Friday, August 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1937, the Appalachian Trail was completed, a 2,000-plus-mile footpath that winds through Tennessee along the North Carolina line, including the high country around Roan Mountain and the Great Smokies.

Speaking of those mountains, Knoxville and Gatlinburg are both up for a national “best fall destination” honor. What’s your favorite spot in Tennessee to take in the fall colors? Hit reply and tell us where you’ll head when the leaves turn.

What if the hours you already spend on your phone could actually earn you money? Today’s sponsor, Mode Mobile, is building technology to do just that, and more than 66,000 investors have already backed its vision. Learn more below, and watch for a special message later today about the technology behind its “EarnPhone” and the opportunity to invest.

Data Center Developer Sues Nashville

DC Blox, the Atlanta company that planned a data center next to the Nashville Zoo, has sued Metro Nashville in federal court over a moratorium the council passed in July.

The company argues it holds vested property rights, noting the city’s own zoning administrator had determined the project was a permitted use before the rules changed.

The suit calls the moratorium a “targeted attack,” pointing to public comments by Mayor Freddie O’Connell and a councilmember opposing the project.

Opposition ballooned after the zoo warned of effects on its animals, drawing a petition with more than half a million signatures. Metro says it acted lawfully and is preparing to defend the moratorium in court.

Cop Says Chicago Is Watching Memphis

A retired Chicago police detective says Memphis offers a blueprint for reducing violent crime, pointing to a sharp drop in the Bluff City this year.

Memphis saw homicides fall 43.7% in the first half of 2026 after National Guard members were deployed to the city.

The detective argued Chicago could see similar results by adopting a comparable strategy, framing the Memphis numbers as evidence that the approach works.

Supporters credit the added manpower with freeing local police to focus on violent crime, while critics of Guard deployments question whether the drop will hold once troops leave.

Tennessee Gears Up for Fall Amid Honor

Knoxville and Gatlinburg have both been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice award for Best Fall Destination, spotlighting two of East Tennessee’s most popular autumn draws.

The Smoky Mountains region is a perennial leaf-peeping favorite, pulling millions of visitors each fall as the hardwood forests turn.

Gatlinburg offers a gateway to the national park, while Knoxville pairs city amenities with easy mountain access.

The nod comes as forecasters start eyeing the season’s first blast of cooler autumn air working toward Tennessee. Winners are decided by public voting, so local boosters are already rallying support.

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They saw a company with:

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$115M+ lifetime revenue
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They saw a company already profitable before going public.

They saw 32,481% three-year revenue growth which ranked #1 in software on Deloitte’s fastest-growing companies list.

And they saw an opportunity to invest while Mode was still private.

Over 4 trillion hours are spent on smartphones each year. Mode is building ways to turn that screen time into income.

Over 66,000 investors are already in. You can still join them at $0.52/share before the price changes.

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➤ Jamestown: The state suspended a funeral home’s license amid a TBI investigation into director Chad Mundy, who’s accused of filing life insurance claims for people still alive, including his wife. (More)

➤ Waverly: A federal jury found CSX Railroad not responsible for the deadly 2021 flood that killed 20 people, rejecting families’ $450 million claim that the railroad worsened drainage. (More)

➤ Anderson County: The county will hold a Sept. 10 town hall on Flock license-plate cameras as privacy concerns over the readers draw national scrutiny. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: A $54.5 million project to replace the Wilcox Boulevard Bridge over DeButts Railyard, reconnecting East Chattanooga to the Riverwalk, is set to begin in late 2026. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge: Oak Ridge National Laboratory marked 80 years since a breakthrough at its X-10 Graphite Reactor helped pave the way for modern cancer research and treatment. (More)

➤ Memphis: A new mural near the newly renamed Frederick W. Smith International Airport welcomes travelers while honoring the late FedEx founder. (See Mural)

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➤ River Games Chattanooga, a free three-day action sports festival, takes over the Tennessee River waterfront this weekend with highlining, high diving, wake surfing, and USA Diving athletes competing at Ross’s Landing. (More)

➤ Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate, the No. 4 overall pick, spent part of his first paycheck on two things: a Star Wars Lego set and a house in his hometown of Chicago. (More)

➤ The Memphis Grizzlies will host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on MLK Day this season, continuing the city’s longstanding tradition of hosting a game on the holiday. (More)

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➤ Prysmian, a global cable and fiber maker, announced a $100 million expansion of its Jackson plant that will add 100 jobs and double the facility’s size, breaking ground in October. (More)

➤ Volkswagen is eyeing its Chattanooga plant as a possible site to build a new pickup truck it plans to launch by 2030. (More)

➤ TVA’s Watts Bar Nuclear Plant marked 30 years of operation as the utility looks to hire thousands of skilled workers. (More)

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Palantir grew 1,540% This company did 32,481%

Palantir just rocketed to $420 billion by helping companies turn vast amounts of data into value.

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➤ A young East Tennessee realtor is among 22 contestants competing on NBC’s The Traitors: New Blood reality competition. (More)

➤ Brent Gibson is set to become Knox County sheriff, but 4,000-plus voters still cast write-ins, including “Meg McMuffin” and various cartoon characters. (More)

➤ Cleveland firefighters got a surprise in the station house when they found a baby opossum tucked inside a member’s gear locker. (See Photos)

➤ Clarksville’s annual Hummingbird Festival returns Saturday, celebrating the tiny bird and other pollinators. (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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Hawaii’s Big Island is under a hurricane watch as a strengthening Pacific storm threatens heavy rain and flooding. (Hear Details)

➤ Luigi Mangione is reportedly weighing a courtroom move that could upend his murder trial in New York. (Hear Episode)

➤ Tech executives are cloning themselves with artificial intelligence, and some of the digital doubles are already going rogue. (Listen Now)

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Previous Results:

Whose version of “Hound Dog” do you prefer?

Elvis Presley’s: 70%
Big Mama Thornton’s: 15%
Haven’t heard them: 15%

What two concepts, which make up Tennessee’s motto, are also represented on the state seal?

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Friday, August 14, 2026

Friday, August 14, 2026

Data Center Developer Sues Nashville

Cop Says Chicago Is Watching Memphis

Tennessee Gears Up for Fall Amid Honor

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