AGP Executive Report

Flooding & Storm Risk: A flood watch remains in effect across parts of Middle Tennessee, including Nashville-area counties, as heavy rounds of showers and thunderstorms move in; meteorologists warn of rapidly rising water in low spots and poor-drainage areas, with more rain possible into midweek. Heartland Disaster Response: Missouri’s historic flooding killed one woman and triggered massive rescues, including the airlift of more than 200 children and staff from Camp Taum Sauk after “once-in-a-millennium” rainfall cut off escape routes. Wildlife Conservation: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expanded critical habitat protections for endangered freshwater mussels across 17 states, targeting species threatened by pollution, dams, and habitat loss. Local Food & Land Use: Memphis startup VINE Foods is turning vacant lots into urban farms with high tunnels, producing over 100,000 pounds of tomatoes a year and selling locally to nearby grocery stores. Water Safety: TWRA reports no boating-related fatalities during Tennessee’s July 4 Operation Dry Water weekend, though it logged injury incidents and DUI arrests. Outdoor Access: MountainTrue and partners reopened and upgraded access points along the French Broad River, adding a new campsite and improving river access for paddlers and anglers.

Flood Watch for Middle Tennessee: Nashville-area counties including Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford and others remain under a flood watch through Sunday night as saturated ground meets more rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms, with localized flash flooding possible in low-lying spots and along small streams. Clarksville Flood Risk: The NWS also extended a flood watch for Clarksville and Montgomery County until 6 p.m. Sunday, warning that repeated storms could push creeks and drainage systems over the edge fast. Regional Disaster Response: Across the state region, historic flooding in Missouri led to Black Hawk rescues of more than 200 children and staff from a summer camp after once-in-a-millennium rainfall washed out roads. Heat + Storm Alerts: Memphis and the Mid-South face a heat advisory alongside a severe storm watch, with damaging wind gusts and flash flooding concerns into the evening. West Nile Update: Shelby County Health Department reports two new West Nile cases in the past week and plans truck-mounted insecticide spraying next week, weather permitting. Conservation Win: Ducks Unlimited and Groundswell announced a $4.7 million project to convert farmland into protected wetland habitat with public access near the Avon Bottoms area. AI Data Center Pushback: Lawmakers continue trying to restrict AI data centers, but most bills are stuck in Congress as tech firms lobby against moratoriums and other limits.

Severe Weather & Flooding: Missouri’s historic downpours turned deadly, with one woman found dead and hundreds rescued after flash flooding trapped campers at Camp Taum Sauk; the National Weather Service says the storm threat stretches into the Ohio and Tennessee River valleys, including eastern Tennessee where flooding closed roads and downed power lines. Mid-South Heat & Storm Watch: Memphis faces a heat advisory plus a severe thunderstorm watch, with damaging wind gusts and flash flooding possible tonight before rain chances ease by sunrise. Tennessee Tourism (AI authenticity): The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development launched “It’s Real” to help travelers spot AI-generated photos on TNVacation.com, promising real images with verified capture details. Wildlife & Conservation: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee announced the euthanasia of long-time resident Asian elephant Sissy, citing advanced osteoarthritis and compounding health issues. Marine Research: DEEP installed a subsea human habitat at the Tennessee Reef in the Florida Keys, marking a major step for long-duration ocean research and conservation.

Historic Flood Response: Missouri’s deadly flooding after a “1-in-1,000-year” downpour left a woman missing, with search teams later recovering Faith Gregory’s body in Crawford County as more rain and flash-flood risk push south. Mid-South Weather Watch: The National Weather Service is tracking additional severe storm chances across the Tennessee Valley and beyond, with flash-flood concerns tied to already-saturated ground. Camp Taum Sauk Rescue: More than 200 campers and counselors were airlifted to safety by Black Hawk helicopters after roads washed out near Lesterville, while officials continued rescue and recovery work. Tennessee Tourism Integrity: The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development launched “It’s Real” to help travelers spot AI-generated photos on TNVacation.com, using secure credentials and metadata. Wildlife & Conservation: The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee announced the death of long-time resident Asian elephant Sissy, euthanized after advanced osteoarthritis. Data Center Pressure: Nashville moved forward with new restrictions tied to the DC BLOX proposal, as residents push back over impacts on local water and land use.

