AGP Executive Report

Dolly Parton’s Road-Trip Anchor: Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is set to open June 24 at I-65 exit 22 in Cornersville, with fuel, EV charging, a general store, DLY BBQ, Cup of Ambition Coffee, a “Doggy Parton” dog park, and a main stage for local music plus a tour-bus photo stop and mural. Outdoor Escape: Percy Priest Trail near Nashville is getting buzz for its sandy, shoreline-style hiking sections that feel more like a lakeside getaway than a typical forest walk. Road Safety & Detours: Chattanooga’s Wilson Road bridge over Chattanooga Creek will temporarily close June 4 for repairs after a state inspection found structural deficiencies, with detours planned. Weather Watch: Flash flooding in Cocke County left one woman dead on her 64th birthday, with road closures and rescues underway. Travel Tech for Crowds: Totem Compass hit over 4% adoption at EDC Las Vegas, helping festivalgoers find friends without relying on cell service. Cruise Cyber Update: Carnival says a data breach was caused by unauthorized access via an employee account, with personal contact details potentially exposed.

Nashville Concert Buzz: George Strait and Lainey Wilson are joining Alan Jackson for his “Last Call: One More for the Road” finale at Nissan Stadium on June 27, with a big lineup of country stars already set. Memphis Transit Pressure: Bus rider advocates met with the mayor to demand major fixes at MATA, citing long waits (sometimes hours), missed buses, poor communication, missing shelters, and route changes they say were made without proper board approval. Roadside Tourism: Dolly Parton’s “Tennessean Travel Stop” is slated to open June 24 at I-65 exit 22 in Cornersville, featuring DLY BBQ, Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee, a sit-down cafe, and a tour-bus photo stop. Memorial Day Safety: Tennessee Highway Patrol reported just one traffic fatality statewide over the Memorial Day weekend, down sharply from the previous holiday period. Summer Meals in Shelby County: Memphis-Shelby County Schools is launching more than 100 summer meal sites starting May 27 to help families keep kids fed through July 31. Knoxville Events & Music: Knoxville’s weekend calendar highlights include Yoga at the Zoo and major live shows like Nate Bargatze at the Food City Center and Punch Brothers at the Tennessee Theatre.

Roadside Spotlight: Dolly Parton’s Tennessean Travel Stop is set to open June 24 in Cornersville (about 60 miles south of Nashville) off I-65, with DLY BBQ, Dolly’s Cup of Ambition Coffee, a full-service cafe/restaurant, custom merch, a mural, and a replica tour bus—plus a dog park, EV charging, and trucker-friendly parking and a lounge. Summer Safety: Blood Assurance is urging donations during Memorial Day through Labor Day’s “100 Deadliest Days,” warning that summer travel and fewer school drives can shrink blood supplies just as trauma demand rises. Travel Costs Watch: A new study ranks national parks by camping costs, calling out Grand Teton as the priciest for campers and Hot Springs as the most affordable—another reminder that outdoor trips can get pricey fast. Local Travel Disruption: TDOT says blasting for the I-65 widening project (mile markers 96–99) begins Thursday, May 28, with rolling roadblocks weekdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for about three weeks. Fuel Check: GasBuddy reports diesel deals in Tennessee, including $4.89 in Rhea County (week ending May 16) and $4.94 in Union County.

International Crime Crackdown: Argentine police say they arrested two Chilean suspects tied to a transnational burglary ring targeting high-profile athletes’ homes, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, with extradition steps requested by the U.S. Local Travel & Community Pulse: Memorial Day weekend coverage also highlights what travelers and locals are feeling right now—busy holiday calls in Baxter County, Ebola risk described as very low by Mid-South doctors, and Chattanooga City Council advancing a $3M+ plan to bring reliable water to Raccoon Mountain residents. Gas Prices & Summer Pressure: AAA-linked reporting points to Tennessee fuel costs staying stubbornly high heading into peak travel season, with lawmakers debating gas tax relief. Tennessee Talent & Tourism Threads: TCAT Northwest is taking summer enrollment, while local sports and outdoor stories keep rolling—plus a reminder that World Cup base camps are now finalized across the U.S., expanding the travel map for fans.

Memorial Day travel watch: Tennessee gas prices dipped again, with AAA putting the statewide regular average at $4.12 (down 5 cents week over week), but officials warn pumps could stay elevated all summer as demand rises. Road closures: Drivers should plan around Western Hills Viaduct shutting for Duke Energy maintenance. World Cup buzz: FIFA confirmed 39 of 48 teams will base in the U.S., with camp locations now locked in—good news for fans planning a road trip. Local planning: Chattanooga leaders are set for a historic preservation town hall June 3 to shape a Hamilton County preservation plan. Safety alerts: A Todd County teen faces charges after an I-24 crash that killed a passenger; investigators say alcohol impairment was involved. Fuel deal snapshot: In the week ending May 16, Grainger County’s lowest diesel hit $5.07 per gallon.

