Nashville, TN—This evening, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Dr. Brandi De La Cruz as the 2025-26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year at the department’s Excellence in Education celebration. Dr. De La Cruz, a math instructor at Collierville High School in Collierville, TN, is known for her deep sense of purpose and care in the classroom. Among her notable achievements, she has inspired several of her students to pursue careers in education, particularly in mathematics. Dr. De La Cruz was selected for making math engaging, relevant, and accessible to all students. “Congratulations to all the educators who were honored at this year’s celebration.…
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Metro Water Services is calling on residents to help keep neighborhoods safe and waterways clean by adopting storm drains. Leaves, trash and grass clippings often clog drains, causing localized flooding and sending pollutants into creeks and streams. Officials say keeping drains clear is a simple but important way to improve water quality and protect the community. Volunteers can get involved by preventing debris from entering streets and ditches, sweeping off covered drains and bagging trash for proper disposal. Checking drains before rain is especially effective in preventing ponding on roads. Residents are advised not to move drain…
CHICAGO – The Obama Foundation is inviting community members to join free monthly public tours to see the campus come together and get a virtual peek inside the Obama Presidential Center. These monthly community tours are slated to run through November 2025, offering attendees the opportunity to learn more about the vision for the Center while they walk along the site’s perimeter. Preregistration is not required to participate in tours. Visitors will be able to stop by an information table outside the site, ask questions of Foundation staff, check out renderings of the full campus, and join a guided walking…
Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-Jeanette Cecilia Walker Crowder, affectionately known as Moma, Meme, Jenny and Aunt Jenny was born on July 23,1939 in Marion, Alabama, and departed this life on August 8, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the first of five children born to the late Jefferson E. Walker Jr.. and Georgia Sampson Walker. Jeanette lived according to her values of faith, family, honor and education as they were instilled within her at an early age by her parents. She was a proud graduate of Lincoln Normal School and later earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Talladega College.…
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The University of Memphis has closed its Office of Multicultural Affairs and begun winding down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to comply with a new state law that bans DEI departments and related programs at public institutions. In a campuswide notice this week, President Bill Hardgrave said the university is restructuring — and in some cases eliminating — units and nonacademic services that explicitly focus on DEI. The message also said U of M will remove DEI references from its websites and publications and adjust scholarships that use DEI-related criteria, including donor-supported awards. Daily Helmsman Staff boxed up…
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released from the Putnam County Jail on Friday and transported back to Maryland, where he will live with family while awaiting trial on federal human-smuggling charges, according to his attorneys and court records. ABC NewsMaryland Matters A federal judge in Maryland has barred immigration agents from immediately taking Abrego Garcia back into custody and required the government to give his lawyers at least 72 hours’ notice before attempting to remove him to a third country. The notice period does not include weekends, effectively pushing any removal attempt into next week. WYPRThe Washington Post…
Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)–Ta-Tanisha Thomas is an influential travel entrepreneur, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor, Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP), and Certified Family Travel Advisor (CFTA), celebrated for her visionary leadership and dedication to creating inclusive, memorable travel experiences. After more than 20 years in the healthcare industry, she left corporate America to establish Officially Crowned LLC, the parent company to Officially Crowned Travel, Nashville Flying Dress, Flying Dress Getaways and Royal Journey Apparel where she serves as Creator of Exceptional Experiences. Featured on Channel 5’s SCORE Connect and in major publications including USA Today, The Seattle Times, Travel Market Report,…
NASHVILLE, TN — A disturbing incident involving alleged civil rights violations has emerged at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown, located in Nashville. Media and public relations practitioner Benita Savage, also an investigative journalist affiliated with international radio broadcasting, reports being denied appropriate care and compassion during a recent emergency room visit. Savage was rushed by ambulance to the hospital with a critical blood pressure reading of 200/119. Upon arrival at the Emergency Room, she was assessed by attending physician Dr. Brown, who reviewed her medical history. However, rather than receiving continued medical attention or follow-up evaluation, Savage alleges that she was…
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the Metropolitan Action Commission (MAC) Board of Commissioners have selected Jamekia Bies as the next Executive Director of Metro Action. Ms. Bies brings 20 years of experience in programs that promote the upward social and economic mobility of families, children, and adults. She began her career as a practitioner at a Community Action agency in Western Alabama, providing services such as Head Start, energy assistance, and housing support. “MAC is critical to ensuring more Nashvillians can stay and thrive here, and I look forward to working with Jamekia to do that work,” said Mayor O’Connell.…
Nashville, TN – After six months of rigorous leadership training, personal development, and community service, Robert D. Brown, a rising senior at Father Ryan High School, was named the 1st place overall winner of the 2025 Middle Tennessee Kappa Gentleman’s Academy. The distinguished program is hosted by the Murfreesboro Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Robert is the son of Irving Brown and Dr. Katherine Y. Brown. His achievement marks a continuing family legacy, as his older brother, Irving D. Brown, completed the Gentleman’s Academy in 2019 (Epsilon Class), is now a college graduate, and an active member of Kappa…