Latest news with #MeganBarry
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Revisiting the most notorious Nashville stories of the past 25 years
We remember the dirt, the tea, the stunning details of stories that became permanently fixed in time. In our current century, Nashville has been shaped by huge stories that got under our skin, went viral, blew up. Are there water coolers anymore? We used to gather around them in the office (are there offices?) and share the sometimes-salacious details. We remember when Taylor Swift took on Scooter Braun, when Megan Barry endured public shame, when Steve McNair was murdered. It is not a stretch to say people will be talking about the time Morgan Wallen threw a chair off a building for years to come. If you've been paying attention at all in Tennessee, you may easily recognize the stories: There was a wayward judge, a plane crash, some drunken exploits and a sex scandal or two. These weren't necessarily the most important stories of the year, but they were captivating. They made you ask questions. Wait, what happened? How on earth? Did you see the latest? We couldn't look away from the unforgettable. We had to know the deets. No Nashvillian will forget the Christmas Day bombing, the Tennessee Waltz (which wasn't a song) or the Tennessee Three (not Johnny Cash's band). These sordid stories are as good as old calendars. We remember what we were doing when they happened. There were missing persons, environmental disasters and a band got canceled before "canceled" became the word we would use to describe what happened to them. The staff at The Tennessean went into the archives to pull out the biggest headlines from the past 25 years, and the most Notorious Nashville stories from each year will be unveiled this summer one at a time. The memories of these stories may stir embarrassment, anger, tears or gasps. They will always make for interesting dinner-party conversation. 2000: Janet March ruled dead, focus turns to husband 2001: Fatal Greyhound bus crash near Manchester led to national shutdown 2002: Peyton Manning defamation lawsuit challenged former Vol's image 2003: Country music cancels The Chicks, still 'Not Ready to Make Nice' 2004: Fallon Tallent trial for 2 officer deaths shook Wilson County 2005: Major political scandal led to ethics reform in Tennessee 2006: Killing by preacher's wife pushes small town into national spotlight 2007: The murder case that shocked Knoxville, incited white supremacists 2008: Toxic sludge swallowed a TN town. Years of illness, lawsuits followed 2009: Why ex-Titans QB Steve McNair's death was so shocking 2010: Why Lane Kiffin's Tennessee departure rocked Knoxville 2011: Why Holly Bobo's case changed a TN county forever 2012: Scott DesJarlais: Scandal couldn't sink notoriously troubled candidate 2013: How the 2013 Vanderbilt rape case stunned the city This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Revisit Nashville's most notorious stories of the past 25 years
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Nashville Mayor Megan Barry won't run for TN seat US Rep. Mark Green is vacating
Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry won't run for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, she said in a social media post. Barry, a Democrat who failed to unseat Green in November, took a swipe at the three-term incumbent. "He's a quitter," Barry said in a video posted to Instagram. A Green spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to an email from The Tennessean asking for a response. In February last year, Green, 60, a medical doctor and U.S. Army veteran, announced he wouldn't seek reelection to Congress. President Donald Trump was among the powerful Republicans who urged him to change his mind and run again to help preserve the Republican's razor-thin margin in the U.S. House. Seven months after trouncing Barry in the general election in the GOP-majority 7th Congressional district, 59% to 38%, Green again announced his retirement. In 2018, Barry resigned from the mayor's office after pleading guilty to a felony theft charge related to an affair she'd had with a Metro Police detective who was serving as her bodyguard. This week, Barry said supporters have reached out to urge her to run again for Green's Congressional seat. "I'm really grateful to all the people who have reached out to ask me to run for this," she said in her social media video, "but it's just not the right time for me and my family." In the video, Barry urged supporters to support the eventual Democratic nominee. A special election for the seat, representing rural counties in middle and west Tennessee, as well as Montgomery County and parts of Davidson and Williamson counties, will be held later this year. The Republicans who've announced their running are state Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, Matt Van Epps, a combat veteran and former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner, Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight and U.S. Army Officer John Thorp. State Rep. Bo Mitchell from Nashville is the only Democrat in the race so far. Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry says no to another run at Congress
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Mark Green's retirement leaves open field for Republicans, a 'longshot' for Democrats
