Thursday, April 30, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1976, 26-year-old Bruce Springsteen hopped the fence at Elvis Presley’s Memphis home, Graceland, in an attempt to meet the King of Rock and Roll himself before being stopped by security.

Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame inducted a new class of artists this week that included recognizable names like Dolly Parton and Keith Urban. See the full list in the story below.

Our 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide has great picks for every mom on your list, and a few you’ll want to keep for yourself. No judgment.

Jimmy Kimmel and President Trump are feuding again. But how far back does this actually go, and how did it start? What happened when Trump was first booked on Kimmel’s show? And what roles are ABC, the FCC and major news affiliates playing? It’s a story nearly a decade in the making, and host Ayla Brown breaks down the entire feud, what started it, what they have said, and where it stands in today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast. Listen here.

Car repairs are one of the most unpredictable expenses drivers face, and they rarely come at a convenient time. That’s why today’s sponsor, CarShield, is here to help. As vehicles age, even minor issues can turn into major, costly fixes. That’s why more drivers are turning to options like CarShield to plan ahead and avoid surprise repair bills.

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.

Autopiloted Tesla Crashes into Dance Studio

A Tesla on autopilot crashed into a crowded dance studio in Clinton earlier this month, sending debris flying and injuring three people with minor wounds.

In a new interview, the owner said it was “a miracle” no one was seriously hurt, noting a class had been moved out of the room just minutes before impact.

The driver told police the car accelerated despite attempting to brake, with witnesses estimating it hit the building at about 50 mph.

Authorities are still reviewing how the autopilot system was being used as the studio awaits repairs and insurance approval.

TN Ranks Last Nationally in School Funding

Tennessee now ranks last in the nation for per-pupil education spending, according to a new National Education Association report, fueling sharp debate at the state Capitol.

The state spends about $12,147 per student, well below the national average of $19,393, and has seen funding drop nearly 10% in recent years.

Democrats blame years of underinvestment and a growing private school voucher program, arguing it diverts money from public classrooms.

Republicans push back, saying vouchers expand family choice and have little impact on overall funding levels.

85-Year-Old Earns Doctorate at TSU

An 85-year-old Navy veteran, Charles Whitman Dabbs, will receive a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership at Tennessee State University’s commencement in Nashville this weekend.

Dabbs, a former hospital corpsman with a decades-long federal career, pursued the degree during the pandemic after earning multiple degrees earlier in life.

He is one of nearly 1,400 graduates and plans to continue working in higher education, focusing on mentoring students.

The ceremonies, spread over two days, will also feature a mother and her two children, all graduating with advanced degrees, a trio that the university is calling a rare “triple threat.”

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➤ Memphis: A local nonprofit founder, Benjamin Owen, was found restrained on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island Saturday and charged with trespassing after he said he traveled there to conduct research. (More)

➤ Also Memphis: Police are investigating after a transit bus crashed into railroad crossing gates on Chelsea Avenue early Wednesday, though officials reported no injuries. (More)

➤ Washington County: Commissioners approved a no-confidence vote against school board member Keith Ervin after he called a student “hot” during a public meeting, though the action does not remove him. (More)

➤ Millersville: A semi carrying 40,000 pounds of chicken caught fire on I-65 early on Wednesday, forcing a full shutdown of northbound lanes as crews battled the blaze. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Federal restructuring will close more than 50 U.S. Forest Service research facilities nationwide, though the Knoxville office will remain open as part of the agency’s forestry census program. (More)

➤ Pigeon Forge: Dollywood is partnering with the BearWise program to educate visitors on safely coexisting with black bears, adding signage and guidance on human-bear encounters. (More)

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➤ Former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. He’ll immediately fight for the backup spot behind Lamar Jackson. (More)

➤ Tennessee Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker stepped down days after the NFL Draft to pursue other opportunities after joining the organization in 2023 and hiring GM Mike Borgonzi. (More)

➤ Nashville SC fell 1-0 to Liga MX’s Tigres at Geodis Park on Tuesday night in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. They’ll meet again on May 5 in Monterrey. (More)

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➤ Bitcoin 2027 conference will return to Nashville’s Music City Center July 15-17, bringing hundreds of speakers and industry leaders back after a two-year run in Las Vegas. (More)

➤ A new report warns Franklin could face a shortage of more than 10,000 homes by 2030 as rising prices and limited affordable options push workers outside the city. (More)

➤ Tennessee officials say they are requiring companies like Starbucks to meet job creation targets or repay incentives as the state tracks economic development deals. (More)

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➤ Dolly Parton and Keith Urban headlined a new class of inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, which honored artists across genres during a star-studded ceremony. (More)

➤ Fentress County will host the All Things Tennessee Festival in Jamestown on May 2, drawing up to 5,000 visitors with 80 vendors, live music, food trucks, and a parade. (See Details)

➤ Carter County Bank will revive the William B. Greene Jr. East Tennessee Amateur Golf Tournament in 2026 after community support prompted officials to reverse an earlier cancellation and resume planning. (More)

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