• What's Up Columbia!
  • Posts
  • Tennessee Set to Receive $60.6 Million in Federal Winter Storm Assistance

Tennessee Set to Receive $60.6 Million in Federal Winter Storm Assistance

Issue #660

February 06, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Mostly sunny w/ high of 44, low of 24

📰 Tennessee Set to Receive $60.6 Million in Federal Winter Storm Assistance

🤣 2/7: Comedy Night at The Mulehouse with William Lee Martin

👉 Super Bowl Weekend Reminder: Don’t Drink and Drive in Tennessee

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Tennessee Set to Receive $60.6 Million in Federal Winter Storm Assistance

President Trump has approved $60.6 million in federal aid for Tennessee following severe winter storms that caused widespread power outages and damage across the state. The approval was announced today in a post on Truth Social.

Gov. Bill Lee requested an expedited major disaster declaration in late January to unlock additional federal assistance for both public infrastructure and individual recovery needs. His request currently covers 23 counties where damage is already evident and expected to exceed federal assistance thresholds, with the possibility that more counties could be added as assessments continue.

The late-January storm brought dangerous icy road conditions, widespread tree damage, and prolonged power outages affecting more than 300,000 customers statewide, including over 225,000 in Nashville alone. An earlier emergency declaration approved on Jan. 24 allowed for immediate response support, including debris removal, power restoration, and lifesaving services.

As part of the response, FEMA has already approved $11 million in emergency funding shared between Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, with Tennessee receiving $3.75 million. Unlike typical reimbursements, those funds were provided upfront to help states respond more quickly.

The counties included in Gov. Lee’s disaster request: Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Maury, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson, and Wilson.

2/7: Comedy Night at The Mulehouse with William Lee Martin

For nearly 30 years, William Lee Martin has been making America laugh with his fast-paced, “PG…in 1985” brand of comedy—fun, a little edgy, but never filthy. His new tour, Red Dirt Comedy Presents: William Lee Martin – Seemed Smart at the Time, delivers another round of original, heartfelt storytelling that turns everyday life into side-splitting laughter.

A prolific writer, Martin refreshes his material every year, so no two tours are ever the same. The show kicks off the moment you enter, with a full audio-visual experience featuring music he’s written himself.

Seen in his hit specials, popular tours like The Funny Life and Nuttier Cracker, and his podcast The Red Dirt Comedy Show, Martin’s comedy is real, relatable, and full of heart. A proud family man and Texas cowboy at heart, he reminds us to laugh at life’s absurdities and enjoy the ride.

If you want a comedy show that’s as smart as it is hilarious—this is it!

Doors: 6:30 PM
Show: 7:30 PM

Super Bowl Weekend Reminder: Don’t Drink and Drive in Tennessee

On Friday, February 6, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), divisions of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, partnered with the Tennessee Titans, the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police for a press event to remind citizens that “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” ahead of Super Bowl weekend. Additional organizations in attendance included the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Nashville Department of Transportation, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Alliance Highway Safety, and Choices Matter.

According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were 84 drunk-driving crashes statewide during Super Bowl weekend in 2025 and four drunk-driving fatalities. In 2024, there were 96 drunk-driving crashes statewide during Super Bowl weekend and four drunk-driving fatalities.

“Drinking and driving is a selfish act,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “No police officer wants to make that knock at the door to notify a family they lost a loved one to a drunk driver. The THSO is partnering with law enforcement and traffic safety advocates statewide to encourage the public to make safe driving choices. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe. Never drink and drive.”

This year’s event featured Murfreesboro resident April Cody who spoke about her 30-year-old son Andre’ Hunter who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Clarksville on January 21, 2023. In October 2025, a portion of Interstate 24 in Clarksville was designated Andre’ Hunter Memorial Highway in his memory.

“During Super Bowl Sunday, troopers will be out in full force to remove drunk drivers from the roadways,” said THP Colonel Matt Perry. “If you witness someone drinking and driving, call THP (847) to notify dispatch so a trooper can respond.”

During Super Bowl weekend, Tennesseans are reminded that “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.” Always find a sober ride home. If you choose to drink and drive, you could lose your license, your freedom, your life, or the life of someone else. For more information, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.

Upcoming Local Events

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

Friday, February 6th

Saturday, February 7th

Sunday, February 8th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, February 6
Scotty Freel - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 6–8 PM
Chief Smiley Ricks and The C-Town Specials - Daniel’s Barber Shop on the Square, 6–8 PM
Kirwan, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Rett Stockstill’s Ministry of Fun - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
The Deltaz - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Benji & The Jets - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, February 7
Tom & Robert - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Winter Series - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Taylor Hughes - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk