Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1990, the statue of Athena in the Nashville Parthenon was revealed to the public. The Parthenon is the only full-scale replica of the original temple in Athens, Greece.

A group of Elizabethton High School students is turning years of research into a published book examining Tennessee serial killer cases and the often-forgotten victims tied to them. See details below.

Did you know that two to three cups of coffee a day may quietly support one of the body’s hardest-working organs? Catch up on this week’s Flyover Podcast, where Amy Hess explains the growing body of evidence that coffee could help reduce inflammation and protect this vital organ from long-term damage. Listen here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Fisher Investments, with a free guide on seven retirement income strategies for investors with $1 million or more. It’s a simple way to compare your options.

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Train Collision Derails Cars

A CSX train slammed into the rear of another CSX train Monday evening near Frankewing, derailing at least five railcars in Giles County.

Officials said the crash happened around 7:35 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

Two of the derailed cars were carrying plastic pellets used in manufacturing. CSX said some of the pellets spilled into nearby waterways, though officials stressed there was no public safety threat and no hazardous materials were released.

Cleanup crews worked overnight to clear tracks and recover debris while investigators sorted out what caused the collision.

YouTuber Hit with $17.5M Verdict

A federal jury in Nashville ordered YouTuber and country rapper Ryan Upchurch to pay $17.5 million in a defamation case tied to videos about the 2022 death of California teenager Kiely Rodni.

Rodni disappeared after a party near Tahoe National Forest and was later found dead in her SUV, submerged in a lake, with authorities ruling the death accidental.

Rodni’s father and grandfather sued Upchurch in 2023, saying he falsely claimed the case was staged and connected to a GoFundMe scam.

Attorneys for the family argued the videos fueled conspiracy theories and deepened the family’s grief during a highly publicized tragedy.

High School Students Coauthor New Book

Students at Elizabethton High School are turning classroom research into a published true crime book examining serial killings tied to Tennessee highways in the 1980s.

Students said they identified links between multiple serial offenders and focused on victims whose cases may have been forgotten over time.

Their teacher said the project began eight years ago as a way to teach students research and problem-solving skills, but it has since grown into a deeper effort to help victims’ families.

At least one police department has reopened a cold case after reviewing the research. The book, Driven By Rage, Fueled By Diesel: The Forgotten Victims of the Tennessee Highway Hunters, is for sale here.

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➤ Statewide: Much of the state is expecting a mix of isolated damaging winds and hail as a wetter weather pattern settles in for the rest of the week. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Tennessee was ranked among the nation’s cheapest states to retire thanks to its low cost of living, retiree-friendly tax structure, and relatively affordable housing and healthcare costs. (More)

➤ Lebanon: A man was arrested after police said he tried to board a running plane at the municipal airport and later attempted to grab an officer’s gun during the confrontation. (More)

➤ Knoxville: City officials are warning Savannah Bananas fans not to fall for online parking scams ahead of the sold-out games, and that the only official method of payment is pay-at-the-gate. (More)

➤ Nashville: Firefighters rescued a dog that had been trapped between two buildings for nearly two days, carefully removing part of a wall to free the animal without injuries. (See Photos)

➤ Carter County: Commissioners approved a master plan to expand the Tweetsie Trail, reviving a project that had stalled after Hurricane Helene disrupted planning efforts in 2024. (More)

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➤ The Memphis Grizzlies were named the team NBA players least want to be traded to in an anonymous poll of 120 players. One player said the reluctance has nothing to do with the organization and everything to do with the city. (More)

➤ Vols senior right fielder Reese Chapman was taken to the hospital after being struck in the face by a line drive during practice. Chapman was ruled out for the SEC Tournament opener against South Carolina, and his status for the rest of the tournament is uncertain. (More)

➤ Former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is expected to interview for the Nashville Predators’ general manager opening this week. Fitzgerald was the franchise’s first captain, playing four seasons in Nashville from 1998 to 2002. (More)

➤ Former Tennessee basketball player Rickea Jackson will miss the rest of the WNBA season after tearing her ACL in the Chicago Sky’s win over Minnesota this weekend. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NCAAB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Shoals Technologies Group held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the merger of three existing facilities into one campus in Portland on Monday, promising over 500 new jobs as demand for solar and battery infrastructure grows. (More)

➤ Knox County commissioners unanimously approved a plan to begin creating zoning rules for large data centers in hopes of protecting both rural communities and industry needs. (More)

➤ Stevarino’s Italian Eatery & Pub, a popular Chattanooga eatery, is shutting down after seven years, citing rising food, labor, and rent costs. (More)

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➤ Cracker Barrel is rolling out a summer sweepstakes that will give 250 rewards members $1,000 each in free food and gas as high fuel prices put a squeeze on vacation road trips. (More)

➤ Two childhood friends unexpectedly reunited while undergoing cancer treatment at the same Dickson clinic, nearly 50 years after serving together in the Tennessee National Guard. (See Story)

➤ The Tennessee Aquarium is expanding its STEM education programs after receiving donated robotics kits, including snap-together VEX IQ sets and underwater ROVs, to introduce students to hands-on engineering. (See Photos)

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