NewsChannel 5

Plans for a data center in Lawrenceburg are advancing after passing the city planning commission unanimously, despite a petition with over 7,000 signatures opposing the project. The proposed 4.9 megawatt facility by Lawrenceburg Utilities System will use a closed-loop water system and is now awaiting city council approval, while St. Joseph in Lawrence County seeks to ban data centers entirely.

Gallatin is considering a potential pause on new apartment developments as rapid growth leads to increased traffic and strain on city services. City Councilmember Pascal Jouvence has proposed a resolution to study the impact of such a pause, while resident Jenna Ingeman highlights both challenges, like traffic congestion, and benefits, such as downtown revitalization.

St. Joseph in Lawrence County is proposing an ordinance to ban data centers due to concerns over water, electricity, and infrastructure strain, while Lawrenceburg's Planning Commission will vote on permits for the Scalepoint TN data processing center. The efforts reflect conflicting approaches to data center development in the county.

The Sumner County School Board approved a $424 million budget for the upcoming school year, but the county commission has not yet approved it, forcing the district to operate under last year's spending limits. Disagreement among commissioners centers on the appropriate budget increase, with some advocating for maintenance of effort and others supporting a 2-2.5% adjustment. The budget is expected to be revisited on July 21, with leaders confident it will ultimately pass before state restrictions take effect in August.

NewsChannel 5 is hosting a Tennessee GOP Gubernatorial Debate on July 20th at Cumberland University. The race for governor includes U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, Congressman John Rose, and State Representative Monty Fritts, with Blackburn holding a 15-point lead in a recent poll. A debate invitation remains pending for Blackburn.

Nashville residents and city leaders oppose DC BLOX's planned data center near the Nashville Zoo, citing environmental and health concerns. Mayor Freddie O'Connell has proposed legislation to acquire the property via eminent domain, while DC BLOX claims the project will support regional tech infrastructure needs.

A South Nashville neighborhood has struggled with a deteriorating, abandoned property on Southwood Drive for over two decades. Despite 15 complaints in four years and court interventions dating back to 2004, the owner, who lives out of state, has not maintained the property, leading to safety concerns and calls for condemnation.

Blaise Taylor was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend and her unborn baby. He plans to appeal the verdict and is currently in custody.

Two small plane crashes in Macon County, Tennessee, over three days are under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The latest crash occurred on Thursday, with no injuries reported, while a prior crash two days earlier involved three people with no serious injuries. Both incidents remain under investigation.

Tenn. fire captain Tony Murrell donated a kidney to his sister Tabula Lowe in 2020 before her death in 2023. He created a documentary titled 'A Sister's Gift' to honor her and promote organ donation, raising over $20,000 for kidney research and hosting a premiere at the Belcourt Theatre.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised Nashville's Music City Loop tunnel project by Boring Company as an innovative solution to traffic congestion, noting it won't directly cost taxpayers. The project, which involves tunnels from downtown to the airport and a second line to the Riverfront, allows users to pay for Tesla underground rides, but faces criticism from Metro Council Member Delisha Porterfield over its secretive development and a $1 million underground transportation commission funded by taxpayers.

Dolly Parton made a surprise appearance at the grand opening of Dolly’s Tennesseean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, challenging Buc-ee’s. Fans gathered despite her recent health issues and absence from the public eye, and the truck stop features Dolly-themed merchandise, a coffee named 'Cup of Ambition,' and other amenities.

Marine veteran Maurice 'Reese' Burnley, paralyzed and receiving hospice care, faces VA benefit deductions to recover an overpayment the family disputes. The VA claims a lump-sum disability award was mistakenly paid to the Burnleys instead of their attorney, leading to financial strain and loss of a caregiver.

A bear was spotted in the Millersville neighborhood after overturning trash cans, confirmed by resident Sabrina Abbott who described the unexpected encounter. Abbott and her husband have since taken precautions, including securing trash and increasing vigilance due to the undeveloped wooded area near their home.

Local communities in Tennessee face challenges blocking data center construction due to limited legal authority, despite resident concerns over environmental and community impacts. Legal expert David Raybin notes Tennessee's pro-business laws favor companies, complicating local efforts to impose moratoriums or zoning changes.