Southern Middle TN Today News with Tom Price 5-20-26

WKOM/WKRM Radio

Southern Middle Tennessee Today

News Copy for May 20, 2026

All news stories are aggregated from various sources and modified for time and content. Original sources are cited.

Redistricting Lawsuit Denied (MSM)

Four Democratic Congressional candidates and four Democratic voters from districts 5, 6 and 9, along with the state party to which they belong, requested an injunction and temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee on May 7. On May 14, the court denied their request to forbid the state from implementing the new Congressional district map during the 2026 election cycle.

Among the plaintiffs are two Maury County locals: Vicki Hale, a Democratic voter and candidate for state Senate District 28 Executive Committee, whose name appears in the title of the case; and Chaz Molder, the outgoing mayor of Columbia and a candidate for the Democratic nomination to be U.S. Congressman representing District 5.

In Hale v. Lee, the plaintiffs make several arguments against the new map. First, they say, redrawing the maps violates their First Amendment right to assemble to achieve political goals, because it nullifies much of the work, time and money they’ve invested so far into their campaigns to win in the 2022 Congressional districts and forces them to campaign and get petitioners in counties that are “hours away.” They also argue that the redistricting could constitute viewpoint discrimination against the candidates, who are Democrats in a majority-Republican state and have publicly declared their political intentions for several months.

Molder pointed out in a brief that he and his campaign had already done a great deal of campaigning, fundraising and advertising in the 2022 bounds of the Fifth District, much of which would be wasted if he had to campaign under the 2026 map.

“[A] significant portion of the voters… who have been inspired by our policies and the movement we are creating, and whose support I have cultivated over more than half a year, no longer reside in the district for which I am now qualified to run under the new legislation,” the mayor complained. “Indeed, many of the signatures on my qualifying petition, which specifically lists the counties and portions thereof contained within the district, can no longer serve as qualifiers under the newly drawn 5th Congressional District boundaries.”

The plaintiffs also point out that during the session when they passed the map, the state legislature repealed a state law against mid-decade redistricting, and waived the state constitution’s residency requirements for federal candidates.

Finally, the plaintiffs remind the court at length that the very same state administration argued successfully in Wygant v. Lee against changing the state Senate districts in the 2022 election year. The Wygant defendants, who are the same ones named in the 2026 injunction request — Gov. Bill Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and Elections Coordinator Mark Goins, all in their official capacities — argued that creating new districts in March of an election year would cause “irreparable harm” to voter participation.

Four high-ranking election officers testified in Wygant that redrawing the districts and shortening the election timeline would hinder them from providing and counting primary, absentee and overseas ballots, which are more complicated than in-person and general-election ballots. For their part, the 2026 Hale plaintiffs procured testimony from two election commissioners, in Montgomery and Davidson Counties, who agreed that accommodating the redistricting would greatly increase their workload and create confusion and information gaps that threaten to leave many voters behind.

“‘[C]hanging the rules on the eve of an election would wreak chaos upon the electoral process and would unnecessarily risk voter confusion and disenfranchisement of Tennessee’s military and overseas voters, causing irreparable harm to the Defendants… and to the public interest,'” Hale quotes, from the Wygant arguments of the same administration which just signed the newly redrawn Congressional districts into law. The 2026 plaintiffs then observe, “The State of Tennessee, through its legal counsel, made these statements on March 25, 2022, more than six weeks earlier in the election calendar than the May 7 enactment of the [2026 redistricting] Act.”

The Lee administration replied that the State of Tennessee is taking the initiative this time, appropriating funds and setting its people to work for the 2026 redistricting, instead of fighting a court order for work it was totally unprepared to do, as it had to in 2022. Election officials, they said, also have much less work to do preparing ballots for nine Congressional districts than for 33 state Senate districts, and they cited a news article in which the Davidson County Elections Administrator expressed “100 percent confiden[ce]” in his department’s ability to handle the redistricting. Finally, they said, the state has been lenient with candidates rather than strict, by extending their petition deadlines more than two months and waiving the constitutional residency requirements.

“There is no present state of ‘chaos,’ contra [the complaint], only hardworking state officials effectuating the State’s newly enacted laws,” the state responded. “It is Plaintiffs’ request for preliminary relief that, if granted, will risk chaos and errors. A court order stopping the State’s elections preparations mid-stream will ‘caus[e] much confusion and upset the delicate federal-state balance in elections.'”

As of May 14, the District 5 and 9 candidates for Maury County will have to compete in the districts drawn for them by the state legislature, and that day Molder announced his decision to run in the redrawn District 5.

