SUMMARY: Dwayne Tucker became Tennessee State University’s interim president in December 2024 during a challenging financial period for the institution. His first day involved addressing the State Building Commission, which had recently assisted TSU in avoiding bankruptcy by reallocating federal funds. The state is now requesting further budget cuts, prompting discussions of declaring financial exigency to enable significant changes like ending faculty tenure. Tucker, highlighting TSU’s $2 billion underfunding since the 1980s, emphasized the need for realistic expectations regarding state support. With past leadership issues complicating the situation, Tucker aims to navigate TSU through these financial challenges effectively.

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SUMMARY: A movie titled *American Smuggler* will dramatize the capture of notorious drug lord Craig Pettis, once one of America’s biggest traffickers, based in Memphis. The film will feature Golden Globe nominee Dennis Haysbert, known for roles in *Waiting to Exhale* and as the Allstate spokesperson. It will depict the efforts of SEAL Team Six to apprehend Pettis, who was linked to the Mexican cartel and later captured by a DEA task force. Pettis is serving nine life sentences for murder, conspiracy, and drug trafficking. Memphis native Jell Stokes is a producer of the film.

A film based on the notorious life of a Memphis drug lord may soon be coming to a theater near you. Titled “American Smuggler,” the movie will chronicle the effort by SEAL Team 6 to capture Craig Petties.

MORE: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/upcoming-movie-to-shed-light-on-notorious-memphis-drug-lord/article_52b7a4f8-bbb0-11ef-8083-5b9806678757.html

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SUMMARY: Tennessee may soon reconsider fluoride levels in drinking water, fueled by concerns over its safety versus benefits. The discussion resurfaced after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that President Donald Trump’s administration will advise removing fluoride due to its links to various health issues. Florida’s surgeon general recently cautioned against community water fluoridation, particularly for pregnant women and children. In Tennessee, discussions are ongoing, with some lawmakers and local utilities questioning fluoridation’s benefits. While many state health authorities support it for dental health, only around 12% of Tennessee’s water systems do not fluoridate, promoting it as a cost-effective preventive measure against dental issues.

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