Crime & Safety: Three Chilean nationals tied to a sophisticated South American burglary ring were arrested in Argentina, accused of targeting the homes of high-profile U.S. athletes—including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce—stealing valuables worth more than $2 million as they tracked players’ schedules. Travel Watch: Memorial Day travel is hitting harder at the pump, with AAA saying gas costs add about $20 to a typical 15-gallon fill-up versus last year, and Nashville tourism leaders are watching whether higher prices push families to drive shorter or stay closer to home. World Cup Buzz: FIFA has finalized base camps for all 48 teams, with many set in the U.S.—including Argentina and England in Kansas City—turning more cities into training hubs. Local Calendar: Knoxville’s Market Square keeps the jazz series rolling, and community events run across the week.

Road Widening Cost Surge (Chattanooga): TDOT says the Moccasin Bend Widening Project—fixing the I-75/I-24 interchange bottleneck—now needs about $300M more than last year’s $246M estimate, with inflation and higher construction costs blamed. NCAA Baseball Starts Friday: The 64-team field is set, with UCLA the No. 1 overall seed hosting a regional and SEC teams heavily represented; regionals begin May 29 across 16 sites. Gas Watch (Memphis & statewide): Diesel in Shelby County hit a low of $4.78 for the week ending May 16, while Tennessee regular averaged $4.11 statewide. Travel Safety Reminder: easyJet says a flight was diverted after a passenger’s power bank was in checked luggage, a reminder that battery rules are tightening. Local Crash Update (East Memphis): Police say a driver fled after crashing into an SUV and a brick wall near Highland Street and Central Avenue early Monday.

Memorial Day travel reality check: A new survey names Tennessee’s most stressful off-ramps—especially I-40 Exit 204 to Charlotte Pike (Nashville), I-240 Exit 15 to Poplar Avenue (Memphis), I-75 Exit 5 to Shallowford Road (Chattanooga), and I-40 Exit 378 to North Peters Road (Knoxville)—citing short merge lanes, congestion, and sudden slowdowns. Road safety: A Tennessee deputy suffered minor injuries after a deer crashed through a cruiser windshield on Dayton Pike (Hamilton County), while separate reports highlight fatal I-40 crashes in Loudon County tied to speeding, distraction, and aggressive driving. Gas watch: GasBuddy spotlights bargain pockets in the week ending May 16, including $3.99 regular in Hickman County and $3.99 midgrade in Campbell County—useful if you’re plotting routes for the holiday. Weekend plans: Memphis has Memorial Day flag-laying at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, plus local observances across the city. Summer fun: Columbia’s June lineup includes Passion Pit and Midnight Star, with more shows rolling in.

Memorial Day momentum in Tennessee: Volunteers placed flags at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Memphis ahead of Monday’s ceremony, with organizers urging families and schools to keep sharing the stories behind the more than 28,000 graves. Road-trip reality check: AAA is warning that Memorial Day travel is arriving with high gas prices, and Tennessee’s weekly fuel reports show midgrade and premium prices still elevated in multiple counties (including a Union County midgrade low of $4.09 and Putnam County premium low of $4.15 for the week ending May 16). Local community spotlight: A Tennessee State Cup win is sending a McMinnville-area youth soccer club to the Mid-Atlantic Presidents Cup in Virginia. Sports on the move: Alvin Kamara made a stop at the Savannah Bananas game in Knoxville, scoring in “Banana Ball” at Neyland Stadium. Elsewhere (not TN): An officer-involved shooting in Wisconsin is under investigation, and NCAA women’s golf is in its first-cut scramble at Omni La Costa.

Memorial Day travel pressure: AAA says Tennesseans are set to hit the road in record numbers despite gas hitting a four-year high, with the state average around $4.20 a gallon—about $21 more to fill a 15-gallon tank than last year. Health watch: Warmer temps are already nudging up West Nile risk, with Tennessee among states reporting cases and officials warning mosquito season is just getting started. Road safety: A Hamilton County deputy’s patrol car was hit by a deer on Dayton Pike; the deputy had minor injuries and troopers are investigating. Sports spotlight: Bryan Torres homered in his MLB debut for the Cardinals after an 11-year climb, while Tennessee’s NCAA women’s golf teams are in the mix after the second round at Omni La Costa. Local culture & travel: Priscilla Presley turns 81, and Nashville’s Kane Brown is set to bring Broadway nightlife to tourists with a new bar opening this week.

NCAA Women’s Golf: At Omni La Costa, Siuue Wu tied the NCAA Championship record with an 8-under 64, jumping to T-3 at 4 under as Stanford and USC keep trading the lead in the second round. Vols Football/LSU: Former Tennessee QB Tee Martin is joining Lane Kiffin’s LSU staff as an offensive analyst, and his son Kaden is transferring to LSU as a quarterback. Memorial Day Travel & Gas: AAA expects a record rush—about 45 million Americans traveling 50 miles or more—with regular gas averaging $4.56 nationally; Tennessee DOT is pausing lane closures for the holiday weekend to keep roads moving. Road Safety: A Hamilton County deputy’s windshield was shattered by a deer; the deputy had minor injuries and the deer died at the scene. Local Parks: Detroit Lakes’ Ortenstone Gardens and Sculpture Park keeps expanding with major new permanent art installations. Sports Tourism: Paducah Sports Park is set for its first tournament this weekend, with phased openings underway.

