Tennessee

Could passenger rail return to Tennessee soon? We asked state leaders

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2024

Could passenger rail return to Tennessee soon? We asked state leaders

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Back in the 1970s, Nashville residents could walk down to Union Station and hop on an Amtrak line that ran all the way down to Florida. These days, if you’d like to travel by train, you’ll have to drive out to West Tennessee and hop on the Amtrak line that stops in Dyersburg or Memphis.

But could access to passenger rail soon be changing in Tennessee?

On Thursday, the Tennessee Senate passed a bill requiring TDOT to submit a yearly report to the legislature on the state of passenger and freight rail efforts. Two years ago, the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations performed a study on expanding rail access.

With all of these studies, NewsChannel 5 decided to ask state leaders if there’s any interest in actually moving forward with plans.

State leaders weigh in

“Well I think in certain areas, it could be beneficial,” said Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, a Republican from Oak Ridge.

“Always feasible to look at what the cost is,” said Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, a Republican from Crossville.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth expressed mild interest before changing the topic to potholes.

“We’ve got some severe damage from this winter. And so I think it’s fine to look at light rail and everything else, but I want to make sure TDOT’s stays laser-focused on getting our roads back up to the high quality we’re used to,” said Lamberth, a Republican from Portland.

Gov. Bill Lee showed a little more skepticism.

“I think it kind of depends on what these studies reveal, right? There have been studies. They’re inconclusive,” said Gov. Lee. a Republican from Williamson County. “I think the answer to that is yet to be determined.”

TDOT is standing by

It certainly doesn’t sound like anything is imminent.

Still, Rebekah Hammonds, a spokesperson for TDOT, says the department is doing a few things in case the urgency changes.

Hammonds tells NewsChannel 5 that TDOT is in active conversations with stakeholders, federal partners and neighboring states to explore future opportunities. Also, TDOT is a participant in a Federal Railroad Administration grant to study passenger rail from Atlanta to Chattanooga and Nashville to Memphis. She says the department is also looking at internal operations regarding rail, and comparing them to other states.

Essentially, if lawmakers want to get moving on rail, Hammonds says the department wants to be ready.

Appetite for alternatives

Even though leaders may not be ready, just yet, to barrel down the tracks, they also admit there’s an appetite for alternative options.

“There’s never a problem with looking at and trying to determine what the options should be for the future, as we are experiencing more growth than we ever have in our state’s history,” said Speaker Sexton.

“I think over the years we’re going to see increased interest in being able to move people from one state to another, in more efficient ways than we do now,” said Gov. Lee.

Carrie recommends:

Arizona journalist explains voucher outcomes before Tennessee considers the same

I have two boys in elementary school, so as the school voucher debate takes center stage again – I wanted to really understand this issue. Arizona started its school voucher program 13 years ago and is the first state in the nation to offer universal school vouchers. That’s what Governor Lee is proposing in two years. I leaned on the expertise of an investigative reporter in Arizona – and she came through with facts, figures and plenty of insight. This reporting gave me a lot to think about as a mom and a taxpayer. I think it will for you too.

-Carrie Sharp

Source link

Click to comment

Tennessee

NC State advances past Tennessee, 76-61

Published

8 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

NC State’s NCAA tournament started about as well as possible, with the Pack making its first eight shots from the floor on the way to taking a 19-4 lead. Zoe Brooks and Zam Jones had the offense rolling in those first five minutes—Zam played with her hair on fire from the start and ended up with one of the best performances of her career.

The Wolfpack needed it, too. The Volunteers responded well after their rough start and kept within striking distance but still found themselves down 11 at halftime. Tennessee created a lot of second-chance opportunities for itself throughout, and State ended up very fortunate that the Vols didn’t shoot better.

Things got tenuous very quickly in the third quarter, as the Pack started cold from the field and lost Brooks to a foot injury midway through the period. Wes Moore didn’t have any details to share after the game, but Brooks was obviously in a lot of pain. It’s more than a little worrying that the injury didn’t appear to have anything to do with contact, and she didn’t roll an ankle, either. But it’s not a knee injury, at least.

After Brooks departed, Tennessee pulled to within 48-46, and the game appeared to be turning in a bad way. Zam Jones had the answers, however, knocking down a critical three to calm the team down and making four free throws in the final minute to extend her team’s lead back to nine heading into the fourth. Tennessee would get no closer.

Zam was a menace throughout—en route to 30 points, she drew 12 fouls and shot 13 free throws. Led by those efforts, NC State went to the free throw line 20 times in the second half, which helped the Pack continue to put points on the board even when the shots weren’t falling, especially in the third.

That was a big difference in the final result—NC State leaned heavily on opportunities it created off the bounce, which led to 25 free throw attempts (and 21 makes). Tennessee’s M.O. is threes by the bushel and it ended up with 36 three-point tries in this one—but the Vols made just seven of them, and shot just six free throws.

