Friday - May 3, 2024
State Tipoffs Involving Tennessee Newsletter for Sunday February 11, 2024 ( 28 items )  

'Topping Out' Ceremony Marks Key Event in Construction of New Academic Building at Union
JACKSON, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- Union University issued the following news release: Union University students, employees and friends signed a steel beam and participated in a "topping out" ceremony on campus Feb. 5 to celebrate a milestone in construction of the new academic building on the Great Lawn. The beam they signed was installed on Tuesday and is the highest piece of structural steel in the building. The facility will house the McAfee School of Business and the computer science and engin  more

18 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2024 Georgia Super Lawyers List
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 10 -- Baker Donelson, a law firm, issued the following news release: Eighteen attorneys with Baker Donelson have been named to the 2024 edition of Georgia Super Lawyers. The ten attorneys named to the 2024 list are: * Gary A. Barnes (Business Litigation) * Ivy N. Cadle (Eminent Domain) * Clint Crosby (Intellectual Property Litigation) * Justin S. Daniels (Business/Corporate) * Mark I. Duedall (Bankruptcy) * Linda S. Finley (Real Estate) * David E. Gevertz (Emplo  more

3 Husch Blackwell Attorneys Named to World Trademark Review's WTR 1000
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, Feb. 9 -- Husch Blackwell, a law firm, issued the following news release: National law firm Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce that Timothy Capria, Alan Nemes, and Caroline Chicoine have been ranked in the 2024 edition of WTR 1000: The World's Leading Trademark Professionals in Missouri and Kansas, and Tennessee. "Committed to its clients, Husch Blackwell is an innovative and forward-thinking practice that focuses on deepening its expertise across every industry, in   more

APSU Alumna Publishes Debut Poetry Collection 'Love Pills'
CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 10 -- Austin Peay State University issued the following news: After losing her mother to COVID-19 in 2020, Austin Peay State University alumna Sara Klosterman ('23) felt inspired to share the poems that had been tucked away in her journals, hoping to bring some peace, comfort and understanding to young adults going through tough times. Klosterman, who graduated from Austin Peay's Department of Languages and Literature, used those poems to tell her story in a collec  more

APSU Students Unearth Clarksville's Forgotten Black History Through Research Into 1900s
CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 (TNSres) -- Austin Peay State University issued the following news on Feb. 6, 2024: By Ethan Steinquest A group of students at Austin Peay State University is uncovering forgotten stories about Clarksville's African American communities in the early 20th century, from a 103-year-old farmer to a robust district of Black entrepreneurialism on Marion Street. Under the guidance of Dr. Jessica Blake, assistant professor of history and philosophy, students spent the F  more

Austin Peay Education Professors Release Trauma-Informed Practices Book
CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 6 (TNSres) -- Austin Peay State University issued the following news: By Megan Simpson A new textbook - edited by Dr. Benita Bruster and Dr. Cheryl Lambert from the Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University - offers research-based strategies to help teachers effectively manage disruptive student behaviors by incorporating trauma-informed practices. "Classroom Management: Trauma-Informed Practices" provides practical guidance for aspiring and ex  more

Baker Donelson Announces New Practice Group Leaders
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 3 -- Baker Donelson, a law firm, issued the following news release: The law firm of Baker Donelson has announced new leadership for seven of its practice groups. Martha L. Boyd, a shareholder in the Nashville office, has been named chair of the Firm's Labor & Employment Group. Ms. Boyd, who has served as vice chair of the Labor & Employment Group since 2022, advises non-profits, for-profits, and public companies on a wide range of employment issues. She is a Certified   more

Baker Donelson Names New Office Managing Shareholders
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 3 -- Baker Donelson, a law firm, issued the following news release: The national law firm of Baker Donelson has announced new managing shareholders in four of the Firm's offices. Ivy N. Cadle has been named managing shareholder of the Atlanta office, and Kathleen G. Furr has been named assistant office managing shareholder. In Baker Donelson's Chattanooga office, Clinton P. Sanko has been named managing shareholder. Valerie G. Henderson has been named managing sharehol  more

Grange Insurance Names Kyle Welch VP, Commercial Lines Underwriting
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 9 -- Grange Insurance Co. issued the following news on Feb. 8, 2024: Today, Grange Insurance Company announced that Kyle Welch has been named the company's Vice President of Commercial Lines Underwriting for the East Region covering Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia, effective Feb. 12. "Kyle has successfully led our Sales and Marketing Strategy and Operations for the past five years and has a proven track record of driving results for   more

