October 18, 2026
Staff Report
Democracy and the Death Penalty: One Man, One Volt
When asked about the death penalty, some are surprised to hear me say that I am against the electric chair. It is because we wait so long with so many on death row; I am for electric bleachers until we catch up. Until then, all the murderers we have yet to execute should get their last meals buffet-style. The State of Tennessee spent thirty-one years getting ready to execute Christa Pike and then, on the night it really mattered? An epic fail. Pike, 50, was supposed to become the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than two centuries. Talk about your DEI when it comes to our executions: ‘You’ve come a long way baby!’
TCAT keeps on trucking, adds to faculty
TCAT- McMinnville has announced that Gregory Crane was recently hired as the Truck Driving Associate Instructor for the TCAT-McMinnville Main Campus. He brings more than 25 years of driving experience to this position.
MTSU constructs cybersecurity range
Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business began construction Monday, Sept. 28, on a $5.6 million cybersecurity range that will provide a real-world virtual training environment for cyberattacks. It’s the first of its kind within Tennessee higher education.
Henley named society chair
Martha Henley, Chief Executive Officer of Unity Medical Center and a nationally recognized rural healthcare leader, has been named Chair of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red Giving Society for Middle Tennessee, expanding her advocacy for women’s health and access to high-quality care throughout the region.
Ascend’s Taylor inducted into Hall of Fame
Ascend Federal Credit Union has announced that Anthony Taylor, a member of its Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee, has been inducted into the Tennessee Credit Union Hall of Fame. The honor was presented Sept. 29 during the Tennessee Credit Union League’s Annual Convention & Expo in Gatlinburg.
Chattanooga Zoo offers Boo at the Zoo
Chattanooga Zoo has released tickets for its annual family-friendly Halloween celebration, Boo in the Zoo. The event will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout October, which started October 9 and ends October 31 on Halloween night.
Spirit Walk set for Oct. 23-25
South Jackson Performing Arts Center and Clan Dram invite the community to experience an evening of whisky, history, and the supernatural during “Spirits Walk: Whisky Tasting & Ghost Stories,” taking place Oct. 23, 24 and 25 at 6 p.m. at the historic South Jackson Performing Arts Center.
Whiskey trail releases Tennessee Collective
After the award-winning 2025 release sold out, the Tennessee Whiskey Trail is proud to announce the second annual release of the Tennessee Collective, a limited-edition bottle series that brings together distilleries across the state to celebrate Tennessee’s thriving spirit industry through a one-of-a-kind collaborative blend.
Tennesseans urged to follow fire prevention best practices during wildfire season
Beginning Oct. 15, Tennesseans must obtain a free burn permit before burning leaves or natural debris or conducting prescribed burns. As wildfire season begins, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) encourages residents and visitors to observe National Fire Prevention Week by practicing fire prevention and exercising extra caution when burning outdoors. Tennessee averages about 1,000 wildfires each year, burning approximately 18,000 acres.
Haven of Hope seek volunteers
As communities across the nation observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Haven of Hope, Inc. is raising awareness about the impact of domestic violence while encouraging local residents to take action in support of survivors and families affected by abuse.