool. Flooding in Franklin: “Cobra Kai” actor Martin Kove was rescued by boat after floodwaters surrounded his home, raising concerns about development and drainage. Public Safety Crime: Five teens were charged in a Whitehaven armed robbery at a Landmark Market, police say. Sports Spotlight (Memphis): Jordan Spieth opened the FedEx St. Jude Championship with a bogey-free 65 to share the lead after Round 1.

Local Parks & Grants: Metro Nashville is awarding $4 million for improvements to The Farm at Mill Ridge Park, pairing a $2 million National Park Service grant (through TDEC) with $2 million in matching funds from the Joe C. Davis Foundation, including restoring historic farm features and renovating The Barn into a nature center for classes, community events, and markets. Sports (Memphis): The FedEx Cup playoffs kick off at TPC Southwind with the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, featuring top players including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, with the field narrowing from 70 to 50 next week. Death Penalty (TN): Tennessee carried out a lethal-injection execution of Anthony Hines for a 1985 murder, as Oklahoma also executed a man and Alabama is set to execute later—marking a rare triple-execution day in the U.S. Public Safety/Travel: Some Tennessee REAL IDs are reportedly not scanning at TSA checkpoints, with officials urging affected travelers to use a driver services center for a free replacement. Community Events: The Wilson County–Tennessee State Fair opens soon, with organizers urging advance planning for metal detectors, bag rules, and parking/shuttle options.