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Editorial: Tennessee school voucher program stalls again

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Editorial: Tennessee school voucher program stalls again


Contemplating the opposition to high school vouchers inside the instructional neighborhood, it appeared all however a miracle in 2019 when the Tennessee Common Meeting permitted giving households within the worst faculty districts in the state public tax {dollars} for personal faculty tuition.

However even earlier than Gov. Invoice Lee signed the invoice, the 2 districts it focused — Memphis and Nashville — have been getting ready to sue to maintain state cash flowing to varsities that do not work and to failing academics and directors. They claimed the voucher initiative violated the Tennessee Structure’s “house rule,” which says the legislature can not go measures singling out particular person counties with out their settlement.

This system focuses on public faculties within the backside 10% of educational achievement within the state’s two largest faculty methods. However even because the lawsuits progressed, the preliminary rollout of this system was mishandled, opening extra questions that gave opponents new ammunition in their quest to cease or restrict faculty vouchers.

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Lawmakers budgeted roughly $730,000 to manage this system and get it underway no later than the 2021-22 faculty yr. However the Division of Schooling awarded a multiyear, $2.5 million contract to get that finished via a no-bid course of that legislators on either side of the political aisle have been involved about.

Now that the Tennessee Supreme Courtroom has simply ended the lawsuits, overturning a decrease courtroom’s help of them, new roadblocks are fast in coming. Due to them, Gov. Lee says he doesn’t have a timeline but on when his administration may roll out the long-blocked faculty voucher program. He mentioned the courtroom’s ruling was a “good first step.”

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We thought it was an excellent final step, however the governor mentioned there are “authorized choices but to be made” and “plenty of steps that should come to fruition” earlier than this system can rise up and working.

“As soon as we decide the velocity with which the courtroom will make its ultimate choices, then we are able to transfer ahead with the particulars to make positive this works and suits, and the way it’s that we roll it out,” Lee mentioned, which at base is plenty of nothing for the reason that state is now not blocked in courtroom from transferring forward with this system as a result of the injunction was primarily based on the house rule choice, says the state lawyer basic’s workplace.

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The case now heads again to a decrease courtroom to find out different authorized challenges, amongst them claims that this system violates instructional and equal safety provisions of the state Structure. The ACLU says the plaintiffs “intend to proceed to vigorously pursue” their claims, to vigorously stall its implementation. Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s workplace has additionally promised to maintain combating the voucher program from being applied.

It’s a shame that politicians and academic professionals in the very worst of public faculties proceed to do all they will to maintain kids trapped in inner-city districts which are doing a poor job, solely to maintain poor academics of their jobs. It’s due to the sturdy affect of the trainer foyer that it took Tennessee so lengthy to place faculty vouchers in place. But, they proceed denying dad and mom that wanted alternative.

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Aguilar throws three touchdowns to lead No. 17 Tennessee over Kentucky

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Aguilar throws three touchdowns to lead No. 17 Tennessee over Kentucky


LEXINGTON, Ky. — Joey Aguilar threw for 396 yards and three touchdowns, DeSean Bishop ran for a pair of touchdowns, and No. 17 Tennessee took advantage of two first quarter turnovers to beat Kentucky 56-34 on Saturday night.

Aguilar completed touchdown passes of 35, 13, and 62 yards to pace the Volunteers (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference). Chris Brazzell II had 138 yards receiving and Mike Matthews added 107 yards receiving and each had a touchdown.

“You look at the turnovers defensively, they changed the way the game was played,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “I’m proud of the way our guys competed, coming on the road, getting a win against a team that took Texas to overtime a week ago. There’s things we can certainly clean up, and we’ll need to as we keep going through conference play.”

Kentucky’s Cutter Boley tried to match Aguilar, throwing for 330 yards and a school record for a freshman quarterback five touchdowns, but also threw a pick-six that put the Wildcats (2-5, 0-5) in a 14-0 hole.

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He had scoring passes of 71, 56, 3, 28 and 7 yards. D.J. Miller had 120 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

The Takeaway

Tennessee: The defensive unit came into the game ranked last in the conference in pass defense, but two turnovers led to 14 Volunteer points. Edrees Farooq fielded his own batted pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. The Vols could move up a couple of spots in the Top 25 after SEC teams ranked higher, Missouri and Oklahoma, lost.

Kentucky: The Wildcats scored more than two offensive touchdowns in a game for the first time since Nov. 11, 2023, a span of 13 games. The loss was Kentucky’s 10th straight conference loss, and 11th straight home loss to a Power 4 team.

Kentucky linebacker Daveren Rayner sacks Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. Credit: AP/Michael Swensen

All eyes on Stoops’ future

The loss will only increase the pressure on Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart to make a decision on coach Mark Stoops, the longest-tenured coach in the SEC. A restless fan base has been vocal on moving on from the program’s winningest coach and showed it Saturday as the crowd was easily split 50-50 between Tennessee and Kentucky fans. By the end it was mostly Volunteer fans gathered in the corner singing “Rocky Top” as the rest of Kroger Field was empty.

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A one-play comedy

One play symbolized how Kentucky’s season has gone. In the first quarter, Boley completed a pass to Hardley Gilmore IV, who fumbled. Ja’Mori Maclin tried to pick the ball up, but it squirted backward. Two Kentucky lineman had a shot at the ball, which kept rolling before Maclin did pick it up. Boo Carter then forced Maclin to fumble and it was recovered by Jadon Perlotte at the Kentucky 12. Tack on an unnecessary roughness penalty on Kentucky, and the result was a 23-yard loss.

Up Next

Tennessee: Hosts No. 13 Oklahoma on Saturday.

