SUMMARY: Rick Laude has attended about 10 executions at Tennessee’s Riverbend Maximum Security Institution since 2009, supporting the death penalty largely due to his personal trauma and sympathy for victims’ families. Nearly killed by his stepmother as a child, Laude relates deeply to victims of violent crime, especially children. Known for his distinctive cowboy hat with a rattlesnake, he has been vocal and sometimes provocative at executions, yet also advocates for civil dialogue between pro- and anti-death penalty groups. Despite supporting executions, Laude acknowledges flaws in the system and the occasional wrongful execution, urging fairness for victims’ families.

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SUMMARY: Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) launched her 2026 campaign for Tennessee governor, setting up a Republican primary contest with U.S. Representative John Rose. Blackburn, currently serving her second Senate term, was reelected in 2024 with a strong margin. She made history as Tennessee’s first female U.S. senator and aims to become the state’s first female governor, succeeding term-limited Governor Bill Lee. Blackburn’s long political career includes service in the U.S. House and Tennessee state senate. Her campaign emphasizes conservative values, constitutional honor, pro-life stances, energy and job growth, and stricter immigration enforcement, pledging to make Tennessee a conservative leader.

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SUMMARY: The movie *Sketch* centers on a father and daughter whose child’s drawings come to life in wild, inventive ways. Written and directed by Seth Worley, inspired by his own children’s expressive, sometimes intense artwork, the film explores themes of grief, as the daughter processes her mother’s death through art. Filmed entirely in Nashville, *Sketch* is an original family comedy with heartfelt moments and some scares, rated PG. Despite initial struggles to get it made in Hollywood, the team produced it scrappily in Nashville. It premiered at Toronto Film Festival, earned a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and received strong audience and critical acclaim.

SKETCH follows a young girl whose sketchbook brings her drawings to life—chaotic, unpredictable, and dangerously real. As her town unravels, a gripping family journey unfolds that touches on grief, reconciliation, and the powerful bond between fathers and daughters.

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