The Tennessean reports:
In the Republican primary for Tennessee governor, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has out-fundraised her rival U.S. Rep. John Rose, bringing in $2.8 million in contributions – more than 10 times more than Rose’s $259,227 haul.
But while 97% of Rose’s donations came from inside Tennessee, just 28% of Blackburn’s donors live here.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is among policy leaders supporting the creation of “focused” college degree programs – degrees that could be completed in just three years (90-100 credit hours) and still carry the benefit of a bachelor’s degree.
Hargett explains in a piece in the Tennessean:
There is a movement in higher education to offer new and innovative 3-year bachelor’s degrees. I have promoted the benefits of these programs. I am encouraged that many stakeholders I have spoken with welcome the name for the degrees that I have proposed, a Focused Bachelor’s Degree.
These credentials would require 90-100 credit hours rather than the traditional 120 and could be completed in three years. Students who choose this option would focus on coursework critical to their discipline, maintain a solid foundation in general education and sometimes take fewer courses and fewer non-major electives.
Blackburn Campaign Depends on Big Money from Outside Tennessee
Jim Walton, an heir to the Walmart family fortune, is among the latest in a group of out-of-state billionaires backing Marsha Blackburn’s bid for Governor.
The youngest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton is now on the Marsha Blackburn bandwagon.
The latest campaign financial report indicates that pro-Blackburn Team Tennessee PAC received $100,000 from Walton in the last reporting period.
The Walton family has long supported private school discount coupons – otherwise known as school vouchers. These schemes divert funds from working-class families to wealthy families to use as tuition discounts at private schools.
WREG TV Chattanooga reports on the school board’s decision to test out a new device policy and assess it during the fall semester:
Hamilton County school leaders plan to take another look at their new student device policy after seeing how it works in classrooms this fall.
At their Thursday meeting, the Hamilton County School Board approved changes that will end take-home assignments of school-issued devices for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
High school students will still be assigned devices they can take home.
The change comes as Tennessee implements stricter requirements governing technology use among younger students.
In case you are wondering who is backing Blackburn’s campaign, the most recently-filed report for pro-Blackburn PAC Team Tennessee has some answers.
Among the backers: General Motors, coming in with a brisk $15,000, and the CEO of Jimmy John’s, offering up a fresh $100,000.
So, whether you’re looking for a new Chevy or just want a sub for lunch, be aware that your dollars could well be on their way to Blackburn’s campaign coffers.
Tennessee’s Comptroller says the final results of an independent audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools raise serious concerns.
A final state review of Memphis-Shelby County Schools was released on Wednesday morning by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office in Nashville.
The report documents more than $119 million in fraud, waste, abuse or questioned costs, State Comptroller Jason Mumpower said.
“The findings in this report represent some of the worst organizational management we have ever seen anywhere in government,” Mumpower said. “The failures are both unacceptable and indefensible.”
A political action committee (PAC) funded by a pro-voucher Pennsylvania billionaire and Tennessee’s largest payday predator (Advance Financial) is backing voucher supporter Marsha Blackburn in her campaign to become the state’s next Governor.
Jeff Yass is joined in his support of the pro-Blackburn Team Tennessee PAC by the payday predators over at Advance Financial.
Aside from Advance Financial, the PAC calling itself “Team Tennessee” has little support from anyone in Tennessee.
Yass is the top contributor at $1 million.
Tennessee-based Advance Financial comes in at $100,000.
From the Front of the Class newsletter of the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF):
Earlier this month, the 2026 Leadership Public Education Cohort culminated its six months of leadership development programming with session 6. The day-long convening welcomed education and non-profit leaders who shared insight on navigating communication and conflict, direct engagement with Metro Nashville Public Schools, and advocacy training. Dr. Diarese George, NPEF President and CEO, also presented on the importance of building on this experience by finding meaningful ways to support public schools and other organizations serving students.
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and NPEF celebrated the 7th cohort with a graduation and reception. Throughout the program, cohort members engaged in expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and research that explored key issues and opportunities facing Metro Nashville Public Schools. Overall, they addressed history, education policy, funding, workforce pathways, talent management, accountability, and school options.
A federal judge says the state can’t (yet) take over Memphis schools and must wait while a lawsuit against the takeover proceeds.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Memphis school takeover board’s authority, after school officials said it could delay the start of the school year or even force building closures as the district prepares to welcome students back to class in less than five weeks.
Memphis-Shelby County school board members and local officials asked a federal judge Tuesday to temporarily halt the oversight board or, at minimum, block its power to disrupt contract payments and fire top district officials ahead of the 2026-27 school year, which begins Aug. 3.
The Shelby County government is challenging the state’s takeover of public schools in Memphis. A new state law passed this year created a state-appointed “Board of Managers” to oversee the Shelby County School Board.
This unelected board, appointed by politicians from Nashville, has the power to usurp decisions made by the elected leaders of the Shelby County Schools.
Tennessee Lookout reports on the lawsuit:
The Shelby County government sued Tennessee lawmakers in federal court last week, hoping to regain local control over the board that oversees the Memphis school system.
State lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year disbanding the locally elected Memphis Shelby County Schools board and replacing it with a nine-member one, all appointed by Republican leaders in the state.
Lawyers for Shelby County argued in their complaint that the law “dismantles” the structure that allows “110,000 children and their families to have a voice in the most consequential local decisions affecting their daily lives.”