Data Center Fight in Nashville: Hundreds packed Metro Council to push back on the proposed Nashville Zoo DC BLOX project, as council moved forward with new rules restricting data center development; Mayor Freddie O’Connell called DC BLOX’s “collaborative” talks claim “inaccurate, wishful thinking.” Severe Weather Watch: Memphis and the Mid-South face a strong to severe storms risk Saturday, with a Flood Watch for parts of West Tennessee and Missouri into Sunday. Boating Safety Update: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports no boating-related fatalities over the July 4 “Operation Dry Water” weekend, though there were 16 BUI arrests and 11 injury incidents. Flooding Disaster Elsewhere: Missouri’s Ozarks saw historic flash flooding from a “1-in-1,000-year” rain event, trapping hundreds and prompting major rescues. Local Policy & Water Pressure: Rogersville, Alabama is weighing a data center moratorium after its water system hit capacity—an issue Tennessee communities are watching closely. Wildlife Education: Pennsylvania advanced a bill to bring Hunter-Trapper Education into schools, aiming to grow wildlife conservation awareness. Business & Growth: Tennessee hit record levels for new business filings and annual reports in Q1 2026, signaling continued economic momentum.

Severe Weather & Flooding: Missouri declared a state of emergency as intense storms and flash flooding triggered swift-water rescues, with 6–12 inches of rain reported in some areas and more heavy rain expected through the weekend. Flash Flood Risk for the Region: Forecasters warn a broader flash-flood threat could hit parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, including Tennessee and western Kentucky, as storms roll in. Public Safety in Storms: In Nashville, volunteers with Nashville Severe Weather are helping residents stay informed during dangerous weather with calm, real-time guidance. Health & Water Safety: A Publix-linked recall of frozen GreenWise Organic blueberries is tied to E. coli O145 illnesses, with Tennessee among the states where the product was sold. Local Environment Access: Chattanooga opened a new paved pathway at Stringer’s Ridge Preserve to improve safety and accessibility, with more upgrades planned. Wildlife Under Pressure: A zoo in China locked animals in cages during typhoon flooding, and missing wildlife reports highlight how extreme weather can quickly become a conservation crisis.

Severe Weather & Flood Risk: Memphis and the Mid-South are bracing for pop-up storms and heavy rain this weekend, with heat index values near 106 and storm chances through Sunday; officials also flagged flash-flood dangers after a Mount Juliet woman reported more than 2 feet of water rising in about 20 minutes. Public Health: CDC says West Nile virus season is hitting earlier and harder than in 20+ years, with at least 48 cases across 23 states and four deaths reported so far, prompting mosquito precautions. Water & Infrastructure: Williamson County residents pushed back on Sneed Road bridge replacement plans over design and transparency, while Chattanooga opened a new paved path at Stringer’s Ridge to reduce mobility barriers. Boating Safety: TWRA reports no boating-related fatalities over the July 4 holiday, but 16 DUI arrests and 11 injuries. Wildlife & Outdoors: Tennessee hikers are being asked to track invasive Joro spiders in the Smokies, and TWRA confirmed a black bear sighting in West Tennessee. Air Quality Watch: A firm hired after a major L.A. warehouse fire is facing criticism over how it tested air pollution. Research & Health Tech: East Tennessee State University’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy received an NIH grant to buy shared lab equipment supporting environmental health research.

Workplace Safety: TDOT identified Cathy Sims as the worker killed when a TDOT maintenance vehicle was struck by a CSX train at a railroad crossing on State Route 179 in Haywood County; the Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating and the road reopened after being closed. Public Health: Health officials are urging Tennesseans and others to protect against mosquito bites as West Nile virus activity rises, with officials noting more virus-carrying mosquitoes and confirmed human cases in multiple states. Water Quality Debate: In Mono, residents are questioning whether arsenic levels in town drinking water require costly action, with one engineer arguing there’s little long-term proof of a serious problem while officials point to future water capacity needs. Climate Outlook: NOAA increased the odds of a very strong El Niño this fall to 81%, warning it could reshape weather patterns nationwide. Local Education & Jobs: Hamilton County Schools and partners celebrated a Bloomberg Philanthropies skilled trades initiative aimed at expanding apprenticeships and boosting pathways into trade careers. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasts call for hit-or-miss storms today, with stronger storm chances Friday and more rain possible over the weekend.

