Thursday, February 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2008, the Super Tuesday tornado outbreak swept through Tennessee. Eighty-seven tornadoes spun across nine states, including two EF4s in Western Tennessee and a deadly EF3 northeast of Nashville that killed 22 people.

When the lights went out, the scrutiny turned on. Nashville Electric Service is facing mounting criticism after a winter storm left thousands without power. See today’s Top Stories for more details.

A quick note from The Tennessee Flyover team: This week, our entire Flyover team is doing something we don’t get to do very often: we’re all flying into Colorado to be in the same room together.Because our writers, developers, and sales folks are spread across the country, most of our work happens over Slack, Zoom, and email. This fly-in gives us the chance to plan, debate, whiteboard, and—importantly—get to know each other better as humans. We’ll be spending our time talking about how to make The Tennessee Flyover even better for you in 2026.As a result, a few of our editions this week may be a bit more abbreviated than usual. That’s intentional—and temporary. We’ll be back to our regular edition on Sunday.And while we’re together, we’d love your input. If there’s something you love, something you’d like more of, or something we could improve, hit reply and tell us. Many of our best ideas come directly from readers like you. Thanks for reading, and thanks for being part of The Flyover community.— The Flyover Team

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

NES Response Draws Criticism

GOP Rep. Andy Ogles has called for a complete leadership overhaul at Nashville Electric Service as thousands of customers remained without power following a recent winter storm.

Ogles said in a letter to state lawmakers that NES failed to prepare for and respond to a winter storm, calling electric power essential to public safety and basic dignity. Ogles joined Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and House Speaker Cameron Sexton in criticizing NES, with Sexton calling for the CEO’s firing.

NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin defended the utility’s response this week, saying accountability matters but the focus remains on recovery, with time later for an after-action review.

Meanwhile, O’Connell pushed for donations to Nashville’s ice storm relief fund, which surpassed $1 million, as officials detailed recovery efforts and thousands of residents remained without power.

CommonSpirit Splits with Cigna

CommonSpirit Health said failed contract talks with Cigna will make several Tennessee and North Georgia hospitals and physicians out of network for some Cigna plans.

Officials said the contract lapse removes in-network access for certain Cigna plans at Memorial Hospital Chattanooga, Memorial Hospital Hixson, Memorial Hospital North Georgia, and affiliated physicians, as negotiations over market-competitive rates continue.

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital said it expected Cigna to drop coverage for 27,000 patients as soon as next month.

Cigna said CommonSpirit Health left its network on Feb. 1 after failed contract talks, citing rejected offers and requested price increases that would raise costs for employers, patients, and families.

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➤ South Elizabethton: Utility officials urged customers to conserve water and check for leaks Wednesday as tank levels dropped faster than refilling, warning supplies could run out without reduced use. (More)

➤ Knox County: A federal judge allowed area parents and taxpayers to join a lawsuit challenging a proposed religious charter school, positioning them to defend Tennessee laws barring religious public charter schools. (More)

➤ Nashville: Metro Nashville Public Schools announced new start and dismissal times for all zoned schools beginning in 2026-27, following months of community feedback and a mayor-backed district study. (More)

➤ Franklin: Officials announced five new citywide recycling drop-off locations for cardboard and glass, expanding options for residents and supplementing the city’s existing battery, oil, paint, antifreeze, and electronics recycling facility. (More)

➤ Tullahoma: Ballet Magnificat, a Christian ballet company from Mississippi, will perform The Call, a production inspired by missionary Elisabeth Elliot, at Grace Baptist Church on Feb. 13. (More)

➤ Hendersonville: A Catholic priest from Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School went viral after dancing to NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye during halftime at a basketball game. (See Dance)

➤ Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban—who joined the Nashville Predators’ ownership group late last year—will assist the franchise in picking their next general manager. (More)

➤ Tennessee freshman Nate Ament scored 26 points in the second half against Ole Miss to boost the Vols to an 84-66 win. (More)

➤ No. 7 Vanderbilt women’s basketball faces off against No. 16 Kentucky tonight at 6 p.m. CT. Kentucky is 10-1 at home this season, but the Commodores have only lost one road game all season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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