Local News
A number of Middle Tennessee school districts are closed today due to the risk of severe weather. Many county districts including Bedford, Cheatham, Franklin, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson are not opening this morning. Mount Juliet Christian Academy and United Christian Academy are also closed. Meteorologists say heavy rain, strong wind, hail, and even tornadoes are possible through the region from around 7:00 a.m. to early afternoon.
A group of Hendersonville kids is sharing their love of books, holding a parade for Read Across America Day yesterday. Around 50 fourth-graders from Merrol Hyde Magnet School dressed as their favorite story characters and walked to show off their costumes for the residents at NHC HealthCare. The school says the character costumes began during the pandemic and the effort has evolved into a way to bring joy to others. Merrol Hyde Librarian Scotti Harris says the celebration is a way to encourage students to get excited about reading outside of class.
A lawmaker in Tennessee is apologizing after saying the state should allow “hanging by a tree” as a way for death row inmates to be executed. Republican Representative Paul Sherrell made that suggestion earlier this week. However, he has since apologized for what he called “very poor judgment.” His remarks were made as a bill concerning methods of execution in Tennessee is progressing through the state legislature. It proposes adding a firing squad as a way for inmates to die instead of lethal injection or electrocution. It passed one House panel and is on its way to another.
A proposal that would remove the cap on how many students are allowed in a classroom is moving forward in the Tennessee legislature. Right now, there can be a maximum of 35 students, but some lawmakers believe there should be more. Opponents believe that would cause students to suffer in their studies. The bill now heads to the Senate.
Robertson County farmers now have a record to break. A 20-year-old hen from southern Michigan is being verified as the world’s oldest chicken. Peanut was born in the spring of 2002 and her owner, Marsi Darwin, says Peanut answers to her name and enjoys watching TV while sitting on Darwin’s lap. Darwin’s advice for raising a long-living chicken is to make sure they get plenty of exercise and a healthy diet.