Tennessee
Lamar Alexander: America is divided politically, but Howard Baker provides us a path to save our republic
I believe Howard Baker would see the wheel of history turning again with a new opportunity for today’s generation to improve our republic. The greatest obstacle is that we are divided.
Howard Baker on the decisive moment in Watergate and Richard Nixon’s presidency
Howard Baker and John Siegenthaller talk about a conversation with President Nixon that led Baker to find the facts, regardless of politics and party.
Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, University of Tennessee
Editor’s note: Former Tennessee Gov. and Sen. Lamar Alexander wrote and submitted this guest essay prior to the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on July 13. However, the message is even more relevant in light of that event.
One of Tennessee U.S. Sen. Howard Baker’s favorite words was “republic.”
When things looked bleak in the face of an obstinate senator, a presidential election or a war, Howard would say: “The republic will survive.”
He chose “republic,” not “democracy.” There is a difference.
Democracy is government by the majority, something we could do if everyone voted on the internet. A republic is government by an elected body according to a constitution, a messier operation with checks and balances.
On September 17, 1787, near the end of the Constitutional Convention, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well doctor, what have we got?”
“A republic, if you can keep it,” Franklin said.
Public service lets Americans make an impact on the lives of millions
Today, as our republic approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, we are in a new era that has driven opinions to extremes, soured relationships, demolished behavioral norms, encouraged politicians to race toward their bases, undermined treasured institutions, and damaged confidence in the future of our country.
Would Howard Baker, who passed away in 2014, still say our republic will survive?
First, I believe he would be encouraged by the example of the other Senate Majority Leader from Tennessee, Bill Frist.
“Why would you give up being one of the world’s leading transplant surgeons to run for the United States Senate?” I asked Frist in February 1994.
Neither Donald Trump nor any other leader deserves to be a target of political violence
“Today I can fly to Chattanooga, cut out a heart, put it in a garbage bag on ice, fly back to Vanderbilt Hospital, perform an eight-hour operation, and maybe a year later I’ll meet one person on the street who will thank me for saving his life. If I’m a senator, maybe I can save a million lives,” he said.
Dr. Frist won and, working with President George W. Bush, created PEPFAR ( President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), investing $100 billion to combat HIV-AIDS and saving 25 million lives.
Citizens want policy changes, but they abhor government
As governor and senator, I woke up every day thinking I could do something good for my state or country and went to bed most nights thinking that I had.
Still, I have a hard time persuading friends that serving in public office is a privilege.
“How could you stand to be there? How did you ever get anything done?” they demand to know.
Home builder Delmar Caylor once showed me a large dead rat that he had extracted from the wall behind the commode after he had crawled under our house. The dead rat had been causing an odor.
“I wouldn’t want your job,” I said.
“I had rather have my job crawling under your house any day than the job you have up there in Washington working with Harry Reid,” Delmar said.
“Students today want to change public policy, but they don’t like government,” said Dr. Marianne Wanamaker, dean of the University of Tennessee’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs.
In naming the school, UT avoided the word “government.”
Students may feel that way, but Dr. Wanamaker will have to teach those who want to change things that if they want to make the greatest difference, they will have to figure out how to be elected to government or go to work for someone who has been.
U.S. is the envy of the world even as we are divided politically
In “Team of Rivals,” historian Doris Kearns Goodwin writes, “As a young man, Lincoln worried that nothing had been left for his generation but modest ambitions.” Then, “the wheel of history turned.”
I believe Howard Baker would see the wheel of history turning again with a new opportunity for today’s generation to improve our republic.
The greatest obstacle is that we are divided.
“Too much pluribus and not enough unum,” filmmaker Ken Burns said when he visited Knoxville.
Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn earns bipartisan win, but she’s still a political bruiser
I agree, but we also have what it takes it to put things back together again.
We produce 25% of the world’s money and half its venture capital for only 5% of the world’s people.
We have the strongest military; most of the best universities, create the most advanced vaccines and cures; and lead in artificial intelligence and a hundred other technologies.
Our constitutional guarantees of liberty are the envy of the world. One of our toughest problems is what to do about the millions who want to move here. This is not a recipe for despair.
UT dedicated its new school to Howard Baker’s legacy — to attract, encourage and graduate talented students who look forward to serving in public office, pulling Americans together, solving problems and keeping our country on the right track.
That is how Howard Baker’s school can give meaning to his words: the republic will survive.
Lamar Alexander was Sen. Howard Baker’s first legislative assistant. He served as governor, U.S. senator, U.S. education secretary and president of the University of Tennessee. He is writing a memoir, his 10th book.
The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, which celebrated its one-year anniversary on July 1, 2024, aims to produce the next generation of skilled public problem solvers prepared to take leadership roles in their communities. Baker School students are grounded in the legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr. with curriculum and co-curricular activities focused on Baker’s guiding principles including Confidence in America, Finding Common Ground and You Might Be Right. Under the umbrellas of two research centers, Baker School faculty and experts combine sound science and thoughtful policy to address challenges facing the state of Tennessee, the United States, and the world. In addition, the Baker School houses the Institute of American Civics, which is responsible for encouraging civic knowledge and participation among UT undergraduates and the state at large.
