Jonathan Mattise, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - People hold posters of Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA rally at Utah State University, as a part of the organization's push to memorialize Kirk, Sept. 30, 2025, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett, File)

Tennessee university reinstates professor fired for Charlie Kirk post and settles for $500k

January 8, 2026

Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Tennessee school is also paying the teacher $500,000 in the settlement. Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his position as a tenured faculty member at the university in Clarksville effective Dec. 30. A settlement agreement document confirms the payment amount. Michael was among the people who faced backlash and from conservatives and punishment professionally for their online statements about Kirk’s fatal shooting in September. Michael had posted the headline of a 2023 news article that says, “Charlie Kirk Says Gun Deaths ‘Unfortunately’ Worth it to Keep 2nd Amendment.”

Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll, who has sought redemption from criminal past

December 18, 2025

Tennessee’s governor has pardoned country music star Jelly Roll, a Nashville native who for years has spoken about his criminal record and his path to finding redemption. Republican Gov. Bill Lee issued the pardon Thursday for the 41-year-old musician, whose legal name is Jason Deford. The state parole board made a nonbinding recommendation for the pardon in April. The rapper-turned-country singer has said it would make it easier for him to travel internationally to perform and share his message, after spending time behind bars when he was younger. Now, he often visits jails and rehabilitation centers before performing concerts.

Republican congressional candidate Matt Van Epps, center, and his wife Meg Wrather, left, greet a poll worker after casting their ballots at an early voting site in the special election for the seventh district, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee voters make final call in House special election testing Trump’s power

December 1, 2025

President Donald Trump and Republicans are hoping to recover from recent losses as Tennessee voters choose a representative for the conservative 7th Congressional District on Tuesday. The special election follows Rep. Mark Green’s resignation this summer. The race has seen a surge in spending, with Republican Matt Van Epps receiving over $1 million from Trump-backing super PAC MAGA Inc. The House Majority PAC supported Democrat Aftyn Behn with $1 million. Democrats recently won big in New Jersey and Virginia, and a strong showing in Tennessee could boost them ahead of midterms next November. Both parties have focused on turnout, as early voting coincided with Thanksgiving week.

Flowers and flags rest at the entrance to Accurate Energetic Systems after an explosion on Friday, killed 16 people in McEwen, Tenn. Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

What to know about the blast at a Tennessee explosives plant that killed 16 people

October 23, 2025

Authorities plan to give an update on the massive blast in Tennessee that killed 16 people earlier this month at an explosives plant. The discussion Friday will delve into the painstaking investigation of the Oct. 10 explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems. Authorities say the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined. The company’s complex straddles the Hickman and Humphreys county line in unincorporated Bucksnort, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. Last week, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of the 9-year-old daughter of Jeremy Moore, who was killed in the explosion. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has positively identified 14 of the 16 victims using “rapid DNA” technology.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, right, speaks during a news conference Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in McEwen, Tenn., at Accurate Energetic Systems. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)

Authorities identify remains of 14 of 16 victims in Tennessee explosion

October 15, 2025

Authorities say they have identified the remains of 14 of the 16 people killed last week in a massive blast at a Tennessee explosives plant. At a news conference Wednesday, they also said it’s possible still more dangerous materials need to be disarmed at the Accurate Energetic Systems site. Authorities also said there may be weeks of work ahead to try to pinpoint what caused the explosion. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said he hopes the positive identification of remains will offer some bit of closure for families. Davis said he wouldn’t be surprised if authorities remain on site for two months, given the scope and carefulness of what’s required.

This combination photo of candidates to replace Republican Rep. Mark Green in a Tennessee special election for the U.S. Seventh Congressional District shows Republican Jody Barrett, from top left, Democrat Aftyn Behn, Republican Gino Bulso, Democrat Darden Copeland, Democrat Vincent Dixie, Republican Mason Foley, and bottom row from left, Republican Joe Leurs, Democrat Bo Mitchell and Republicans Lee Reeves, Matt Van Epps and Tres Wittum. (AP Photo)

Both parties pack the ballot for US House special primary in Tennessee

October 7, 2025

Democrats and Republicans will have plenty of candidates to choose from in Tuesday’s Tennessee primary special elections to replace a GOP congressman who stepped aside this summer. The race to replace former U.S. Rep. Mark Green centers on one of three districts that GOP lawmakers drew as safely red in 2022 by dividing left-leaning Nashville. Eleven Republicans are on the ballot. Former state commissioner of general services Matt Van Epps landed President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week. Other opponents include state Reps. Jody Barrett and Gino Bulso. The Democratic field includes state Reps. Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, and businessman Darden Copeland. The general election is Dec. 2.