Jonathan Cole of Baker Donelson Nominated as Chair-Elect of American Bar Association's House of Delegates
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 9 -- Baker Donelson, a law firm, issued the following news release: Jonathan Cole, a shareholder in the Nashville office of Baker Donelson, has been nominated by the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates (HOD) as the chair-elect of the 597-member policymaking body for a two-year term that begins after the ABA Annual Meeting this August. The HOD 69-member nominating committee endorsed Mr. Cole for this position as the second-ranking officer in the ABA and he  more

Nashville Symphony Brings Back "Music in My Neighborhood" Community Initiative
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 2 -- The Nashville Symphony issued the following news release: The Nashville Symphony is excited to announce the second iteration of its community engagement initiative "Music in My Neighborhood," a weeklong cultural exchange in the form of a musical takeover of a neighborhood in Nashville. In 2024, "Music in My Neighborhood" takes place February 12 through 17 in North Nashville and Bordeaux, where the Symphony will partner with local organizations to highlight North   more

Tenn. A.G. Skrmetti Joins 23-State Coalition Sounding Alarm on Current Administration's LNG Export 'Pause'
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 9 -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued the following news on Feb. 8, 2024: This week, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti joined a 23-state coalition warning the current Administration and the Department of Energy that its "pause" on the export of liquified natural gas (LNG) is unlawful and will only serve to embolden America's adversaries, hamper the U.S.'s ability to protect itself, and harm the economy. "The Administration's LNG export p  more

TENN. A.G. SKRMETTI'S OFFICE ISSUES STATEMENT ON TODAY'S NIL-RECRUITMENT BAN TRO OPINION
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued the following news on Feb. 6, 2024: In today's opinion, a federal judge said Tennessee and Virginia are likely to prevail in their antitrust suit against the NCAA. Although the court declined to issue a temporary restraining order, the judge reasoned the NCAA can be held monetarily liable for any harms, thus negating the need for a TRO. "Tennessee remains committed to protecting the rights of our student-athle  more

Tenn. A.G. Skrmetti, Bipartisan Task Force Issue Warning to Suspected Election Scam AI Robocallers
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti issued the following news on Feb. 6, 2024: Today Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and 50 bipartisan attorneys general on the nationwide Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force sent a warning letter to Life Corporation (Life Corp), the company that allegedly sent New Hampshire residents scam election robocalls during the New Hampshire primary election. The calls allegedly used artificial intelligence (A.I.) to   more

TENN. COMMERCE & INSURANCE DEPT.: TLETA - MORE THAN 600 NEW OFFICERS TRAINED AT NO COST TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance issued the following news: The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance ("TDCI") proudly announces the graduation of more than 600 cadets from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy ("TLETA") at no cost to local law enforcement agencies through a cost-sharing grant. Announced in 2022 as part of Governor Bill Lee's $24 million Law Enforcement Hiring, Training, and Recruitment Program, this cost-sharin  more

Tenn. Department of Transportation: Nobody Trashes Tennessee Expands Girl Scouts Patch Program Statewide
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- The Tennessee Department of Transportation issued the following news: The Tennessee Department of Transportation's (TDOT) Nobody Trashes Tennessee litter prevention campaign has expanded its Youth Group patch program to include Girl Scouts Heart of the South and Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians. The patch program initially launched in October 2023 with the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee. "Girl Scout Troops are highly committed to community service projects   more

Tenn. Gov. Lee Delivers 2024 State of the State Address
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 6 -- Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tennessee, issued the following news on Feb. 5, 2024: Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his sixth State of the State address and presented budget and legislative priorities for the upcoming year to a joint session of the General Assembly and fellow Tennesseans. Key highlights are noted below, and the full speech as prepared for delivery can be found here (https://www.tn.gov/governor/sots/2024-state-of-the-state-address.html). A Fiscal  more

Tenn. Gov. Lee Visits U.S. Southern Border: "America is in Desperate Need of Leadership"
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 5 -- Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tennessee, issued the following news on Feb. 4, 2024: Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas, to receive briefings on the most severe border crisis the United States has experienced in decades. Gov. Lee joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott and 12 fellow governors to discuss how states can restore security amid the federal government's failed leadership. Additionally, Gov. Lee today committed to deploying two additional wave  more

