Friday, April 10, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1950, director and producer Bill Landry, known for creating The Heartland Series on Knoxville’s WBIR-TV, was born in Chattanooga as one of nine siblings.

Forbes has released a list of the top 10 private universities that it’s calling the New Ivies, and one Tennessee school made the cut. See details in the story below.

Today’s sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

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.

Inappropriate Comment Elicits Censure

A Washington County school board member was censured after telling a female student, “God, you’re hot,” during a meeting last week, provoking backlash and calls for his resignation.

He later apologized, saying he meant the student was “on a roll,” but the board voted to formally reprimand him following a heated public response and a petition with thousands of signatures.

Records show the same official was previously censured in 2009 for making a lewd gesture and using profanity in front of students, raising additional concerns about his ongoing conduct.

Despite criticism from fellow board members and the community, he has not resigned.

Forbes Names Vanderbilt a New Ivy

Vanderbilt University ranks among Forbes’ top 10 New Ivies, highlighting schools employers say better prepare graduates than traditional Ivy League universities.

The Nashville-based university made the private-school list as companies increasingly prioritize skills tied to artificial intelligence and changing workforce needs.

Forbes found 60% of executives expect AI to reshape staffing, and 25% say it could reduce demand for entry-level graduates, pushing schools like Vanderbilt to emphasize AI fluency.

The list also includes major public universities like the University of Michigan, the University of Texas, and Georgia Tech, revealing a broader shift in the sources of top talent. See the full list here.

Oak Ridge Turns Plastic into Fuel

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new method to convert common plastic waste into gasoline- and diesel-like fuels using molten salt.

The process works at lower temperatures, avoids costly materials, and produces fuel yields of about 60% by weight in early tests. See a video about the process here.

Scientists say the technique breaks down plastic at the molecular level without added hydrogen or solvents, potentially making it cheaper and easier to scale.

If brought to industry, the approach could help tackle plastic waste while boosting U.S. energy production and security.

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➤ Statewide: Corrections officials are testing AI-powered cameras, drones, and counter-drone technology in state prisons to detect threats and track contraband activity in real time. (More)

➤ Murfreesboro: Middle Tennessee State University broke ground on a $83 million student housing project that will add more than 550 beds in a new complex opening in 2027. (See Rendering)

➤ Lebanon: A local couple married more than 70 years died nine hours apart at their longtime home, with John Trice dying first and his wife, Alice, dying that evening. (More)

➤ Jasper: A bird’s nest touching a hot wire sparked a brush fire on Monday, burning a quarter-acre on Shellmound Road before crews extinguished it. (See Photos)

➤ Savannah: A small plane made an emergency landing in a field after a mechanical issue, but all three people on board were unharmed. (More)

➤ Jackson: Six hunters from Tennessee and Mississippi pleaded guilty to illegal turkey hunting violations and were ordered to pay fines, restitution, and face multi-year hunting bans. (More)

➤ The NASCAR Truck Series races begin tonight at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Defending champion Corey Heim is going for a $500,000 Triple Truck Challenge bonus if he can complete a three-race sweep. (More)

➤ No. 10-ranked defensive lineman Ayden Woodruff transferred from Battle Ground Academy to Ravenwood ahead of the 2026 high school football season. He holds offers from both Tennessee and Vanderbilt. (More)

➤ Tennessee basketball’s Troy Henderson reversed his decision to enter the transfer portal and will return to the Volunteers after a conversation with coach Rick Barnes. (More)

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➤ Botox Co-Inventor: Wrinkles Don’t Start in Your Skin. URGENT BEAUTY ALERT: No cream, Botox, or facelift compares to this 30-second skin-lifting method. Dermatologists say it’s 10X better than Botox because it attacks wrinkle-causing facial muscle aging at the source. Faster, cheaper, permanent. Watch now.

➤ Students at a Murfreesboro high school are running a credit union branch on campus, managing real accounts as part of a financial education program. (See Details)

➤ Construction is underway on a new Costco at the Springbrook Farm development in Alcoa, a project years in the making that city leaders say will create hundreds of jobs. (More)

➤ Berry Social, an acai bowl restaurant, is set to open this summer near Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, adding to a growing mix of businesses in the area. (More)

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➤ A Great Smoky Mountains-themed Monopoly game will launch in 2027, and organizers invite the public to nominate local landmarks, businesses, and nonprofits for spots on the custom board. (More)

➤ Jupiter and Venus will shine in a bright evening display over Tennessee this month, with clear skies offering prime viewing just after sunset along the western horizon. (See Photo)

➤ Gaylord Opryland Resort will host a new All-American SummerFest on select dates from May 22 through Sept. 7, featuring fireworks, live music, and outdoor movies, celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. (More)

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➤ The Truth About Tylenol Is All Over the News. You’ve seen the headlines—Tylenol’s warning labels keep growing, and the risks aren’t small. It doesn’t fix the problem, just masks pain temporarily. Now, researchers point to a natural, gentler option that supports comfort without the harsh side effects. Learn More

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Will you tune in for the Masters this weekend?

Not likely: 41%
Definitely: 24%
Maybe part of it: 22%
I’m playing in it: 13%

The first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store opened in 1969 on Highway 109, just outside which Tennessee city?

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

Friday, April 10, 2026

Friday, April 10, 2026

Inappropriate Comment Elicits Censure

Forbes Names Vanderbilt a New Ivy

Oak Ridge Turns Plastic into Fuel

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.