In Tennessee, a US House primary special election draws a crowd

October 3, 2025

A Tennessee special election to replace a Republican congressman who stepped aside this summer has attracted crowded primaries for both major parties. The departure of former U.S. Rep. Mark Green has resulted in the contested primary Tuesday in one of three districts that GOP lawmakers drew as safe red seats in 2022 by dividing left-leaning Nashville. Eleven Republicans are running in the 14-county district, with most attention centering on state Reps. Jody Barrett and Gino Bulso and former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The Democratic field features state Reps. Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, and businessman and political consultant Darden Copeland.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Tennessee governor says more federal agents to join fight against crime in Memphis next week

September 26, 2025

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says an influx of additional federal law enforcement agents will focus on crime in Memphis starting next week. The Republican said at a news conference Friday in Memphis alongside city and state officials that some 13 agencies at the federal, state and local level will arrive in phases. They include the National Guard, though Lee did not say specifically when troops would arrive. He said the National Guard members will not make arrests and will not be armed, unless local law enforcement officials request it.

FILE - Gov. Bill Lee speaks during a news conference announcing The Boring Company's intent to build the Music City Loop, a private transportation tunnel that will connect the airport to downtown, Monday, July 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, file)

Memphis mayor says he got confirmation National Guard would be deployed from Trump’s TV comments

September 13, 2025

The Memphis mayor says President Donald Trump’s TV announcement was the first hard confirmation he received that Trump would send in the National Guard to address crime. Speaking on CNN on Saturday, Mayor Paul Young said he learned the idea was under consideration when Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee’s office informed him earlier in the week. Then on Friday morning, Trump made his announcement on Fox News. The governor has said details of how the Guard will factor into efforts to tackle crime are still being ironed out, and talks with Trump are expected to continue into the upcoming week.

FILE - The Nashville, Tenn. skyline is seen July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, file)

Man pleads guilty to charges that he meant to blow up a Nashville power site with a bomb-laden drone

September 9, 2025

Prosecutors say a 24-year-old man with ties to white nationalist groups has pleaded guilty to charges that he attempted to use a drone to bomb a Nashville electricity substation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee said in a statement that Skyler Philippi, Columbia, Tennessee, pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility. He faces up to life in prison at his Jan. 8 sentencing. According to investigators, Philippi told a confidential FBI source in July 2024 that he wanted to attack several electricity substations to “shock the system.” Undercover agents arrested him as he was preparing to attach explosives to a drone for the attack.

Business spat between Daryl Hall and John Oates has been resolved in arbitration, attorneys say

August 11, 2025

A court filing says Daryl Hall and John Oates have resolved their dispute over a Hall & Oates business partnership through arbitration. The filing by Hall’s attorneys Monday shows the estranged duo reached a private ending after details of the rift between the duo went public in court documents after Hall sued Oates in 2023. A judge required the status update on a legal case that has been dormant for a year and a half. It’s unclear when the arbitration ruling was reached, or what the outcome was. An attorney for Hall declined to comment. Representatives for Oates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ARCHIVO – En esta foto de arresto sin fecha, proporcionada por el Departamento de Correccionales de Tennessee, se muestra a Byron Black. (Departamento de Correccionales de Tennessee vía AP, Archivo)

Attorney says heart device did not shock Tennessee man in execution who said he was ‘hurting so bad’

August 8, 2025

The attorney for a Tennessee man who said he was “hurting so bad” during his lethal injection this week says his implanted defibrillator did not shock him during the execution. Kelley Henry, an attorney for Byron Black, said Friday that her team received an initial evaluation of the data from his implantable cardioverter defibrillator during Black’s execution. She said the ICD information eliminates one possible cause for Black’s comment about pain, and other actions such as the instances in which he picked his head up off the gurney and groaned. But she said many questions remain unanswered.

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Tennessee Department of Corrections shows Byron Black. (Tennessee Department of Corrections via AP, File)

Tennessee readies for execution of man with working implanted defibrillator

August 4, 2025

Tennessee is gearing up for an execution that experts say would likely mark the first time a man has been put to death with a working defibrillator in his chest. Gov. Bill Lee declined Monday to grant a reprieve. That cleared the way for Byron Black’s execution on Tuesday amid uncertainty about whether the device will shock his heart when the lethal drug takes effect. Black’s attorneys argue that the device should be turned off to prevent unnecessary pain. Black was convicted of the 1998 killings of his girlfriend and her two daughters. This execution is Tennessee’s second since May.