“The mission remains clear: it’s time to restore some common sense to our politics. It’s time to show voters the respect they deserve,” Molder said in an announcement. “That’s why I’m still running in Tennessee’s 5th district, whether the new maps withstands court challenges or not… In Congress, I’ll put Tennessee and my country first. It may be a new map, but Tennesseans deserve to have a choice and a chance to elect real leadership to Congress this November.”

The District 5 candidates, according to a list released by the Secretary of State’s office on May 17, are:

• Charlie Hatcher (R), College Grove

• Andy Ogles (R), Columbia

• Yolanda Cooper-Sutton (D), Memphis

• DeVante R. Hill (D), Bartlett

• Rachel Hurley (D), Memphis

• Carrie Ann Iacomini (D), Memphis

• Chaz Molder (D), Columbia

• James A. Johnson (I), Memphis

• Micheál O’Leary (I), Memphis

The District 9 candidates are:

• Charlotte Bergmann (R), Memphis

• Brent Taylor (R), Eads

• Jeremy Thompson (R), Fayetteville

• Todd Warner (R), Lewisburg

• M. LaTroy A-Williams (D), Memphis

• London Lamar (D), Memphis

• Justin Pearson (D), Memphis

• Jim Torino (D), Columbia

• Dennis Clark (I), Memphis

• Michelle Davis Head (I), Lewisburg

African American Heritage Society Gets Grant (MSM)

The African-American Heritage Society of Maury County has received a $24,950 grant, from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, to fund America 250 activities in Maury County.

The grant award will be used for educational programs for citizens of all ages, including a Speaker Series on major historical events since 1776, the civil rights and women’s suffrage movements, and genealogy classes for adults and students. It will also fund events, including an essay contest on the theme, “What America’s 250th Means To Me,” for grades eight through 12; a commemorative quilt square contest with the theme, “What You Love Most About This Country;” and a county-wide scavenger hunt that will send participants to historically significant sites.

“With this grant, the Maury County 250th Committee will have the funds needed to schedule programs and events that will amplify the diverse voices and connect local and state history to the broader American story,” said Jo Ann McClellan, the Project Director. The 250th Committee includes representatives from the African-American Heritage Society of Maury County, Columbia State Community College’s History Department, the Maury County Archives, the Maury County Historical Society, the city of Mt. Pleasant and the Spring Hill Library.

The Tennessee Commission is disbursing funds for “America 250” activities through the State Museum, and the second round of applications to the grant program was highly competitive. In total, the Commission received 365 applications, totaling $6,364,017 in requests. The Commission has made full or partial awards for 194 grants across the state, representing 73 counties, and awarded a total of $2,267,058. A complete list of second-round grantees, counties and amounts is posted at www.tn250.com.

“I am inspired by the excitement across the state to commemorate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Ashley Howell, Executive Director of the Tennessee State Museum and Chair of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. “This year will be filled with exhibitions, programs, festivals, and preservation of our local and state history. We hope that these projects inspire Tennesseans across the state to engage with the anniversary in 2026.”

Entire Duck River Protected (MSM)

On May 5, Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill passed by the state legislature, HB1510/SB1590, which conferred the “Scenic” designation and its accompanying protections on the entire Duck River, except for the Normandy Reservoir.

“After a hard-fought battle in the State House, Gov. Bill Lee signed HB1510/SB1590 into law recently designating the entire Duck River and some of its tributaries as a Class II Pastoral State Scenic River. The new law prohibits mining, commercial logging and landfills within 2 miles of the river and helps protect the animals and plants living in North America’s most biologically diverse river,” Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt told Main Street Maury.

At the last meeting of the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, she said, state Rep. Pat Marsh was publicly congratulated for sponsoring the Scenic designation bill in the House.

“This is a win not just for the region ecologically and environmentally, but especially for Maury County, due to the fact that currently almost 100 percent of our drinking water comes from the Duck River,” she said.

In 2023 the state legislature gave a Scenic designation to two stretches of the Duck River, totaling about 67 miles, in Maury County on either side of the city of Columbia. The designation achieved the goal of a popular and activist campaign to prevent a landfill from being developed nearby in Williamsport, since the law prohibits landfills, mining and commercial logging within two miles on either side of a Scenic River. The law allows new farming structures that don’t interrupt the scenic vista and new roads that are strictly necessary.

“As far back as 2013, companies have looked toward Maury County with dollar signs in their eyes wanting to build a regional landfill on the old Monsanto property. This recent legislation, bolstered by the fact that the City of Columbia and the Maury County Commission have adopted the Jackson Law, ensures that Maury County will not have a future landfill on that property,” the county mayor said. “The credit for passing this milestone legislation goes to many people, many of them right here in Maury County, who have been on the front lines in protecting the integrity of the Duck River with their time and resources for many years!”

