Death Penalty in Tennessee: Tennessee is preparing to execute Christa Gail Pike on Wednesday for the 1995 murder of classmate Colleen Slemmer, a case that drew national attention during the “satanic panic” era; Pike, now 50, maintains she understands the gravity of what she did, while supporters cite her childhood abuse and mental illness and point to her long isolation on death row. Public Safety: Kentucky State Police say they captured the suspect in the death of Trooper Hayden Phillips after a multi-agency manhunt on I-65; Emonnie Branch, 51, of Portland, Tennessee, was arrested and charged with murder of a first responder, with a judge denying bail. Local Government & Infrastructure: Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed his fourth Capital Spending Plan, targeting schools, transportation, safety, and public spaces, including a new Antioch elementary school and upgrades to fire stations and Head Start campuses. Energy & Jobs: The NRC issued TVA a construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor in Tennessee, marking a major step for new nuclear licensing. Tech & Community: FEMA announced millions in Hurricane Helene recovery funding for projects in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Sports: Vols return specialist Qua Moss earned a Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll after a standout game vs. Texas.