Memorial Day travel watch: Tennessee drivers are heading into a wet, busy weekend—FOX13 says Sunday brings scattered storms (40% chance) and Monday (Memorial Day) ramps up to widespread showers and storms (70%), so plan for delays and keep an umbrella handy. Road safety crackdown: The Tennessee Highway Safety Office and partners are stepping up enforcement on Highways 58 and 68 for the holiday weekend, urging sober, seatbelted driving and extra care for motorcycles and pedestrians. Local transit tension: In Chattanooga, the Incline Railway dispute is heating up—Lookout Mountain is weighing an ordinance that could tax ticket sales, cap daily riders, and cut hours, while CARTA warns it could threaten funding for public transportation. Community spotlight: Memphis physician Dr. Katosha Muse is expanding her mission through the Muse Foundation, building mentorship pathways into medicine for local youth. Ongoing legal shakeup: A federal judge dismissed a human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, calling the investigation “vindictive” and politically motivated.

Supreme Court Tension: A House Democrat, Tennessee’s Rep. Steve Cohen, has introduced a long-shot impeachment resolution targeting Chief Justice John Roberts, arguing the court’s conservative majority is biased and that ethical breaches raise questions about the role of the wealthy—though no co-sponsors are backing it and it’s unlikely to advance under GOP control. Wildlife Watch: In Knox County, conservationists are sounding the alarm over a rare salamander that may be declining, underscoring how isolated habitats can put species on a fast track to trouble. Travel & Flights: Shreveport Regional Airport opened a renovated gate and launched nonstop service to Nashville, while WestJet cut 41 international routes, including many U.S. changes. Summer Safety & Community: Blood Assurance is urging donations during Tennessee’s “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” and local crews are preparing after vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery. Road Notes: TDOT is repaving Gainesboro Grade with lane closures and expects work to run into July.

Memorial Day travel pressure hits Tennessee: GasBuddy projects the national average could jump to $4.48/gal by Memorial Day, with prices potentially cresting near $4.80 through summer—so road trips may be “more expensive, not canceled.” Local fuel snapshot: In Tennessee’s latest GasBuddy week (ending May 16), regular prices averaged $4.11 statewide, with the lowest reported regular deal in Jackson County at $4.05 and Stewart County at $4.09. TVA push for Jackson gas: The TVA board held a full meeting in Guntersville focused on a north Alabama natural gas pipeline and a gas-fired plant near Scottsboro—Jackson-area officials are backing the plan hard. Tourism watch: Chattanooga’s Incline Railway is in a dispute with Lookout Mountain over a proposed $1 per passenger tax and caps on daily riders, with CARTA warning it could cut revenue. Safety reminders: Tennessee’s “Baby in the Back” hangtag program is back in the spotlight ahead of summer heat.

Super Bowl momentum: Tennessee’s big win is official—Nashville will host Super Bowl LXIV in 2030 at the new Titans Stadium, with Gov. Bill Lee calling it a tourism and jobs boost and local leaders already pointing to the hotel and crowd surge coming to East Bank. Memorial Day travel watch: AAA expects record travel (39.1M by car, 3.66M by air) and CBP is warning of major delays, especially at the U.S.-Canada border—so plan for extra time. Gas check (week ending May 16): Tennessee regular averages $4.11; some spots dip lower, like $3.74 in Campbell County and $3.87 in Humphreys County. Local travel/attractions: Secret Food Tours’ Nashville Food Tour is ranked #1 in U.S. Food & Drink on TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice. Sports on the move: Georgia softball heads to Knoxville for the Super Regional vs. Tennessee, with Game 1 set for Thursday night.

Super Bowl momentum hits Nashville: The NFL has officially locked in Super Bowl LXIV for 2030 at the new Nissan Stadium, and Nashville celebrated with a free Broadway party featuring live music, fireworks, and Titans appearances—while leaders also flagged the big question: can the city handle the crowds, traffic, and public safety load. Memorial Day travel pressure: With Memorial Day weekend underway, Memphis International expects 52,000+ travelers through TSA, and WeGo reports a 19% jump in express bus ridership as rising gas prices push commuters off the highway. Gas + food costs collide: A new look at “vacation inflation” shows higher prices for gas, airfare, and activities, and an update on E15 ethanol rules raises fresh questions for Tennessee corn farmers. Local flavor + events: Franklin Rodeo turns 75 with a ribbon-cutting kickoff, and Tennessee’s wine scene adds another milestone with a new federally recognized AVA for East Tennessee’s Nine Lakes. Road safety watch: Wilson County reported multiple crashes after heavy rain, with slick roads cited.