Sunday, May 17, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1983, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that significant amounts of mercury had been discharged over many years from its plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during work supporting hydrogen bomb development.

We’ve officially entered the season of outdoor fairs, concerts, festivals, and shindigs. What are some of your favorite large communal gatherings in Tennessee? Hit reply to let us know what we should check out.

Today’s sponsor, Splash Spotless Cleaning Products, is here to upgrade your spring cleaning routine with a hands-free foam toilet cleaner that tackles stains and odors without scrubbing—just pour, let it foam, and flush for a fresh, sparkling bathroom.

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.

Hemp Company Relocating to North Carolina

One of East Tennessee’s largest hemp retailers, Gold Spectrum CBD, and its parent company, Greenbean Ventures, filed a WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor last week, announcing 121 layoffs starting July 13. The company is relocating to North Carolina, moving $750,000 in annual payroll across state lines.

The move is a direct response to Tennessee’s THCA ban, which takes effect June 30 and eliminates products that Gold Spectrum says represent roughly 75 percent of overall Tennessee hemp sales. The company is also closing seven retail stores. CEO Zack Green said the company had hoped the state would extend the deadline.

Tennessee’s hemp industry has generated hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and businesses across the state are now navigating both the state ban and looming federal regulatory changes that could reshape the broader market by late 2026.

Fisk Plans $1 Billion Quantum Leap

Fisk University unveiled a $1 billion “Quantum Leap” campus master plan Friday, the most ambitious expansion in the Nashville HBCU’s 160-year history.

The 10-year initiative includes a $400 million innovation center anchored by a new data center, a sports arena, a new student center, and renovations to campus residence halls. Construction on the data center is set to begin immediately.

University officials said the plan will dramatically grow Fisk’s enrollment and establish it as a national leader in education, though details on funding partners were sparse at the announcement.

Wings of Liberty Museum Opens

The Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum officially opened Friday at Fort Campbell, near Clarksville, three decades after the project was first envisioned.

More than 450 soldiers, veterans, and civilians attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 51,000-square-foot facility, which chronicles Army aviation history from World War II aircraft through present-day air assault operations.

TriStar Health donated $100,000 to the museum on opening day. Admission is free and open to the public.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Spring Cleaning Toilet Hack You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

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➤ Knoxville: The Knox County school board pushed Friday to reverse a ban on Alex Haley’s book Roots, which was pulled from school libraries under Tennessee’s 2022 book restrictions law. (More)

➤ Gray: The Appalachian Fair turns 100 this year and is adding two extra days to the celebration, which runs the week of August 22. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team will headline the festivities. (More)

➤ Memphis: Memphis Light, Gas and Water began a major road closure in downtown Memphis on Friday, expected to last approximately three months, disrupting traffic in the central business district during an ongoing infrastructure project. (More)

➤ Statewide: Tennessee tax revenues exceeded budget estimates for April, the state’s Department of Finance and Administration reported Friday, continuing a streak of above-projection collections that has strengthened the state’s fiscal position ahead of budget season. (More)

➤ Nashville: Developers behind a new 32-story mixed-use high-rise in the Pie Town neighborhood marked a major construction milestone this week, with the project expected to reshape the emerging arts district just south of Lower Broadway. (More)

➤ Belmont softball fell to No. 1 Alabama 3-0 at the Tuscaloosa regional yesterday after allowing three first-inning runs, sending the team to an afternoon elimination game. (See Score)

➤ No. 7 Tennessee softball staved off a late comeback attempt from UVA to secure a victory at the Knoxville Regional and move closer to a Women’s College World Series berth. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt baseball tallied six first-inning runs in a 9-5 win over South Carolina on Friday, earning a series win in its last conference series of the season. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans officially agreed to terms on a rookie contract with 2026 second-round pick Anthony Hill Jr. on Friday, making him the seventh member of the 2026 draft class to sign with the team. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Chattanooga: JFest, the Tennessee Valley’s largest Christian music festival, returned for its 26th year yesterday at Tennessee Riverpark, bringing multiple stages, national touring acts, and family activities to the downtown waterfront. (More)

➤ Nashville: Japan’s men’s national soccer team will hold a free open training at GEODIS Park on June 8, giving fans a chance to watch a World Cup contender prepare in Music City ahead of this summer’s tournament. (More)

➤ Clarksville: The Downtown @ Sundown free outdoor concert series returns for 2026 at Downtown Commons, bringing live music throughout the summer. The series kicks off this weekend and runs through the fall. (More)

➤ Nashville: BNA will begin blasting on Monday for a new parking garage expansion. Travelers should expect brief traffic delays twice daily on weekdays through mid-June as construction crews break ground. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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