The Duck was determined to be a Class II Pastoral Scenic River, which state law defines as a free-flowing river banked by agriculture and other low-impact, dispersed uses. The Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (TCA § Title 11, Chapter 13, 2024) requires such a river to be kept unpolluted, undeveloped and otherwise optimized for enjoyment. To facilitate recreational use of the Duck, the code recommends that the state protect the banks with zonings and conservation easements, and purchase or lease land for amenities like canoe launch points, campgrounds and recreation areas. The City of Columbia opened two launch points of its own at different ends of Riverwalk Park in 2025.

In and near Maury County, recreational use looks like canoe and kayak trips, often rented from local agencies like Higher Pursuits and River Rats Canoe Rental; floating, swimming, fishing, picnicking and other bankside family activities; camping and hotel stays at Henry Horton State Park; and sightseeing and appreciation of the wildlife that live in and off of North America’s most biodiverse river, including the dozens of mussel species, otters and other water mammals, and birds great and small.

The mayor also warned of the dangers of overdrawing from the Duck, and advised taking unified regional action in future water endeavors.

“I totally understand utility companies wanting to supply clean drinking water to their payers… However, when that priority begins to damage and deplete a natural resource, other alternatives must be found or a pause in growth needs to be initiated,” she said, noting that the DRWPP is still working on its recommendations for regional water supply solutions. “Solutions being studied are interconnectivity of existing water lines, two different pipeline paths to the Tennessee River, reservoirs for storage, raising Normandy Dam and forming Regional Districts. Regionalizing the water systems would help with financing and would result in controlling the cost of the water supply for rate payers through economies of scale… Any action before those studies are completed, is premature.”

Harvey Park Getting Accessible Playground (Newschannel5)

Spring Hill is transforming Harvey Park into a fully accessible playground, a project driven by parks and recreation commissioner Mary Ann Lapenta, who turned personal experience into community action.

Lapenta pushed for the change after identifying a gap in accessible play spaces for families.

The renovation will replace all existing equipment and expand the park's footprint, enclosed by a new fence.

It will also include:

• A larger 13,760 sq ft. play area with full turf surfacing

• 15 slides

• 17 climbers

• 15 interactive/ sensory panels

• 2 Mommy & Me swings, a saucer swing, 3 belt swings & an inclusive swing

• 4 musical instruments

• 108' of ramp

• 3,280 sq ft of shade

• 2 wheelchair accessible pieces with movement

• 4 benches: 2 stationary & 2 swinging

• 46 elevated activities

• 34 elevated activities accessible by transfer

• 26 elevated activities accessible by ramp

• Fully fenced

• Toddler play area

"We're going to have a fence around the whole entire park; it's going to be a little larger in area than what you see now, and all the equipment will be replaced," Lapenta said.

Lapenta's push for the project grew out of her own family's needs. After identifying the gap in accessible play spaces, she moved quickly.

"Right after that, I already set up to meet with the Parks and Rec board and presented to them," Lapenta said.

She then joined the board to keep advocating for families with different needs, saying the community deserved a dedicated space.

Harvey Park visitors have welcomed the news. Kathie Higgs, who visited the park, said the change is long overdue.

"All children deserve a place where they can go and feel welcome and like they fit in and there's something for them to do," Higgs said.

Lapenta said the project reflects a broader commitment to the people who call Spring Hill home.

"This effort is an example of just really prioritizing community spaces for people who live here and call Spring Hill their home," Lapenta said.

The city has already contracted with a company to build the playground. The project needs final review in June.

Columbia State Harwell Endowment (Press Release)

The Columbia State Community College Foundation recently hosted a check presentation event marking the creation of the Annie Pearl Gordon Harwell Endowment Scholarship, as well as the My Tennessee Hometown Heroes Scholarship. 

The endowment, established by her family, will continue her legacy of helping the community by supporting students attending Columbia State. The scholarship funds are for students living in Maury County who are degree or certificate seeking with financial need. 

“The Columbia State Foundation is pleased to have these two distinct yet deeply connected scholarships,” said Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation. “By honoring both a beloved mother and formative mentors, these scholarships capture the essence of legacy—recognizing we are shaped by love and guidance received at home and by our greater community. The gathering of people at the presentation of these funds served to emphasize the lasting impact individuals can make on the lives of those around them.” 