Flood Watch: The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Middle Tennessee from Thursday afternoon (7/9) through Sunday afternoon (7/12), warning of excessive rainfall and up to 3–4 inches more on already-saturated ground, with flooding possible in rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying/urban areas. Local Weather: Chattanooga-area conditions stay hot and humid with storm chances returning through the weekend, including highs around the mid-90s and isolated to spotty afternoon thunderstorms. Health & Jobs: Memphis-area provider Regional One Health plans to close its Madison Avenue Extended Care Hospital (Turner Tower) on Sept. 1, with 103 workers affected, citing healthcare challenges. Water/Environment Mystery: Hickman County residents near Lick Creek reported a rotten-food odor and a visible substance on Barren Fork Lane; officials say it’s under investigation and not currently harming aquatic life or water quality. Energy & Air: TVA’s new draft energy plan moves the utility further from renewables, prioritizing nuclear, gas, and coal amid political shifts and public protest. Tourism & Parks: National parks in Tennessee drew 10.5 million visitors in 2023, generating $1.4 billion in spending and supporting 20,021 jobs, with a $2.2 billion cumulative benefit to the state economy.

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new ThinkTennessee report says data center electricity use in the Tennessee Valley jumped sevenfold from 2020 to 2025, reaching 8.3 million MWh, and warns households are getting hit hardest—residential bills rose 3.2% in TN counties with data centers while commercial bills fell 0.2%. Local Governance: Nashville’s Metro Council held long public comment as residents protested data centers, with bills aimed at tightening rules and addressing community concerns. Water, Air, and Wildlife Pressure: Memphis City Council is starting preliminary zoning talks for data centers under the Memphis 3.0 plan, as critics point to water use, energy demand, and emissions impacts. Public Health: Health officials are investigating a rise in cyclospora infections causing “explosive” diarrhea, with Tennessee among states reporting cases. Food Safety: Publix issued a recall for frozen organic blueberries due to possible E. coli contamination, linked to illnesses in multiple Southern states. Community & Preparedness: Tusculum Volunteer Fire Department expanded water-rescue training with regional partners, reflecting how storms and flooding keep raising the stakes.

Brownfields Cleanup in Tennessee: The EPA announced $2.8 million in Brownfields Multipurpose Assessment and Cleanup grants to speed cleanup and redevelopment of polluted sites across Tennessee, aiming to turn blighted properties into safer, reusable community spaces. Data Center Fight in Nashville: Hundreds of neighbors packed the Metro Courthouse for data center hearings after DC Blox’s proposal near the Nashville Zoo; residents pushed for a temporary moratorium and tighter zoning, citing worries about noise, water use, emissions, and impacts on wildlife. Flood Risk Across the Region: Forecasters warn flash flooding could become “inevitable” in Kentucky through mid-July as repeated storm rounds saturate ground and stack heavy rain, with river flooding concerns along major waterways. Memphis Brownfields Grant Spurs New Grocery: Memphis and the Shelby County CRA say a $765,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant will help move forward with Manassas Market at 645 Jackson Ave., a long-vacant, contaminated Uptown site planned for a grocery store and other uses. Wildlife Update: The Bronx Zoo is reportedly considering moving its last elephant, Patty, to a Tennessee sanctuary after the death of another elephant, Happy.

Extreme Heat & Storms: The National Weather Service warns of strong thunderstorms and localized flooding across Northeast Tennessee and nearby areas through Monday, with daily storm chances and gusty winds. Conservation & Wildlife: The Tennessee Aquarium reports a spring hatch boom, adding seven baby turtles since mid-May, including critically endangered Four-eyed Turtles. Local Nature & Education: A Tennessee herpetology coordinator highlights rising turtle hatchings and the aquarium’s growing freshwater turtle collection. Climate-Tech Investment: Next Phase Capital co-led a $3.85M round in Nashville for Forge Industries, aiming to turn hard-to-recycle waste into engineered fuels. Waste & Recycling Innovation: A new “green response” push urges disaster relief groups to cut single-use plastics and packaging while planning for what happens after aid trucks leave. Outdoor/Community: A Mid-South forecast calls for afternoon showers and storms with highs around 90, then a brief weekend easing before heat returns. Wildlife Fundraising: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation’s 2024 conservation raffle is underway with major prize packages and ticket sales through Sept. 15.

