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Article Icon 1State Legislators Subpoenaed for Corruption Trial

Nearly 20 Tennessee state legislators have been subpoenaed recently in connection with an upcoming corruption trial involving former House Speaker Glen Casada and his ex-Chief of Staff Cade Cothren.

Casada and Cothren were indicted in August 2022 on multiple federal charges, including theft from federally funded programs, bribery, and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Prosecutors allege the duo engaged in a fraudulent scheme to funnel state money through a shadowy political consulting firm for personal gain. Both have pleaded not guilty and maintain their innocence.

Among those subpoenaed is House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland). Former state Rep. Robin Smith of Hixson also pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case and is cooperating with prosecutors. 

Article Icon 1Nashville Airport Could Be Renamed After Trump

A new bill filed by Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) could change the name of the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. 

The bill mandates the metropolitan airport authority to implement the name change, requiring updates to signage, trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), legal contracts, and references in local, state, and federal records. Read the bill here

The legislation includes multiple effective dates, allowing it to take effect upon becoming law. Full implementation of the name change is slated for Jan. 1, 2026.

Critics argue the move is a political stunt and suggest alternative honorees, including Tennessee native Dolly Parton. 

Article Icon 1Tennessee Musicians Perform at Inauguration

Tennessee musicians will play a prominent role in the 2025 presidential inauguration events, with Carrie Underwood singing America the Beautiful during the swearing-in ceremony.

“I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future,” Underwood said of her participation.

Country singer Jason Aldean is set to perform at The Liberty Ball on Monday alongside The Village People and a “surprise musical guest.” 

Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Lee Greenwood performed at the Make America Great Again Rally at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington on Sunday, showcasing a blend of country and patriotic themes. Watch videos from the rally.

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Around Tennessee

➤ Trousdale County: U.S. Navy member JayPatrick Tyler Luhrs, 26, was killed in a motorcycle crash while stationed in San Diego, California. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: A locally-based cleaning firm was fined $400,000 for using child labor at 13 meat and poultry processing plants in 13 states. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Six veteran firefighters from the Knoxville Fire Department have filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming it misclassified their positions and underpaid them and other firefighters. (More)

➤ Johnson City: One woman was charged after crashing into the back of a city school bus carrying 15 students to a weekend activity on Saturday. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Sevier County: The former president of the Sevier County Utility District, Matthew Ballard, has been indicted for misappropriating over $181,000 in district funds. (More)

➤ Statewide: President-elect Donald Trump announced former Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education Penny Schwinn as his pick for Deputy Secretary of Education on Saturday. (More)

Tennessee Carolina Sports

➤ Tennessee star edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators inducted former General Manager David Poile, Pekka Rinne, and Shea Weber as the inaugural members of the team’s newly established Golden Hall of Fame. (Watch Video)

➤ The University of Tennessee baseball team announced that it has sold out its season tickets for 2025 after winning last year’s College World Series. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA | Tennis | Soccer

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Tennessee Business

➤ Construction has begun on a new Murfreesboro Buc-ee’s location, with road work also expanding Butler Drive and Joe B. Jackson Parkway to accommodate future traffic at the popular Texas-based gas station. (More)

➤ The closure of the Perdue Plant, a chicken processing location in Putnam County, will put 433 people out of work, ending production in March. (More)

➤ The Foothills Mall in Maryville continues expanding by welcoming BJ’s Wholesale Club as its new anchor store, replacing the former JCPenney outlet. (More)

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What if our technologies could charge IoT devices wirelessly, just like we connect devices to Wi-Fi? One company is helping make this a reality for enterprises as we speak. Their patented wireless power network technology eliminates cables and battery replacements by sending energy through the air. 

Between retail, manufacturing, and logistics industries, this company is looking at $650 billion in market potential. But what they’ve created could also revolutionize fields like health care, transportation, and the food industry — anywhere using trackers or sensors to collect data for the Internet of Things. 

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Et Cetera

➤ Legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr will make his Grand Ole Opry debut next month. (More)

➤ New lifts officially opened at Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg, just in time for the holiday weekend. (Watch Video)

 Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Williamson County Animal Center is offering a unique way to turn heartbreak into something positive by allowing people to name a ‘feisty feral cat’ after their ex before the cat is spayed or neutered. (More)

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The Poll

Have you ever been to Dollywood?

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Are you traveling over the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day?

  1. Yes: 31%
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North Carolina Trivia

What famous Tennessee musician celebrated a birthday on Jan. 19? 

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