Good morning, Murfreesboro.

Veterans Park (a $16.5 million project) along Veterans Parkway at I-840 started with a March 2025 groundbreaking and, over the next few months, construction will accelerate toward its planned early-2027 opening.

AESC opened a new plant in Smyrna after a nearly $500 million investment and employing 550+ workers to produce high performance lithium iron phosphate cells for power grid storage systems.

MTSU associate professor Samuel Haruna will receive the John Pleas Faculty Award on Tuesday, March 31 at 5 p.m. in the Tennessee Room of the James Union Building; the free event will honor his excellence in teaching, research and service.

Dr. Jessica Supakhan, who launched Rutherford County Virtual School, has been named principal of Holloway High School — she will manage both schools on the same campus as Sumatra Drayton retires this summer.

The CDC has alerted experts to a highly mutated COVID variant nicknamed Cicada that could fuel a summer surge if it spreads further.

The variant has not been detected in Tennessee (local cases remain very low) and shows symptoms similar to other strains.

After his final game with the MTSU women's basketball team, coach Rick Insell discussed his future+ he said he will pursue new opportunities once the program wraps up.

Tennessee basketball meets Iowa State in the Sweet 16 at the United Center at 10:10 p.m. ET on March 27.

The Vols will rely on key matchups (Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament against Iowa State's top performers) to push for a third straight Elite Eight appearance.

Siegel High School will host its 2nd Annual Summer Basketball Camp on June 11 and June 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in its gym.

The camp will welcome boys and girls entering 3rd through 8th grades, and registration costs are $50 per camper & $35 for siblings.

April Fool's Day Painting Event

2-3:30 p.m. — Painting with a Twist — Paid reservation required — Create a whimsical hot dog painting in a fun, family-friendly environment.

Line Dance Night

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Hop Springs — Free entry — Enjoy boot-stompin' good times with live music and line dance instruction.

Distribution & Operations Conference

All day — Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville SE Murfreesboro — Cost not provided — Engage with industry experts and explore distribution operations strategies.

Murfreesboro Football and Life Skills Camp

9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Rockvale High School Football Field — Registration required — Enhance athletic skills while gaining valuable life lessons in a supportive environment.

School of Rock 1st Anniversary Bash!

1-7 p.m. — Hop Springs — Free — Celebrate the talent of student bands at an exciting anniversary event.