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Tennessee Dedicates Dry Branch as 68th State Park, Master Plan Underway for Public Access

Tennessee Dedicates Dry Branch as 68th State Park, Master Plan Underway for Public Access

Tennessee officially dedicated Dry Branch as its 68th state park on Wednesday, encompassing over 2,500 acres of forests and rare ecosystems in Middle Tennessee. The new park, located where Lewis, Hickman, and Perry counties meet near Hohenwald, is not yet open to the public. Tennessee State Parks is currently developing a master plan to determine recreational opportunities and public access. Efforts to conserve the Dry Branch area began in 2003 through partnerships between the state and The Nature Conservancy, securing the land. The property was previously designated as the Dry Branch State Natural Area and will retain this status, ensuring continued protection under Tennessee's Natural Areas Preservation Act. This protection is crucial due to the presence of unusual plant communities, including the federally endangered Tennessee yellow-eyed grass, which is found only in a small part of Middle Tennessee. The establishment of Dry Branch State Park is part of a broader initiative by Governor Bill Lee's admin...
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Toys 'R' Us to return to Clarksville, bring holiday shopping boost

Toys 'R' Us to return to Clarksville, bring holiday shopping boost

Toys 'R' Us is set to return to Clarksville this holiday season with a new store at the Governor's Square Mall. What to know
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Tennessee Wildfire Risk Low Despite Dry Conditions

Tennessee Wildfire Risk Low Despite Dry Conditions

Wildfire activity across Tennessee remains minimal, with no significant fires currently burning statewide. Persistent dry weather and warm afternoons have led to the implementation of open burn bans in several Middle Tennessee communities, including Hendersonville and Mt. Juliet. Despite these conditions, the overall fire danger is considered low due to light winds and slight chances of rain over the Cumberland Plateau. No Red Flag Warnings or hazardous fire-weather alerts are active across the state, and significant fire potential is expected to remain low in the coming days.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Your daily dose of cute: Vote now for The Tennessean Pet of the Week

Your daily dose of cute: Vote now for The Tennessean Pet of the Week

Nine shelter pets are vying for the title of Tennessean Pet of the Week this week. Check out the pictures.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Drought, burn bans spread across Middle Tennessee. Where fires are restricted

Drought, burn bans spread across Middle Tennessee. Where fires are restricted

Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville among cities that are restricting burning.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Where to book a 2026 fall foliage train ride in Tennessee, nearby

Where to book a 2026 fall foliage train ride in Tennessee, nearby

Want to take in Tennessee's fall foliage by train this year? Here are six train rides in and near Tennessee where you can do just that.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
TDOT to close part of Central Pike in Wilson County to address flooding

TDOT to close part of Central Pike in Wilson County to address flooding

Closing of a 2.3 mile stretch of roadway scheduled overnight starting at 8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 24.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Nashville area TSSAA football predictions see massive rivalries in Week 6

Nashville area TSSAA football predictions see massive rivalries in Week 6

There's no shortage of good Tennessee high school football games in the Nashville area for Week 6. See our top-10 games this week.
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Gurnee Officials Urge Proper Chemical Disposal After Pool Chemical Scare

Gurnee Officials Urge Proper Chemical Disposal After Pool Chemical Scare

Following an incident last week where improperly disposed pool chemicals led to the lockdown of several businesses in Gurnee, Illinois, Waste Management and fire department officials are urging residents to use proper channels for hazardous material disposal. On September 17, the Gurnee Fire Department responded to a dumpster fire, where a Waste Management truck had dumped its load after the driver noticed smoke. Firefighters discovered several five-gallon buckets of pool chemicals, which began off-gassing and making popping noises when hit with water. Although the chemical reaction was deemed an 'irritant' rather than a serious risk, the incident resulted in a 150-foot isolation zone, requiring businesses to shut windows and HVAC systems, and causing lengthy road closures. Joe Martino, HCW program and facility manager at SWALCO, emphasized the importance of taking chemicals to proper disposal outlets.
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Tennessee Counties Near Major Cities See Significant Growth in Early-Career Residents

Tennessee Counties Near Major Cities See Significant Growth in Early-Career Residents

A new report from the Tennessee State Data Center, part of the University of Tennessee’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research, indicates a substantial increase in 'early-career' adults, aged 25 to 44, in counties bordering Tennessee's largest cities. The analysis, based on U.S. Census Bureau population estimates from 2020 to 2025, shows an 8.9% growth in this age group statewide during that period, a significant jump compared to the 1.2% growth observed between 2010 and 2015. While the state's 78 rural counties saw an 11.3% increase (65,812 people) in the 25-44 age bracket, the 17 urban counties experienced a 7.7% increase (92,957 people). Wilson County, adjacent to Davidson County, recorded the highest jump at 27.67%, followed by Maury County, south of Williamson County, with a 23.94% increase. Counties near Knoxville and Chattanooga also showed boosts in this demographic. Conversely, some rural counties in West Tennessee, such as Lake County (15.25% drop) and Haywood County (7.39% decrease), ex...
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Metro Water asks Nashvillians to alter lawn watering habits

Metro Water asks Nashvillians to alter lawn watering habits

The extreme heat has left Nashvillian's yards crispy and thirsty.
Nashville TennesseanNashville Tennessean
Is it legal to burn leaves in Nashville, Middle Tennessee?

Is it legal to burn leaves in Nashville, Middle Tennessee?

The legality of burning leaves varies from city to city in Tennessee.