Saturday, August 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, Military Gov. Andrew Johnson freed his personal enslaved people at his home in Greeneville officially recognizing emancipation in East Tennessee. From that point, Aug. 8 was acknowledged as Emancipation Day in Tennessee.

A Gatlinburg visitor’s video went viral after capturing a bold wildlife encounter. Watch the video in Et Cetera.

Scam calls used to be easy to spot. Not anymore. AI can now clone your loved one’s voice, and criminals are using it to stage fake emergency calls across the country. Americans lost billions to AI-enabled scams last year, and experts say the numbers are climbing fast. But here’s the good news. The single most effective defense doesn’t require an app, a subscription, or any tech skills at all. You won’t believe how easy it is to protect what you care about. Today on The Flyover Podcast, Amy breaks down how these scams work and the quick fix that stops them cold. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is Green Coffee Company, a Colombian coffee producer expanding its vertically integrated business and bringing the legendary Juan Valdez® brand to more consumers across North America.

Voters Decide Primary and County General Races

Tennesseans cast ballots on Thursday in state primaries and county general elections, with contests for governor, U.S. and state legislative seats, and numerous local offices. Here are the latest results.

The governor’s race made history: both major-party nominees are women, guaranteeing Tennessee will elect its first female governor this year, with Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green facing off in November.

In a closely watched primary following Tennessee’s congressional redistricting, Republican Rep. Andy Ogles was defeated by Republican challenger Charlie Hatcher, a farmer and the state’s former commissioner of agriculture. Voters also picked a pair of Memphis-area lawmakers to square off in another vastly reconfigured U.S. House district. State Sen. Brent Taylor will face Democrat state Rep. Justin Pearson.

Officials continue compiling totals ahead of certification, with full results available through county election commissions.

Nashville Philanthropist Dies at 90

Martha Rivers Ingram, billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist often called Nashville’s “First Lady of the Arts,” died Thursday, Aug. 6, at age 90.

Ingram became chair of Ingram Industries after her husband’s death in 1995 and chaired Vanderbilt University’s Board of Trust from 1999 to 2011.

She was a lifelong supporter of the arts and championed the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s creation and helped build the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, supporting Nashville’s symphony, ballet, opera, and the Frist Art Museum.

Visitation is scheduled Aug. 13, with her funeral Aug. 14; her family requested donations to arts groups or Vanderbilt in lieu of flowers.

Drivers Reminded of State Move Over Law

Officials are urging drivers to obey Tennessee’s Move Over law, which requires giving space to vehicles stopped along the roadside, after three law enforcement vehicles were hit in separate crashes across the Nashville area within two days this week.

On Aug. 4, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper was struck on I-65 near Old Hickory Boulevard after pulling someone over; dashcam video captured the incident. The impact knocked the body camera from the trooper’s uniform. The driver was charged with a fourth DUI.

On Aug. 5, Franklin police officers were investigating a crash on I-65 near CoolSprings Galleria when a driver slammed into one of their marked patrol vehicles. The officer was outside of the vehicle. That driver was also charged with DUI. Then, 19 hours later that evening, a car crashed into a Metro police vehicle on I-24 East. The officer was inside his vehicle, blocking traffic for a separate accident, when he was hit from behind.

No one was severely injured but local law enforcement has a clear message: if you see them on the side of the road, move over. It is the law.

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Could This Be the Next $110B Coffee Giant?

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➤ Knoxville: An independent investigation found Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel sent inappropriate text messages to a subordinate but found no evidence of a physical relationship or criminal conduct. (More)

➤ Apison: The Hamilton County Commission approved spending $1.25 million to buy 8.5 acres of property from Apison Baptist Church for future use as a park with plans to include fields for youth sports. (More)

➤ Nashville: An 18-year-old faces arson, aggravated burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia charges after police said he entered a Nashville home and intentionally set a fire, telling officers he wanted to “smoke the bugs out.” (More)

➤ Benton County: 51-year-old Jeffrey Penix fled from a traffic stop on Highway 641 south at Shiloh Church Road leading Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers on a chase Wednesday afternoon. He was taken into custody and faces charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, evading arrest on foot, and failing to stop at a stop sign. (More)

➤ Jackson County: Emergency crews successfully rescued a patient with a significant lower leg injury sustained at Cummins Falls State Park on Wednesday despite severe thunderstorms that made the evacuation route significantly more difficult to navigate. (More)

➤ Maryville: The city is funding construction of a new 700-seat performing arts center for Maryville High School to replace its outdated auditorium expanding audience capacity, along with a larger stage, expanded backstage areas, dressing rooms, and updated performance technology. (More)

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➤ Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor left practice this week with a left shoulder injury after a collision during a red zone drill. Coach Robert Saleh said the shoulder “feels stable” but the team is awaiting further evaluation. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Titans unveiled a redesigned version of mascot T-Rac this week, swapping the old brown fur for a more traditional raccoon look. The reveal is the latest piece of a full rebrand that includes new logos, uniforms, and a new stadium in 2027. (More)

➤ Franklin native Garrison Mathews signed a one-year deal with Italian club Olympia Milano, one of the top teams in European basketball. The seven-year NBA veteran and former Lipscomb standout said he hopes the move earns him another NBA shot. (More)

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The Coffee Producer Riding 26X Growth

Everyone should know about Green Coffee Company, because they’re Colombia’s #1 largest coffee producer. They’ve already grown revenue 26X since 2021 and reached over 2,500 retailers.

But here’s why 2026 could be their biggest year yet.

They’ve acquired exclusive rights to distribute Juan Valdez® coffee across North America. As Green Coffee Company brings this iconic coffee brand to Raley’s, Target, and other big box stores, investors are paying attention. They’ve already invested over $120M so far.

Become a Green Coffee Company investor today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

This is a paid advertisement for Green Coffee Company’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.greencoffeecompany.com/. Timelines are subject to change. Listing on the NASDAQ is contingent upon necessary approvals, and reserving a ticker symbol does not guarantee a company’s public listing.

➤ Vacationers in Gatlinburg experienced a bold wildlife encounter when a mother bear and her cub broke into their parked car to search for food. Local wildlife groups urge visitors to secure vehicles and avoid feeding animals. (Watch Video)

➤ The American Heart Association is holding its 14th Annual Heart Ride for Women’s Heart Disease this weekend in Milan. More than 40 cyclists are riding 224 miles beginning at the Milan City Hall traveling to Eddyville, Kentucky and then back to Milan on Sunday to raise awareness. (More)

➤ Organizers announced Chris Stapleton, Ashley McBryde, and Steve Earle will perform at the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards on Sept. 22, celebrating leading songwriters and industry honorees. (More)

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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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Scammers can now clone your loved one’s voice, but this simple defense makes them harmless. (Hear More)

➤ Meta was ordered to pay a $567 million penalty over findings that it fueled a youth mental health crisis. (Listen Now)

➤ Louisiana health officials are warning residents after a deadly spike in flesh-eating bacteria infections tied to seawater exposure. (Podcast Available)