Tennessee
Letters: Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn breaks China in ridiculous display of ignorance
Editor’s note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to the bottom to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree. We welcome diverse viewpoints.
Blackburn’s ‘break China’ commercials mystifying
I find Marsha Blackburn’s current ad called “Breaking China” disgusting and racist. As she breaks her dishes, she makes several statements of hate.
First of all, is she talking about Chinese people or the countries of Taiwan or mainland China? Does she know the difference? By the way, Taiwan is an ally of ours, and it produces most of our computer chips.
She says China stole our jobs. Let me remind her that American businesses consciously offshored (not just to one Asian country) their manufacturing, seeking lower wages and less environmental concerns. This move was a strategic move to increase profits regardless of patriotic concerns. So, why is she saying just China?
China turned loose the virus on the USA? Actually, it was the world, but don’t let that get in the way of a political argument. I want proof, which would be impossible because she doesn’t know. Opinion is not fact.
Finally, she says we must break China, the world’s largest goods manufacturer. She makes it sound so simple, but it is a ridiculous statement. Hint: The USA is not the only trading partner between the Chinese. Buy American if you don’t want Chinese goods, and do not add fire to our adversarial relationship.
James Allen, Dickson 37055
Blame USA policy for wanting cheap goods and labor
I have to laugh somewhat when I see Marsha’s political ad on TV lately, smashing plates labeled China. Any fool who knows history of the U.S. knows that the jobs lost have been since the 1970s when the fat cats in business ( especially down south where many jobs went because of lower wages) wanted profits to go higher so sent jobs to Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China.
Union workers lost out to cheap labor. Republicans had been in the leadership in the House and the Senate during some of this time no matter who was president. So, Marsha , look into the mirror for the blame. Enough said!
Richard Smith, Spring Hill 37174
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Tennessee
More than 8,500 layoffs hit Tennessee in 2025, nearly 19% increase from 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee employers laid off more than 8,500 workers in 2025 compared to 7,320 last year, according to the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
This is about a 19% increase in layoffs, with WARN notices impacting 8,691 Tennesseans to date. As of 2023, 5,168 Tennessee workers were laid off through WARN notices.
Counties in Middle Tennessee impacted include:
- Davidson
- Sumner
- Maury
- Rutherford
- Williamson
- Wilson
- Coffee
- DeKalb
- Bedford
- Lawrence
- Putnam
The largest layoff this year was in Maury County. Come January, 710 employees will be laid off from GM Ultium Cells’ Spring Hill facility. Research Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Michael Kofoed tells FOX 17 News that the facility is is likely impacted by the rise on steel tariffs ruled out by the Trump administration. He adds steel tariffs raise input costs for employers which directly impacts employees’ salary or employment.
The second largest layoff impacted 658 workers at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC in Rutherford County with 615 workers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center permanently laid off. WARN notices are reports a company is required to file with the state to give workers time to find future employment.
Kofoed states that Tennessee is seeing a troubling trend, with layoffs skyrocketing since 2023.
“That is a very big and concerning number,” Kofoed said.
According to CNBC, more than 1.1 million U.S. employees were laid off this year, the highest 11-month total since 2020.
Tennessee
Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.
ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”
In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.
The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.
ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.
This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.
Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator
Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.
Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.
“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.
“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”
Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
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