Saturday, October 24, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1994, professional football defensive back Jalen Ramsey was born in Smyrna. Ramsey attended high school at Brentwood Academy, played college football at Florida State, and was selected 5th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL draft. He is a multi-time Pro Bowler, All-Pro selection, and Super Bowl champion.

A quick update on a story we ran yesterday—Ollie the pet kangaroo that escaped from a Maury County property has been found and is safely back home.

What are the best and worst grocery stores? Texas swears by H-E-B. Florida won’t hear a bad word about Publix. California gave the country Trader Joe’s. What about Walmart, Albertsons, and Costco? Only one of them can be America’s top-rated supermarket. More than 31,000 shoppers graded the nation’s biggest grocery chains, and the results can be polarizing. Is your weekly grocery store on the best list or the worst? Ayla has the countdown on today’s Flyover Podcast. Tune in and pick a side.

Many of you have used Insurify to compare auto insurance. Today’s sponsor is back with another way to look for savings: homeowners insurance. This is our first time sharing Insurify’s home offering, bringing the same trusted comparison process to another big household expense.

FEMA Approves $15M for Recovery Projects

FEMA approved more than $15 million for 27 disaster recovery projects across Tennessee, part of about $64 million headed to Tennessee and Kentucky.

Most of the money pays communities back for cleanup and repairs they’ve already done. The biggest checks are more than $5.5 million to Middle Tennessee Electric for utility repairs and more than $2 million to Metro Nashville for debris removal and fixes to roads, bridges, and buildings.

Another slice, just over $2 million, goes toward preventing and reducing future disaster-related damage, including more than $375,000 for a flood warning system in Germantown. White House gets nearly $552,000 to buy out hazard-prone properties, and Sevier County gets more than $251,000 for portable generators.

Kentucky’s share is nearly $49 million for 51 projects. That includes $10.9 million to repair Robinson Elementary School in Perry County.

Drought Squeezes Middle Tennessee Farms

Shrinking ponds and dry pastures are forcing Middle Tennessee cattle farmers to spend more money keeping their animals healthy as beef prices keep climbing.

Crop growers are feeling it too. At Bloomsbury Farm in Smyrna, owner Lauren Palmer said four wells, storage tanks holding roughly 500 gallons, and irrigation lines haven’t been enough to keep crops watered.

Palmer said her crew’s time now goes into fixing irrigation and filling tanks, and she turns off the water at her own house overnight so a tank can fill. The year-round organic farm is adding water timers and exploring new water systems.

Cattle farmers, meanwhile, are preparing for an uncertain winter with their pastures already dry.

Michelin Recognizes 40+ Tennessee Restaurants

More than 40 Tennessee restaurants earned spots in the 2026 Michelin Guide American South, released Wednesday.

Nashville led the state with 23, and Bastion, Locust, and The Catbird Seat each kept the one star they earned in the guide’s first year. Newcomer Maiz de la Vida picked up a Bib Gourmand, Michelin’s nod to great food at a fair price.

Knoxville’s A Dopo landed a Bib Gourmand of its own. Au Bon Coin in Knoxville, Raven Steakhouse in Maryville, and Wilder at Windy Hill Farm & Preserve in Loudon joined the recommended list.

Chattanooga placed five restaurants for the second straight year, with Little Coyote keeping its Bib Gourmand and 2nd American Restaurant making its debut. Chattanooga Tourism Co. interim CEO Susan Harris said the honor gives the city a chance to share its food scene “with visitors from around the world.”

Meanwhile, two East Memphis eateries, Bao Toan Kitchen and Bar in Crosstown Concourse and Hog and Hominy were recognized. Fawn, in the Cooper-Young area, was recognized as one of the new Michelin-recommended Tennessee restaurants. Felicia Suzanne’s, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, The Lobbyist, and Petals of a Peony in Cordova have also maintained their Michelin-recommended recognition.

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You Checked Your Car Insurance. What About Your Home?

Your homeowners insurance renews. You pay the bill. Another year goes by.

But when was the last time you checked what other insurers would charge?

