Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1970, the University of Tennessee hosted its first Earth Day celebration, which included a cleanup of Third Creek and a guest lecture by author and urban activist Jane Jacobs.

Many leaders across Tennessee have expressed words of remembrance honoring the late Pope Francis and shared prayers with Catholics around the world as they mourn. Read their statements in the story below.

We have a new sponsor today: Amass Brands Group, which is offering an investment opportunity in today’s edition.

Gov. Lee Appoints TN Immigration Officer

Gov. Bill Lee has appointed Ryan Hubbard to serve as Tennessee’s first Chief Immigration Enforcement Officer—a new role that falls under the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Hubbard’s position was created to identify people living in Tennessee illegally, especially those who have committed crimes, and to enforce state law regarding their removal.

Hubbard has 28 years of experience in immigration enforcement, having worked his way up from U.S. Border Patrol agent to special agent with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Unemployment Drops for First Time in a Year

Tennessee’s unemployment rate dropped in March for the first time since May 2024, falling a tenth of a percentage point from 3.7% to 3.6%.

The state unemployment rate had been sitting at 3.7% for six months in a row prior to the shift in March, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The department also shared that Tennessee employers added 8,700 new non-farm jobs over the past year.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate is below the national rate, which currently sits at 4.2%.

Former Foster Youth Inspires New Law

Tennessee lawmakers unanimously passed two bills last week aimed at better protecting and supporting children in state custody.

The legislation was championed by 19-year-old Ella Brinen, a former foster youth who authored the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, ensuring kids know their legal rights and can report mistreatment to outside advocates.

A second bill extends benefits for former foster youth from age 21 to 23, covering housing, healthcare, and college tuition.

Both measures now head to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk. Supporters say the laws address critical gaps for young adults transitioning out of the foster system with little to no family support.

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They launched Good Twin, a sparkling non-alcoholic wine and top Amazon category seller. Acquired Summer Water, a premium rosé with 3.8M+ bottles sold. And partnered on De Soi, a top-selling non-alcoholic aperitif co-founded by a popstar.

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➤ Statewide: The passing of Pope Francis prompted words of mourning and prayers from leaders across Tennessee, ranging from local dioceses to Senator Marsha Blackburn. (More)

➤ Blount County: Over 400 “Hands Off” movement protesters gathered outside the county courthouse on Saturday to express disapproval for the Trump administration’s policies. (More)

➤ Memphis: Two swindlers were caught forging homeowners’ signatures to transfer ownership of their houses for $10 apiece in a quit-claim scheme. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The Tennessee Department of Transportation displayed 113 orange barrels on I-640 to honor employees who died on the job since the 1940s and commemorate National Work Zone Awareness Week. (More)

➤ Murfreesboro: The father and son duo behind a proposed sports complex were indicted for defrauding Arizona park investors of $280 million. (More)

➤ Obion: West Tennessee soybean farms drowned in near-record-setting April floods, leaving behind damaged fields that will be difficult to replant. (See photos)

➤ Tennessee basketball scored a big-time commitment this weekend from top-ranked prospect Nate Ament. According to Head Coach Rick Barnes, Ament shares similarities with Kevin Durant, a former player of his. (More)

➤ Tennessee pitcher Tanner Wiggins took a 104 mph foul ball to the face during the team’s 8-2 loss to Kentucky on Saturday and was taken to the hospital for treatment. (More)

➤ Memphis Grizzlies’ point guard Ja Morant spoke out after the team’s 51-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, promising that the Grizzlies “will never play that bad again.” (More)

➤ The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council fined two offshore sportsbooks $100,000 for their illegal operation in the state. (More)

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➤ Nine East Tennessee UScellular locations anticipate layoffs in June following the company’s merger with T-Mobile, though T-Mobile employment will be offered to “the majority” of workers. (More)

➤ Boutique hotel brand Urban Cowboy opened its first standalone bar in Downtown Nashville last week in an 8,000 square foot venue that includes a hidden speakeasy. (See photos)

➤ Tennessee gas prices dipped by 4.1 cents last week to a statewide average of $2.65 per gallon, with the lowest price in Nashville found at $2.20. (More)

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Rosé can have more sugar than donuts?

No wonder 38% of adults prefer health-conscious beverages.

Meanwhile, companies like AMASS Brands are raking in sales by tapping into this trend, creating a huge opportunity for investors.

AMASS earned $33M in 2023 alone thanks to products like their top-selling zero-sugar Summer Water rosé (it’s tariff-free, too). That’s just one of the 15+ diverse brands in their portfolio—already distributed across 40,000+ retail locations, including Whole Foods, Erewhon, and more.

It’s only the beginning. They have another new product announcement just around the corner. And by 2028, AMASS plans to ~3X their retail footprint. Celebs like Adam Levine and Derek Jeter have already invested.

You can, too. But their round ends (and share price increases) soon. Lock in your stake while you can.

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➤ A Franklin County 7-year-old was honored by local police for saving his aunt’s life by calling 9-1-1 after she suffered a seizure and hit her head. (More)

➤ The Old Glory chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted its final pinning ceremony, which honors Williamson County Vietnam War veterans with a commemorative pin. (More)

➤ A $1.2 million sculpture was unveiled at Pier 865 in Knoxville after a year of the area being fenced off from public view. (See photos)

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