Levorn Harbin addressed the media today ahead of Kentucky.
Well-known as Coach Chop, Harbin is the outside linebackers coach for Tennessee, and an instrumental presence in the recruiting scene. Harbin reflected back at the Alabama game, while moving forward.
Lack of Success Against Alabama
“Um, number one, I mean, Alabama got a great offensive line. (They) had a couple of guys that probably going to be first-round draft picks, but there’s some things that I can do better to help the guys out that I’m having to coach up this week and um the guys were in position a couple of times but didn’t finish like we would like to. We’ll clean that up this week and we’ll move on to being better than what we were last week.”
How Does Alabama Outcome Impact This Week’s Approach?
“I’m the same every week, but also, you got to go back and evaluate what you’re doing and maybe be a little bit more tedious about certain things. That’s what I have had to do this week. That’s what I and the guys also got to work on, the little things. I have to keep coaching it and for those guys, the biggest thing is just finishing. Finishing rushes and I got to coach that part up and teach them how to finish too. So, that’s on me. That’s not on them. That’s my job, and no, I don’t change from week to week. Wins or losses, I treat the same to be honest with you.”
Does Success Feed on Itself
“Every snap the guys go out there and think they are gonna win. That’s what you got to first put in their mind that they can’t win every rep. Last week, they were a little disappointed with the outcome of the production, but they also went back and watched the film, they saw where they could have been successful and they weren’t. So, it wasn’t like they were just so much better than us. Now, they did have some good plays, doing a great job with their sets and with their hands and we could have been a little bit moreviolent. They saw where they could have done a better job and been more productive. So, I mean, we’re not worried at all about moving forward.”
Click HERE to watch and listen to everything from Levorn Harbin.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A trip to the salon isn’t just about a new look — sometimes, it’s about washing away the weight of the day.
“It’s nice to see you,” clients often hear, but for many beauty professionals, their role extends far beyond styling hair or applying makeup.
“I’ve seen and heard everything behind the chair,” said Susanne Shepherd Post, co-founder of Shear Haven. For 30 years, she’s been a trusted listener in her salon chair.
“I’ve had clients open up to me about their own abusive relationships,” Shepherd Post said.
That’s why, in 2021, she championed a Tennessee law requiring all beauty professionals to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse — and how to respond. More than 71,000 professionals have now taken the free, 20-minute training. The clock, though, is ticking — complete it by December 31 or lose your license.
“Knowing that at least one in four women and one in seven men will experience abuse means that every day a stylist behind the chair might see many people, several people that might be the ones to meet that resource,” Shepherd Post said.
Licensees had four years between 2022 and 2025 to complete the approved training. If a licensee does not complete the training, their license will be invalid.
“I know that it’s saving lives,” Shepherd Post said.
She has lived this reality herself, having survived an abusive marriage.
“I know how important that person in my life was, who knew what I was going through wasn’t just a bad relationship, but rather an abusive one,” Shepherd Post said.
She stresses that warning signs aren’t always visible.
“Non physical signs that we’re in a unique position to see. There might be signs of isolation, maybe pulling away from some of their closest family or friends, they might seem a little withdrawn, or have more cancelations,” Shepherd Post said.
That’s why she partnered with the YWCA to create Shear Haven and teach beauty pros how to handle difficult conversations — and connect clients to safety. Together with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the state Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, they want to remind all licensed beauty professionals to complete their training.
“They’re on the front lines. They see and hear things that most folks do not,” YWCA Vice President of strategic communications & advocacy Michelle Mowery Johnson.
She’s hoping to create awareness that reaches far beyond the chair.
“Being able to reach my kids generation with awareness would be so impactful. To be able to curb the numbers. See a real shift in Tennessee,” Shepherd Post said.
Nearly 2,000 Tennessee beauty professionals are running out of time to complete mandatory domestic violence training.
“As beauty professionals know, most domestic violence victims will not report abuse to law enforcement, but they will tell someone with whom they have a long-standing relationship, such as a cosmetologist or a barber,” said Board Executive Director Roxana Gumucio.
If you or someone you know has questions about domestic violence or needs shelter, please call YWCA’s 24-Hour Crisis & Support Helpline at 800-334-4628 or TEXT 615-983-5170.
Click here, for the training.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Patsy.Montesinos@Newschannel5.com
Hunters and fishers: Funding shortfall may cut wildlife and outdoor services
One of the best things about Tennessee is its beauty. Reporter, Chris Davis, certainly makes the most of it as an avid hunter and fisherman. When he turned the spotlight on the potential funding shortfall the TWRA is facing – it hit a nerve with many of our viewers. To find out more, make sure to watch this story.
