Tennessee

New TVA board must refocus on reliability, affordability and accountability | Opinion

Published

4 months ago

November 17, 2025

Press Room

New TVA board must refocus on reliability, affordability and accountability | Opinion

Walter Blanks Jr.
| Guest columnist

The author argues the Tennessee Valley Authority has strayed from its core mission of providing reliable and affordable energy.
New board members nominated by President Donald Trump are urged to refocus the agency on power generation.
TVA should resist “side projects” like green energy, ESG goals, and government broadband.

As Tennessee, and six other southern states, prepare to welcome a new slate of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board members nominated by President Donald Trump, our state faces a pivotal moment for one of its most important public institutions.

TVA was created to serve a simple, vital purpose — to provide reliable, affordable energy to the people of our Tennessee Valley region. But over the years, that mission has drifted.

Too often, TVA has strayed into side projects that have little to do with keeping the lights on and everything to do with expanding the government’s reach. It’s time for that to change. With new leadership coming in alongside a vision cast by Trump and our two U.S. Senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, TVA has a chance to return to what it does best: providing affordable energy that powers Tennessee’s homes, businesses and industries.

The stakes could not be higher. From families trying to pay rising power bills, which seem to increase year over year, to small businesses struggling with inflation and energy costs, reliability and affordability aren’t abstract policy goals —they’re kitchen table issues. When the cost of electricity goes up, the cost of everything else follows.

TVA at risk of power shortages again this winter

And, according to Sen. Bill Hagerty, TVA’s failures are now a “limiting factor” on economic development projects in Tennessee. Not to mention the rolling brownouts we’ve experienced over the past few years — which TVA now anticipates will continue going forward.

That’s why the largely new TVA board, once approved by the U.S. Senate, should make one goal crystal clear: TVA’s job is to produce dependable energy at the lowest possible cost, not follow liberal trends, pursue pet projects or build new bureaucracies.

In recent years, TVA’s focus has too often shifted away from its statutory mission. Take broadband and other non-core ventures for example. They stretch TVA’s expertise, resources and legal boundaries. This kind of “mission creep” doesn’t help Tennessee families — it burdens them.

The truth is, government-run projects in spaces like broadband have consistently failed to deliver on their promises. Across the country, liberal pet projects like this have been riddled with cost overruns, low participation rates and disappointing results. They sound good on paper, but in reality, they waste taxpayer dollars and crowd out private providers that can do the job better and faster — all why putting the taxpayer on the long-term hook for repairs, upgrades and other network needs.

Tennessee’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding decisions offer a cautionary tale. Every state will receive federal funds to expand broadband access, but states must decide how those funds are spent. Here in Tennessee, the right choice is to prioritize free-market solutions that empower private providers to compete and innovate — not to expand the footprint of government-run networks that history tells us are unsustainable.

When TVA stays in its lane, Tennessee prospers

The same principle should guide TVA. The board’s first responsibility should be to the ratepayers – the people of Tennessee who depend on consistent, affordable electricity. That means ensuring every decision made under this new leadership passes a simple test: Does it make energy more reliable and affordable for the people TVA serves? If not, it’s the wrong direction.

Trump’s new nominees have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to restore trust and accountability at TVA. The Senate’s confirmation of these nominees for TVA’s board is a chance to chart a new course for one of Tennessee’s and the larger region’s most influential institutions.

We need board members who will roll up their sleeves, hold the agency accountable and keep TVA focused on what matters: energy independence, affordability and service to the people who actually pay the bills.

With new leadership and renewed focus, it can once again become a model of what government should be – limited, accountable and working for the people.

Walter Blanks Jr. serves as executive director of Black Americans United for Tennessee.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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