Friday, February 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1971, a devastating tornado outbreak, known as the Mississippi Delta Outbreak, struck the Lower Mississippi and Ohio River valleys, including parts of Tennessee. The outbreak produced at least 19 tornadoes, resulting in 123 fatalities across three states.

Did you know Nashville’s police force has a mounted patrol unit? We’re spotlighting their newest recruit—a Clydesdale—in Top Stories below.

Our sponsor today is Pacaso, offering a new type of investment opportunity in the real estate industry.

Clarksville Flood Victims Face Winter Weather

Flood victims in Clarksville now face snow and frigid temperatures as they begin recovery efforts.

Homeowners on Woodstock Court navigated icy floodwaters to check on their homes after more than five inches of snow fell on Wednesday. Overnight temperatures dropped to 12 degrees, with single-digit wind chills, as a Cold Weather Advisory remained in effect for the area.

Several roads were closed following heavy rainfall, and schools remain closed through Thursday. Austin Peay State University has shifted to remote learning.

Temperatures are expected to improve by the weekend, with local residents and relief groups preparing to assist as floodwaters begin to recede.

TSU Plans Cuts to Staff, Scholarships to Stay Open

Tennessee State University (TSU) officials are seeking approval from the State Building Commission to redirect $154 million originally allocated for building projects toward daily campus operations.

Interim President Dwayne Tucker outlined the university’s five-year “sustainability plan” on Wednesday. To stabilize finances, the plan includes reducing scholarships and cutting employee expenses by up to $17 million.

While the university doesn’t require additional funding to remain operational through May thanks to a $43 million state-approved budget infusion last November, officials are seeking permission to reallocate the remaining funds from a $250 million campus improvement grant to sustain TSU’s operations.

Last year, the university laid off more than 100 employees due to ongoing financial challenges. The latest plan presented to commissioners includes a $6–7 million reduction in non-instructional staff expenses and a $5–6 million cut to instructional staff costs.

Nashville Adds Clydesdale to Mounted Patrol

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) has introduced its newest Mounted Patrol Unit member, Ross, its first-ever Clydesdale.

Ross, a three-year-old horse trained at Mounted Patrol International in Texas, was featured in a video shared by MNPD on X.

Purchased and donated by Giving Matters, Ross joins a unit that has traditionally relied on Tennessee Walking Horses and Quarter Horses.

Established in 1998, the unit consists of seven officers and one sergeant. It provides security and crowd control at major events across the city, including Tennessee Titans and Nashville Soccer Club games, parades, and other large gatherings.

Flying together with our sponsor

Zillow’s co-founder has a big new idea

Spencer Rascoff co-founded Zillow, scaling it into a $16B real estate giant. But everyday investors couldn’t invest until after the IPO, missing early gains.

“I wish we had done a round accessible to retail investors prior to Zillow’s IPO,” Spencer later said.

Now he’s doing just that. Spencer has teamed up with another Zillow exec to launch Pacaso. Pacaso’s co-ownership marketplace is disrupting the $1.3T vacation home market. And unlike Zillow, you can invest in Pacaso as a private company.

With $100M+ in gross profits and rapid international expansion, Pacaso is scaling fast. Investors like Softbank, Maveron, and others are already on board. Even better, the company’s now turning its focus to international markets, giving this disruptive model even more upside than before.

Join them as a Pacaso shareholder and lock in the $2.70 share price by 2/27.

➤ Chattanooga: A man allegedly told his grandfather he would only reveal the location of his pit bull if he was bailed out of jail. He faces charges of theft of property, animal cruelty, and other offenses. (More)

➤ Memphis: A Memphis firefighter-paramedic was injured in an ambulance crash on I-240 near Norris Road on Wednesday. The firefighter was transported to the hospital in non-critical condition. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Tennessee Valley Authority asked customers to reduce power usage to help avoid interruptions during this week’s winter storms. (More)

➤ Tennessee City: First responders rescued a driver who was swept away by flood waters after crashing into the Piney River off Interstate 40 over the weekend. (See Pictures)

➤ Knoxville: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency rescued a pet porcupine that escaped from its home and was later found at Founders Park. (Watch Video)

➤ Scott County: Three first responders were injured in an ambulance crash in Scott County on Wednesday morning. (More)

➤ Lady Vols head basketball coach Kim Caldwell was named to Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year Watch List. (More)

➤ Former University of Tennessee women’s basketball star Chamique Holdsclaw will be introduced to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. (Watch Video)

➤ The University of Tennessee baseball player Alberto Osuna was denied extra eligibility by a federal judge and will not be able to join the team this season. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Active Skin Repair offers natural, non-toxic solutions for minor cuts, scrapes, rashes, and burns. Utilizing medical-grade hypochlorous acid, these products support your body’s natural healing process without stinging or irritation. Safe for all ages and skin types, they provide effective, gentle care for everyday skin issues. (See It Here)

➤ Elon Musk revealed his reasoning for choosing Memphis as the site for his xAI supercomputer, citing the ability to remodel an existing facility, allowing for a faster launch compared to building a new location. (More)

➤ Dongwha Electrolyte announced Wednesday the completion of its $70 million electrolyte production plant in Clarksville. (More)

➤ A new Tim Hortons coffeehouse and bakery has opened inside a Mt. Juliet convenience market, marking the first of seven planned Middle Tennessee locations, including six future freestanding stores. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Relieves Pain FAST—And It’s So EASY! Paingone Plus fits the power of TENS into a tiny, portable pen that anyone can use. And it only takes 60-90 seconds of treatment time! With zero setup and zero troubleshooting to place the sticky pads, you’ll be feeling better ASAP.

Flying together with our sponsor

Top investors are buying this “unlisted” stock

When the team that co-founded Zillow and grew it into a $16b real estate leader starts a new company, investors notice. That’s why top firms like SoftBank and Maveron invested in Pacaso.

Sending shockwaves through the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties – completely revamping a $1.3t market.

And by handing keys to 1,500+ happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made $100m+ in gross profits.

Now, they’re focused on international expansion – achieving record-breaking sales in Paris, securing 7 homes in Cabo, and recently acquiring their most valuable European property yet in London.

You can join them as an investor – but with this expansion underway, the current share price will be gone tomorrow. Invest at $2.70/share by midnight PST.

This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com.

➤ USA Today released its list of the 10 best music museums in the U.S. this week, with five Tennessee locations making the cut, led by the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville at No. 1. (More)

➤ A new musical based on the life of country music legend Loretta Lynn, titled Coal Miner’s Daughter, has been announced. Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster will star in the production. (More)

➤ Zoo Knoxville shared a video of its otters and red pandas playing in the snow this week. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Discover Akka Superbiotic, formulated by top NYC gastroenterologist Dr. Gina Sam, MD, to detoxify your liver, boost metabolism, and enhance vitality. Order now and receive the “Skinny Liver Cookbook” and “Liver Cleanse Protocol” guides free with any multipack purchase. Experience improved liver health and increased energy today!