State Sen. Heidi Campbell is running for the District 5 congressional seat, the first major Democrat to enter the fray.

Why it matters: While the Republican primary is shaping up to be a battle royale, Democrats had been waiting for a serious candidate to run.

Driving the news: Campbell entered politics as a neighborhood activist who opposed a retail development in Oak Hill. Following that zoning dispute, she won election to the town council and then ran for the state Senate in 2020.

• In order to win that seat, Campbell emerged from a competitive Democratic primary and then toppled incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson. Those hard-fought victories may prepare her for a race in which the Democratic primary winner will be the underdog.

What she's saying: "I'm not afraid of a scrap," Campbell tells Axios.

• "Every family deserves the freedom to thrive, living a good middle-class life and working a good job without the constant question of how you'll make ends meet," Campbell said in a press release.

State of play: The fifth congressional district had been a safe Democratic seat for generations.

• But Republicans created new district boundaries earlier this year that carved Nashville into three districts and converted District 5 into a seat favoring the GOP.
• Following redistricting, U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, announced his retirement.

Be smart: A crowded field is forming on the Republican side of the race.

• Known candidates include former state House Speaker Beth Harwell, businessperson Baxter Lee, Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles, former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, music video producer and activist Robby Starbuck and retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead.

What's next: Campbell is holding a campaign kickoff tomorrow at noon at War Memorial Auditorium.

Enrollment declines at community colleges across the state are forcing "drastic decisions," including buyouts and layoffs.

• An official with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) said in a meeting last week that student headcount at the state's 13 community colleges hasn't been this low since 2001.

By the numbers: Community college enrollment stood at 74,543 last fall, down more than 14,000 students from pre-pandemic figures.

Why it matters: Sharp student declines are putting jobs at some colleges in jeopardy.

• "Obviously when you've got that decline in a number of students, you've got to do some right-sizing," TBR chancellor Flora Tydings said at the meeting.

Driving the news: Twenty employees were laid off at Volunteer State Community College in Sumner County, while 13 open positions were eliminated.

• Jackson State Community College also eliminated positions this year, while Pellissippi State in Knoxville is offering voluntary buyouts and not filling open positions.
• Cleveland State and Walters State pursued reductions in 2021, according to TBR spokesperson Rick Locker.

What they're saying: "We've had dips before. We manage it to the best of our ability," Tydings said. "But at some point, you do have to step in and make some drastic decisions, and that's kind of the point where we are at this moment in time."

Zoom out: Community colleges in Tennessee are seen as a critical gateway into job training and higher pay for their students.

• Shrinking rosters could further strain employers looking to fill jobs in many sectors.

Yes, but: Tennessee's network of 27 technical colleges has seen enrollment grow since the pandemic to 23,011, driven in large part by dual enrollment programs for high school students.

👋 Adam here! Last week, Nate held the newsletter down while my boyfriend and I traveled to New York to take in some shows.

• I've still got Broadway on the brain, so I convinced Nate to dedicate this week's Music Monday playlist to our favorite showtunes.

👑 My selections feature favorites from the vacation, including "Hadestown," which puts the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to music, and "Six," which reimagines Henry VIII's wives as a Spice Girls-style pop group.

• Both of these shows are coming to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center during its next season. I'll be in the audience.

💈 Nate's no slouch in this department. He picked songs from "Les Misérables" and "Hamilton" — both also coming to TPAC — as well as "Sweeney Todd" and "Rent."

📬 Keep your recommendations from all genres coming for next week's Music Monday.

💰 House Speaker Cameron Sexton told a sports radio station that the Titans' owners are going to put significant skin in the game for a new stadium project. (Nashville Post)

🗞 The Washington Post profiled controversial Mt. Juliet pastor Greg Locke. (Washington Post)

🛬 Another wave of Afghan refugees is expected in Nashville. (WPLN)

😴 Don’t sleep on these new roles on our Local Job Board.

1. Director of Development at Benton Hall Academy

2. Director, IT Solutions at HCA Healthcare.

3. Director, Regulatory Affairs | Surgical at Djo.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

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Tennessee is the center of the college baseball universe this season, with both UT and Vanderbilt fielding championship-contending teams.

• The rivals faced off for the first time this weekend, with the Volunteers sweeping the three-game series. The exclamation came with a 5-0 shutout Sunday at Hawkins Field.

Why it matters: UT (27-1) sits atop the college baseball rankings, and the road series against the Commodores served as a litmus test.

• But don't dismiss No. 9 Vanderbilt (20-7), a perennial contender to win the national title.

The intrigue: The weekend battle was not without drama. Volunteers right fielder Jordan Beck had a home run taken off the scoreboard Friday after umpires ruled his bat hadn't been properly checked and was illegal.

• Tennessee still went on to win that game, 6-2, despite the bat snafu.