Tennessee set to execute inmate without turning off his implanted defibrillator

August 4, 2025

Tennessee plans to execute Byron Black without deactivating his defibrillator, raising concerns about potential shocks during the lethal injection. The 69-nine-year-old Black suffers from multiple health issues, including dementia and heart failure. His attorneys argue that the device should be turned off to prevent unnecessary pain. The state Supreme Court recently overturned a decision requiring deactivation. Black was convicted of the 1998 killings of his girlfriend and her two daughters. This execution is Tennessee’s second since May, following a five-year pause. Legal efforts to reconsider Black’s intellectual disability claim have been unsuccessful.

This photo provided by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shows Austin Robert Drummond. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via AP)

Police find a car they say was driven by the man wanted in the death of 4 Tennessee family members

August 1, 2025

Authorities are searching for the man wanted for the murder of four family members in Tennessee. They found a car they believe Austin Robert Drummond was living in and offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation believes Drummond, who had a relationship with the family, is still in the area and armed. Authorities said he left an infant, related to the victims, in a front yard. Drummond faces charges including four counts of first-degree murder. His criminal history includes robbery and gang activity. The investigation began after the infant was found Tuesday.

Tennessee contests disabling an inmate’s heart device at a hospital on execution day

July 24, 2025

State attorneys in Tennessee say a judge’s order to take a death row inmate to the hospital on the morning of his execution to deactivate his heart-regulating device would cause “chaos.” That argument and others came in the state’s appeal Wednesday regarding the implanted device inside Byron Black. State attorneys say protestors would pose a risk on the hospital trip. Black’s attorney says the state presented no evidence of that. Black’s lethal injection is set for Aug. 5. His attorneys say his heart device would continuously shock him during the execution. The state disputes that.

Judge orders Tennessee to turn off inmate’s heart-regulating implanted device at execution

July 18, 2025

A judge is ordering state officials to turn off a death-row inmate’s heart-regulating implanted device to avert the risk that it might try to shock him during his execution by lethal injection scheduled for Aug. 5. Nashville Chancellor Russell Perkins issued the order Friday. Byron Black is slated to die by a single dose lethal injection of pentobarbital. Black’s attorneys have said that the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator could shock him in an attempt to restore his heart’s normal rhythm, causing extreme pain and suffering. Attorneys for the state deemed it highly unlikely that the pentobarbital would trigger the device’s defibrillating function. And if it did, they say he would be unconscious and unaware, and unable to perceive pain.

FILE - Members of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors listen to members of the public during a meeting May 8, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Federal utility backs off Tennessee gas plant site after John Rich says he enlisted Trump’s help

July 16, 2025

The nation’s largest public utility says it is looking at other sites for a new natural gas power plant after its preferred location in Tennessee drew heavy public scrutiny, including from country musician John Rich. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Tuesday that it no longer prefers the Cheatham County site it had been pursuing for the 900-megawatt plant. Rich is a conservative supporter of President Donald Trump who has Cheatham County roots. He has been a key opponent of TVA’s proposed gas plant site. Rich said he enlisted Trump to team up on the issue. A TVA spokesperson declined to comment about Rich’s comments. A White House spokesperson also declined to comment.

FILE - Michael J. Fox arrives at A Country Thing Happened On The Way To Cure Parkinson's in Nashville, Tenn., on April 26, 2023. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Where’s Marty McFly’s guitar? Search is on for ‘Back to the Future’ prop 4 decades later

June 3, 2025

Marty McFly grabbed a guitar in “Back to the Future” and rocked out with the band at a 1950s high school dance, helping him narrowly avoid blinking out of existence before time-traveling back to the 1980s. The guitar wasn’t as lucky. Filmmakers went looking for the instrument while making the movie’s 1989 sequel, but it’s still nowhere to be found. Guitar maker Gibson has launched a search for the Cherry Red Gibson ES-345 from “Back to the Future.” The company is seeking the public’s help finding it. The campaign comes as the movie turns 40 and as Gibson produces a new documentary about the search and the film, “Lost to the Future.”

Jonathan Mattise.