State of Emergency Declared As Snow Hits

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has declared a state of emergency ahead of a major snowstorm expected to impact the state.

Tennessee was already under a Level 3 State of Emergency following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September.

However, as of Wednesday, the status has been set to Level 4 — Elevated, indicating preparations for potential emergencies or worsening conditions. At around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the state returned to Level 3.  

A Winter Storm Warning went into effect early Friday for all of Middle Tennessee. Snowfall is expected to intensify late Friday morning, continue steadily through the afternoon, and taper off in the evening.

Accumulations in portions of Middle Tennessee could range from 3 to 6 inches, with travel disruptions likely to extend through the weekend.

Lawmakers Consider School Cellphone Ban

A bill proposed by Rep. Dan Howell aims to ban the use of cellphones and other electronic devices in classrooms.

The restriction would apply to students in grades K-8 at all times and to grades 9-12 during instructional periods.

According to a study by Common Sense Media, 97% of teens report using their phones during the school day.

The bill includes exceptions, permitting students with disabilities or health concerns to use cell phones if deemed necessary.

School Names Gym After Nate Bargatze

The gymnasium at Donelson Christian Academy (DCA) will be officially named in honor of Grammy-nominated comedian Nate Bargatze on Jan. 17, following his $650,000 donation.

Bargatze, 45, often called the “nicest man in standup comedy,” grew up in Old Hickory and graduated from DCA in 1997. He is a long-time supporter of the school, hosting an annual golf tournament to raise funds.

Nate and his wife, Laura Bargatze, also pledged an additional $650,000 as a matching gift toward the construction of an indoor athletics practice facility at DCA.

A former DCA student-athlete, Bargatze was once on the school’s track team. He comes from a family with athletic ties; his uncle Ronnie Bargatze was a basketball coach at Austin Peay and Trevecca, and he also served as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt.

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➤ Statewide: State lawmakers are considering legislation to lower the minimum age for public school bus drivers from 25 years old to 21. (More)

➤ Manchester: This year’s lineup has been announced for the Bonnaroo music festival that hosts over 60,000 people annually in Coffee County. (More)

➤ Cookeville: A suspended student at Cookeville High School was found with components of an explosive device at his home, according to police. (More)

➤ Memphis: The Dean of Students at Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering was charged with harassment and violating an order of protection. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Hamilton County Schools plans to move forward with a $32 million investment to modernize 27 school facilities in the district in a major improvement effort. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee dropped to No. 7, while Memphis climbed to No. 16 in the latest Top 25 AP basketball rankings. (See List)

➤ The Memphis Grizzlies hosted a skills camp and prepared snack packs and school supply kits for about 100 Memphis-area kids to honor Martin Luther King Jr. on Wednesday. (Watch Video)

➤ Chattanooga native Amari Jefferson announced plans to transfer from the University of Alabama football team to join the Tennessee Volunteers as a wide receiver. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | PGA | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Gov. Bill Lee toured Elon Musk’s xAI facility in Memphis this week, praising the company for creating new job opportunities in the city. (Watch Video)

➤ Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant opens today in Hixson, marking the franchise’s 11th location in the state. (More)

➤ Dutch Bros Coffee will open a new location on Friday in Chattanooga, celebrating with $3 medium-sized drinks during the grand opening. (More)

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➤ The world’s largest train set is moving to Chattanooga after local transportation publishing company Firecrown acquired the assets from EnterTRAINment Junction. (Watch Video)

➤ Clairbel Herndon of Jackson turned 105 years old on Jan. 7, making her one of the state’s oldest residents. She celebrated with her friends and family at Brookdale Senior Living, where Jackson Mayor Scott Conger also visited to wish her a happy birthday. (See Photos)

➤ Hundreds of people attended a funeral service Wednesday morning for a Navy veteran whom they had never met in a wave of support for Nashville native Don Harlow. (More)

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