NASHVILLE – WeGo Public Transit is finalizing a strategic planning process for optimizing and improving WeGo Star service and planning for infrastructure investments over the next few years and into the future. Public meetings have been announced for July. As a result of extensive research, analysis, and public input, WeGo is presenting the results of the planning effort which seeks to ensure that the Star regional rail line meets changing customer needs, is maintained in a state of good repair, provides for sustainable financial operations, and coordinates effectively with the owners and freight operators of the rail corridor. WeGo is looking…
Author: Press Release
NASHVILLE, TN – Mayor Freddie O’Connell has joined the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), First Horizon, the Metro Housing Division and other funding partners to launch the Nashville Catalyst Fund, a new tool to create, preserve, and develop more affordable housing. Metro and partners created the Nashville Catalyst Fund to provide fast, flexible capital to mission-driven developers to enable them to move quickly in Nashville’s competitive real estate landscape. The Fund will launch with an initial $75 million – $20 million from Metro, $50 million credit facility led by First Horizon, and $5 million from Vanderbilt University – with…
KNOXVILLE, TN — Faculty in the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture are helping pave the way for more women and minorities to seek advanced degrees in science and other STEM fields through a grant that provides mentorship and resources to community college students. The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields grant program (WAMS), funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, awarded a three-year $200,000 grant to the UT Institute of Agriculture, and Texas Tech University to work with partner community colleges. Through the grant, the universities will establish…
NASHVILLE, TN — Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT) celebrated the commencement of their Class of 2024 on Tuesday, June 18th at the Adventure Science Center. The celebration was the culmination of an 11-month program where class members attended a session each month in one of 10 Middle Tennessee counties to gain a greater understanding of critical issues in the region, learning through interactive presentations, facilitated dialogue, behind-the scenes visits, and experiential adventures. Each year, the class is composed of outstanding business and community leaders from the 10-county Middle Tennessee region, including Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, and…
SPRINGFIELD, TN — Springfield Baptist Church, located at 401 Main Street in Springfield, Tennessee, will host the 4th Annual Night of Champions July 10, 6 p.m., welcoming Tennessee Titans Quarterback Malik Willis and a live performance by the Jason Lovins Band for an evening of inspiration and music. Night of Champions celebrates athletes who exemplify the values of faith, perseverance and community. Willis will serve as keynote speaker and will share his powerful story of overcoming obstacles and, most importantly, his journey with Jesus. Before the talk, the Jason Lovins Band will play live. The event is free and open…
By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware One of the most exciting pieces of news from the 2024 Hampton Ministers Conference is the launch of Hampton University’s School of Religion, which offers the usual degrees in religion and theology, and is now the first HBCU to offer a doctorate. “It’s more than a dream come true. It’s much needed at this time in the life of the Black church and the Black community. Churches need as much support and assistance as we can give them,” says Rev. Dr. Debra L. Haggins, founding dean of the School of Religion, executive director and treasurer…
NASHVILLE, TN — Baseball was the theme, particularly with last Thursday’s MLB salute to the Negro Leagues by Major League Baseball and the passing of Willie Mays. The Nashville Stars – named for the old Nashville Negro Leagues team – helped sponsor the celebration and provided jerseys, bats, balls, posters and t-shirts for the event. Dwight Lewis, longtime reporter, editor and columnist for The Tennessean and a member of the TSU baseball team in the 1960s, regaled the audience with his memories of watching Negro Leagues teams play in Knoxville and his stories about several of Nashville’s Negro League…
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TN Tribune) – FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) today announced that Karen Blanks Ellis will become the company’s next chief sustainability officer, effective July 1, 2024. The appointment of Ellis follows the decision earlier this year of the company’s longtime sustainability leader, Mitch Jackson, to retire on June 30 after a 39-year career at FedEx. Ellis previously held the role of managing director, Strategic Environmental Management & Sustainability at the company. “In every role I have held at FedEx, I’ve been proud to work for such a forward-thinking and respected corporate actor in sustainability. Now as chief sustainability officer,…
NASHVILLE, TN – For 30 years, Volunteer Tennessee has invested in programs to meet the most pressing needs in communities across the state. To continue that legacy, the governor-appointed commission is proud to invest over $8 million of 2024-25 AmeriCorps grant funding in 18 organizations across the state. “We are excited to leverage this grant funding from AmeriCorps to address some of the toughest problems facing our state,” said Amy Walter, chair of the Volunteer Tennessee commission. “From homelessness to school readiness and food insecurity to environmental improvements, AmeriCorps members strengthen communities and improve lives while developing key civic and leadership…