Monday, June 15, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1849, James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. President, died of cholera in Nashville just over three months after leaving office. Polk served one term as governor of Tennessee before ascending to the presidency.

The Tennessee Titans opened their Nashville facility this week to 150 kids with incarcerated parents for a day of football drills and, for each child, brand new pairs of Nikes and footballs to take home. See a video in the story below.

Today’s sponsor, Tinnitus Talk, is sharing new insights into the hidden factors that may contribute to persistent ringing, buzzing, and hissing in the ears—and why understanding these triggers could be the key to finding relief.

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.

Cleanup Underway After Train Derailment

A Norfolk Southern freight train carrying ethanol derailed Thursday near Lancing in Morgan County, sending multiple rail cars off the tracks and sparking fires that continued burning into the weekend.

Officials said four ethanol-related cars remained on fire Friday, while the EPA, Tennessee environmental regulators, and local emergency managers monitored air and water quality and reported no immediate public health concerns.

Cleanup is expected to take several days in the remote area, with road delays possible near Highway 62 as crews work to remove damaged cars and assess environmental impacts.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the derailment, which involved roughly two dozen rail cars.

Tennessee SNAP Participation Down 109,000

More than 100,000 Tennesseans have stopped receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits over the past year, according to state enrollment data, fueling debate over the impact of recent federal policy changes.

State figures show SNAP enrollment declined by roughly 109,000 recipients between July 2025 and April 2026.

Some critics say stricter eligibility requirements, expanded work rules, and additional paperwork have made it harder for low-income residents to qualify for or maintain benefits.

Federal and Republican officials, meanwhile, say the changes are designed to strengthen program integrity and encourage workforce participation among able-bodied adults.

Premature Baby Defies Odds in Memphis

A baby girl born at just 25 weeks and weighing 1 pound continues to fight for her life at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis after doctors warned early in the pregnancy that she was unlikely to survive.

Sylvie Stevens, now a few weeks old, remains in the neonatal intensive care unit as doctors treat serious complications associated with extreme prematurity, including a severe brain bleed and hydrocephalus.

Despite those challenges, her family says she continues to gain strength and surpass expectations, describing her as “a miracle.”

Sylvie’s parents make regular trips to Memphis to be by her side while caring for her 5-year-old brother at home. A fundraiser established by family members has raised thousands of dollars to help cover expenses during what is expected to be a lengthy hospital stay.

Flying together with our sponsor

Do you know what the root cause of tinnitus is?

If you’re hearing ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds that won’t go away, you may be dealing with tinnitus. Most people think it’s simply caused by hearing damage, but experts are discovering there may be hidden triggers behind the noise.

These underlying factors can make the ringing more frequent, more noticeable, and harder to ignore. But there’s good news.

By understanding what may be causing your tinnitus, many people are finding ways to reduce the ringing and regain peace and quiet. Click here to discover the hidden triggers behind tinnitus and learn how people are finally quieting the noise.

➤ Nashville: A man who disappeared while visiting for Bonnaroo was found safe after a two-day search. Family members say he was confused and unable to recall what had happened. (See Details)

➤ Hamblen County: An SUV with no one inside crashed into the back of a house, displacing the family who lived there but causing no injuries. Officials did not say how the unoccupied vehicle crashed. (More)

➤ Memphis: Two men restrained an 18-year-old robbery suspect until police arrived after he tried to rob them with a BB gun. The suspect claims the incident was intended as a social media prank. (More)

➤ Sumner County: A disagreement is brewing over the stalled restoration of the historic Latimer-Brown home, with some commissioners accusing county leaders of delaying the project. (More)

➤ Great Smoky Mountains: Families honored more than a dozen Revolutionary War veterans buried in and around the mountains as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Experts say residents may notice Canada geese acting more defensively than usual as the birds go through their annual molting season, when they temporarily lose the ability to fly. (More)

Enjoy reading The Tennessee Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Tennessee landed four-star offensive tackle recruit Q’Mari Hudson on Saturday. Hudson, a Virginia native, chose the Volunteers over the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. (More)

➤ Three-star safety Levi McKenzie announced he is committing to Vanderbilt, choosing the school over Indiana, the defending national champions. (More)

➤ Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward has drawn criticism around the league after reportedly struggling through the first few practices of the season. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Upgrade your daily routine with the Sonic Glow Toothbrush, a powerful electric toothbrush designed to help remove plaque, freshen breath, and support healthier-looking teeth and gums. Using advanced sonic technology, it delivers a deep clean while remaining gentle enough for everyday use. Discover why so many are making the switch. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis has co-founded a new media platform focused on helping college athletes build their personal brands and NIL opportunities. (More)

➤ Memphis Light, Gas, and Water employees have been asked to reapply for newly defined positions as the utility updates job requirements and classifications to support modernization efforts. (More)

➤ The Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken restaurant in Oneida is preparing to close after 43 years in business as its owner plans to retire and focus on his health. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 3 Symptoms Most Men Over 40 Ignore – Until it’s too late. It’s not you. It’s your hormones. Restore Your Vitality With Keeps TRT. $100 off for a limited time. Learn More

Flying together with our sponsor

Constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears can be frustrating and difficult to ignore. While many people assume tinnitus is simply a hearing issue, researchers are uncovering hidden factors that may be making the noise worse.

The good news? Identifying these triggers may help reduce symptoms and restore a greater sense of calm. Discover what could be contributing to your tinnitus and the steps others are taking to find relief.

➤ The Tennessee Titans partnered with Prison Fellowship Angel Tree to host 150 children with incarcerated parents for a day of football and mentorship. (See Video)

➤ A 91-year-old Franklin woman is celebrating 75 years of attending the Franklin Rodeo since its debut. She says surviving four cancer diagnoses never kept her from the annual tradition. (More)

➤ More than 40 young entrepreneurs took part in Germantown Lemonade Stand Day, raising money for local charities while learning business skills. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ I live in a heatwave zone and haven’t used my AC in weeks thanks to this portable cooling device. Stop wasting thousands on bulky, slow AC units. Get fast, budget-friendly cooling with Vital Breeze AC. Learn More