October 18, 2026
Staff Report
Wawa to open in Manchester Wednesday
Wawa is spreading its wings in Tennessee and celebrating the grand opening of its fifth store in the state in Manchester, located at 24 Campground Road.
Community college degrees growing across state
The System’s community colleges awarded 16,240 associate degrees and technical certificates to graduates in the 2025-26 academic year, the highest number ever conferred. These numbers indicate a nine percent increase over the previous year and 19 percent growth over a decade ago.
SAS names new head of school
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School has announced the appointment of Dr. Karla Vargas-Kennedy to be the fourth head of school for St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, effective July1, 2027.
Jack expands availability of malted barley expression
The Jack Daniel Distillery has announced the nationwide U.S. release of Jack Daniel’s American Single Malt Whiskey. Previously available exclusively in select duty-free retail locations across the globe, this limited expression arrives as American Single Malt is recognized as the first new official whiskey category by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in over 50 years.
AEDC at 75: Gemini jumps so Apollo can fly
Thousands of testing hours were dedicated to the Project Apollo space program throughout the 1960s at what was then known as Arnold Engineering Development Center, but Center efforts also focused greatly on the precursor to Apollo in the early part of the decade.
Heat dome breaks electric use record
Unseasonably high temperatures across the Tennessee Valley drove demand for electricity to unprecedented levels in September 2026, leading the Tennessee Valley Authority to set multiple records for high power demand and system reliability.
Tech alum indicted for misappropriating $214K
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, working in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has resulted in the indictment of James “Jamie” Hargis, the former treasurer of the TTU Kappa Sigma Alumni Association.
Body recovered from Tims Ford Lake
A body has been recovered from Tims Ford Lake earlier this week, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for assistance in identifying the person. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oct. 6, the Franklin County Sheriff’s…
Be Prepared for Life’s What-Ifs
Life doesn’t always go according to plan. A job loss, medical emergency, natural disaster, or unexpected family change can happen when we least expect it and often at the most inconvenient time. While we can’t predict the future, we can take steps today to feel more confident and secure about whatever comes next. Preparation isn’t about dwelling on worst-case scenarios. Instead, it’s about creating peace of mind and building a strong foundation for yourself and your loved ones. By taking a few proactive steps now, you can be better equipped to handle life’s challenges when the unexpected occurs.
Trump, the greatest hero in history
It is a little-known (except to everyone) fact that Donald J. Trump does not merely possess an ego. He is in a long-term, exclusive, and extremely public relationship with it. It’s the most enduring relationship in his life. It is not unusual. I handled the investments for wealthy individuals for 40 years; they all have egos. You fail without one. Some couch it by hiring PR firms to promote themselves, and they sit back with an “aww-shucks” attitude. They do the “classic humble” brag. Not Trump. He is in your face and right out there with his ego. Some find it refreshing (it was in the brochure). Some think he uses it to troll his opponents. Others think it might be his downfall.