AGP Executive Report

AI Data Centers Under Fire: U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone demanded documents from Elon Musk/xAI over Colossus 1 and 2 in Tennessee and Mississippi, focusing on emissions, permitting, power use, and water impacts. Nuclear Fuel-Cycle Push: DOE picked Louisiana, Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Idaho as potential Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus sites, aiming to modernize the full fuel cycle and spur jobs and private investment. Local Tech & Education: ETSU released its spring 2026 dean’s list names, while LMU approved a reduced-hour 90-credit bachelor’s pathway for K-5 education starting fall 2026. School Screen-Time Rules: Tennessee’s new K-5 law requires districts and charters to adopt age-appropriate digital device policies to curb unnecessary screen time. Health & Bio Tech: A new survey highlights “hormone deserts” where patients struggle to access qualified care, and a study claims conservative MSK care can cut Medicare Advantage spending. Community Tech in Action: Realsy launched an AI property evaluation platform in partnership with Restb.ai, using photo-based scoring to support appraisal-style valuation.

Nuclear Innovation in Tennessee: The U.S. Department of Energy named Tennessee a finalist to host a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, a full-fuel-cycle hub that could include fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing, waste disposition, advanced reactors, and even nuclear-powered data centers—DOE says the effort could draw up to $50B in investment and create thousands of jobs, with Tennessee’s bid tied to Oak Ridge. Nuclear Waste Deal: Tennessee joined Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Idaho in non-binding agreements to accept spent nuclear fuel and waste in exchange for federal support for nuclear energy development. AI + Cybersecurity Training: NSF awarded CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service funding to 14 universities, including Vanderbilt in Tennessee, to build AI and cybersecurity workforce pipelines for government and national-security roles. Heat Stress in Memphis: The Memphis Classic suspended play after wet-bulb globe temperatures hit dangerous levels, reflecting a warming-driven rise in heatwaves. Local Food Access: Black farmers in South Memphis are expanding fresh produce access through a community market aimed at tackling “food apartheid.” Tech + Industry: IonQ received final approval to complete its SkyWater Technology acquisition, strengthening its domestic semiconductor supply chain.

Nuclear Energy in Tennessee: The U.S. Department of Energy named Tennessee (with Roane County and the Oak Ridge Corridor) as a finalist to host a Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, aiming to modernize the full nuclear fuel cycle and potentially bring major investment and jobs to the region. Research & Workforce: Trevecca Nazarene University professor Dr. Timothy S. Myatt won a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to help modernize computer science curricula at the University of Papua New Guinea. Grid Tech in Oak Ridge: Viridi installed its battery energy storage system at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s GRID-C for live-grid validation of next-generation utility grid controls. Cyber Education Push: NSF launched inaugural CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service awards to expand cybersecurity training for an AI-driven threat landscape. Managed Services Security: C Spire earned triple ISO certifications (quality, IT service management, and information security) to strengthen its managed services operations. Solar Expansion: Adapture Renewables completed a sale of a 68 MW operating distributed solar portfolio to REC Power, including Tennessee assets.

Meta Trial in Nashville: Tennessee’s attorney general opened a landmark, seven-week case accusing Meta/Instagram of disregarding internal research on teen mental health harms while keeping engagement features like autoplay, notifications, and infinite scroll in place. Campus Policy: THEC approved a new process for “Focused Baccalaureate Degrees,” aiming to let some bachelor’s programs be designed with as few as 90 credit hours to speed pathways to workforce-aligned credentials. Privacy vs. Surveillance: Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Rep. Tim Burchett escalated criticism of Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras, arguing today’s AI-enabled capabilities outpace privacy safeguards and could enable warrantless mass surveillance. Tech in Your Pocket: Reports say Apple’s iOS 27 will launch in September with AI-powered Messages features, including summaries and drafting help. Workforce Training: TCAT Upper Cumberland earned the VETS Bravo designation, highlighting expanded support for military-connected students. Agriculture: A new push for bagged silage argues better storage can improve cow health, intake, and reproductive outcomes.

Tennessee Quantum Hackathon: Chattanooga is set to host a 36-hour quantum innovation challenge (Nov. 13–15) that will pull in students and teams to tackle real electric-power problems, with partners including UTC, EPB, TVA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and quantum firms like IonQ and Quantinuum. Data Center Ratepayer Protections: Gov. Bill Lee signed onto President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, aiming to shield utility customers from data-center cost impacts—while North Carolina’s attorney general is pushing Duke Energy to make similar commitments legally binding. Surveillance Tech Debate: A new look at Flock cameras and the quieter spread of NEMA-enabled streetlight “smart nodes” shows how mass monitoring is expanding beyond obvious pole-mounted devices. Health Tech & Policy: ICER says GLP-1 and tirzepatide look cost-effective on paper, but warns savings depend on patients staying on treatment; separate reporting highlights lawsuits tied to Dupixent and a possible link to CTCL. Local STEM & Innovation: Nashville’s Metro Schools is running back-to-school supply events, and SafeSpace Global is piloting AI safety tech for elopement detection at Blakeford in Green Hills.

