Saturday, April 18th, 2026
Good morning, Murfreesboro. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 18th of April.
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Dr. Jessica Supakhan, a Holloway alumna (Class of 2000), has been named the new principal at Holloway High School and will also lead Rutherford County Virtual School, according to Dr. Jimmy Sullivan. She succeeds Sumatra Drayton and her dual role will support innovative and traditional education on the shared campus. Rutherford County Source
- ➤ Middle Tennessee State University’s Animation Program was ranked No. 1 by Animation Career Review for the third year, showing its focus on hands-on training and digital skills at the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment — its studio offers students real-world experience. Rutherford County Source
- ➤ MTSU updated its AI policies and added a data science certificate after faculty discussions. Finance professor Keith Gamble (who led the fall 2025 initiative) said the changes encourage ethical use in courses, and a survey (by Sidelines) found nearly 80% of students have used AI, showing a growing campus impact. MTSU Sidelines
- ➤ Jason Crutchfield has been named the new principal of Rockvale Elementary School by Dr. Jimmy Sullivan today—he brings 18 years of leadership experience from Rockvale High and Smyrna Middle School and will succeed retiring principal Dayna Nichols. Rutherford County Source
- ➤ The 2nd Annual Rutherford Races to Read takes place Saturday, April 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Oaklands Mansion – a derby-themed event where families in inflatable horse costumes roll giant dice to help the Rutherford County Library Foundation raise $20k for literacy programs. Rutherford County Source
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ During Earth Month, AT&T invites residents to drop off old phones, tablets & chargers at its retail stores across Middle TN including the local Murfreesboro branch; for every 10 lbs collected, a laptop will be donated through a partnership with Compudopt. Rutherford County Source
- ➤ MTSU’s Center for Environment and Sustainability marked the arboretum’s Level II status on April 17 outside Peck Hall with a guided tour that showcased 73 tree species and interactive QR tags — a step that highlights campus conservation efforts. MTSU Sidelines
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Officials from the Tennessee Wars Commission have awarded $2.6 million+ to six groups to help preserve battlefield lands in Tennessee, including a Stones River project in Rutherford County. Applications for next year’s grants run from Aug. 10 to Oct. 31. Rutherford County Source
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Local drivers are encouraged to inspect their cabin air filter, top off fluids, rotate tires, and test their battery (a tip from AutoZone) to avoid breakdowns this spring. The Daily News Journal
- ➤ Ms. Cheap reviews local lunch spots offering budget-friendly meals with updated menus and pricing changes. The roundup highlights favorites like Mas Tacos Por Favor, Liz’s Kitchen, and Toot’s (offering cash discounts) to help locals make affordable dining choices. Murfreesboro Post
-
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.
-
Area 16 Special Olympic Games for High School and Adults
10 a.m. — Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium — Free admission — Come support local athletes as they showcase their skills in a series of exciting events.
-
Brooks Herring Band Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Hop Springs — $20.97 — Experience the dynamic country music of Brooks Herring, blending grit and vulnerability in an unforgettable live show.
-
Line Dance Night
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Hop Springs — Free entry — Step out for a boot-stompin' evening with live country music and line dancing instruction.
-
Gallagher Guitar Fest 2026
5-9 p.m. — Walnut House Event Venue & Recording Studios — Tickets available now — Enjoy live music and support your favorite artists at this community celebration.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Morning Murfreesboro
Welcome to the Morning Murfreesboro, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Murfreesboro, Tennessee community. If you like the Morning Murfreesboro, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Murfreesboro.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Murfreesboro and across Tennessee. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Morning Murfreesboro
A free Murfreesboro community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://morningmurfreesboro.com/sitemap