In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌧️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Cloudy w/ rain developing later in day, high of 49, low of 34 👉 Stay tuned to Weather Down in Mule Town for your local weather updates!

📰 Columbia State Receives $2M Grant to Expand AI Education

📰 Cepicky Announces Reelection Campaign

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Columbia State Receives $2M Grant to Expand AI Education

Columbia State Community College has been awarded a $2.02 million federal grant to launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) division, making it the only community college in Tennessee to receive this funding.

The four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education will support an initiative called COMPASS (Community College Operational Model for Promoting AI Student Success). The program is designed to build AI capacity across the college while ensuring students gain practical, real-world AI literacy skills. It includes faculty training, the integration of AI tools across academic programs and student services, and required AI literacy modules that will reach more than 1,200 first-year students each year.

“This grant will allow Columbia State to do important, long-term work around artificial intelligence that directly supports our students, faculty and staff,” said Patrick McElhiney, Columbia State director of grants. “It gives us the opportunity to strengthen the college itself while supporting innovation in teaching, student support, and workforce preparation.”

The COMPASS model is also intended to be shared, providing open-access resources and guides that other community colleges can use to responsibly adopt AI, with support from local schools, workforce partners, and major employers across the region.

Cepicky Announces Reelection Campaign

^{Press Release}

State Representative Scott Cepicky announced recently that he is officially running for reelection for Tennessee’s 64th House District. 

Speaking about the announcement, Rep. Cepicky said: “I love this district, and it has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Maury County. I’m running for reelection because our work isn’t finished. Having the support of Maury County shows that folks here believe in our mission, and they want us to keep pushing forward. I’m grateful beyond words for the trust and support.” 

Rep. Cepicky, an avid supporter of education freedom, has focused much of his recent work on empowering parents, supporting students, and strengthening Tennessee classrooms. He is currently championing legislation to reintroduce the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, which he believes will encourage healthier habits and improve student performance. 

Last session, he sponsored legislation increasing the daily minutes of recess time for elementary students, giving kids more opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Outside of education, Rep. Cepicky spends his time serving as Co-Chair of the House Tennessee-Israel Caucus, where he works to strengthen Tennessee’s relationship with America’s strongest ally and stands firmly for shared values of freedom and security. 

Learn more about State Representative Scott Cepicky’s campaign here.   

Upcoming Local Events

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

Wednesday, January 21st

• Columbia Historic Zoning Commission Meeting - 4:00 - 5:30 PM

• Columbia Arts Council Meeting - 5:00 - 6:00 PM

• Vet2Vet Meet Up at McCreary’s - 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Thursday, January 22nd

• Connect Spring Hill at Viking Pizza - 9:00 - 10:00 AM 

• Fundraiser for Veteran Suicide Awareness at Texas Roadhouse - 3:00 PM

• Auditions for Aladdin Jr. - 4:00 PM

Friday, January 23rd

• Maury County Chamber 101 - 8:30 - 9:30 AM

• Dolly Parton Pop-Up at The Mulehouse - 5:00 - 9:00 PM

Saturday, January 24th

• Duck River Trail Run - 8:00 - 9:00 AM

• Franklin Cars and Coffee - 8:00 - 10:30 AM

• Columbia Farmers Market - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Nashville Home Expo - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Hidden Gem Farmers Market (Spring Hill) - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Cousins Maine Lobster at Angela’s Attic - 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

• Clothing Swap - 2:00 - 4:00 PM

• Nashville Predators vs. Utah Mammoth - 2:30 PM

Sunday, January 25th

• Nashville Home Expo - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Action Tristar Academy Parent Info Meeting - 1:00 - 2:00 PM

• Dolly & Me Tea Party (Spring Hill) - 2:00 - 4:00 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, January 20th
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Thursday, January 22nd
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
The Resting - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM
Gwynne Alden - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, January 23rd
Scotty Freel - Grinder’s Switch, 7–9 PM
Christian Chapman - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Mika Lynch - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Pretty Grimm - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM

Saturday, January 24th
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Winter Series - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Austin Gray - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Twilight Train - Neil Diamond Tribute - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
TBA - The Boondox, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage - Gary’s Place (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM
MFT - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill (Spring Hill), 8–11 PM