Austin Peay State University

A professor sued a senator regarding an alleged role in his firing. The now-reinstated theater professor at Austin Peay State University subsequently won a settlement from the university in January.

President Donald Trump endorsed Sen. Marsha Blackburn for governor of Tennessee in the general election. The article reports on a lawsuit filed against Blackburn by an Austin Peay State University professor regarding his firing. Separately, Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced that Ryan Lynch will serve as the next Director of the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT).

A Clarksville family has established a pre-veterinary scholarship at Austin Peay State University to honor a local veterinarian and support students in animal medicine. The DeWalds created the scholarship in memory of Dr. Bill Howard and his son Dr. Ben Howard, who owns the Animal Hospital of Clarksville.

Several Tennessee public universities, including Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee campuses, and Austin Peay State University, are proposing or approving tuition and fee increases for the 2026-27 academic year. The increases aim to fund scholarships, academic programs, and operational costs amid budget reductions and state funding cuts, with most universities citing 3% to 4.49% combined tuition and fee hikes.

Over $2 million has been paid in settlements to individuals fired or penalized for criticizing Charlie Kirk after his death, with multiple First Amendment lawsuits arising from employers regulating political speech. Cases include a Florida biologist, a Ball State University professor, and a Tennessee police officer who received significant settlements.