Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1930, actor Richard McKenzie, known for his versatile Hollywood career featuring roles in series like MacGyver and All in the Family, was born in Chattanooga.

If you were one of the Tennesseans who spotted a funnel cloud over Jefferson City on Saturday, rest assured: weather officials say the rotation was not cause for concern. See a photo in the story below.

Grocery prices just hit a four-year high, and your beef, tomatoes, and morning coffee are leading the charge. What is actually driving these numbers? Will the high prices continue? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla has the scoop. Plus, stick around for exclusive tips on how to keep more money in your pocket at the checkout line. Tune in here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our sponsor, Doroni Aerospace, about a current investment opportunity and its work to bring flying cars to neighborhoods as soon as 2028.

Today’s sponsor, Compare.com, helps drivers quickly compare car insurance quotes from more than 100 top insurers to find the right coverage at the best possible price.

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.

AI Software Missed Nurse’s Fentanyl Theft

A Tennessee hospital’s AI drug-monitoring software failed to catch a nurse who stole fentanyl for months, a new investigation reveals.

A nurse at Erlanger Baroness Hospital in Chattanooga admitted to stealing and using leftover fentanyl from surgeries for months in 2025, after coworkers noticed signs of impairment and reported him to supervisors.

The software Sentri7, made by Wolters Kluwer, missed numerous red flags that would have revealed the nurse’s months-long scheme, according to state health records. The manufacturer declined to answer questions about the case.

The nurse lost his job and was placed on probation by the Tennessee Board of Nursing while undergoing mental health treatment.

Officials Say No Danger from Funnel Cloud

A funnel cloud spotted over Jefferson City on Saturday turned out to be no cause for alarm, the National Weather Service confirmed.

The NWS office in Morristown said the rotation was “very weak” and did not reach the ground.

Residents in Jefferson City and nearby Talbott spotted and photographed the formation before it dissipated Saturday evening. No tornado warning was issued, and no damage was reported.

Jefferson County saw a round of storms move through the area Saturday as East Tennessee enters its most active stretch of severe weather season.

TN Preps for America’s 250th Birthday

Tennessee is planning ambitious July 4th celebrations for America’s 250th birthday, and the region’s own colonial history makes the milestone personal.

Knoxville’s signature event, Festival on the Fourth, will fill World’s Fair Park on July 4 with live symphonic music, interactive history exhibits, and the city’s largest-ever fireworks display.

The broader calendar spans the Museum of Appalachia’s TN 250 Museum Trail and Farragut’s Red, White, and Bluegrass Concert.

Tennessee became the 16th state in 1796, 230 years ago, making 2026 a dual milestone for residents celebrating both national and state heritage.

Flying together with our sponsor

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Today’s sponsor, Compare.com, makes it easy to shop rates from top insurers side-by-side in just minutes, helping drivers find coverage that fits their needs and budget without filling out endless forms. Some users save hundreds per year by switching providers.

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➤ Statewide: The doctor involved in a botched lethal injection has spoken out, saying he didn’t want the prisoner to suffer during the 90-minute ordeal. (More)

➤ East Tennessee: TDOT launched its Rural Service Patrol on Monday, extending roadside assistance to rural highways that previously lacked dedicated HELP truck coverage. (More)

➤ Nashville: Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody is in critical condition after suffering organ failure, his daughter announced Sunday, asking fans for prayers. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: Police arrested two robbery suspects after the brothers they allegedly robbed at gunpoint chased them into a residence. (More)

➤ Unicoi County: Gov. Bill Lee visited to unveil the first sign in the new statewide Welcome to Tennessee program, designed to highlight tourism destinations. (More)

➤ Morgan County: Several kayakers were rescued from the Emory River on Saturday due to dangerous water levels from recent rainfall. (More)

➤ Denny Hamlin won the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday night after suffering an early penalty for jumping the start. He beat second-place Christopher Bell by just 0.115 seconds. (More)

➤ Tennessee Wesleyan won the NAIA World Series this weekend, beating Taylor University 21-3. It was the largest margin of victory ever recorded in a World Series at the NAIA level. (More)

➤ Tennessee softball’s season ended yesterday with back-to-back losses to Texas in the Women’s College World Series semifinals. (More)

➤ Five-star edge rusher Chaz Coleman is no longer with the Tennessee football program after missing most of spring practice and failing to report for summer workouts. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Former Piedmont Natural Gas crews are now operating under the Spire name and branding, completing the transition after its $2.48 billion acquisition. (More)

➤ TJ Maxx has opened a new store in Winchester, bringing a major national retailer to Franklin County and giving new life to a vacant storefront. (More)

➤ Chattanooga gas prices dropped 34 cents in a single week, placing the city among the lowest-priced fuel markets in Tennessee. (More)

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➤ Selling a home doesn’t have to mean repairs, showings, or months of uncertainty. Today’s sponsor, Liz Buys Houses, helps senior homeowners sell quickly for cash, often as-is, with a simple process built around convenience. Get a fair cash offer and see how easy moving forward can be. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Car insurance costs are climbing, but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay. Today’s sponsor, Compare.com, lets you compare real-time quotes from more than 100 top insurance companies in just a few minutes. All in one place.

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➤ Denny Hamlin won Sunday night’s Cracker Barrel 400 and bowed toward the sky in tribute to the late Kyle Busch, a two-time champion who died last month and loved the Nashville track. (More)

➤ The State Games of Tennessee kicked off in Jackson over the weekend, opening with cycling road races and disc golf to launch the multi-sport amateur athletic event. (More)

➤ American Idol is holding live auditions at CMA Fest in Nashville on Friday, giving aspiring singers a shot at the show during one of the country music world’s biggest gatherings. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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