Unprecedented Nuclear Factory Coming to TN

Radiant, a California-based energy startup, will build the world’s first mass-production facility for portable nuclear generators in Oak Ridge.

Backed by a $280 million investment, the plant is expected to create 175 jobs and manufacture the Kaleidos—a one-megawatt microreactor designed for remote areas, disaster zones, and military use.

Governor Bill Lee and local officials praised the move as a major win for East Tennessee’s growing role in clean energy innovation.

The project taps into the region’s long nuclear history and skilled workforce.

Car Crashes Into Nashville Home Roof

13-Pound Baby Born in Loudon County

A Loudon County couple welcomed a baby boy weighing 13 pounds, 3 ounces at Parkwest Hospital on Sept. 16—likely the largest newborn the hospital has ever seen.

Kayla Jeffers and fiancé Jordan Daub said their son, Weston Payne, arrived two weeks early via C-section and now weighs nearly 14 pounds at just over three weeks old.

Nurses and hospital staff flocked to meet the biggest baby they’d seen, though Parkwest couldn’t officially confirm the record.

Weston’s birth comes just weeks after the birth of another massive baby, Cassian, who was the largest ever delivered at Tristar Centennial Women’s Hospital at 12 pounds, 14 ounces.

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➤ Statewide: A synthetic opioid called nitazene, which is up to hundreds of times more powerful than fentanyl, has been found in Tennessee street drugs. (More)

➤ Memphis: Memphis Safe Task Force operations have led to 803 arrests—including homicide and firearm suspects, gang members, and parole violators—while also recovering 43 missing children. (More)

➤ McEwen: Organizations like The Salvation Army, World Central Kitchen, and local schools have stepped up to support the grieving community after Friday’s deadly explosion. (See Details)

➤ Nashville: Dolly Parton’s long-awaited Songteller Hotel officially got the go-ahead from Metro Council and is set to bring her signature sparkle to downtown Nashville in spring 2026. (More)

➤ Knoxville: A new study ranks a 10-mile stretch of I-40 as one of Tennessee’s deadliest roads, with 23 fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023. (More)

➤ Sumner County: Parents are demanding accountability after their 5-year-old son was mistakenly released from school to an unauthorized person. The child was missing for nearly three hours before his mother discovered the error. (More)

➤ Tennessee basketball was ranked No. 18 in the AP’s first preseason poll of the year, the only team in the state to be ranked. Vanderbilt received a total of seven votes, and Memphis received zero. (See Full Poll)

➤ Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan is leaving the team after the franchise fired his son, Brian, as head coach on Monday. Bill previously coached with the Browns before moving over to join his son’s staff last season. (More)

➤ Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo wants to improve the team’s pace of play this upcoming season despite the fact that they led the league in that category last season. Ja Morant called their first day of training camp the toughest he’s ever had. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NHL | NCAAF | NBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Two-thirds of Nashville homeowners who appealed their 2025 property reappraisals were denied. Frustration is mounting over skyrocketing values of up 45% on average without service improvements. (More)

➤ A plan to build 171 duplexes in Roane County has provoked backlash from residents who worry the rural area lacks the infrastructure to support the proposed housing units. (More)

➤ Tennessee gas prices are continuing a slow slide just in time for fall break, with the statewide average dropping to $2.71 per gallon—14 cents cheaper than this time last year. (More)

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Plastic Surgeon Reveals Morning Trick for Weight Loss

Can trimming stubborn belly fat really come down to one simple tweak in your diet?

According to one of Beverly Hills’ leading plastic surgeons, the answer is YES!

Dr. John Lakey discovered a morning trick that supports a powerful fat-burning hormone, inspired by a friend’s transformation. A study showed 297 volunteers lost 24 pounds in eight weeks without changing diet or exercise.

Click here now to see how it works.†*

*Results can and will vary.

✝ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

➤ Zoo Knoxville’s beloved chimpanzee, Lu, is recovering well from a groundbreaking spinal surgery to remove a benign tumor, showing daily progress in strength and mobility. (See Lu)

➤ Nashville’s Cheekwood Estate & Gardens will sparkle with more than one million lights this holiday season as its beloved Holiday LIGHTS display returns, this year with a candy-colored Sweet Dreams theme. (More)

➤ Franklin preschoolers dressed in gold to celebrate 4-year-old Charley Chance’s inspiring recovery from leukemia, turning their school into a sea of support to raise funds for research. (See Video)

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How close to Halloween do you carve pumpkins?

1. Two weeks before
2. One week before
3. Days before
4. On Halloween
5. I don’t carve pumpkins

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Would you try a pre-made Thanksgiving Meal Pack?

1. No, I like homemade: 36%
2. Sure, it’s convenient: 33%
3. I’d try one year: 31%

What woman unexpectedly became the first settler in the Great Smoky Mountains region?

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