Good morning, Jackson.

Dorina Collier and Raven Winston Reid discussed the upcoming Day of Hope National Grief Awareness Day Celebration on a recent show.

The event will be held on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. at Liberty Garden Park (24 Channing Way) and will include a butterfly release to honor loved ones.

United Way of West Tennessee announced Wednesday a $562,238.80 Community Impact Grant to support 58 programs by 48 local nonprofits for the 2026–2027 fiscal year—assisting efforts in food access, recovery services, and basic assistance across the area.

7 Brew coffee announced plans to open a new location on North Highland next door to Starbucks in Jackson.

Some residents appreciate the cheaper option & others worry about its impact on local small businesses.

The Jackson International Food and Art Festival will be held on Sept.

26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jackson Fairgrounds, 800 South Highland Avenue, featuring live music, global cuisines, artistic displays plus a community parade.

A SmartAsset study released on Aug.

19 shows that a single adult in Tennessee needs about $89,898 a year to live comfortably (a 1.7% drop from last year) while a family of four needs nearly $197,267; the study uses updated MIT data to measure living costs across states.

Books‑A‑Million customers donated 393 books worth over $5,000 to boost Denmark Elementary’s library during a drive from July 19 to Aug.

16. Librarian Mrs. Lester picked up the donations on Wednesday at the school on Denmark Jackson Road.

Some West Tennessee volunteer fire departments have received $10,000 grants via a $1.5 million national safety program from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council.

Chief Melvin Martin of Hardin County Fire and EMA said the funds will purchase equipment for small, volunteer-run departments — boosting local fire safety.

New CDC data released Aug.

17 shows that fewer Tennessee kindergarteners received vaccines during the 2025 to 2026 school year with a 4.8% exemption rate (3,510 students) driven mostly by nonmedical reasons, and an order signed on Aug. 10 cuts the childhood vaccine schedule by splitting the MMR shot into three visits.

TCA quarterback Jansen Graves was named MVP of the week after leading his team to a 27 to 7 win against the South Side Hawks (he completed 4 of 7 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in his first home jamboree).