Tennessee News Roundup: Hines Execution, ICE Facility in Adams and More

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Tennessee news: Anthony Darrell Hines was executed in Nashville, government contract documents show a multi-million-dollar ICE facility is planned for the small Robertson County city of Adams, and more.

Anthony Darrell Hines executed by lethal injection in Nashville

Convicted murderer Anthony Darrell Hines was executed Thursday morning, Aug. 13, by lethal injection at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026). Hines was declared dead at 10:43 a.m. and had no last words initially, but before the injection told a witness, “Tell my son I love him” (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026).

Hines was convicted of first-degree felony murder in the 1985 killing of Catherine Jean Jackson Jenkins, a maid at the CeBon Motel off Interstate 40 in Kingston Springs whose body was found wrapped in a sheet in one of the motel rooms. His execution was the first in Tennessee since the botched attempt to execute Tony Carruthers at the end of May, when the doctor was unable to establish the required “backup line” for the injection and the execution was called off (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026). Gov. Bill Lee declined to intervene despite public outcry and a clemency request, saying in a statement Tuesday, “After deliberate consideration of Anthony Darrell Hines’ request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene” (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026).

Multi-million-dollar ICE facility planned for Adams, Tennessee

Government contract documents reveal that the Department of Homeland Security is planning to build an ICE “national coordination center” in Adams, a Robertson County city of fewer than 1,000 people (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026). According to usaspending.gov, a contract worth $17,456,917 was awarded July 28 for the facility, whose stated purpose is “to provide support services in support of enforcement and removal operations” (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026).

The contract runs from Aug. 6, 2026 to Aug. 5, 2027, with the potential to be extended to Aug. 5, 2030 — an extension that would bring the total award to $63,035,230. The company tasked with the development is Koniag Government Services, based in Anchorage, Alaska. The exact location of the proposed facility in Adams was not included in the contract, and neither Adams leadership nor ICE had responded to requests for comment as of publication (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026).

Dozens of animals rescued from Cane-9 Rescue and Sanctuary in Ashland City

Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) rescued 47 animals — 37 dogs, seven chickens, two turkeys and a pig — from Cane-9 Rescue and Sanctuary in Ashland City this week at the request of the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office, part of what the nonprofit dubbed “Operation Money Trail” (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026). ARC said the remains of multiple animals, including four goats, a piglet and several fowl, were discovered on the property, and that at least one person associated with the organization has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026).

“The nature of this case is deeply disturbing,” said ARC Executive Director Tim Woodward. The rescue follows widely reported allegations involving Cane-9’s Georgia property, where law enforcement executed search warrants and announced arrests in an investigation into alleged animal cruelty and fraud. The surviving animals — many underweight, dehydrated and suffering from ear and eye infections, internal parasites, ringworm and coccidia — were taken to ARC’s rescue center near Nashville, while the chickens, turkey and pig were handed over to Piccolo Farms Animal Sanctuary in Nashville (WSMV, Aug. 13, 2026).

TSA not accepting some Tennessee driver’s licenses

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security confirmed Tuesday that “a small number of driver licenses are not being read by TSA” at airports, causing unexpected problems for some travelers — and, in some cases, causing people to miss their flights (WSMV, Aug. 12, 2026). State crews are working to “determine the cause and correct the issue,” the department said (WSMV, Aug. 12, 2026).

Anyone whose license poses a problem at the airport can get a free replacement at a nearby Driver Services Center, the state said. Travelers can also bring a federal form of ID, such as a passport, to the airport as a backup option (WSMV, Aug. 12, 2026).

Cyclist in critical condition after 200-foot cliff fall in Williamson County

A cyclist was flown to a Nashville hospital in critical condition Saturday after reportedly going over a guardrail and falling down a 200-foot cliff off Old Highway 96 in Williamson County (WSMV, Aug. 15, 2026). Williamson County Fire/Rescue said it assisted Fairview Fire with the high-angle rescue, with help from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson Health EMS, Vanderbilt LifeFlight and the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency (WSMV, Aug. 15, 2026).

“This type of rescue requires specialized skills, careful coordination and effective teamwork. We’re grateful for every responder and agency who worked together during this challenging incident,” WCFR said (WSMV, Aug. 15, 2026).

For more on the Volunteer State, see the Tennessee guide.