Wildlife Watch: Tennessee’s black bear population is expanding westward, and TWRA is urging people to stay calm, never feed bears, secure garbage, and temporarily remove bird feeders after holiday grilling. Public Health: Nashville confirmed its first West Nile virus detection of 2026 in a North Nashville mosquito pool, a sign the virus is circulating early—officials say residents should take bite-prevention steps now. Heat & Preparedness: With more hot, stormy weather in the Mid-South, local A/C experts say simple maintenance like clean filters can help prevent failures and costly damage during peak demand. Local Transportation: Nashville’s NDOT and Riverside Village are restarting “Multimodal Mondays” in July, offering discounts for walking, biking, transit, or rolling to encourage lower-impact commutes. Data Center Governance: Nashville Metro Council will use a free, ticketed queuing system for public hearings on data center bills at the July 7 meeting. Weather Risk: Flash-flood warnings and heavy rain threats continue to pop up across the region as storms roll through.

Wildlife Update: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency confirmed a black bear sighting near the Henderson–Carroll County line and says sightings are rising as the population recovers and expands in West Tennessee, urging people not to approach or feed bears and to secure garbage and clean up grill residue. Water Infrastructure: Smithville approved a $2.11 million upgrade to the Smithville Water Treatment Plant, with work expected to start later this year and include equipment renovation, sedimentation basin repairs, electrical updates, and other maintenance. Public Safety & Health: A Publix frozen blueberry recall in multiple Southern states (including Tennessee) was triggered by E. coli O145:H28 illness cases; health officials also report Cyclospora cases in 17 states, with no single source confirmed yet. Local Environment & Community Access: East Ridge and Tennessee American Water/WaterWays will hold a July 7 ribbon-cutting for renovated Camp Jordan canoe launches to improve access to Chickamauga Creeks and support outdoor recreation and environmental education. Weather Watch: Dense fog is causing slow drives in Memphis early Monday, with heat building afterward and spotty storms possible later today. Earth Science: Two mild earthquakes were reported in the Appalachians, including one near Knoxville, with no damage reported.

Extreme Heat & Storms: A massive “heat dome” over the July 4 weekend pushed record and near-record temperatures across the East, with at least 25 heat-related deaths reported and heat indices topping 110°F in places like Nashville and Philadelphia, while severe storms and flooding threats rolled through parts of Tennessee and the Mid-South. Local Weather Watch (Tennessee): In Nashville, the worst heat eased but humidity stayed, with a First Alert Weather Day for scattered strong to severe storms and localized flooding risk; Memphis canceled its heat advisory north of the Delta as rain chances increased, and Middle Tennessee braced for daily storm chances after the heat broke. Wildfire Impacts (West, national lesson): Memorials honored three wildland firefighters killed on the Colorado-Utah border, as dozens of large fires continue across the West amid dry conditions and low snow. Greeneville Pollinators: Keep Greene Beautiful installed three new pollinator gardens in Greeneville to support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with educational signage and QR codes for local habitat tips. Marine Habitat Restoration (Alabama, regional): Limestone barges are restoring oyster reefs in Mobile Bay to rebuild habitat and improve water quality, with scientists monitoring the restored reefs for years. Air Quality & Fireworks Pressure: Reports tied record heat and monumental fireworks to worsening air quality risks during July 4 celebrations.

Extreme Heat & Storms: A weeklong heat wave kept millions under heat alerts, with triple-digit heat index readings and heat-related medical care reported across the East, while Independence Day events faced delays, cancellations, and evacuations as storms rolled through. Mid-South Weather: Tennessee outlets report a shift from dangerous heat to a wetter pattern, with strong-to-severe storms possible in Middle Tennessee and daily rain chances continuing into the workweek. Flood Risk: The Weather Prediction Center flagged a Moderate flood risk for eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, warning that slow-moving storms can overwhelm urban drainage. Wildfire Impacts: On the Colorado-Utah border, three firefighters were killed battling fast-moving flames, underscoring how dry conditions and low snow are fueling Western fires. Data Centers vs. Nature & Communities: In Memphis, SpaceX is offering discounted Starlink amid scrutiny of xAI’s data-center power and Clean Air Act claims; in Nashville, the Nashville Zoo says a nearby data center could disrupt clouded leopard breeding and other animal conditions. Coastal Restoration: Alabama’s Mobile Bay oyster reef project is using limestone “cultch” barges to rebuild habitat and improve water quality. Public Health Watch: CDC and state partners are investigating a growing Cyclospora outbreak tied to severe “explosive” diarrhea, with no single food source confirmed yet.