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Cepicky’s Recess Expansion Bill Passes General Assembly, Heads to Governor's Desk

Issue #418

April 25, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌧️ Columbia’s Weather - Rain / thunderstorm w/ high of 75 & low of 61

📰 Cepicky’s Recess Expansion Bill Passes General Assembly, Heads to Governor's Desk

📰 Eagleville’s Mattie Pruitt Advances to American Idol’s Top 14

📌 Today: Book Release at the James K. Polk Home & Museum

📌 4/26-27: Franklin’s Main Street Festival

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, April 25th

Saturday, April 26th

Sunday, April 27th

Monday, April 28th

Tuesday, April 29th

Cepicky’s Recess Expansion Bill Passes General Assembly, Heads to Governor's Desk

Legislation aimed at boosting academic performance and student wellbeing by increasing daily recess time in Tennessee public schools has been approved by the General Assembly.

Sponsored by State Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, House Bill 85 will require school districts to provide elementary students with at least 40 minutes of recess each day—up from the current requirement of 15 minutes daily or 130 minutes weekly.

“Republicans are working hard to ensure Tennessee students receive the highest quality education in the nation, and providing adequate time for physical activity is essential to delivering on this priority,” Cepicky said. “The evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates that increasing access to unstructured, screen-free recess improves academic outcomes, physical health and mental wellbeing. This common-sense legislation is an important step in giving children in the Volunteer State a more balanced and productive school day.”

The bill defines recess as unstructured outdoor playtime, excluding PE classes or any activity involving screens. It also prohibits schools from using the removal of recess as a disciplinary measure.

A recent report from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Department of Education revealed that over 40% of students in the state were overweight or obese in the 2022-23 school year. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supports the value of recess, noting improvements in memory, attention, behavior, and social development when students have access to regular physical activity.

House Bill 85 now awaits Governor Bill Lee’s signature. If signed, the new requirement will take effect July 1, 2025, for the 2025-26 school year.

Cepicky represents House District 64, which includes part of Maury County, and currently serves as chairman of the House Education Instruction Subcommittee.

Eagleville’s Mattie Pruitt Advances to American Idol’s Top 14

Tension ran high on Monday night’s American Idol as the top 20 contestants learned which of them had earned enough of America’s votes to move forward in the competition.

Among those advancing was Eagleville’s own Mattie Pruitt, who secured a spot in the top 14. For this round, Pruitt performed Benson Boone’s “In the Stars” while accompanying herself on piano — a first for her this season.

After hearing the results, Pruitt shared that she was thrilled to move on, though the nerves hadn’t fully faded.

The competition continues Sunday, April 27, with special mentor James Taylor. Contestants will perform hits from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends, and viewers will once again have the chance to vote — this time to help decide who makes it into the top 10.

Today: Book Release at the James K. Polk Home & Museum

The James K. Polk Home and Museum is proud to present a new book, written by the staff of the Polk Home, with all proceeds going to the Polk Home. This book discusses the life, death, legacy of President Polk, the long widowhood of Sarah Polk and the complicated business of preserving the legacy and memory of a president.

Please join us at our visitors center to celebrate, meet the authors, and enjoy refreshments for our book release! Plus, enjoy a special discount during this event!

When: 4/25 at 4:00 PM
Where: 301 W. 7th St., Columbia

4/26-27: Franklin’s Main Street Festival

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN’s Main Street Festival is a highly-anticipated, annual tradition held in the historic downtown of Franklin, Tennessee.

Consistently listed among the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, Main Street Festival is expected to attract 100,000+ visitors. The festival features more than 200 high-quality arts and crafts vendors, superb entertainment, great food, and fun for the entire family!

This year's festival will include many different art and cultural elements like collaborative public art exhibits and cultural performances including dance, spoken word, music, and performance.

  • 150+ Arts & Crafts Vendors

  • 30+ Food & Beverage Vendors

  • Main Stage Entertainment presented by Nissan

  • Acoustic Stage Entertainment presented by Price Printing

  • VIP Festival Picnic Experiences

  • Buskers Corner

  • Art and Culture Performances

When: April 26 - 27, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Where: Main Street - Downtown Franklin

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, April 25th

Beyond The Grove, Buck & Board, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Larry Gatlin, Gary Chapman & Regie Hamm, The Mulehouse, 7:00 PM
WTFunk, McCreary’s, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Open Mic Night With Matt Heldman, Twisted Copper Brewing Company, 7:00 PM
The Dryes & Hannah McDonald, The Bourbon Gospel, 8:00 PM, Details Here
Tennessee Stills, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, April 26th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Kamber, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Pickin’ N Grinnin’ Night, 5:30 - 9:00 PM, Bethel Community Center & Club (Santa Fe)
Cole Nichols & Austin Bohannon, 106 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, TN, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
David Tolliver & Steevie Steeves, The Bourbon Gospel, 8:00 PM, Details Here
615 Rewind, The Boondox, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, April 27th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Low Tech Rednecks, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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