Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1866, a black couple who had been together for 15 years legally formalized their marriage in Lebanon after the Reconstruction Era made it possible.

Worst neighbor ever? An attempt to run from U.S. Marshals last week saw a fugitive falling through his neighbor’s ceiling, leaving behind a gaping hole and a traumatized cat. See details below.

Life insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and picking the wrong policy can mean overpaying for coverage you don’t need or leaving your family short when it matters most. Who’s the most affordable? Who has the best customer service? Who’s the best if you want to skip the medical exam? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the top life insurance companies for seniors in 2026, shedding light on which one might be best for you. Tune in here!

Still figuring out what to get Mom? We did the hard part for you. Our 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide has picks she’ll actually use, love, and maybe even brag about.

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your personal information by removing it from data broker sites and keeping your private details out of the hands of advertisers and scammers.

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.

UT Student Escapes DC Shooting Unscathed

A University of Tennessee student walked away unharmed after a gunman opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on Saturday.

Gail Fanning said she hid under a table and called 911 as panic spread and attendees rushed into the ballroom, while President Trump and others were escorted out.

Fanning, who was attending the event on behalf of UT’s news station, said years of active shooter drills helped her react quickly under pressure. See the footage she captured during the event here.

Authorities arrested 31-year-old Cole Allen, and no injuries were reported inside the event.

Storms Target Midstate Overnight

Strong to severe storms that began last night are expected to continue hitting Middle Tennessee early this morning, with the biggest threats being damaging winds, heavy rain, and possible tornadoes.

Forecasters say the worst conditions will likely arrive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., especially west of Interstate 65.

Another round is expected tonight, bringing similar risks along with a higher chance of large hail and minor flash flooding due to already saturated ground.

Officials urge residents to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and a plan in place in case of an emergency.

List: TN’s Prettiest Small Towns

A new travel roundup highlights a dozen small Tennessee towns drawing attention for their beauty, from historic Jonesborough to the Jack Daniel’s hub of Lynchburg.

Spots like Gatlinburg offer front-door access to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while Pigeon Forge leans into family attractions like The Island and mountain coasters.

Meanwhile, history lovers can appreciate Greeneville’s scenic ties to presidential history through Andrew Johnson’s home.

Other towns bring a mix of outdoor recreation, from Panther Creek State Park in Morristown to riverfront views in Savannah, plus local flavor through museums, festivals, and small-town main streets.

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➤ Statewide: The Tennessee Valley Authority named former COO Mike Skaggs as interim CEO ahead of Don Moul’s July 1 retirement while it searches for a permanent leader. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill preventing an automatic state review even if the federal government reclassifies marijuana, leaving legalization up to future legislation. (More)

➤ Polk County: A 50-year-old man died after falling from a raft on the Ocoee River and being pulled from the water unconscious despite wearing safety gear. (More)

➤ Nashville: A fugitive fell through a neighbor’s ceiling while trying to escape U.S. Marshals through an attic. He left damage behind before being arrested and hit with drug-related charges. (See Video)

➤ Chattanooga: The U.S. Coast Guard canceled its appearance at the Armed Forces Parade due to an ongoing Department of Homeland Security budget dispute. (More)

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➤ Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia accepted an invitation to compete for a roster spot at the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie minicamp. He’s the first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2014. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, former Tennessee running back Star Thomas has been invited to the Titans’ rookie minicamp. He rushed for 596 yards and seven touchdowns with the Vols last season. (More)

➤ The Memphis Hound Dogs, the city’s new arena football team, named Richard Gilliam as their first head coach. Gilliam currently coaches at Cordova High School outside of Memphis. (More)

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➤ The Tennessee Titans signed a new 10-year agreement with Parking Management Company to continue handling parking operations at the new Nissan Stadium. (More)

➤ Gas prices across Tennessee held steady at an average of $3.77 per gallon last week. Officials warn that ongoing global supply concerns could keep prices volatile in the days ahead. (More)

➤ Ascend Federal Credit Union (Tennessee) and LGE Community Credit Union (Georgia) plan to merge, creating a roughly $7 billion institution serving more than 390,000 members across both states. (More)

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➤ More than 25,000 runners flooded Nashville streets for the 26th annual St. Jude Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, raising over $18 million for children’s cancer research. (See Video)

➤ A 35-year-old chimpanzee at Zoo Knoxville is recovering and back to normal activity after undergoing a rare spinal surgery to remove a tumor. (More)

➤ Chattanooga’s historic Tivoli Theatre is set to reopen in early 2027 after a $75 million renovation. The landmark has a full Broadway lineup planned after restoring its 1921 design. (More)

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