Tennessee
Tennessee State’s $43M Bailout Is Your College Planning Wake-Up Call
University sign and building
As someone who’s spent over a decade helping families navigate the complexities of college financial planning, I’ve never seen a situation that better illustrates the changing landscape of higher education than Tennessee State University’s recent $43 million emergency funding package. If you’re a parent saving for your child’s education or a student planning your academic future, this situation offers crucial lessons about college planning in 2024 and beyond
The Wake-Up Call We All Needed
When I first read about Tennessee State’s situation in Higher Ed Dive’s comprehensive coverage, the numbers stopped me in my tracks. The university’s first-year enrollment plummeted from 3,500 students to just 880 – a decline so severe it threatened the institution’s very existence. According to Tennessee’s State Comptroller’s office, this led to the layoff of 114 employees and required emergency intervention to keep the university operating.
But here’s what really caught my attention as a financial advisor: this wasn’t just another COVID story.
Why This Crisis Matters for Your Family
Through my conversations with hundreds of families about college planning, I’ve noticed that most focus primarily on saving enough money. While that’s crucial, Tennessee State’s situation reveals why we need to think more broadly about protecting our educational investments. Here’s what the data tells us:
The Demographic Cliff Is Real
According to Deloitte’s 2024 Higher Education Trends report and verified enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, we’re approaching a significant demographic cliff. Peak enrollment of traditional college-age students is predicted as soon as 2025. This isn’t just a statistic – it’s a fundamental shift that could affect your child’s college experience and your family’s financial planning.
Financial Warning Signs Matter
The Tennessee State situation revealed several verified red flags that families should watch for when evaluating any university:
- Documentation from state auditors showed the university allocated one-time funds for ongoing student aid without sustainable planning
- Public records confirmed the institution struggled to honor scholarship commitments
- Federal financial reports indicated depleted emergency funds without adequate replacement strategies
Protecting Your Family’s College Investment
Based on my analysis of Tennessee State’s documented challenges and extensive discussions with education finance experts, here’s how to better protect your family’s college investment:
1. Research Financial Health
Don’t just look at the college’s sticker price. Use these verified resources:
2. Create a Backup Plan
In my experience advising families, those who fare best in uncertain situations have multiple contingency plans:
- Research transfer pathways between your chosen school and potential backup institutions
- Consider tuition insurance (typically 1-5% of tuition) to protect against unexpected withdrawals
- Understand your state’s credit transfer guarantees between public institutions
3. Monitor Warning Signs
Stay informed about your chosen institution’s health by tracking:
- Enrollment trends (available through the Common Data Set)
- State funding levels (public records for state institutions)
- News about faculty staffing and program changes
Looking Ahead
When I started my college career, the conversation focused primarily on saving and scholarships. Today, as Tennessee State’s situation demonstrates, we need a more comprehensive approach to protect our educational investments.
The traditional metrics of college selection – rankings, campus amenities, and historical reputation – still matter. However, as confirmed by Deloitte’s research and the experiences of institutions nationwide, families need to prioritize an institution’s financial sustainability and ability to deliver consistent educational value.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.
The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.
Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.
The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
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