Month: August 2026

By Chris Davis

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    NASHVILLE (WTVF) — A new Tennessee law allowing public schools to display the Ten Commandments is beginning to take shape across the state, with several school districts already moving forward.

Public Chapter 924, which took effect July 1, allows local school boards to permit displays of the Ten Commandments, the preamble to the U.S. Constitution and a portion of the Declaration of Independence in prominent locations within school buildings. The law does not require districts to participate, leaving the decision to local school boards.

Supporters say the displays serve as both historical and moral instruction. State Rep. Michael Hale (R-Smithville), one of the law’s supporters, described the Ten Commandments as important principles that remain relevant today. “These are just good moral, foundational … if I practice those, you and I can have a great relationship,” Hale said.

“I hope all 147 school districts will do this,” State Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka) said during floor debate.

So far, five Tennessee school districts have started the process of approving displays of the Ten Commandments in their schools. Three of those districts are in Middle Tennessee — Rutherford, Wilson and White County Schools.

Among the districts moving forward, Rutherford County appears to be the furthest along in the process.

The Rutherford County School Board has approved a full-color display design roughly the size of a movie poster and has begun fundraising efforts to pay for the project without using taxpayer dollars.

Board member Frances Rosales said she supports ensuring every school receives the display. “We need to have consistency for every school to have it displayed and not pick one school over another,” Rosales said.

District leaders say they won’t move forward with installation until the full amount of money required is raised. “So you’re looking at about $12,400 dollars. Of that, $7,000 dollars has already been raised,” board member Caleb Tidwell said.

A spokesperson for Rutherford County Schools did not respond to our request for comment.

Wilson County’s School Board has also begun raising money for its displays and recently voted to advance the proposal.

Board member Greg Hohman said the displays would help students understand the nation’s history. “This is who we are as a nation, this is where we came from. And our kids need to know it,” Hohman said.

District officials have indicated the displays will not be installed until enough money has been raised to complete the project. According to a Wilson County Schools spokesperson, pricing and designs are still being considered and will be discussed at an upcoming meeting.

The district spokesperson declined to do an interview for this story until more information was finalized.

The board gave its initial approval on a 6-0 vote.

White County Schools is in an earlier stage of the process.

The White County School Board recently began adopting a policy related to displaying the Ten Commandments and other historical documents in district schools.

Board members discussed how the policy should be structured and how closely it should mirror the requirements of the state law. While the board voted to advance the proposal, many implementation details remain unresolved.

White County board member Jayson McDonald voiced strong support during the discussion. “We’re not afraid to stand on the beliefs of what Jesus and what God has done for us in our lives,” McDonald said.

No one from the White County School System responded to our request for comment.

Not everyone supports the new law.

Critics argue that displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools blurs the line between government and religion, and some worry the law could invite costly legal challenges.

Civil rights organizations have already begun examining how districts are implementing the legislation. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have filed public records requests seeking documents related to school districts’ plans for Ten Commandments displays. White County, Rutherford County and Wilson County are among the districts that have received records requests.

In a joint statement, the organizations said: “Forcing biblical scripture on public-school children violates families’ religious freedom. Families and faith communities, not the government, get to decide what role religious doctrine and belief play in their lives. We are committed to protecting students’ and parents’ constitutional rights and are launching an investigation of every school district that foolishly accepts the state’s invitation to trample those rights. We urge families who will be affected by these religious displays to contact our organizations.”

The groups say they are investigating how the new law is being implemented and are reviewing districts’ plans for displaying the Ten Commandments.

As more school boards take up the issue, additional Tennessee districts could still choose to participate under the law.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Paris Fransway

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    OAK CREEK, Wisconsin (WTMJ) — Friends, family, and fellow veterans packed American Legion Post 434 to celebrate John Sagan’s 95th birthday, and to honor his military service.

“I knew I had a lot of friends but, not this many,” Sagan said.

Sagan served on the front lines during the Korean War and has received an award from the President of South Korea for his service. At the party, he was presented with a Quilt of Valor.

“I didn’t expect this,” Sagan said. “I was drafted, I did my job, and I did it for everybody.”

His daughter, Joyce Mueller, helped put the party together.

“What he had to go through in Korea was horrible,” said Mueller. “He was right on the lines, risking his life, every day.”

Sagan’s ties to Oak Creek run deep. He was one of the very first officers of the Oak Creek Police Department, serving in the early days of a city that looked nothing like it does today.

“I go back to when this was nothing but farmland. I remember this all being built,” Sagan said.

“There was a couple of times I had to use my own car for a squad car, that’s how bad it was,” Sagan said. “I think there was only about 4,500 people who lived in Oak Creek.”

For nearly 50 years, Sagan has also owned the Cozy Inn, a local bar where he still bartends.

“I’ve got my hands full, I own a bar,” Sagan said.

