The small town of Mason, Tennessee, is divided over the decision to reopen a former private prison as an ICE detention center, with some residents supporting the economic benefits and others opposing it due to concerns about mistreatment and community impact.
Forest Hills Central's dominant defensive effort, holding Mason to only 36 rushing yards and scoring a fourth-quarter pick-six, led them to their first-ever state title in program history, defeating Mason 27-10 in the Division 3 state championship game.
The Western & Southern Open will remain in Cincinnati after successfully fending off a bid from Charlotte, North Carolina. The tournament, which has been held in Cincinnati since 1899, announced that over $200 million in investments will be made to the Linder Family Tennis Center. Starting in 2025, the tournament will expand to two weeks of competition for both men and women. Funding for the upgrades will come from the state, county, and city, totaling $130 million. The 2024 Western & Southern Open is scheduled to take place from August 12 to August 20.
The Western & Southern Open, a nearly 125-year-old tennis tournament, may be leaving Mason as the Charlotte City Council moves forward on a $400 million tennis complex to potentially house the event. The new owners of the tournament, Beemok Capital Group, have asked for $150 million in improvements to the Lindner Family Tennis Center to keep the tournament in Mason. So far, Ohio has pledged $48 million, but an announcement on the tournament's future is expected this fall.
Charlotte City Council has voted unanimously to contribute $65 million towards building a massive tennis complex to lure the Western & Southern Open, currently held in Mason, Ohio, to the south. The state, county, and city have already pledged nearly $50 million for structural upgrades to the current complex. The Western & Southern Open generates $70 million a year for the region, and Warren County officials are working to convince the owners, Beemok Capital Group, to stay in Ohio.
The Charlotte City Council has approved $65 million in funding for a proposed $400 million, 40-court tennis complex that could become the new home of the Western & Southern Open. Taxpayers would fund around $130 million of the project, and the tournament owner, Beemok Capital, would fund the rest. The company's decision about whether the tournament will be relocated is expected to come this summer. If it moves, the first tournament in Charlotte would be held in 2026.
The new owner of the Western & Southern Open, Benjamin Navarro, has proposed moving the tennis tournament from Mason to Charlotte and constructing a 50-acre tennis stadium and complex in the River District of west Charlotte. Navarro's investment company, Beemok Capital, is asking for the public to fund a third of the $400 million project. The proposal comes as State Rep. Adam Mathews recently introduced an amendment to Ohio's budget bill to allocate $22.5 million toward expanding the tournament at its current location. Beemok Capital said it is evaluating a number of options before making substantial investments required to host an expanded event.