Notable quotables for the week for stories that include Tennessee’s primary results, the death penalty, and the ongoing discourse and action around the proposed data center near the zoo.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn held a solid lead in the governor’s race, even before she officially announced her candidacy. Polls showed her opponent, U.S. Rep. John Rose, gaining on her for a while, but ultimately she took the vote. Other tight races included the one for the 5th Congressional District, where former agriculture commissioner unseated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles.

Tennessee is set to execute Anthony “Darrell” Hines next week, amid ongoing concerns about the state’s lethal injection program. Gov. Bill Lee reiterated his support for the Department of Correction and again announced he will not heed calls for a death penalty moratorium.

The Metro Council signed off on Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s plan to use eminent domain to block a controversial data center project near the zoo. With that permission, the city can begin working to prove to a court there’s a necessary public use for the land. Some members, like Courtney Johnston, are concerned about the price tag.

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How well did President Trump’s candidates perform in Tennessee’s GOP primary? The results are in... and they are mixed.

Trump-endorsed Sen. Brent Taylor won the Republican ticket in the 9th Congressional District. But in the 5th, his choice of incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles lost to Gov. Bill Lee’s pick, former state ag commissioner Charlie Hatcher.

Trump opted not to make any endorsement in the gubernatorial race, where U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn defeated U.S. Rep. John Rose and state Rep. Monty Fritts. She will face Democrat Jerri Green in November.

Swipe for complete results, which you can also find at WPLN.org.

WPLN heard your concerns. This post corrects a previous post, which has been deleted. Our initial reporting about a drowning detection system was not clear enough about the “Angel Eye” systems going in at YMCA indoor pools.

Angel Eye uses cameras in or above pools, plus software that monitors for signs of distress in the water. They can alert lifeguards to trouble.

Residents, and parents in particular, have had strong reactions to the presence of cameras at the pool where their families swim — and to the further spread of surveillance.

“As a parent, what I am concerned about is surveillance. … They should be transparent about how they were sold this technology. Is there some lack of confidence in their lifeguards? I would imagine not,” said Melissa Cherry of Madison

The YMCA states that lifeguards are not going away, and the technology is secure and could save lives, and will supplement the work of lifeguards.

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Reporter: Emily West
Photos: Emily West / WPLN

How would Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s strategy in her run for governor translate to Texas hold ‘em?

Blackburn is vying against two other GOP candidates, U.S. Rep. John Rose and Tennessee Rep. Monty Fritts, to make it to the “final table,” this fall’s election. All year she’s been the “chip leader,” with sizeable advantages in campaign finance reports and polls of likely voters.

But Blackburn has chosen a quiet approach, avoiding involvement in many hands. For instance, she refused to appear on a debate stage with the other candidates. That’s deprived them of some opportunities to make big plays, but it’s also led to some awkward moments, like one with a reporter outside an elevator that became a news story of its own.

So will Blackburn take it down? Republican primary voters are dealing the cards. Election day is Thursday.

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Photos: Unsplash, candidates photos from candidate websites
Reporting by Daniel Potter

Notable quotables for the week include back to school with the Ten Commandments, concerns about the death penalty procedures, AI ads in our primaries, the Titans, healthcare for ICE detainees, and nuclear storage in Tennessee.

Wilson County Schools unanimously passed a measure to display the Ten Commandments in all K-12 buildings, but one board member showed some concern.

We’re a week out from the primaries, and the race for governor is heating up. A dark money group ran an attack ad against Sen. Marsha Blackburn, which uses an AI-generated jingle. Her team argues that breaks a new law in Tennessee, which banned generative AI from campaign ads.

Fallout from the state’s failed attempt to execute Tony Carruthers continues. A group of doctors and nurses are calling for redesign of capital punishment in the state. They want Tennessee to find a way to carry out exectuions without relying on medical professionals, who are ethically forbidden from pariticpating in the death penalty.

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