Tony Gonzalez

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis choked up at a press conference, calling the wreckage the most devastation he's seen in his 30-year career.

He says that understanding what caused the blast will take time.

The powerful explosion at the plant southwest of Nashville obliterated one building and could be felt as far as 40 miles away.

Neighbors say they have grown accustomed to smaller test blasts, but knew immediately that this explosion was something different.

The company, AES, handles explosive products for the military, demolition firms, and the aerospace industry.

For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.

Bipartisan deals negotiated and led by the Speaker of the House. What role exactly is he playing here?

Bipartisan deals negotiated and led by the Speaker of the House. What role exactly is he playing here?

Bipartisan deals negotiated and led by the Speaker of the House. What role exactly is he playing here?

It's kind of interesting. We have a president. We have a vice president. We have a speaker. It feels like it is if Elon Musk is our prime minister. And I spoke with Elon a couple of times this week. I think many of us.

It's kind of interesting. We have a president. We have a vice president. We have a speaker. It feels like it is if Elon Musk is our prime minister. And I spoke with Elon a couple of times this week. I think many of us.

It's kind of interesting. We have a president. We have a vice president. We have a speaker. It feels like it is if Elon Musk is our prime minister. And I spoke with Elon a couple of times this week. I think many of us.

Unelected.

Unelected.

Unelected.

Well, unelected. But I mean, he has a voice. And I think a lot of large part of that voice is a reflection of the voice of the people. Once again, a 1,500-page bill, how does that pass the smell test? It's absolutely wrong. It's what's wrong with this place. So we have to get back to regular order.

Well, unelected. But I mean, he has a voice. And I think a lot of large part of that voice is a reflection of the voice of the people. Once again, a 1,500-page bill, how does that pass the smell test? It's absolutely wrong. It's what's wrong with this place. So we have to get back to regular order.

Well, unelected. But I mean, he has a voice. And I think a lot of large part of that voice is a reflection of the voice of the people. Once again, a 1,500-page bill, how does that pass the smell test? It's absolutely wrong. It's what's wrong with this place. So we have to get back to regular order.

The other part of it, too, is while House Republicans were fighting over this spending bill, guess what Senate Democrats were doing? They were ensuring that President Biden got his 235th liberal judge over the finish line. That's why it's so important that House Republicans stay united, stay laser-focused on delivering on a President Trump agenda next year.

The other part of it, too, is while House Republicans were fighting over this spending bill, guess what Senate Democrats were doing? They were ensuring that President Biden got his 235th liberal judge over the finish line. That's why it's so important that House Republicans stay united, stay laser-focused on delivering on a President Trump agenda next year.