Killing to protect property is on its way to being permitted in Tennessee.

In the final days of the legislative session Metro Reporter Cynthia Abrams reported Tennessee lawmakers approved a bill that expands the use of deadly force.

Today, deadly force is only allowed in instances of self-defense, given “a reasonable belief that there is an imminent danger of death, serious bodily injury or grave sexual abuse.

Now, under the approved bill, lawmakers are allowing deadly force to protect against burglary, arson, robbery, aggravated robbery, grave sexual abuse or aggravated cruelty toward animals.

“It basically says that if deadly force is your last and only option to protect your private property, you can use it.” said Rep. Kip Capley, the bill’s sponsor. Rep. Justin Jones, who opposed the bill said “We’re encouraging escalation ... This is about life or death.”

Once signed by the governor, the law goes into effect July 6.

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Photos: Rose Gilbert / WPLN, stock photo

Spring in Tennessee has been warm, dry and early this year. And that could mean changes for bugs.

Warmth can help proliferate insect activity, but drought can tamper it. Have you noticed changes in butterflies, bees, wasps, lightning bugs, ticks or more? Comment to share your observations.

Tennessee recorded some spring blooms 2 to 3 weeks early this year, according to the National Phenology Network.

The state has also been warm. Nashville had its second-warmest March ever, and April is currently about seven degrees above the 30-year average.

At the same time, the state is in a widespread drought. The majority of land is classified under “severe drought” by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts that Nashville should recover, while other parts of Middle Tennessee could be in for an extended drought.

Follow along for more environmental stories from Caroline Eggers. Tap link in bio for more.

Photos: Caroline Eggers / WPLN

Notable quotables from our local coverage in Nashville.

This week we covered the end of the legislative session, the FAIR RX bill involving CVS, how Middle Tennessee has more clarity around how the Nashville Electric Service, and a win for the Duck River (no matter what side of the political fence you are on).

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“This isn’t about liberals and conservatives. This is about protecting natural resources,” said Doug Jones, a resident in Hickman County.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill to protect the Duck River from landfill construction. Landfills have been proposed across the state in recent years — including in the Duck River watershed.

The new legislation creates a two-mile buffer around the river and its tributaries, reports Caroline Eggers, our Environmental Reporter.

The Duck River is widely considered the most biodiverse river in North America due to its numerous fish and mussel species. Its water sustains life in the bordering habitats of limestone glades, oak forests, prairies, caves and wetlands.

“This is sort of wild country — what’s left of Middle Tennessee’s wild country,” said Jones, whose property borders the Duck River. He identifies as conservative and supported the legislation through the Duck River Conservancy.

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Photos: Caroline Eggers/WPLN and Paul DeWitte/Duck River Conservancy

It’s not every day a high school student makes the finals in a global competition. But Brentwood’s Adam Rakmanov has, and he’s up for a $250K scholarship prize.

Rakmanov, an 18-year-old student at Ravenwood High School, created a video explaining how a specific bacterium in water called Ideonella Sakainesis can help break down plastic in 6 weeks.

He entered his video into the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a global competition where students simplify complex science topics into a 2-minute video.

“Plastic is a big problem, the plastic epidemic has wreaked havoc on our whole globe,” Rakmanov said. “There’s so many defects that are coming from plastics, where new research is coming up every single day.”

The $250K prize winner is expected to be announced in May. If he wins, Rakmanov plans to use the money for college. Even if he doesn’t win, he’s pleased with making it this far.

“Being in the top 16 out of 3000 is already impressive in itself, especially for college, but I really hope I win.”

Wherever he goes, he plans on majoring in pre-med, attending medical school and becoming an entrepreneur in the medical world.

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Nashville’s industrial East Bank is in the midst of a long-term transformation. One of the biggest changes to the area will be a new Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).

The new facility, which will be relocating from its current downtown location near the state capitol, will play a key role in the East Bank’s revitalization. The project, which was finalized in an agreement between Metro and TPAC late last year, will be costly.

The state has dedicated $500 million toward construction, contingent on TPAC raising private matching dollars and Metro’s involvement.

TPAC has enlisted prominent Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, in collaboration with William Rawn Associates and Nashville-based HASTINGS Architecture.

This week TPAC unveiled the structural new design, complete with sweeping waves of metal encasing the facility.

Construction of the new facility is expected to start in early 2027.

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Photos: Bloomimages