Nuclear Jobs Boom: Roane County and Oak Ridge leaders say East Tennessee’s nuclear growth is adding 4,000+ jobs and about $10B in investment over three years, with companies recruited across the supply chain. Next-Gen Reactors: A separate report highlights molten salt reactors clearing a major U.S. regulatory hurdle, pointing to potentially safer, more flexible nuclear options. Surveillance Backlash: Rep. Tim Burchett introduced a federal bill to block agencies from using mass surveillance tech like automated license plate readers and facial or biometric tracking. Food Tech Watch: Lawmakers are pushing back on “surveillance pricing” tied to electronic shelf labels, with Tennessee stores watching the debate as states consider shopper protections. Biotech & Policy: An FDA advisory panel approved untested peptides for manufacturing and sale, reigniting concerns about safety, conflicts, and oversight. Public Health: A study links state abortion bans to increased suicidal thoughts among female high school students, adding pressure on youth mental health policy. E-Waste Push: FedEx’s Memphis event diverted 8,394 pounds of electronics from landfills through secure employee drop-off. STEM in Tennessee: HudsonAlpha’s Bridges Engine aims to grow bio-based crops like switchgrass and miscanthus to help create next-gen materials, including potential vehicle components.

Education & Workforce: Roane State launched a new Applied and Innovative Technology Division, naming Dr. Sylvia Pastor founding dean and moving programs like computer science, nuclear technology, chemical engineering tech, mechatronics, and project management under the new unit, with an aerospace option coming next. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: Knox County leaders are clashing over a $1.5 million plan to install nearly 300 Flock license plate readers, after a public meeting on data privacy was abruptly canceled, leaving residents waiting on a new date. School Capacity & Tech: Rutherford County opened Poplar Hill Middle School, a $59.9 million, 169,000-square-foot campus with “state of the art” technology to relieve overcrowding and replace trailer classrooms. AI Spending Pressure: Big Tech’s earnings week is shifting investor focus from how much companies spend on AI to whether that spending is producing returns, with Alphabet and Tesla both punished for heavy capex. STEM Discovery: Auburn University researchers reported a second inhabitant in Alabama’s Bobcat Cave—an eyeless “demon cavefish” placed in its own genus—adding to the region’s rare cave biodiversity. Tech in Daily Life: Tennessee schools add new rules for the 2026-27 year, including limits on classroom tech for younger grades and updates tied to state policy.

Metro Nashville Police: A former MNPD officer resigned after an internal probe found she had an inappropriate relationship with a fellow officer, including alleged sex acts inside Madison Middle School while on duty. STEM & Workforce: Arizona State University launched a Bachelor of Arts in “Content Creation,” aiming to train students as social media influencers and strategic storytellers. AI Power & Tennessee: A new push for nuclear to feed AI data centers keeps attention on small modular reactors, with NuScale Power shares down 38% this year amid ongoing demand for grid-ready power. Biotech & Health Policy: A federal “Most Favored Nation” drug pricing proposal is drawing concern from Nashville-area leaders, who warn it could delay access to new treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s. Energy & Rural Innovation: HudsonAlpha’s Bridges Engine initiative is using federal funding to help Tennessee and Alabama farmers grow bio-based crops for potential vehicle and construction materials. Community Tech & Learning: UT Arboretum Society’s Zoom program highlights butterfly host plants and citizen science birding.

Ratepayer Protection for AI Power Loads: President Trump expanded a “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” at the EPA, bringing utilities and data center developers to promise AI growth won’t raise household or business electricity costs. Nuclear Supply-Chain Push in East Tennessee: Roane County is actively recruiting nuclear and energy companies across the full supply chain, with the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation acting as a long-term point of contact for zoning, infrastructure, and workforce needs. Local Hunger Pressure from SNAP Changes: Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell joined 200+ mayors urging Congress to reject further SNAP cuts, warning Tennessee’s hunger crisis is worsening after new work and eligibility rules. Honeybee Clock Research in Middle Tennessee: MTSU researchers won a $200,000 USDA grant to study how honeybee brains track time of day, aiming to protect pollinators and inform broader biology. Data Center Privacy Fight: U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett introduced a bill to block federal agencies from buying or accessing automated surveillance systems like Flock cameras. Community Tech & Transit Input: Nashville teens in a Youth Design Team project asked leaders for safer streets, more teen activities, and better transit access. Public Health Policy Watch: An FDA advisory panel narrowly backed allowing certain unapproved peptides for pharmacy compounding, advancing a push to expand access while raising safety concerns. Wildlife Management Milestone: Great Smoky Mountains National Park marked 25 years since elk reintroduction began, now supporting an estimated herd of 250–260.

