Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1976, 26-year-old Bruce Springsteen hopped the fence at Elvis Presley’s Memphis home, Graceland, in an attempt to meet the King of Rock himself—before being stopped by security.

Today’s edition highlights an exciting new collaboration between the beloved Tennessee Goo Goo Cluster and another southern specialty—North Carolina’s Cheerwine soft drink. Read more below.

The most valuable tech you’ve never heard of? Check out today’s sponsor, IotaComm, to find out more.

Storms Threaten Middle TN This Week

Strong to severe storms are on tap for parts of Middle Tennessee this week, driven by heat, humidity, and an approaching front.

Things quiet down briefly today after Tuesday’s storms, with another system moving through Thursday.

Residents can expect damaging winds, large hail, and the possibility of minor flooding. Though tornado chances are slim, they can’t be ruled out entirely.

Honeybee Decline Raises Alarm in East TN

Beekeepers in East Tennessee are reporting steep losses, with over 60% of commercial and 50% of hobbyist honeybee colonies gone this year, according to a USDA-backed study.

Experts point to habitat loss, pesticide use, and parasites like Varroa mites as major contributors to the decline, which threatens crops that rely heavily on pollinators.

Efforts are underway to rebuild bee populations by splitting hives and supporting local beekeeping initiatives.

Researchers continue investigating environmental factors and chemical exposure as possible causes, stressing the critical role bees play in sustaining food supplies. Read the USDA-backed report here.

Memphis Clergy Join Police on Patrol

In Memphis, religious leaders are getting a closer look at law enforcement through the Memphis Police Department’s Clergy Academy, a six-week program offering classroom lessons and a real-time ride-along.

Now in its 15th session, the academy aims to build trust and collaboration between officers and faith leaders by immersing clergy in the realities of police work, from domestic violence calls to mental health crises.

The initiative encourages mutual learning: clergy gain firsthand experience, and officers hear directly from the community.

Leaders say the program strengthens relationships and gives churches the tools to better serve neighborhoods affected by crime and trauma.

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Smart Buildings Aren’t Just the Future—They’re Happening Now

The dream of a futuristic smart city—where buildings, traffic, energy use, and air quality are all intelligently connected—sounds like science fiction. But it’s quickly becoming a reality, thanks to advances in the $1.5 trillion Internet of Things (IoT) market.

The challenge? Traditional Wi-Fi networks are too expensive and complex to power this vision at scale.

That’s why massive brands like GigNet and Crayola are tapping into IotaComm’s nationwide wireless network. It’s a lower-cost, more reliable alternative to help bring smarter operations to schools, businesses, and entire communities.

This smart future is not 10 years away—it’s being built right now.

And here’s the best part…

IotaComm is giving early investors a limited opportunity to participate in its growth. Right now, you can earn up to a 50% bonus equity, which provides an attractive way to reduce your average cost basis and help create momentum for new expansion.

Learn more about becoming a shareholder here.

➤ Sumner County: A school bus carrying 19 students crashed into a creek Monday, injuring five students and the driver. Investigators are probing possible mechanical issues. (More)

➤ Greeneville: The Nolichucky River, still scarred from last year’s flooding, has shifted course with stronger currents, prompting emergency crews to caution anyone boating, fishing, or exploring near the water. (More)

➤ Nashville: An appeals court ruled that Nashville—not the state—has the authority to appoint its airport board, siding with the city in a political tug-of-war dating back to 2023. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: The city launched its first Unified Housing Strategy, a 10-year plan to expand affordable housing and protect residents from displacement. (More)

➤ Hamilton County: A memo revealed that the school district used Covid-19 relief funds to add 229 staff positions, but with that money gone, most have been cut or reallocated as the district faces major budget shortfalls. (More)

➤ Monroe County: Tellico Plains High School received $500,000 in state funds to build its first-ever track, honoring late student-athlete Darrah Wiseman, a six-time state champion who died in a 2023 car crash. (More)

➤ Three Tennessee schools made the cut for the NCAA DI men’s tennis tournament, with potential for a matchup between UT-Knoxville and Middle Tennessee coming in the second round. (More)

➤ Tennessee Athletics has sold out all 70,500 football season tickets for the third straight year, setting a 97.8% renewal record and continuing a 20-game home sellout streak at Neyland Stadium. (More)

➤ Alberto Osuna of Tennessee baseball is asking a court to reverse its decision on his eligibility status and allow him to play for the Vols next season. (More)

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➤ Somalia is suffering from natural disasters, poverty, conflict, and disease, pushing millions toward starvation. With little media coverage, the crisis remains largely unseen. Christian humanitarian group World Concern is on the ground providing vital food, water, and emergency aid. Your donation today can help save families facing desperate conditions.

➤ Knoxville City Council is reviewing three proposals to boost affordable housing, including one that would convert a former senior facility into homes for young adults aging out of foster care. (More)

➤ Tennessee took the No. 3 spot in a 2025 Best States for Business survey, with CEOs praising its pro-business policies, skilled workforce, and strong quality of life as key drivers for economic growth. (More)

➤ The Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt was sold to a New York-based hotel group for $57.5 million, with major renovations planned to boost the hotel’s appeal to Music City’s booming business and leisure markets. (More)

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The Most Valuable Tech You’ve Never Heard of

While everyone’s focused on AI, one company is quietly building the infrastructure to power it.

Cities, schools, and industrial sites will never see all the benefits of cutting-edge AI innovation with Wi-Fi alone—it’s simply too costly. But IotaComm’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform and nationwide wireless network provide the strong, secure, low-cost connectivity to make it possible.

Even major brands like Crayola and GigNet are already partnering with IotaComm to modernize environments—from classrooms to entire regions.

Learn how you can invest in IotaComm (and receive a limited-time bonus) as they build the future.

This is a paid advertisement for IotaComm’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.iotacomm.com.

➤ Nashville’s Goo Goo Cluster and North Carolina’s Cheerwine have teamed up to create a limited-edition candy blending nougat, caramel, peanuts, and cherry flavor, debuting May 17. (See Candy)

➤ Isaac Hollingsworth, a Tennessee Tech graduate student, is helping NASA map the moon’s south pole for its 2027 Artemis landing, putting a small-town Tennessean on the front lines of America’s return to the moon. (More)

➤ First Lady Maria Lee opened registration for her annual Kids Serve Summer Challenge, encouraging K–6 students to complete at least two hours of community service during summer break. (More)

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