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Tennessee Governor Candidates to Take Part in Forum Livestreamed Across the State

Issue #841

October 20, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 75, low of 42

📰 Tennessee Governor Candidates to Take Part in Forum Livestreamed Across the State

👉 10/24: Maury Regional Drug Take-Back Day

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

🍽️ Last Day to Sign Up For the Dinner Club is 10/20 before 6:30 PM! Book your seat here. 

Tennessee Governor Candidates to Take Part in Forum Livestreamed Across the State

The Tennessee Press Association will hold a gubernatorial forum on Oct. 27 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, President Dave Gould announced on October 8th. 

“Members of the press have a duty and public service to inform Tennesseans about government and public affairs, including elections,” said Gould. “This is the first time in eight years Tennessee voters will elect a new governor and it’s important the public hear from the major candidates in an open forum.”

Republican nominee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Democratic nominee and Memphis City Councilmember Jerri Green and independent candidates David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston have been invited to participate. Green, Hatley and Pinkston have confirmed. 

The event, scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT/ 8 p.m. EDT, will be held in a studio setting and live streamed by a student-led video production team in the Department of Media Arts at MTSU’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment. 

The event will not be open to the public but will be live streamed by Tennessee Press Association member newspapers throughout the entire state of Tennessee.

This is the only nonpartisan forum scheduled for the election and only one that is not tied to one of the campaigns. 

Founded in 1870, the Tennessee Press Association represents more than 133 print and digital news outlets across the state. 

Middle Tennessee State University offers more than 300 majors and has an enrollment of about 20,000 students. It is home to the Free Speech Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy center dedicated to building understanding of the First Amendment through education, information and engagement.

10/24: Maury Regional Drug Take-Back Day

Maury Regional Health, in partnership with the Maury County Sheriff’s Office and Maury County Prevention Coalition, will host a free drug take-back event Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering community members a safe and anonymous way to dispose of expired, unused or unneeded prescription medications.

A drive-thru drop-off will be available in the Building B parking lot on the Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) campus at 1222 Trotwood Ave. in Columbia. Members of MRMC’s security team and the Maury County Sheriff’s Office will collect medications directly from vehicles for proper disposal. The service is free and anonymous, with no personal information required.

The event will also feature family-friendly activities hosted by the Maury County Prevention Coalition and Maury County Sheriff’s Office, including face painting, a slide and a free lunch of grilled hot dogs.

The drug take-back will be held rain or shine. Family activities will be available weather permitting.

“We are pleased to once again offer our community a convenient and safe way to dispose of unused, expired or unneeded medications,” said Scott Nations, MRMC security director. “We encourage residents to take advantage of this important opportunity.”

Proper disposal of unused or unwanted medications can help prevent accidental poisoning and misuse while also helping protect the environment.

Only medications in pill or patch form will be accepted. Items should remain in their original containers, if possible. Liquids, needles and sharps cannot be accepted.

For more information, contact the Maury Regional Medical Center Security Department at 931.381.1111, ext. 4327.

Making friends as an adult is weirdly hard. Maybe this will help… Join the What’s Up Columbia! Dinner Club on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 PM. We’ll match you with five people for dinner at a downtown restaurant, then all the tables meet up at a surprise after-party. Book your seat here. Deadline to sign up: Oct 20 before 6:30 PM!

Upcoming Local Events

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

Tuesday, October 20th

Wednesday, October 21st

Thursday, October 22nd

Friday, October 23rd

Saturday, October 24th

Sunday, October 25th

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

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, October 20
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6-9 PM

Thursday, October 22
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s, 6-9 PM
Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song - CSCC Cherry Theater, 7 PM
Troy Castellano - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM

Friday, October 23
Pat Wiley Russel - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Stevierock - Acapulco Mexican Grill, 6:30-8:30 PM
Open Mic - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Michael Forkuo - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
Ben Owens - Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Vintage Voltage - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 24
Crossbridges - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Shannon McCue & The Harpeth River Boys - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Open Mic - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
The Hollybells + Rusty Shipp + Colonsay - 104 East 6th St, 7:30 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Dylan Cornell - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Righteous Intonation - Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Whiskey River Band - The Boondox, 8 PM

Sunday, October 25
Small Town Sweethearts - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
A Night of Worship - The Mulehouse, 6:30 PM

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