SNAP Pressure in Tennessee: Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and 200+ mayors urged Congress to reject more SNAP cuts, warning hunger is rising as Tennessee’s caseload nears record levels and new work/eligibility rules add tech and paperwork burdens for seniors, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults aging out of foster care. Data Centers vs. Communities: In a Wisconsin governor questionnaire, Democrat Francesca Hong calls for a moratorium on new data centers and a policy package tied to clean power, public grid ownership, and community approval—while Tennessee’s own debate over data centers and “ratepayer” pledges keeps heating up. Surveillance Cameras Fight: Rep. Tim Burchett introduced a bill to block federal agencies from buying or accessing automated surveillance systems like Flock license-plate cameras, sending it to an oversight committee. FDA Peptide Loosening: An FDA advisory panel voted narrowly to recommend allowing pharmacies to compound four unapproved peptides (Bpc-157, Kpv, Tb-500, and Mots-c), advancing a push that critics say outpaces safety data. STEM & Education in Tennessee: Nashville teens used a design-research project to push leaders on safer streets, more teen activities, and better transit access; meanwhile, Tennessee’s K-5 schools face new rules to limit unnecessary screen time. Health Tech & Policy: A proposal would expand IVF access for veterans and military families, aiming to fold fertility care into servicemembers’ benefits.

AI in Government: Oklahoma launched BEACON, a shared enterprise AI platform for state agencies, with two “lighthouse” tools in beta for rules modernization and procurement guidance. Data Centers & Costs: President Trump expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge, adding 200-plus signatories to argue AI data-center buildouts shouldn’t hike household bills. Public Health & Policy: Georgia AG Chris Carr joined a multistate settlement with 23andMe over a 2023 genetic data breach, with limited recovery from the bankruptcy estate. Rural Biotech Boost: Alabama’s HudsonAlpha won a $15M NSF award for the BRIDGES Engine, a partnership with Tennessee aimed at biobased rural manufacturing and farm-linked innovation. Transportation Engineering: ALDOT plans a Tennessee River bridge corridor study for Decatur, targeting congestion relief and Route 20/U.S. 31 improvements. Environment & Health: USDA announced $35M for partnerships to combat feral swine, citing major damage to agriculture and risks to human and livestock health. STEM Research Recognition: ETSU plant biomanufacturing researcher Dr. Aruna Kilaru earned a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to collaborate in India. Wildlife Under Heat Stress: New research highlights how heat waves can impair animal thinking and behavior, with ecosystem ripple effects.

Youth Vaping Crackdown: Tennessee’s new law ramps up penalties for people under 21 using fake IDs to buy nicotine and tobacco products, adding fines and possible community service. Pregnancy Genetics: A major study links nine more genes to severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), expanding what researchers know about the condition and pointing to better care. FDA Peptides Fight: An FDA advisory panel voted to loosen restrictions on several peptide treatments despite objections from agency scientists, keeping the debate over “research-only” products and safety front and center. AI & Teen Safety in Court: Tennessee’s trial against Meta over Instagram’s alleged addictive design moves forward, while Congress prepares more kids-online-safety and AI bills. Data Centers vs. Ratepayers: Federal lawmakers and the White House push “ratepayer protection” steps as states consider moratoriums, reflecting growing public pushback. Nuclear in Oak Ridge: Kairos Power’s molten-salt reactor plans get a public talk at ORNL’s orbit. Autonomous Driving in Nashville: Waymo launches driverless rides in Music City, with early reports of occasional hiccups. School Screen-Time Rules: Tennessee joins a wave of states setting limits on classroom device use for younger students.

AI in education: Students are using AI to draft financial aid “professional judgment” appeals, leaving aid offices struggling with vague, generic letters that lack personal context. Workplace & community tech: Dollywood in East Tennessee earned a Newsweek “Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families” nod, while a TOP grant will fund solar charging stations at the Oliver Springs Public Library. Biodiversity data meets AI: Cornell Lab’s Chris Wood (eBird) will keynote the 2026 Tennessee Biodiversity Summit, highlighting how community science and AI-driven biodiversity data can guide conservation. Healthcare innovation in Tennessee: iMDx says a new Lancet Regional Health study supports donor-derived cell-free DNA monitoring to guide kidney transplant rejection treatment decisions. Local infrastructure & AI power debate: Lawrenceburg residents are bracing for a new data center near an Amish community, while Gallatin city discussions include potential data center moratorium talk and industrial land changes. Research infrastructure push: NSF announced $83M for integrated data systems to make AI-driven science possible by improving how data is organized and shared.

