Team USA women’s basketball has several college stars to thank for its latest gold medal.

The City of Franklin has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2026 honor by Tennessean. This list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling respected and supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to, to name a few. City honored with Top Workplace in 2023 as well.

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More than 90% of employees participated in the survey. The results showed that 88% believe their teams work well together, 88% are satisfied with their jobs, and 83% feel they are part of something meaningful. Those numbers matter because communities are strongest when the people serving them care about the work they do. When teams work well together, projects move forward. When employees find purpose in their jobs, they look for solutions. When people believe their work matters, residents often experience better service, stronger connections, and a community that continues moving forward while holding on to what makes it special.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

“Having a great positive workplace culture is one of our highest priorities of our City leadership team,” said Eric Stuckey. “Our employees are the most valuable assets we have in the city and their exceptional service to the community is well appreciated by our community. I am genuinely proud to lead a team of this caliber that delivers for the citizens of Franklin every day. We have some of the finest public servants in the nation”

FULSHEAR, Texas – A Texas homeowner heading out for an early morning walk got quite a surprise when he mistook a large reptile parked on his front porch for an online delivery.

Officers with the Fulshear Police Department were called to a local residence last week after the homeowner accidentally struck an alligator with his screen door, initially believing it was a package from Amazon.

What they’re saying:

“With all the heavy rain we’ve been getting lately, it seems the gators are on the move,” the police department said in a statement. “This little fella decided to skip the swamp and upgrade to porch life this morning.”

Footage released by the department captures the alligator resting on the concrete porch while the homeowner explains the startling encounter to responding officers, noting he didn’t realize what it was until he banged into it with the door.

Police officers successfully wrangled the alligator and relocated it safely to a nearby pond.

Recent heavy rainfall across the region has displaced local wildlife, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain cautious as animals seek out dry territory.

“If you see an unexpected visitor like this around your home, give it plenty of space and let us handle it,” the department reminded the community. “Apparently, even the gators are looking for higher ground these days!”

The department also added a bit of local humor to the unusual morning call: “And yes, before anyone asks, this little gator is not paying property taxes.”