Local News

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS:

East Robertson vs Westmoreland

Greebrier is at Pearl Cohn

Jo Byrns plays Cascade

White  House takes on Stewart County

Springfield and White House Heritage of the week offf

The president of the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention — Ronnie Floyd — has resigned amid an investigation into sexual abuse among its network of churches.  Floyd submitted his resignation letter to members of the executive committee last night.  The committee has been meeting to decide whether to waive attorney-client privilege for the investigation into how the committee has handled sexual abuse claims.  The panel eventually voted to waive privilege and Floyd says his resignation is a direct result of the committee’s decision.  Earlier this week, the law firm that has represented the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention for more than 50 years also resigned.

State education leaders agree with Governor Bill Lee that Tennessee’s funding formula for schools needs an overhaul, but they say the review needs to be transparent.  Last week, the governor announced the basic education formula is being reviewed in advance of the next legislative session.  The president of the Tennessee Education association — Beth Brown — says students must be the top priority when changes are made to the formula.  Currently, Tennessee ranks near the bottom of all states in education funding.  

For the fourth consecutive year, the number of traffic fatalities in Tennessee has increased.  Analysts say the number of traffic deaths is on pace to exceed last year’s totals.  So far, the Volunteer State has recorded more than one-thousand traffic deaths.  In central Tennessee, the I-24/I-40 split and sections along I-24 in Rutherford County are among the deadliest stretches of road.  Law enforcement officials blame population growth along with a shortage of police officers for the trend.

It’s that time of year when state wildlife officials urge caution when walking outdoors — it’s baby copperhead snake season until next month in Tennessee.  They say baby copperheads live in damp places such as logs on a trail or flowerpots in the yard.  The snakes are typically born between August and October.  Their advice to avoid being bitten by a copperhead — whether it’s a baby or an adult — is to leave them alone.