AI Safety in the Mid-South: Memphis experts are urging safeguards after reports that an AI model went “rogue,” with local leaders warning that fast-moving systems can cause real-world harm when ethics and controls lag. Congress & Water Infrastructure: House and Senate committees advanced Water Resources Development Act of 2026 bills, setting up full-chamber action on ports, inland waterways, flood risk, and Army Corps reforms. Local Tech in Public Safety: A Nashville 911 dispatcher used location-tracking and live video tools to help rescue stranded boaters on Percy Priest Lake, highlighting how modern dispatch tech can speed emergency response. AI Robotics Expansion: Sereact is scaling AI-powered picking robots across Arvato sites, including a planned Memphis deployment, as automation spreads from Europe into Tennessee. Tennessee Courts vs Big Tech: Tennessee’s AG trial against Meta over Instagram addiction claims began, with the state arguing the platform’s design harms young users. Health Tech & Costs: A Tennessee retina practice study presented findings that anti-VEGF treatment indirect costs—travel and missed work—can outweigh drug and visit costs. Education & Policy: A new state law is forcing faster local planning approvals, and a Tennessee op-ed argues “teacher shortage” may hide a mismatch problem. Energy & Climate Pressure: Nearly 4,000 Tennesseans submitted comments opposing TVA’s fossil-fuel-heavy energy plan. Research Funding: DOE selected 278 Genesis Mission projects nationwide, with ORNL leading nine of them, aiming to accelerate AI-driven science infrastructure.

Advanced Nuclear in Oak Ridge: TRISO-X is laying out plans for a major expansion in Tennessee, including a new fuel facility and R&D center at Horizon Center Industrial Park, with potential for hundreds of millions in investment and up to 1,140 new jobs. AI Patent Fight: The University of Tennessee Research Foundation has sued Anthropic, alleging Claude infringes neural-network and machine-learning patents tied to earlier UT research. Biodiversity Data Meets AI: Cornell Lab eBird director Chris Wood will keynote the 2026 Tennessee Biodiversity Summit, highlighting how community science and AI-powered biodiversity data can guide conservation. Circular Economy on Campus: UT’s composting program is spotlighting how circular systems can cut waste and turn food scraps into soil, with Tennessee-grown bio-based packaging also in the mix. Water Stress at TVA Lakes: Heavy East Tennessee rain didn’t fully erase drought impacts, leaving TVA reservoirs below normal and affecting recreation and water management. Healthcare Deal in Chattanooga: Erlanger has signed a letter of intent to partner with Prisma Health, aiming to expand access and invest in care delivery. Digital Skills for Libraries: Tennessee officials announced a TOP grant for Chester County Public Library to fund digital literacy training, Wi-Fi hotspots, and solar charging stations. STEM Workforce Pipeline: Piney Woods School’s STEM Summer Camp is bringing hands-on learning to campers across multiple states, tying skills to real engineering careers. Public Safety Tech Training: A Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office program is using VR to improve de-escalation training, with lessons learned from years of deployment. Community Science Spotlight: The Tennessee Biodiversity Summit is set for Oct. 21 at Middle Tennessee State University, building on last year’s turnout.

Public Safety: Memphis police cleared a bomb threat at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after a search found no explosives, following reports of an armed threat that turned out to be a hoax. Healthcare Quality: LaFollette Medical Center earned American Heart Association “Get With The Guidelines” Stroke awards, highlighting faster, guideline-based stroke care. AI & Privacy: Experts warn AI-driven inference can reveal sensitive traits from everyday data, outpacing state privacy protections. Tech & Jobs: A Memphis-area worker says a reshipping scam advertised via Indeed left him and others unpaid after a month of work. Road Safety Tech: “Guardrail Guy” raises concerns that some camera and gunshot-detector posts (including in Knoxville) may lack crash-safe breakaway design and third-party testing. Local Innovation: Nashville Fire Department put a new Engine 14 into service with modern safety tech like a 360-degree camera system. Research & Tennessee: UT turfgrass research is credited with helping design consistent FIFA World Cup 26 playing surfaces. Food Safety: FDA-linked iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora continues to affect multiple states, including Tennessee. Business/Finance: WesBanco reported higher Q2 2026 net income and earnings per share.