The Tennessee Flyover

Friday, September 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, the Battle of Chickamauga began outside of Chattanooga. The battle marked a tactical victory for the Confederates but proved costly, with about 20% of their army killed.

A Tennessee woman wrongly arrested due to an AI facial-recognition error is suing the city of Fargo, North Dakota, for $10 million. Find out more in our Top Stories.

If you haven’t compared your car insurance in a while, there’s a good chance you’re paying more than you need to. Even if you checked rates a year ago, the market has changed. That’s why today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to compare quotes from more than 120 insurers in just a few minutes.

Woman Sues Over AI Arrest

A Carter County woman is seeking $10 million from the City of Fargo, North Dakota, and Detective Lucas Heck after facial recognition software wrongly tied her to a bank fraud case.

Angela Lipps, 50, was arrested at gunpoint in July 2025 while babysitting her neighbor’s children. She was charged with eight felonies.

She spent about three months in a Tennessee jail, then was moved to Fargo, where prosecutors dismissed the case on Christmas Eve after bank records placed her in Tennessee.

The federal suit alleges civil rights violations and malicious prosecution. Her attorney says she still has panic attacks and no longer trusts law enforcement.

Last Hurricane Helene Victim Found

The remains of Nancy Tucker, 76, were found Saturday, making her the last missing Tennessee victim of Hurricane Helene to be recovered.

Tucker and her husband, Jimmy, were swept away when the Nolichucky River carried off their Washington County home on Sept. 27, 2024. His body was found within days.

Searchers narrowed the effort to Jackson Island in the Cherokee National Forest, walking more than 400 miles since February without being able to move debris mounds 40 feet high.

The site sits on federal land believed to hold Native American burial grounds, so crews waited on a clearing contract. Tucker was found four days after work began.

Sept. 25 Declared Dolly Parton Day

Sevier County, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Pittman Center have jointly proclaimed Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, to be celebrated every year.

A public signing ceremony is set for 9 a.m. next Friday on the steps of the historic Sevier County Courthouse, where leaders will sign the document together.

The date (“nine two five”) is a nod to Parton’s hit song 9 to 5. The proclamation cites the Imagination Library, pediatric health care, and wildfire relief through the My People Fund.

The Dollywood Foundation has also named the date Give Like Dolly Day, urging people worldwide to support their local Imagination Library programs.

Flying together with our sponsor

Your Insurance Rate Might Be Higher Than It Should Be

A lot can change in a year. Insurance companies constantly adjust their pricing, and the company that offered you the best rate last time may no longer be the most competitive. In fact, Insurify projects rates will change in 35 states this year, making it worthwhile to shop around even if you’ve been with the same insurer for years.

Instead of calling multiple companies or filling out the same information over and over, Insurify lets you compare personalized quotes from more than 120 insurance providers in one place. The process is free, takes just a few minutes, and could help you find the same coverage for less.

Many drivers simply renew their policy every six months without checking what else is available. A quick comparison could be one of the easiest ways to lower a monthly bill.

Compare your rates with Insurify today and see if you could save.

➤ Statewide: Lawmakers are weighing new AI rules aimed at protecting children, with the TBI suggesting companies flag users who signal violent intent. (More)

➤ Knox County: Flock Safety has pulled 133 of the county’s 143 license plate readers, though the mounting poles remain and ten cameras are still covered up. (More)

➤ Nashville: A tractor-trailer driver told police he intentionally drove into an Aldi on Gallatin Avenue early Thursday, causing more than $250,000 in damage. (See Video)

➤ Also Nashville: Mayor Freddie O’Connell and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston will hold a fireside chat at the Opry House today as roughly 150 Denver leaders tour the city. (More)

➤ Memphis: Mayor Paul Young drew hundreds of critical comments after an Instagram post answering critics of his handling of ICE, the task force, and data centers. (More)

➤ Morristown: Hamblen County’s superintendent relieved every Morristown West baseball coach of duty after an investigation into a spring break field trip. (More)

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

➤ Vanderbilt canceled its 2028 road game at North Carolina State and owes a $1 million buyout. The Commodores added Virginia for the vacated date. (See Details)

➤ John Calipari headlined the 2026 Memphis Sports Hall of Fame class, earning recognition as the Tigers’ winningest coach after leading the program to the 2008 national championship game. (More)

➤ Christian Brothers University plans to leave NCAA Division II for the NAIA’s Mid-South Conference, pending approval. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The New Way to Keep Bugs Out. We just found a simple device designed to help drive bugs and pests from your home without traps, sprays, or harsh chemicals. Just plug it in and let it work quietly in the background. If ants, roaches, spiders, or other unwanted guests keep finding their way inside, this could be one of the easiest solutions we’ve seen yet. See what it is here.

➤ Orano plans to start construction on its $5 billion Project IKE uranium enrichment plant near Oak Ridge within the next year, with production targeted for 2031. (More)

➤ Paramount Skydance is reportedly scouting about 400,000 square feet of office space near downtown Nashville as it weighs leaving California. (More)

➤ ArtiCast Jackson will invest $10.3 million and create 100 jobs at the former Pace Industries plant in Madison County, its first Tennessee facility. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Upgrade your kitchen with the TIBO Titanium Cutting Board, featuring a durable, easy-to-clean titanium surface designed for everyday food prep. Its dual-sided design offers added versatility for chopping meat, fruits, and vegetables. Order yours today and you’ll also receive a free cooking related e-book with your purchase.

Flying together with our sponsor

Five Minutes Could Save You Hundreds

Insurify estimates drivers who switch through its marketplace can save up to $1,100 per year, simply by comparing offers from multiple insurers side by side. The service is free, there are no hidden fees, and you’ll see real quotes from trusted insurance companies based on your information.

If it’s been more than a year since you last shopped for insurance, now is a smart time to check.

See how much you could save with Insurify today.

➤ Tennessee ranked 41st for happiness—placing it among the 10 least happy states—on a new study analyzing 30 metrics. Hawaii finished first, and West Virginia came in last. (More)

➤ Bristol Motor Speedway is honoring Dolly Parton through Bass Pro Shops Night Race week with pink butterfly signage, car decals, and a fan tribute banner. (More)

➤ The Mid-South Monarchs handed out season tickets to kids at the Mid-South Ice House, hoping to build interest before their first home game on Oct. 9. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ No Fan. No Filter. No Noise. Most air devices have a fan, and in a quiet bedroom you hear it all night. The X-All Air Ionizer doesn’t have one. No motor, no whirring, nothing to turn down when you’re trying to sleep. It’s a small plug-in unit that sits in the outlet and stays out of the way. $39.99, with no filters to buy. 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.

➤ New research revealed just how many Americans are carrying medical debt despite having health insurance. (Listen Now)

➤ Princess Diana’s brother took aim at King Charles in a new memoir that has drawn a rare rebuttal from Buckingham Palace. (Hear Story)

➤ Uber was ordered to pay $40 million to the family of a woman killed after her driver abandoned her on a freeway. (Hear Details)

How do you plan on celebrating Dolly Parton Day next week?

Previous Results:

Have you ever been to the Tennessee Valley Fair?

No: 82%
Yes: 18%

What was the hottest temperature ever recorded in Tennessee?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

The Tennessee Flyover
6688 Nolensville Rd
Ste 108 #2027
Brentwood, TN 37027

Friday, September 18, 2026

Friday, September 18, 2026

Woman Sues Over AI Arrest

Last Hurricane Helene Victim Found

Sept. 25 Declared Dolly Parton Day

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.

Want afternoon national news updates via text message? Sign up for Flyover Updates, coming in June!

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.