Kentucky: Travels to Auburn on Saturday.



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What to know about the blast at a Tennessee explosives plant that killed 16 people

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What to know about the blast at a Tennessee explosives plant that killed 16 people


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities plan to give an update Friday on the massive blast in Tennessee that killed 16 people earlier this month at an explosives plant, where a painstaking, ongoing investigation has not yet determined the cause of the explosion.

The explosion on Oct. 10 at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant claimed the lives of people ages 21 to 60 years old. Authorities have said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has positively identified 14 of the 16 victims using “rapid DNA” technology.

There has not yet been an announcement about what specific materials exploded, or what ignited the blast. The investigation involves delicate searches for both victims’ remains and for any dangerous materials that need to be disarmed.

Bridgette Mason, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Friday’s news conference will include “discussion regarding the work that has been done thus far and some information regarding the investigation moving forward.”

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The cause has not been determined, Mason said.

Already, the family of one victim has sued over their loved one’s death, and some law firms have posted online resources for relatives of those who died.

What happened at Accurate Energetic Systems

The initial blast was felt for more than 20 miles (32 kilometers), leaving a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metal and burned-out vehicles at the plant. Authorities said there were no survivors and some evidence may be spread out over miles.

People attend a candlelight vigil at the Humphreys County Courthouse honoring the victims of a blast at an explosives plant, Accurate Energetic Systems, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Waverly, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV

The company’s 1,300-acre (526-hectare) complex in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee is made up of eight different specialized production buildings and a lab. It straddles the Hickman and Humphreys county line in unincorporated Bucksnort, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville.

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The company’s customers include the aerospace, defense, demolition and mining industries.

It has been awarded numerous military contracts, largely by the U.S. Army and Navy, to supply different types of munitions and explosives, according to public records. The products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C4.

The longtime, well-known company in the area employs some 150 people, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. It is based in nearby McEwen.

People console each other during a candlelight vigil honoring the...

People console each other during a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of a blast at an explosives plant, Accurate Energetic Systems, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Waverly, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV

Accurate Energetic Systems CEO Wendell Stinson said in a statement on the company’s website that it is “assisting investigators in every way possible” and that its officials “maintain high industry standards and have regular reviews by state and federal regulators.”

The company has started a fund with a local community foundation to help solicit donations for affected families.

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Lawsuit filed over Tennessee explosion

Last week, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of the 9-year-old daughter of Jeremy Moore, who was killed in the explosion.

The legal challenge was filed against AAC Investments, LLC, which is a company closely tied to Accurate Energetic Systems. The lawsuit claims AAC was the owner, operator and manager of the factory and that the explosion happened because AAC did not maintain a “reasonably safe factory” for the explosives work.

Moore, 37, cherished spending time with and supporting his daughter at cheerleading, softball or any adventure she wanted to do, his obituary says.

Lee Coleman, the attorney for Moore’s family, said the complaint could be amended once more details are available, and additional defendants could be added.

A spokesperson for Accurate Energetic Systems declined to comment on the pending lawsuit.

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What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit

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What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit


Danny White is searching for the next Tennessee baseball coach at an uncommon time of year and in an unusual situation.

The totality of the situation following Tony Vitello vacating the post to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants has White taking a comprehensive look at the search.

“I’m going into this with open eyes,” White said.

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White has made six hires at Tennessee, including for two of the most prominent programs. He’s now looking to fill one of the other most prominent positions on campus and replacing arguably the most popular Vols coach.

He has appointed pitching coach Frank Anderson as the interim coach and asked associate head coach Josh Elander to be a candidate for the position.

As he enters the search, White said he has “nothing specific” he is looking for in a candidate. He wants his first “data point” to come from talking to the leaders of the baseball team.

“I still want to hear their perspective, learn from that and then go into the process, but I don’t have anything particular in mind,” White said.

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White’s search differs from his previous ones at Tennessee and is unique in its circumstances. Vitello’s departure is the first time an MLB franchise has hired a college baseball coach with no prior MLB experience. It also comes less than 18 months after the Vols won the national title, whereas his other coaching hires all followed necessary change.

Heupel’s six hires are football coach Josh Heupel, Lady Vols basketball coach Kim Caldwell, women’s soccer coach Joe Kirt, rowing coach Kim Cupini, cross country coach Justin Duncan and track and field coach Duane Ross.

The most consistent pattern in White’s hires stems from the choices of Heupel, Caldwell, Cupini and Ross. All four were winners lower levels and proved they could build high-level programs as head coaches.

Heupel was White’s first hire. He previously hired Heupel to coach at UCF then brought him to Tennessee shortly after he was named the athletics director. Heupel brought a big offense and questions about recruiting, but put the latter to rest at Tennessee.

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Caldwell is White’s most notable choice since Heupel. White moved on from former coach Kellie Harper in April 2024 then quickly hired Caldwell. Caldwell had only one year of head coaching experience at the Division I level, but had won a national title at the Division II level and has been a high-level winner in her whole career. She brought an elite offensive system with her.

Kirt’s hiring perhaps most similar mirrors the baseball situation. He was an internal candidate after Brian Pensky dashed to Florida State. White went through the process but ultimately chose to appoint Kirt the coach instead of an outside hire.

Cupini was a proven program-builder. She built a successful program at San Diego then was a winner at SMU, where she was before she was hired at Tennessee. She won three AAC titles at SMU and the Mustangs to three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.

Ross has a similar background, having led North Carolina A&T from 2012-22 and creating the program into a winner. He brought head coaching experience.

Duncan was a pivotal assistant at Oklahoma State, which fielded one of the nations best distance programs.

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Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.





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