Reginald “Reggie” Harwell, Annie Harwell’s son, helped present the donation to the Columbia State Foundation and reflected on important lessons his mother taught him. She taught him to address tasks and impossible challenges one day at a time until they are doable. She showed him new perspectives on life when things were hard or didn’t make sense. Most importantly, she was a lifelong advocate and champion of raising up her family and her community to be better.

Austin Harwell, Annie Harwell’s grandson, also spoke to the legacy of his grandmother. 

"She was absolutely the matriarch of our family,” he said. “None of us would be where we are without her drive. This scholarship that we're putting in her name is absolutely the best way that we wanted to honor her. Because, as dad said, she was proud of being a Columbian.”

In addition to the endowment scholarship, the My Tennessee Hometown Heroes Scholarship has also been established by Reggie Harwell in recognition of local teachers and mentors who impacted his early years. A graduate of Columbia Central High School, Harwell’s intention for the scholarship is to create a spotlight on the positive contribution the community of Columbia, his hometown, made to his life. He hopes that this fund will encourage others to start or continue their own involvement in the welfare and advancement of the local population.

Some of the inaugural honorees of the My Tennessee Hometown Heroes Scholarship include Mrs. Blue, Mrs. Tiny Jones, Mrs. Sydney McClain, Mr. Van Edmundson, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Boyd and Annie Ruth Harlan, Mrs. Addie Lee Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Walter and Annie Ruth Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil and Hannah Bullock, Mr. Milton Gordon, Mr. Robert Wisener, the late Reverend William Thomas Harwell and the late Reverend Robert Burns.

“Just as your mother and her stories inspired you to do good, what you're doing with this scholarship is producing goodness in the community,” said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. “When we look at what happens through our Foundation and the generosity of those who give to make these scholarships possible, we see that they don’t just touch one life—they touch many. It’s like a river that branches out, growing as it goes. It reaches countless individuals and transforms lives along the way.” 

The Columbia State Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and partners with the college to positively impact student success and the communities in which it serves. For more information, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Foundation.  

And now, Your Hometown Memorials, Sponsored by Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home…

Marlane Soldner, passed away on April 24 at the age of 71.

A family service will be held to honor her memory in Tennessee at Santa Fe Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on May 29, 2026.

Nashville to Host Superbowl (Tennessean)

The city of Nashville and the Tennessee Titans will officially host Super Bowl LXIV in 2030, bringing America's marquee sporting event and the most-watched televised spectacle every year to Music City for the first time. An honor bestowed on Nashville and the new Nissan Stadium construction project, the game will make Nashville just the 17th metro area to host a Super Bowl.

National Football League owners voted May 19 to approve Nashville as Super Bowl LXIV host at the league meetings in Orlando. Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk was present for the vote, while Titans CEO Burke Nihill and Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp CEO Deana Ivey made one final presentation to the league's owners prior to the vote.

"We’re used to doing big events and we do them really, really well," Ivey told The Tennessean prior to the announcement. "Nashville’s going to be a fantastic city for the Super Bowl. If you think about it, the cities that do the best with the Super Bowl are the cities that people like to visit other times of year."

Nihill emphasized this win positions the city for more world-class events.

"I think this is an opportunity for us to do great things for the city and for the people of our city while it’s here, but then also leave a long tail," Nihill added. "That’s the legacy of Super Bowls is great things are left in the wake of the Super Bowl for schools and local businesses. I look forward to the next few years because we (in Nashville) can do that better than anyone else."

The city of Nashville will formally announce and celebrate its coronation as a Super Bowl city with a press conference at 9 a.m. on May 20 and a party on Lower Broadway that evening at 7:30 p.m.

Governor Bill Lee, Mayor Freddie O'Connell, former Governor Bill Haslam and NFL Vice President for League Events Peter O'Reilly will join Nihill and Ivey at the press conference. The community celebration will feature live music, a drone show and fireworks, weather permitting.

New Nissan Stadium construction is on schedule to be completed in Feb. 2027 and to open to the Titans' tenancy that fall. Nashville joins other major cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Atlanta as metro areas that have been awarded Super Bowls shortly after completing new stadium projects.

Final Story of the Day (Maury County Source)

Kacey Musgraves greeted fans and celebrated the launch of her exclusive Kacey Lee fashion collection on Tuesday at Walmart in Franklin. Customers and fans were invited to experience the 100-piece capsule firsthand and receive signed copies of Musgraves’ new album, “Middle of Nowhere.”

Designed in collaboration with the eight-time Grammy Award winner, the collection pairs Lee’s heritage denim with Musgraves’ classic style across men’s and women’s denim, sleepwear, swimwear, accessories, and pet items. The collection also incorporates lyrics and visual elements from “Middle of Nowhere” and others, with nods to Musgraves’ Texas roots and Americana style.