Tennessee is expected to see a special election later this year to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, and political experts say it could bring an open field of Republican candidates. Regardless of who runs for Green's seat, experts say it would likely be a 'longshot' for any Democratic candidates as the district has a strong Republican hold. Green on June 9 announced his resignation from the 7th Congressional District, just months after his reelection, to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. His district represents a swath of rural counties in middle and west Tennessee, as well as Montgomery County and parts of Davidson and Williamson counties. 'It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress," he said in a statement. "Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up. As a result, today I notified the Speaker and the House of Representatives that I will resign from Congress as soon as the House votes once again on the reconciliation package." His office didn't respond to an interview request; it's unclear what the private sector opportunity is. Republicans hope to pass what President Donald Trump calls his 'big, beautiful bill' by July 4. If Green vacates his seat after voting on the bill, the state could see a special election this fall. Under Tennessee law, Gov. Bill Lee must order a special election within 10 days of Green's resignation and set a primary election date within 55 to 60 days. The state would then set a subsequent general election within 100 to 107 days. Green was reelected in November. His term expires in January 2027. Green, a 60-year-old doctor and military veteran who lives in Clarksville, was first elected to his seat in 2018. He announced in February 2024 that he would not seek a fourth term, characterizing the country and Congress as nearly irreversibly broken. He changed his mind after a flurry of calls from fellow Republicans and a personal appeal from Trump. John Geer, a longtime political science professor at Vanderbilt University, speculated that Republicans, without any other strong candidates, asked Green to reconsider as he was set to fight off a challenge from former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry. 'They might have been worried a little bit that Megan Barry might win,' he said. Geer said it's unclear who would run for his seat now, but any new candidate will be quickly bolstered by Lee and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. A typical low turnout for special elections could help a Democratic candidate, but Geer said it will depend on the political climate later this year, and the climate is changing fast. 'It's a longshot, but if the public is really angry and there is a Democrat that is viewed as a moderate, there could be a chance,' he said. Kent Syler, a political science and public policy professor at Middle Tennessee State University, said Barry ran a spirited and well-funded campaign against Green but still had relatively low turnout at 38%. Syler said Tennessee's 7th Congressional District contains an interesting mix of urban, suburban and rural voters, which poses a challenge for Democrats since they typically do better in urban areas. 'That dynamic will make it very difficult for a Democrat to take this seat,' he said. 'That being said, this race is going to be far more about Donald Trump than it is about the two candidates.' Green serves as chair of the Homeland Security Committee, and it's unclear how his departure will impact a Congressional investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell for allegedly obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. The investigation is set to be led by the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees. A former U.S. Army major, Green was first elected to office in the Tennessee General Assembly, where Trump tapped him in 2017 to serve as Secretary of the Army. The move, however, sparked a backlash over comments he made about LGBTQ+ groups and Muslim religious practices. Green has said comments were misconstrued, but he withdrew his candidacy. During his time in Congress, Green was an advocate for legislation affecting U.S. soldiers and veterans. His first bill after being sworn into Congress was the Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act to allow Coast Guard Gold Star Spouses to continue receiving stipends via the Survivor Benefits Plan. He advocated against the mandated COVID-19 vaccine for military members and fought for those who did not comply to be honorably discharged. Tennessee and Montgomery County Republicans have praised his service as news of his retirement spread. Tennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden said Green was both a friend to him and the Republican Party. "Congressman Mark Green is a true American patriot,' Golden said. 'He has served in the Army, served as a doctor, served Tennessee in the State Senate, and served our Country in Congress.' Aron Maberry, freshman representative in the Tennessee General Assembly, commended Green's work. "Mark has really fought hard for District 7 and has done a lot of great things in Washington, D.C., and stood with our president," Maberry said. "I'm thankful for his services to our nation, in Tennessee and Montgomery County." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sen. Mark Green's retirement leaves open field for Republicans and a 'longshot' for Democrats
