FEMA Unlocks $50M for Tennessee Recovery

The federal government approved more than $50 million in new funding for 39 Tennessee recovery projects tied to Hurricane Helene, winter storms, and COVID-19 response infrastructure.

East Tennessee communities will receive the bulk of the investment, with Cocke County and surrounding mountain communities still rebuilding roads, bridges, and public facilities nearly two years after Helene tore through the region in fall 2024. 

The funding is part of FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which reimburses state and local governments for disaster response and recovery work.

The 39 approved projects span communities across the state, covering infrastructure repairs, hazard mitigation work, and updated emergency facilities. 

Nashville Sues State over Airport Takeover

Metro Nashville and the Metro Nashville Airport Authority filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to block a state law that would hand the legislature control of the airport authority board on July 1.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell says the takeover would politicize a critical piece of Nashville’s infrastructure. The city previously won at the trial court level and on appeal, but that case remains before the Tennessee Supreme Court, and state lawmakers passed a new law that goes further in restructuring the board.

The airport authority’s board voted Wednesday to join the city as a co-plaintiff in the federal case. Both Metro and the authority argue the state law violates constitutional protections for municipalities.

If the law takes effect, the state would hold majority appointments on the board beginning July 1.

Dolly Launches Cup of Ambition Coffee

Country queen Dolly Parton is set to launch a new Cup of Ambition Coffee brand ahead of the June 24 opening of her first Tennessean Travel Stop, a sprawling destination off I-65 in Cornersville.

The Cup of Ambition Coffee concept is named after the famous lyric from Dolly’s hit song, 9 to 5. The singer partnered with Community Coffee, a sixth-generation family business, to create the brand, which includes a range of roasts.

“I’ve spent a lifetime workin’ 9 to 5, 5 to 9, and every hour in between! It takes a lot of energy to pursue your passion and navigate each day,” Parton said. “That’s why I wanted to make a coffee that works just as hard.”

The coffee brand is just the latest detail to emerge about the travel stop, which is set to feature a restaurant, custom merchandise, and a performance stage.

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➤ Anderson County: A wanted man was arrested after driving into a creek to evade deputies, adding more charges to existing felony warrants. He was pulled from the water without further incident. (More)

➤ Memphis: The Memphis Safe Task Force has surpassed 10,000 arrests and seized 1,708 illegal firearms since launching in September 2025, officials announced. (See Details)

➤ Nashville: The community rallied outside Fisk University on Wednesday to oppose a proposed campus data center. Metro Council advanced a temporary citywide moratorium on new data centers the same day. (More)

➤ Knox County: Vulcan Materials is seeking approval for a $20 million, 58-acre expansion of its Dixie Lee Quarry, drawing pushback from nearby homeowners. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Federal officials unveiled renderings for the city’s long-awaited new courthouse, which will house seven courtrooms, nine judges’ chambers, and federal offices. (See Renderings)

➤ Gallatin: A woman says her rescue dog disappeared during a $2,200 professional training program after being left off leash and running away. (See Photos)

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➤ A plan is in the works to keep the Grizzlies in downtown Memphis for “multiple decades,” Greater Memphis Chamber interim president Duncan Williams said this week. The Grizzlies’ lease at FedExForum runs out after the 2029 season. (More)

➤ Former Lady Vols softball coaches Craig Snider and Stephanie Sanders will lead the Knoxville Miracle, the city’s first professional softball team, when it begins play next summer. (More)

➤ Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate said on a podcast this week that he expected to go sixth, seventh, or eighth in the NFL Draft and was “shocked” when Tennessee took him at No. 4. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | NHL | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ Pilots for Memphis-based FedEx ratified a new contract after nearly five years of negotiations, securing a roughly 40% pay raise along with retroactive lump-sum payments. (More)

➤ Tennessee’s new law banning noncompete agreements for workers earning less than $70,000 per year takes effect July 1, giving hundreds of thousands of lower-wage employees freedom to change jobs. (More)

➤ More than 10,000 Mississippi residents filed a class-action lawsuit against xAI and SpaceX over noise from gas turbines at the Colossus data center campus near Memphis. (More)

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➤ Walmart is bringing 30-minute drone delivery to Memphis through its Wing partnership. Deliveries will launch from Walmart store parking lots this summer. (More)

➤ Fourth- and fifth-graders from Alcoa Intermediate School won their age division at the national Presidential AI Challenge in Washington this week with their Homework Helper app. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Aquarium is kicking off summer with outdoor concert nights, IMAX screenings, an MiLB team conservation visit, and a new behind-the-scenes series. (See Details)

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