While the Vols were dominant on the glass, State was just a lot more effective in the paint: the Pack made 57.5% of its twos, while the Vols made just 45.9%. So, in the end, State was able to weather its worst defensive rebounding effort of the season without all that much trouble.

It’s an excellent win and it would be really encouraging if it didn’t have Zoe’s injury hanging over it. NC State’s task now is beating No. 2 Michigan on its home floor Sunday, and maybe having to do it shorthanded.

Source link

Tennessee

Nate Ament NBA mock draft projections with Tennessee basketball in March Madness

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Nate Ament NBA mock draft projections with Tennessee basketball in March Madness

PHILADELPHIA – The 2026 NBA Draft will likely be loaded with standout freshmen, and Tennessee basketball is happy to claim one in Nate Ament.

The 6-foot-10 forward has arguably been the best player for the No. 6 seed Vols (22-11) heading into March Madness.

They’ll need him at his best to make a deep run in the men’s NCAA Tournament, which begins at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia against No. 11 Miami of Ohio (32-1) on March 20 (4:25 ET, TBS).

Ament has not declared for the NBA Draft, but the All-SEC forward is a projected lottery (top 14) pick. He could be Tennessee’s first lottery pick since Marcus Haislip went to the Milwaukee Bucks with the No. 13 pick in 2002.

Buy Tennessee basketball NCAA tournament tickets

Where is Nate Ament from?

Ament is from Manassas, Virginia, 35 miles west of Washington, D.C. He went to Highland High School and was a five-star prospect. He committed to Tennessee on April 20, 2025, choosing the Vols over offers from Texas, Louisville, Kentucky, Arkansas and Duke, among others.

How tall is Nate Ament?

Ament is 6-foot-10, 207 pounds. He’s added 20 pounds since arriving at Tennessee.

How old is Nate Ament?

Ament is 19 years old. He was born on Dec. 10, 2006.

Nate Ament stats for Tennessee basketball

Ament averaged 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals throughout 31 games. He shot 40.5% from the field and 33.1% from 3.

Nate Ament 2026 NBA Draft projection

Heading into the NCAA Tournament, Ament’s NBA Draft projection has settled around the back half of the lottery. Draft analysts were initially concerned with Ament’s slow start, but his emergence throughout SEC play points to a higher professional ceiling.

USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky has the lowest current projection on Ament, slotting him at No. 11.

The Athletic, ESPN and CBS have the freshman going off the board at No. 9.

How did Nate Ament play this season?

Ament’s season, much like the Vols as a whole, has been marked with inconsistency. He started Tennessee’s non-conference schedule strong with six straight games scoring 15 or more points.

He hit an early wall against tougher competition, beginning with Houston where he shot 1-of-9 in a 76-73 win. In a nine-game stretch from the Houston win into early conference play, Ament averaged 11.9 points on 36% shooting, and shot 22% from 3.

Ament’s 17-point performance in the Vols’ 91-67 loss at Florida on Jan. 10 ignited a 13-game stretch where he was one of the top players in the country. He jumped up to 21.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Ament shot 43% from the field and 39% from 3-point range.

Ament’s progression slowed after Feb. 24 when he sprained his ankle in a loss to Missouri. He played briefly in the next game against Alabama before missing the final two games of the regular season. Ament returned in the SEC Tournament, where he lifted the Vols to victory over Auburn with 27 points, then had a 1-of-13 outing the next day in a loss to Vanderbilt.

What was Nate Ament’s injury?

In the first half of Tennessee’s game at Missouri on Feb. 24, Ament jumped up for a rebound and came down awkwardly on his right ankle. He left for a few minutes but finished the game.

The freshman started against Alabama on Feb. 28, but only played 11 minutes before injuring his knee and re-aggravating the ankle sprain in a loose ball scrum. Ament missed Tennessee’s final two regular season games at South Carolina and against Vanderbilt with a right high ankle sprain.

He returned against Auburn in the SEC Tournament on March 12. Ament led the Vols to a 20-0 run to beat the Tigers in the second round, 72-62. In the quarterfinals on March 13, though, Ament didn’t have the same success. His 12 points included 10 free throws in a 75-68 loss to Vanderbilt.

Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com

Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks: knoxnews.com/subscribe

Source link

Tennessee

Where to watch Iowa State vs Tennessee State in March Madness First Round: Time, TV Channel

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch Iowa State vs Tennessee State in March Madness First Round: Time, TV Channel

March Madness is underway and college basketball’s big dance continues with No. 2 seed Iowa State taking on No. 15 seed Tennessee State in a First Round matchup on Friday, March 20. Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the clash between the Tigers and Cyclones.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering men’s March Madness to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

Join the USA TODAY Bracket Challenge to win $1 million