Thursday, July 3, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1943, the first residents arrived at the then-secret Oak Ridge—a town that housed Manhattan Project staff while they built an atomic bomb.

Gov. Bill Lee has dubbed Tennessee the “original frontier,” announcing a year-long celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. See the details of his 95-county tour in the story below.

Yesterday, we let you know about our editor-in-chief, David, who underwent surgery on Monday, and your response was unbelievable. So many of you responded with prayers, hugs, and heartfelt messages. That outpouring of love must’ve helped: David was released from the hospital last night and is resting at home now. We will be sharing your wishes with David when he is better. We’re so grateful for your kindness, and so lucky you are a part of The Tennessee Flyover family.

Today, the language learning software Babbel is sponsoring us and offering a special 4th of July sale to our readers.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

President Trump Names Four to TVA Board

President Trump nominated four new members to the Tennessee Valley Authority board to restore quorum and redirect the agency’s focus.

The picks include Tennesseans Lee Beaman, Mitch Graves, and Jeff Hagood, along with Alabama’s Randall Jones.

The board has been unable to act since April, when Trump dismissed three Biden-era appointees, causing it to lose quorum.

Backed by Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, the nominees are expected to support nuclear expansion and energy independence.

AG Skrmetti Launches New Civil Rights Division

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti launched a Civil Rights Enforcement Division under a new law that dissolved the state’s human rights commission.

The division, housed in the AG’s Nashville office, will handle discrimination complaints under the Tennessee Human Rights and Disability Acts.

Skrmetti, a former civil rights prosecutor, says the new setup will improve enforcement and accountability.

The change stems from HB0910, passed by the state legislature and supported by Gov. Bill Lee.

TN Launches Year-Long Celebration for US 250th

Governor Bill Lee kicked off a statewide celebration Tuesday, marking America’s 250th birthday with the theme Tennessee: The Original Frontier.

The campaign highlights the state’s agricultural legacy and includes a 95-county tour. See the video of the announcement here.

County visits will include ceremonial grant signings from the Farmland Preservation Act, which supports voluntary conservation easements for family farms.

The Tennessee State Museum will manage grants for community projects tied to the semiquincentennial, highlighting Tennessee’s role in shaping U.S. democracy.

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➤ Statewide: Wildlife officers will ramp up boating safety enforcement this weekend for Operation Dry Water, a national campaign targeting impaired boating and attempting to prevent accidents. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: A nonprofit wants to eliminate Tennessee’s grocery tax, calling it a burden on families, while critics warn it could prompt a state income tax that offsets the relief. (More)

➤ Nashville: TriStar Skyline Medical Center is using artificial intelligence to speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment, interpreting CT scans within minutes to deliver faster, smarter care. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Transit employees picketed outside headquarters Tuesday, demanding better medical leave policies and workplace respect as contract negotiations stalled. (More)

➤ Jackson: Tennessee Industrial Printing will give away free copies of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution booklets, and bald eagle posters this week to celebrate America’s founding. (More)

➤ Spring Hill: Fifteen-year-old Benny Jett published a book documenting the stories of over 950 local veterans, earning him a local history award for his dedication to preserving community heritage. (More)

➤ Danny White, University of Tennessee athletic director, was the highest-paid AD in the country this year, earning $3.35 million after bonuses. (More)

➤ Jaren Jackson Jr. will undergo surgery on a turf toe injury sustained while playing basketball outside the Grizzlies facility earlier this week. The injury occurred one day after he signed a five-year, $240 million extension. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators signed defenseman Nick Perbix to a two-year, $5.5 million contract on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Wexford Health, a prison healthcare company based in Pennsylvania, sued Tennessee, alleging the state undermined the competitive bidding process by failing to explain why it lost a $100 million contract. (More)

➤ Gov. Bill Lee proclaimed July as Beef Month in Tennessee, spotlighting the $5.2 billion beef industry—the state’s second-largest farm commodity, with about 1.6 million cattle. (See Photos)

➤ East Tennessee’s housing market is stabilizing in the post-pandemic era, but affordability remains a concern. Only 15% of homes are attainable for the region’s $70,000 median income. (More)

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➤ Zoo Knoxville celebrated American Zoo Day by bringing Pedzi, the African crested porcupine, and Einstein, the African grey parrot, to greet travelers at McGhee Tyson Airport. (See Pedzi and Einstein)

➤ A father and son artist team created a mural at Cal Johnson Recreation Center, honoring Johnson’s legacy as a former slave and one of Tennessee’s wealthiest African-American businessmen. (See Mural)

➤ The Where’s Waldo scavenger hunt is back in Downtown Knoxville through July 31, offering prizes to participants who collect 20 stamps for spotting the character around town. (More)

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Thursday, June 3, 2025

Thursday, July 3, 2025

President Trump Names Four to TVA Board

AG Skrmetti Launches New Civil Rights Division

TN Launches Year-Long Celebration for US 250th

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

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Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.