Monday, April 27, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1933, Calvin Newborn, a Tennessee jazz guitarist who played with legends like B.B. King and Ray Charles, was born in Whiteville. Newborn built a decades-long career spanning from the 1950s through the 1990s.

A brave teenager made headlines for delivering her younger sibling after her mother went into premature labor at home. See details in the story below.

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TN Becomes Second State to Ban Crypto ATMs

Tennessee will ban crypto ATMs starting July 1, making it a misdemeanor to operate or host the machines under a law signed by Gov. Bill Lee.

The state joins Indiana as one of only two states with full bans, driven by a spike in scams, especially targeting seniors, who lost hundreds of millions nationwide, including $257 million last year alone.

Lawmakers say the kiosks, commonly found in gas stations and convenience stores, have become a key tool for fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers or government officials.

Operators who fail to comply could face up to a year in jail and fines as more states consider similar crackdowns.

Titans Reload with 8 Draft Picks

The Tennessee Titans added eight players in the 2026 NFL Draft, headlined by first-round picks wide receiver, Carnell Tate, and edge rusher, Keldric Faulk, as the team looks to rebuild around quarterback Cam Ward.

The class also includes linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and five Day 3 additions focused on depth, especially along the offensive and defensive lines.

Analysts gave the haul mixed-to-strong reviews, with grades ranging from C+ to A+, noting solid value but questions about overall impact beyond the top picks.

The draft signifies a push to boost both offensive weapons and defensive strength with a new-look roster.

Young Survivor Donates His Make-A-Wish

A 12-year-old Tennessee cancer survivor used his Make-A-Wish not for himself, but to donate LEGO sets to children at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Ollie Faircloth, who relied on LEGOs to get him through his own treatment, delivered more than 500 sets after his idea initiated a wave of community donations.

The effort grew far beyond his original plan as local groups and national companies like the PGA Tour and Howden Insurance pitched in.

Hospital staff say the toys will go a long way in helping young patients cope with their difficult treatments.

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➤ Memphis: An 18-year-old high school student was released from federal custody on Friday after a judge ruled his 63-day ICE detention without a bond hearing was unlawful. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge: The K-25 campus hosted its annual reunion Saturday, bringing former workers together to share stories about the Manhattan Project and the Cold War. (More)

➤ Sweetwater: A teenage girl helped her mother deliver a baby at home after premature labor prevented them from reaching the hospital. Both mother and child are healthy. (More)

➤ Pigeon Forge: Police are investigating the Saturday death of a man after a handgun discharged inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Dolly Parton’s Stampede. (More)

➤ Nashville: A pet emu named Picasso was safely captured by animal control after escaping her home and wandering about a mile. (See Picasso)

➤ Knoxville: Lawmakers voted to take control of McGhee-Tyson Airport’s governing board starting July 1, ending nearly a century of local oversight. (More)

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➤ Eight players from Tennessee colleges went in the 2026 NFL Draft this weekend, with five from the University of Tennessee, one from Vanderbilt, one from Memphis, and one from Middle Tennessee State. However, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, a 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist, shockingly went undrafted. (More)

➤ Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has revealed a look at the Nike Ja 4, his new signature shoe model. Morant’s previous model, the Ja 3, was one of the top 10 most-worn shoes in the NBA last season. (See Photos)

➤ Tennessee baseball captured a series win over No. 13 Alabama over the weekend, sweeping its doubleheader against the Crimson Tide, racking up double-digit runs in both games. (More)

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➤ Firearms manufacturer IWI US marked its move to Andersonville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week after a $15.7 million investment. (More)

➤ Nissan’s Decherd powertrain plant produced its 20 millionth engine this week after nearly 30 years of operation and billions of dollars in investment. (More)

➤ Long John Silver’s plans to return to Clarksville with a new restaurant on Tiny Town Road, years after its previous location closed. (More)

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➤ Six-year-old Phoenix, a mostly nonverbal Nashville boy born deaf in one ear, is gaining recognition after discovering painting as a way to express himself and share his world. (See Phoenix)

➤ A restored 1930s-era Immigrant Trail marker was unveiled in Jonesborough after years of damage, with the Daughters of the American Revolution leading efforts to repair and relocate it. (More)

➤ The Nashville Zoo named its newest clouded leopard cub Azi, the 50th cub born at the zoo, drawing inspiration for the name from Persian mythology. (See Azi)

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