The Blame Game

Good afternoon, everyone. Happy Veterans Day! MNPS points the finger at the state and federal government for lower graduation rates... Tennessee’s largest landfill under scrutiny... Road rage turns into a gun fight... And much more!

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MNPS Points the Finger at the State/Federal Government When Graduation Stats Don't Tell the Right Story

From Megan Podsiedlik

During last night’s MNPS school board meeting, members considered state and federal policies as contributing factors to the 6 percent graduation rate drop among hispanic students this year.

Despite record-high graduation rates among black, white, disabled, and economically disadvantaged students, the overall graduation rate decreased from 85.7 percent in 2024 to 83.6 percent in 2025.

It seems that graduation rates are still being used as political fodder. City and community leaders are often all too eager to roll out a PR campaign when the stats tell the right story and omit the rest.

For instance, last year, many touted the record-high graduation rate, but failed to mention that less than a third of graduates were prepared for college or careers.

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HEADLINES

🚰 Air and water pollution violations at Middle Point Landfill. Though Tennessee’s largest landfill received seven violations related to litter and liquid runoff, the 2025 observations issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation were considered minor and did not require any enforcement action. (WPLN)
💵 Governor Lee is hoping to find revenue in the state budget to expand school vouchers. The state received 42,000 applications for the program this year, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton supports doubling the number of vouchers made available. (Lookout)
📚 Tennessee Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds is battling cancer. A spokesperson confirmed that “Commissioner Reynolds is receiving excellent care from her team of doctors after an early cancer diagnosis and is responding well to treatment.” (State Affairs)
🤬 A woman was shot during a road rage incident. Yesterday, the victim was hit in the shoulder by a bullet as she was getting out of her vehicle near the Davidson County Criminal Court building. (WKRN)
🔫 Tennessee is one of the first states to require gun safety courses in school. The main takeaway of the lessons is a series of steps for when a child finds a gun: Stop, don’t touch, leave quickly, tell an adult. (AP)

OUTSIDE REPORTING

Tennessee aims to attract research facilities as state manufacturing job growth slows: Manufacturing has long been one of Tennessee’s strongest industries. Automation, production, and profits are on the rise, but job growth is leveling out (Lookout)