Tennessee American Water Announces Launch of American Water Charitable Foundation 2024 Water and Environment Grant Program
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, Feb. 8 -- Tennessee American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, issued the following news release: Tennessee American Water is delighted to announce the launch of the American Water Charitable Foundation 2024 Water and Environment Grant Program. To streamline the grant experience for its community partners, the Foundation has combined the state's former Environmental Grant Program with its Water and Environment Grant Program. This strategic integration will strengthe  more

Tennessee Tech Alums, Trustees Fred Lowery and Tom Jones Pledge $1 Million to University Athletics
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 3 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: A pair of Tennessee Tech University alumni, Board of Trustees members and philanthropists have pledged a combined $1 million to support the university's athletic programs. Fred Lowery, a Knoxville native and 1994 Tech football alumnus with a degree in mechanical engineering, pledged $500,000 toward the campaign to rebuild the west side of Tech's football stadium and construct a dedicated foot  more

Tennessee Tech Research Featured in New Waterfowl Exhibit
COOKEVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 3 -- Tennessee Technological University issued the following news release: Research conducted by Tennessee Tech University wildlife ecology students and faculty is front and center at the new waterfowl exhibit at Discovery Park of America in Union City. The exhibit, titled "Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway" highlights the importance of Tennessee and other southeastern states to wintering waterfowl, the science behind waterfowl management and the  more

Texas Democratic Party: ICYMI - FBI Arrests Alleged MAGA Sniper Plotting Attack on Southern Border
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 8 -- The Texas Democratic Party issued the following news: Greg Abbott's physical blockade of Shelby Park and other locations along the Texas Southern border has gained support from dozens of MAGA Republican elected officials - and armed, white nationalist militias. A Tennessee man was arrested by the FBI for trying to sell an unregistered AK-47 suppressor. Paul Faye Sr., a self-proclaimed militia sniper, later revealed a multi-state militia plot to carry out a violent attac  more

University of Tennessee System: Annual State of UT Event Highlights Statewide Impact, Value of Education
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 9 -- The University of Tennessee System issued the following news release: The annual State of the University address, hosted by University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd, highlighted the substantial value of higher education, the University's statewide influence on workforce development and how those elements interconnect to foster a thriving economic future. The event featured a panel discussion between the leaders of all five UT campuses located in Knoxv  more

UofM Professor Andre E. Johnson Receives Prestigious Award in Africana Communication From National Communication Association
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb. 7 -- The University of Memphis issued the following news release: The National Communication Association (NCA) recently named Andre E. Johnson, PhD, as the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Orlando L. Taylor Distinguished Scholarship Award in Africana Communication. The award honors a scholar whose body of work demonstrates a sustained commitment to the study of African American and/or the African Diaspora communication and culture. As the Benjamin W. Rawlings Jr. pro  more

Vanderbilt Invests in Research Space to Bolster Faculty Productivity
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 9 -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: For the spring 2024 semester, Vanderbilt University opened 114,000 square feet of new and renovated lab space to support and bolster research productivity. The spaces, which are in the Engineering and Science Building and 17th and Horton (formerly the Sony Building), house faculty from four colleges and schools and more than a dozen programs and institutes. They are the result of more than $50 million in direct inv  more

Vanderbilt University Announces Expansion of Its No-Loan Financial Aid
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 9 -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news on Feb. 8, 2024: Vanderbilt University is expanding Opportunity Vanderbilt, its nationally recognized no-loan financial aid program. "Today I'm thrilled to announce Vanderbilt's commitment to offering full-tuition scholarships to admitted students of families whose annual income is $150,000 or less," Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. "We want everyone who has what it takes to get into Vanderbilt to be able to enrol  more

Vanderbilt University to Launch New Review Board for Social, Behavioral, Educational Research
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 8 -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: Recent analyses of IRB data show that the vast majority of new studies at Vanderbilt University that involve human participants are in social, behavioral and education research, whereas fewer than 2 percent are health expedited or standard studies. To better reflect this research environment and provide our research community with IRB services tailored to each study type, the university will launch a new Institutio  more

Vanderbilt: Weimer Receives NSF CAREER Award to Improve Safety and Efficacy of Machine Learning, AI Systems
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 8 -- Vanderbilt University issued the following news: James Weimer, assistant professor of computer science and noted medical-device entrepreneur, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to improve the safety and efficacy of systems that use advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques. Learning-enabled medical cyber-physical systems (LE-MCPS) are smart medical systems that provide actionable feedback to caregivers. They use machin  more