Thursday, February 19, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1963, actor and producer Dwight Henry, known for films like 12 Years a Slave, was born in Nashville.

🎶Flying 9-2-5 🎶 Dollywood and Allegiant are partnering to offer a special Dollywood-themed flight No. 925 from Orlando to Knoxville in November, culminating in a day at the park during Smoky Mountain Christmas. See details in the story below.

Tune into today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, where Ayla Brown breaks down a new ranking of the best and worst states to retire in. Wondering where Tennessee lands? We’ve got that, plus the key takeaways you won’t want to miss. Watch here.

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your Social Security number and other sensitive personal information by removing it from data brokers and people-search sites, reducing your risk of scams, identity theft, and unwanted exposure online.

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.

ICE Reverses Lebanon Facility Statement

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement now says it has not purchased a detention facility in Lebanon, walking back a confirmation sent to News 2 a day earlier.

An ICE spokesperson said the original email was sent without proper approval and has been “rectified.”

The initial claim, which projected more than 7,000 jobs and $829 million in economic impact, confused leaders in Wilson County and drew hundreds of residents to a public meeting demanding answers.

Local officials say they are still seeking clarity after the back-and-forth from federal authorities.

FEMA Approves Debris Aid for 7 Counties

FEMA has approved Category A public assistance for seven Tennessee counties hit by January’s deadly winter storm, state officials announced.

Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Lawrence, Maury, Robertson, and Wilson counties can now receive federal help covering debris removal that threatens public safety or blocks commercial areas.

The counties previously were approved for Category B aid for emergency protective measures and are now eligible for both.

Individual assistance remains under federal review for residents as damage assessments continue across parts of Middle Tennessee.

Dollywood Flight Welcomes Floridians

Allegiant and Dollywood are teaming up for a special themed flight from Orlando to Knoxville on Nov. 6, giving passengers a Smoky Mountain sendoff before they even land.

Flight No. 925 will feature gate celebrations, live entertainment, themed food and merchandise, plus in-flight trivia tied to the Pigeon Forge park.

Travelers will also receive exclusive perks at Dollywood the next day, including priority ride times and show reservations during the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.

The flight will arrive at McGhee Tyson Airport, one of Allegiant’s most popular routes into East Tennessee.

Flying together with our sponsor

Keep Your SSN Off The Dark Web

Every day, data brokers profit off your sensitive information—like your phone number, date of birth, and Social Security number—by selling it to the highest bidder. What happens then? Best case: companies target you with ads. Worst case: scammers and identity thieves breach those brokers, leaving your data vulnerable or on the dark web. It’s time you check out Incogni. It scrubs your personal data from the web by confronting the world’s data brokers on your behalf. And unlike other services, Incogni helps remove your sensitive information from all broker types, including those tricky People Search Sites.

Help protect yourself from identity theft, scam calls, and health insurers raising your rates. Plus, just for The Flyover readers: Get 55% off Incogni using code FLYOVER.

➤ Statewide: A federal lawsuit seeks to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize Endangered Species Act protections for eastern hellbenders, citing delays and steep population declines across Tennessee and beyond. (See Hellbender)

➤ Dyersburg: The Justice Department dismissed a 1966 school desegregation case against Dyersburg City Schools after a court declared the district unitary, ending 60 years of federal oversight. (More)

➤ Jefferson City: The city’s water system is operating at 75% capacity after membrane failures prompted a state of emergency, with officials awaiting final repairs and facing nearly $360,000 in costs. (More)

➤ Gallatin: A fire at a golf cart shop Tuesday morning destroyed 25 golf carts and two vehicles, but crews quickly contained the blaze, preventing injuries and limiting building damage. (More)

➤ Knoxville: University of Tennessee students in Reese Hall reported dorm temperatures reaching 90 degrees, prompting complaints about sleep and health, as housing officials cited a two-pipe system requiring manual seasonal adjustments. (More)

➤ Also Knoxville: The city council approved $5 million to begin 2026 resurfacing projects covering 17 miles, part of a broader paving plan, and funded design work for a replacement bridge on East Greenway Drive. (More)

➤ Tennessee softball’s dominant 10–0 start to the season earned them a unanimous No. 1 ranking in all four national polls. (More)

➤ Nashville SC defeated Atlético Ottawa 2-0 in the opening match of its Concacaf Champions Cup series and can advance to the Round of 16 against Inter Miami with a win on Feb. 24. (More)

➤ No. 21 Tennessee women’s basketball fell to No. 17 Ole Miss 94-81. They’re now 2-5 in their last seven games. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tired of Popping Ibuprofen? This Natural Alternative Has Doctors Talking. What if that bottle of ibuprofen in your medicine cabinet isn’t actually your best defense against inflammation? Scientists have uncovered something fascinating about a natural compound found in certain foods—it works along the same pathways as anti-inflammatory pills, but with an interesting twist. The evidence has even convinced some doctors to change their recommendations. (Learn More)

➤ The Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board is set to vote on a proposed 50-year, $34 million licensing agreement with The Boring Company for its Music City Loop tunnel project. (See Details)

➤ Gill Properties and Horn Ventures plan a $25 million mixed-use redevelopment of the former Houston’s site in East Memphis, featuring office, retail, a 170-seat restaurant. It is expected to open in 2027. (See Rendering)

➤ The nearly 100-year-old East Nashville house that long housed The Groove record store has been demolished, months after the shop relocated. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Could This Be the Missing Piece in Your Weight Loss Journey? LifeMD offers access to FDA-approved GLP-1 weight loss medications that help curb hunger and reduce calorie intake. It’s 100% online, clinically supervised, and many patients qualify for insurance coverage—even $0 copay in some cases. It only takes 2 minutes to see if you’re eligible. Check your eligibility now

Flying together with our sponsor

Remove the target from your back

Scammers don’t need to hack you—they just buy your info.

Your name, phone number, and address are currently on dozens of public websites, making you an easy target for phishing, fake calls, and financial fraud. Incogni automatically scrubs your personal data from those sites so scammers can’t find you. With the Unlimited plan, you can also send Incogni’s privacy experts links to websites that are not covered by automatic removals. No data, no scam.

Protect yourself today and save 55% with code FLYOVER.

➤ Knoxville photographer Joy Marshall is serving as Team USA’s director of photography at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, capturing medal ceremonies and media sessions before continuing through the Paralympics. (See Photos)

➤ Friends of the Smokies received a $750,000 donation to help preserve 126 historic structures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, exceeding its $9 million endowment goal. (More)

➤ Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding in East Tennessee is selling $35 horse-themed Tennessee specialty license plates to fund therapeutic riding programs, with production starting after 1,000 preorders. (See Plate)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A Nobel Prize-winning discovery has led to a treatment with zero side effects, NO CHEMO needed, and success stories with complete reversals. WATCH THIS VIDEO before oncologists demand its removal.

Would you rather a room be too hot or too cold?

Previous Results:

What do you think of Kevin Dyson’s proposed Music City Academy?

I’m neutral: 37%
Great idea: 35%
Bad idea: 28%

What cookware brand’s history began in 1896 with the Blacklock Foundry in South Pittsburg?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

The Tennessee Flyover
6688 Nolensville Rd
Ste 108 #2027
Brentwood, TN 37027

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Thursday, February 19, 2026

ICE Reverses Lebanon Facility Statement

FEMA Approves Debris Aid for 7 Counties

Dollywood Flight Welcomes Floridians

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.