Tennessee
Vanderbilt Given Major Compliment by Tennessee’s Head Coach Ahead of Finale
Vanderbilt wasn’t able to accomplish their goal of beating the flailing LSU Tigers this past weekend, but they do have another opportunity to cause chaos in the last game of the regular season.
The Commodores now sit with a 6-5 record, having already secured their spot in a bowl game, but they can play a huge part in how the College Football Playoff might look like if they can knock off their in-state rivals this weekend.
Tennessee has had an interesting year so far, looking like juggernauts early in the season before their offense stumbled and turned them into a beatable team.
That’s what Vanderbilt is hoping to do.
After years of being outclassed by their SEC competition, they have given just about everyone they’ve faced a challenge this season by beating Alabama, losing in overtime to Missouri and losing in one-score games against Texas and LSU.
Tennessee knows they can’t take Vanderbilt lightly, understanding the Commodores would love nothing more than to potentially eliminate the Volunteers from national championship contention.
Josh Heupel was quick to praise Vanderbilt during the early part of the week, making sure to not give the upset-minded Commodores bulletin board material.
“Big road game. Playing a really good football team in Vanderbilt. You look at what they’ve done throughout the season, but statistically they do a great job of tying all three phases together. They play complementary football. They’re smart. They’re tough. They’re physical. They’re disciplined. They make you earn it,” he said per Grant Ramey of Volquest.
In the past, that might have been viewed as lip service, but this year, it’s a warning to his team.
Vanderbilt can play with anyone in the SEC, and with the rule changes that don’t stop the clock whenever a team gets a first down, they have used their modified offense that has triple option running principles to control the game.
With Tennessee having a tough time scoring at different parts of the season, that could be a real issue for them.
The Commodores are hoping their star quarterback, Diego Pavia, can muster up one final elite performance in the finale despite him dealing with multiple injuries.
He’s been a major part of Vanderbilt’s success this year, giving them a real duel-threat option who has challenged their opponents in multiple ways.
Pavia likely already leaves Nashville as a program legend despite being on campus for just one season, but if he can pull off this upset, he would certainly lock down that status.
The History of Earth Day
A comprehensive look at the evolution of Earth Day from its 1970 origins to a global environmental movement.
Earth Day, the annual event which promotes environmental protection and awareness, is this week.
Celebrating its 56th year, this year’s Earth Day theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” which stresses the importance of communities, educators, workers and families working together toward environmental progress.
“‘Our Power, Our Planet’ is not a political statement. It is a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and sector to exercise their power in service of the planet we all depend on,” reads the 2026 manifesto.
To celebrate Earth Day 2026, the Tennessee State Parks system will be offering educational, recreational and volunteer events across the state.
Here’s what to know.
When is Earth Day 2026?
Earth Day is April 22.
According to Earthday.org, the movement’s founders — inspired by the student anti‑war protests of the 1960s and 1970s — chose a weekday falling between Spring Break and final exams to maximize the greatest student participation.
Why is Earth Day celebrated?
The history of Earth Day dates back to 1962 with Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestselling book, “Silent Spring” which raised awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and the links between pollution and public health.
U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, was concerned about worsening environmental conditions and galvanized by the massive 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. He launched the idea that would become Earth Day.
Nelson partnered with Republican U.S. Rep. Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes to organize nationwide teach‑ins on April 22, expanding the effort beyond college campuses and rebranding it as Earth Day, an event that quickly gained national media attention and widespread public participation.
Tennessee State Parks system celebrates Earth Day 2026
Here’s a look at events planned by region, happening on and around April 22.
West Tennessee
Middle Tennessee
East Tennessee:
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Big hearts, small hands! Tennessee kids are stepping up to make a big difference this summer.
First Lady Maria Lee on Tuesday announced the eighth annual Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge, encouraging young students to dedicate part of their summer to helping others.
The program, part of the Tennessee Serves initiative, runs from June 1 through Aug. 1 and is open to rising kindergarteners through rising sixth graders across the state.
Participants must complete at least two hours of service across two of eight designated categories to finish the challenge, with top participants earning an invitation to a September carnival at the Tennessee Residence.
Since its launch in 2019, more than 3,500 children have contributed over 15,000 hours of service through activities ranging from park cleanups to assisting nursing homes and raising funds for disaster relief.
Registration opened Tuesday, with parents and guardians able to sign up participants and access additional details through the First Lady’s official website.
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