Thursday, June 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1812, President Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain into law, and no state answered louder than Tennessee. Volunteers flooded into the ranks, earning the state its enduring nickname: the Volunteer State.

Dollywood just pushed back the opening of its biggest-ever ride after missing its scheduled spring opening day. Check out the story below to see when NightFlight Expedition is now expected to debut.

Why are there suddenly dogs everywhere? The grocery cart, the coffee line, the seat next to you on the plane. More and more, the family dog is just part of the crew, tagging along wherever we go. You’ve probably noticed, and maybe you’re one of the folks who can’t bear to leave your furry friend at home. But underneath all those wagging tails is a real question. What do the rules actually say? Tune in to today’s Flyover Podcast as Ayla breaks down why pets are showing up everywhere, and what the law really says. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a special message from our partner, Fisher Investments, featuring a free guide on retirement investing and the mistakes that can derail a $1 million-plus portfolio.

Today’s sponsor, Particle Face Cream for Men, offers a simple 6-in-1 skincare solution designed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, eye bags, and dark spots, helping men look more refreshed and confident in just minutes a day.

Parents Booted from School Board Meeting

Angry parents were removed from a Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board meeting Tuesday night after demanding accountability over a school bus crash that killed two Kenwood Middle School students earlier this year.

The board then voted, with the public out of the room, to cut public comment time from five minutes to three.

The mother of one of the children killed addressed the board for the first time. Parents also raised allegations against a former Montgomery Central High School teacher accused of showing nude photos of himself to a 17-year-old student.

“You cannot be examples for the children you claim to lead when you are showing them the exact opposite,” said Jessica Davis, whose daughter Zoe was killed in the crash.

TN Tightens Borders Against Livestock Parasite

Tennessee has imposed new entry restrictions on livestock after the New World Screwworm, a parasite already confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, began spreading toward the Southeast.

The temporary order, in effect through Sept. 4, requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for animals entering from infested or high-risk areas, plus documented treatment and a state-issued permit number.

Shipments can be turned away on the spot if any animal shows suspicious wounds.

The larvae feed on living tissue and can be fatal if untreated, though a University of Tennessee entomologist says an infected animal is not a death sentence if caught and treated early.

Vandy Gets $11 Million in ALS Research Funding

The Tennessee General Assembly has approved $11 million in funding for the Vanderbilt ALS Research Center in Nashville, marking the state’s largest public commitment yet to fighting the rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease.

The investment builds on $3.7 million previously committed through partnerships with Live Like Lou and the ALS Association.

Vanderbilt’s clinic is already recognized as an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence, a designation awarded to facilities delivering care shown to extend survival and improve quality of life.

Researchers say the funds will also support recruiting healthy volunteers to serve as control participants, helping scientists identify what distinguishes ALS patients from those unaffected by the disease. ALS is diagnosed in roughly 2 to 3 people per 100,000 each year and has no cure.

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➤ Middle Tennessee: The region is expecting strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening, with damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours most likely between 3 and 9 p.m. (More)

➤ Knoxville: A judge granted most of a professor’s request to amend her lawsuit ahead of a January 2027 jury trial. She was fired over posts following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. (More)

➤ Sevierville: A weeklong ICE operation netted 117 arrests. Federal officials say those detained include people convicted of crimes like theft and domestic assault. (More)

➤ Smyrna: A sinkhole that opened in a couple’s yard three weeks ago continues to expand. Both their insurance company and the city declined responsibility for repairs. (See Sinkhole)

➤ Hamilton County: The county secured federal approval for a 500-drone show over the Tennessee River on July 4th, at a total cost of $110,000. (More)

➤ Pigeon Forge: The opening of Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition, billed as the park’s largest-ever attraction, has been pushed to mid-August after missing its original spring date. (More)

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➤ The Tennessee Titans opened mandatory minicamp Tuesday in Nashville, signing veteran center Andre James and defensive end Jalyn Holmes on Day 1 to bolster competition. (More)

➤ Air Force transfer Wyatt Hanoian committed to Tennessee baseball, bringing a .357 batting average and Mountain West freshman of the year honors to the Vols program. (More)

➤ A new ranking listed Sweetens Cove in South Pittsburg as Tennessee’s top public golf course. The nine-hole Sequatchie Valley gem edged out the Course at Sewanee for the top spot. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | WNBA

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➤ Food City broke ground on a new Jefferson City location Tuesday. The store is expected to bring about 75 jobs when it opens next spring. (More)

➤ Burger Up is closing permanently after 16 years in the 12 South Nashville neighborhood. Aug. 1 is set as the final day of service. (More)

➤ Homeland Vinyl will expand into a third Hawkins County facility in Surgoinsville, bringing 50 new jobs and a $5.5 million investment to the region. (More)

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➤ The Memphis Zoo celebrated Ru the orangutan’s six-month birthday Tuesday with treats and gift bags. Staff say the baby is on track to reach her first birthday. (More)

➤ A Spring Hill women’s club spent six months collecting and sorting plastic before turning hundreds of pounds of it into a first-of-its-kind park bench at Harvey Park. (See Bench)

➤ Two Sweetwater sisters, ages 11 and 13, qualified for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo after finishing among Tennessee’s top four competitors in their age division. (See Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Who decided dogs belong in the grocery aisles, and why won’t anyone say no? (Listen Now)

➤ Peter Thiel’s secretive Dialog society has been exposed in a data leak naming its powerful members and revealing details they were promised would stay private. (Hear Details)

➤ A Chicago petition to rename the street beneath Trump Tower after Barack Obama has gathered more than 22,000 signatures. (Hear Story)