Saturday, August 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1946, the Battle of Athens (sometimes called the McMinn County War) began in McMinn County when returning World War II veterans staged an armed rebellion against a corrupt local political machine that was attempting to rig a primary election.

After months of worrying about extreme drought conditions, with some Tennessee communities even reaching the highest levels on the U.S. Drought Monitor, July’s soaking rainfall has wiped out nearly all of the state’s drought. Learn more in today’s Top Stories.

Are you paying $139 a year for Amazon Prime just to get free shipping? Odds are you’re only using a fraction of what that money buys. Beyond fast delivery, your membership includes five benefits that could save you hundreds of dollars annually on everyday things. On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Amy shares five Prime features hiding in plain sight, plus exactly how to activate each one. So what are you already paying for and leaving on the table? Tune in here!

We’re always interested in products that take an everyday task and simply make it easier. That’s what caught our attention about today’s sponsor, the Sonic Glow Brush. If you’ve ever wished brushing your teeth was quicker without sacrificing a thorough clean, this is worth a look.

Persistent Rains Wash Away Drought

Above average July rainfall has largely erased Tennessee’s drought, transforming conditions that had reached extreme levels earlier this year, according to federal monitoring data.

Nashville recorded 6.59 inches of rain this month, well above its 4.04-inch July average, dramatically improving conditions across Middle Tennessee, where some communities had reached the highest drought categories months earlier.

Federal data from Drought.gov show extreme and exceptional drought have fallen to zero statewide, with roughly 23% of Tennessee remaining in lesser drought categories and conditions improving week over week.

For farmers, the rain brings mixed results. While the recent wet pattern has helped reduce the need for irrigation, Tri-Cities growers now face saturated fields, split fruit, and increased risk of root rot. Despite those challenges, many fast-growing summer vegetables, including beans, zucchini, and yellow squash, have thrived in the recent weather and local farm stands are seeing an abundance of fresh produce.

Communities Rally To Ease Back-to-School Costs

Nonprofits, health departments, and community groups across Tennessee are hosting giveaways of free supplies, shoes, and immunizations as rising school costs strain family budgets ahead of the new year. Organizers say supplies now average roughly $100 per child. Tennessee’s tax-free weekend offers additional savings as classes resume next week.

In Jefferson County, nonprofit Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies distributed backpacks, hygiene items, and food to local families while in Knoxville the Area Urban League is hosting its annual Shoes for School event on Aug. 8, providing a free pair of shoes and supplies to pre-registered students.

The Madison County Health Department offered free immunizations and free backpacks filled with school supplies at a back-to-school bash.

Additionally in Knox County two organizations are helping teachers save on costs to stock their classrooms for the new school year. Teacher Supply Depot and Sevier Heights Church are hosting four Back-to-School Pop-Up Shops across the county giving Knox County Schools educators the chance to pick up free classroom supplies.

AMBER Alert Error Causes Confusion

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says a broken AMBER Alert link briefly directed cell phone users to an expired case Wednesday, confusing residents about which child was actually missing.

The alert was issued for 1-year-old Lilly Hill of Franklin County, but the link initially led users to an expired AMBER Alert from an unrelated case for 3-year-old Tyler Hall, a Clarksville boy who was found safe in June.

The TBI says it updated the existing alert rather than issuing a new one, correcting the error within minutes and calling the incident unfortunate, isolated, and quickly resolved.

Lilly Hill was later found safe in Georgia. The agency, which recently adopted new alert technology, says it reviewed its process to prevent recurrences.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Knoxville: The Knoxville Bar Association will host a free legal advice clinic for veterans on Aug. 12, offering consultations on civil legal matters through volunteer attorneys and local community partners. (More)

➤ Blountville: United Airlines delayed the launch of new nonstop service between Tri-Cities Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport after the Federal Aviation Administration limited additional flights at O’Hare because of air traffic constraints. (More)

➤ Franklin County: Two Tennessee men were arrested after investigators alleged they sold mushroom edibles and marijuana products to minors. Authorities said the investigation involved illegal sales and distribution concerns. (More)

➤ Memphis: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center received nearly $2.5 million in research funding to support medical studies and advance projects focused on improving health outcomes. (More)

➤ La Vergne: Mayor Jason Cole called for immediate repairs at La Vergne High School after concerns about mold, mildew, damaged ceiling tiles, and HVAC issues emerged before students return. (More)

➤ Monteagle: Grundy County purchased a former Army National Guard armory to create a workforce development center, aiming to expand training opportunities and support economic growth through regional job preparation programs. (More)

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➤ A new Tennessee law allows private school students to try out for public school sports teams if their school doesn’t offer that sport. Students must live within the public school’s attendance zone and still earn a roster spot through the normal tryout process. (More)

➤ UT-Knoxville’s Peyton Manning, Tennessee State’s Dick Barnett, and Vanderbilt’s multi-sport star Gil Reese were among the athletes named to a USA Today list of the 10 greatest college athletes from Tennessee. (More)

➤ Titans quarterback Cam Ward hosted receivers in Miami for three weeks before training camp to build chemistry ahead of the season. Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said the group spent time throwing together and bonding off the field, and that there’s been almost no miscommunication heading into camp. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Golf | WNBA | Soccer

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A Small Upgrade You’ll Use Every Day

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➤ The Tennessee River Gorge Trust said the second phase of the Aetna Mountain trail system is nearly complete, adding 4 miles of multi-use trails that will double the network before an Aug. 21 opening. (More)

➤ Tennessee has eliminated the $31 personal possession permit fee for legally obtained, vaccinated pet raccoons, while maintaining permit requirements and restrictions against owning raccoons captured from the wild. (More)

➤ University of Tennessee researchers helped identify a possible location for Amelia Earhart’s missing aircraft by analyzing historical records and mapping data, supporting a new expedition searching near Nikumaroro Island. (More)

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➤ Want exposure to Anthropic before its anticipated IPO? A new video reveals a publicly traded company with an early investment in Anthropic that may offer indirect exposure to its future growth. Learn why some investors are watching this opportunity closely—and discover the stock ticker free in the presentation. (LEARN MORE)

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

➤ Your $139 Amazon Prime membership includes hidden benefits most members are unknowingly paying for and never using. (Hear More)

➤ Mortgage rates have climbed to their highest level in a year as war fears and Fed doubts fuel inflation concerns. (Listen Now)

➤ Shark sightings are surging off New York City beaches, forcing police to send drones into the sky over swimmers. (Podcast Available)