Mueller said her father enjoys speaking with customers.

“It makes him happy any time somebody comes in,” Mueller said. “From young to old they have different conversations with him.”

I was at the birthday party, and the turnout reflected just how wide Sagan’s impact has been.

After 95 years, Sagan’s advice is simple.

“You can’t dwell on yesterday,” Sagan said. “There’s nothing you can do about yesterday. I wake up every day and think God has gave me another day.”

Sagan is a member of American Legion Post 434. Post Commander Brandon Fettig told me he wants veterans in the area to know they are welcome at Post 434 and can become members.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTMJ verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jane Kim – North County Inland Reporter

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    ESCONDIDO, California (KGTV) — Richard Koike wanted a home that could withstand a wildfire. His property near the Olivenhain Dam gave him good reason to worry.

“We have 2.5 acres and it’s mostly trees up there. And so fire is uh is a big concern for us,” Koike said.

The shell of Koike’s home in Escondido is nearly complete. The framing, insulation and waterproofing are all fire resistant — built by 4C Construction Systems, a California company advocating for fire-resistant building methods.

“Fire resistance was a big draw for us,” Koike said. “We’ve been working on this project for a while. And the more I hear about the wall system, the better it sounded.”

Yonah Naftaly, CEO of 4C Construction Systems, says fire-resistant construction is achievable and affordable.

“It’s possible, it exists,” Naftaly said.

The company uses factory-made materials to keep costs down, assembling homes quickly on-site.

“We average about 5 to 7 days for a project. You’re right now here on our 6th working day on this project, and today is the day we’re going to be done,” Naftaly said.

“This is made on a conveyor. It’s repetitive blocks we’re able to add in those materials and those materials are things that the homeowner will keep. They stay with the project but at at no added substantial cost, if any,” Naftaly said.

In the coming days, windows will be installed and a roofer, electrician and plumber will bring the house to completion.

For Koike, the build offers peace of mind.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Steve Dent

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    CALDWELL, Idaho (KIVI) — Herb Lasch served in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines during the Vietnam War, and on Saturday, veterans showed up to support their brother in arms.

Lasch is battling Cancer and Parkinson’s, and one of his bucket list items was to hear the roar of a Harley-Davidson once more, so veterans showed up at his house in Caldwell.

“This is truly amazing, I never expected it, and it brings back old memories,” said Lasch.

“It was probably the best experience of my life.”

This emotional ceremony came to fruition because of Herb’s caregiver. Janina Oquendo works for Senior Helpers, and she has been bugging Herb for a while, wondering what is on his bucket list.

“One day he said, ‘I want to hear a motorcycle again,’ so I had to make it come true,” said Oquendo, who was blown away by how many people came. “It was a godsend for me; people have a big heart, and the support that veterans have for each other is a big thing.”

Veterans welcomed Herb home, something that didn’t happen back in the Vietnam era.

Veterans helped Herb up on a motorcycle and let him start it up while playing the Marine Corps Hymn.

“It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” said Lasch.

“You are loved, man. You are a vet. We are vets, and it is a brotherhood that nobody can explain,” said one of the veterans who showed up.

As Lasch waved goodbye, he wanted to thank the veterans who showed up and his caregiver for putting in the effort to make this a reality on a Saturday afternoon in Caldwell.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Walter Perez

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    UPPER POTTSGROVE, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — A weekend police-involved shooting is under investigation, and the parents of the young man killed spoke only with Action News.

It was late Saturday night when 22-year-old Glenn Pysher was out celebrating a friend’s birthday at a local bar. Glenn’s parents tell Action News it was getting late, so the celebration moved to the friend’s house.

Erin Pysher says her son decided to walk.

“He ended up at the wrong house after having a few drinks. He didn’t know that, so he was knocking on the door saying, ‘Hey, let me in.’ Thinking it was his friend’s house, but it wasn’t,” his mother said.

It all unfolded at a home in Upper Pottsgrove a bit past midnight. The couple inside was startled and called 911.

“12:32, he was on the phone with his friends. By 12:35, I believe he’s already shot. So, within a few minutes, the cop pulled up and shot him. He was unarmed. He had a cell phone and a book bag,” recalled Pysher.

Surveillance cameras set up in the backyard of the property recorded the deadly encounter, and that recording is reportedly being used as part of the investigation. Action News was not given access to those recordings.

In the meantime, the Pyshers say their son was a wonderful young man who loved baseball almost as much as he loved his family. In fact, he was getting ready to play ball at Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey, to where he had recently transferred.

Off the field, Pysher says her son was a “lovable goofball.”

“He will walk in the back door and say his favorite thing, ‘Hey mom, your favorite kid is home.’ He was just happy-go-lucky. Didn’t have a care in the world, and I’m going to miss that,” she said.

It remains unclear why the officer opened fire. That part of the investigation is being handled by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.