Clinton Global Initiative University plans Vanderbilt events

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Clinton Global Initiative University on Monday released details about its annual meeting at Vanderbilt University from March 3-5.

Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton announced that they will be joined in Nashville by aspiring leaders and global experts in business, public service and social impact. It will be the initiative’s 15th annual meeting, and its first in-person gathering since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting will include participants ranging from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to Allyson Felix, a five-time Olympic track and field runner and co-founder of Saysh.

Some of the others include: Melissa Diamond, founder of A Global Voice for Autism; Pashtana Dorani, executive director of LEARN Afghanistan; Sasha Fisher, co-founder and executive director of Spark MicroGrants; Larissa May, founder and executive Director of #HalfTheStory; Ai-jen Poo, president of National Domestic Workers Alliance; Belinda ‘Otukolo Saltiban, associate vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion at Vanderbilt; and Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Moms First.

Between working sessions with the Clinton Foundation’s network of leaders, experts and initiative alumni, there will be new “Commitments to Action” announced to address a pressing global challenge with measurable programs.

There will also be community service opportunities and a space to hear inspirational stories from trailblazers and innovators at the program’s “Story Studio.”

Students will learn how to build a more inclusive community at work, how to advocate for communities impacted by climate change, and how challenges can serve as a catalyst for transformation.

Trump says beating of Nichols ‘never should have happened’

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Saturday said the footage of the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers is “horrible” and that the attack “never should have happened.”

“I thought it was terrible. He was in such trouble. He was just being pummeled. Now that should never have happened,” Trump said in an interview with The Associated Press on Saturday, a day after authorities released footage of the attack on the 29-year-old Black man after a traffic stop. Nichols died three days later.

The comments were notable for Trump, who is running for the White House again and has a history of encouraging rough treatment of people in police custody. He was president during the racial justice protests that emerged in the summer of 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. At the time, he signed an executive order encouraging better police practices but has been criticized by some for failing to acknowledge what they consider systemic racial bias in policing.

Trump ultimately centered his 2020 reelection bid around a “law and order” message that emphasized support for law enforcement.

The newly released violent video in Memphis shows police holding down and beating Nichols for three minutes with their fists, boots and batons. The footage shows police screaming profanities at him while Nichols screams for his mother. Trump said Nichols calling out for his mother was “a very sad moment.”

“That was really the point that got me the most, to be honest with you,” he said.

Tennessee Correction Department holding citizens academy

The Tennessee Department of Correction is accepting applications for its Citizens Correctional Academy through Feb. 6.

The five-week program runs from April 25 through May 23. It is designed to give Tennesseans an in-depth look at the state’s largest law enforcement agency, according to a news release.

Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings at various TDOC locations around Nashville. Participants will learn about TDOC initiatives from executive leadership and tour facilities.

Applications are available at tn.gov/correction. Completed applications can be submitted via email to TDOC.Communications@tn.gov.

Bulls Gap fire estimated at 50% loss

A fire involving a mobile home in Bulls Gap Thursday is still under investigation.

According to a report from the Bulls Gap Volunteer Fire Department, at 5:48 p.m., Thursday, the department was called to a mobile home on Lautner Road. When crews arrived, the mobile home was engulfed in smoke with flames visible in the kitchen and living room. Crews quickly made entry and contained the fire to one portion of the home in hopes of saving the remainder of the home and its belongings. The fire is estimated at a 50% loss.

In addition to Bulls Gap VFD, area departments responding were Persia, East Hamblen and Mosheim volunteer fire departments. Hawkins County EMS was also on standby during the fire.