– Carrie Sharp
Alabama football nabbed its sixth straight win this past Saturday night, beating rival Tennessee 37-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium for its fourth straight victory over a ranked team (becoming the first SEC squad to ever do that without a bye week in the process).
“Gutty win against a very good team. Well-coached, and they constantly put pressure on you,” Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer said postgame. “It wasn’t perfect… But our guys did a nice job of continuing to fight just like we have been.”
The victory was only Alabama’s second in the past four rivalry meetings against the Volunteers, but Tennessee was once again left waiting on its first triumphant outcome in Tuscaloosa since 2003. The Crimson Tide (6-1, 4-0 SEC) moved up to No. 4 in the AP Top 25. The Volunteers (5-2, 2-2 SEC) dropped to No. 17.
Player of the Game: Wolf linebacker Yhonzae Pierre has had to step up after long-term injuries to both Jah-Marien Latham and Qua Russaw. The redshirt sophomore has done more than simply fill a void. He’s become a player opposing offenses can only afford to miss at their own immense peril. On Saturday night, Pierre had six total tackles and was credited with 2.5 sacks, one of which resulted in a safety that gave Alabama a lead it would never relinquish.
Play of the Game: There is no doubt about which play in this contest was the most impactful. With nine seconds remaining in the first half, Tennessee ran a play-action that resulted in quarterback Joey Aguilar’s pass being intercepted by sophomore Crimson Tide cornerback Zabien Brown. Apart from the turnover itself, what made that play so remarkable? That query is answered by the fact that the Volunteers were on the one-yard line, and Brown ran the interception back for a 99-yard touchdown to make the halftime score 23-7 Alabama.
Stat of the Game: At no point after the second quarter was this season’s Third Saturday in October a one-possession game. The visitors never led, and a Jam Miller touchdown with just over four minutes to go in the first half brought the score to 16-7. Brown’s colossal interception return created even more separation, and 10 points was the slimmest margin by which the Crimson Tide led during the game’s second half.
Brown co-led the Alabama team with seven tackles in addition to his long touchdown on the interception. It was a game to remember for the sophomore, who’s already had his share of memorable moments on Saban Field in his young career.
Ty Simpson passed for 253 yards against Tennessee. Sophomore Ryan Williams led the receiving group with 87 of those yards, making more than one difficult catch in the process. He didn’t reach paydirt, but Williams had a long of 31 yards and caught all five of his targets, without so much as a single drop.
Volunteers running back DeSean Bishop had 123 rush yards on 14 attempts, good for an average of 8.8 yards per carry. Adding the averages of the three running backs Alabama used in the game provides a yield of 5.5 (Kevin Riley had -2 yards on three carries). Bishop also had two touchdowns.
Before facing Alabama, Aguilar had only been sacked multiple times in a game once, when Mississippi State notched two against him. The Crimson Tide doubled that total, though Aguilar has still not taken more than one sack in a home game.
Redshirt freshman Rico Scott scored for the first time since the season opener in the third quarter against the Volunteers. However, senior Germie Bernard (who was held scoreless in the game) amassed 35 rush yards on the nine-play, 99-yard drive that resulted in Scott’s 11-yard touchdown reception. Bernard was one of the most important playmakers on a drive that gave his team a 17-point lead.
Through two SEC games this fall, Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green only got three total tackles under his belt. In the ensuing two, Hill-Green stepped up his play dramatically. He had six tackles against the Volunteers and is up to 13 in Alabama’s past two SEC matchups.
Bernard has five receiving touchdowns in the 2025 season, but has now gone two straight weeks without adding another one (or more) to that total. By catching the first touchdown pass of Saturday’s game, Horton earned his fifth touchdown catch of the year. He was expected to make an impact upon his transfer from Miami (Fla.), and has done so in more ways than scoring, but his propensity for finding the end zone in big games cannot be discounted.
Daniel Hill has been seen more regularly as of late, with the coaching staff attributing that to the sophomore getting healthier than he was at the start of the regular season. The 34 yards he ran for when facing Tennessee were a career best, and he added a touchdown to go with that. Hill had 29 yards in the 2024 season opener against Western Kentucky; that was his single-game high before Saturday, and he also scored a touchdown in that contest.
Bray Hubbard equaled Brown with seven total tackles, joining defensive lineman James Smith among players who reached that number against the Volunteers. Hubbard led that group with five solo tackles; it is tied for his season-best number in that category, which he accomplished at Georgia on Sept. 27. Brown and Smith combined for five solo tackles in the Tennessee game.
The stable of Crimson Tide running backs minus Jam Miller, who cleared concussion protocol in time to play Saturday, has yet to put its stamp on a game. Hill helped, but once again, the backs didn’t rush for 100 yards or more between them. Even with Miller, three different running backs combined for just 47 yards. Alabama has only reached the 100-yard mark in a Power Four game twice this season, and both times were with Miller on the field, but he had just 15 rushing yards against Tennessee.
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