If you’ve used Insurify for auto insurance, you already know the idea: compare your options and see whether there’s a better fit for your budget. Now you can do the same for your home.

Insurify lets you compare home insurance quotes from multiple companies, giving you a way to explore potential savings without visiting each insurer’s website individually.

It’s free to compare, and you can weigh the price, coverage, and deductible against your current policy. Whether you’ve tried Insurify before or you’re starting fresh, here’s another household bill worth a second look.

See what you could save on home insurance.

➤ Morristown: A worker died after being hit by a tractor-trailer at the Koch Foods poultry plant on Progress Parkway Thursday. The state’s workplace safety agency is investigating. (More)

➤ Nashville: A driver who told police he was distracted rear-ended a pedal tavern carrying 12 riders on Demonbreun Street in the Gulch Thursday night. Nine riders were hurt; six remained at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Friday in stable condition. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Firefighters at Station 17 found a healthy newborn in the station’s Safe Haven Baby Box Tuesday night. It’s the third baby left there since 2023, when it became Tennessee’s first box. The state now has 33. (More)

➤ Memphis: The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will return to Liberty Park May 12-15, marking Memphis in May International Festival’s 50th year. This year’s contest drew more than 200 teams from 27 states and seven countries. Team applications open Nov. 5. (See Details)

➤ Carter County: Deputies shot and killed a man early Friday after he fired at them during a chase that ended with a crash on Highway 19E, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. No deputies were hurt. (See Details)

➤ Crossville: The city announced plans for a major commercial development with $50 million of investment that is estimated to create 200 new jobs. The 180,000-square-foot retail development is planned across from Buc-ee’s near Interstate 40 at Exit 320. Aldi, Hobby Lobby, and Marshalls are among the stores expected. (See Plans)

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➤ The Nashville Predators fell 6-0 at Boston on Thursday, their fourth loss in five games. David Pastrnak had two goals and two assists for the Bruins. Coach Andrew Brunette said afterward his team “forgot to play hockey.” (More)

➤ A Vols linebacker from Smyrna is a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the academic Heisman. Arion Carter earned a public health degree in August with a 3.53 GPA and leads Tennessee with 7.2 tackles per game. (Meet Finalist)

➤ Titans running back Julius Chestnut has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Sunday’s win over the Colts. This is the franchise’s 40th AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award and marks the seventh consecutive year a Titans player has received the honor. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Could you handle an unexpected vet bill? Pet insurance may help cover eligible treatment costs when your furry companion gets sick or injured. Explore pet insurance options with Money.com, and compare costs, deductibles, and exclusions before choosing. See whether coverage makes sense for your pet and budget.

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Same Trusted Process. Another Place to Look for Savings.

Already compared your auto insurance through Insurify? Give your homeowners policy the same attention.

You don’t have to be moving or buying a house to explore your options. If you’ve been renewing the same policy year after year, comparing quotes can help you see how it stacks up today.

Your home is a major investment. Its insurance deserves more than an automatic renewal.

Compare home insurance quotes for free.

➤ Neyland Stadium’s fryer oil is getting a second life as fuel. Filta Kitchen Solutions manages 30 fryers at the stadium and keeps the oil fit for cooking and, later, for driving. (See Details)

➤ The Cherohala Skyway turns 30 this weekend, and Tellico Plains is celebrating. The scenic byway, one of Monroe County’s largest tourist attractions, connects East Tennessee to North Carolina and draws millions of visitors each year. (Watch Report)

➤ Seven Jackson couples competed in a “Dancing with the Stars”-style fundraiser aiming to raise $275,000 for the Star Center, which serves more than 4,000 people with disabilities each year. Taylor Young and Derriell Springfield took home the mirrorball. (See Winners)

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➤ Could your next grocery trip cost less? When checkout totals squeeze your budget, a few changes to your shopping routine may help. Explore The Penny Hoarder’s grocery savings tips for ideas to try before your next store run. See which tips could work for your household.

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.

➤ What are the best and worst grocery stores in America? Shoppers just ranked them all. (Hear Ranking)

➤ The Trump administration has canceled some of its toughest tariffs on Canada, less than two weeks before the midterms. (Listen Now)

➤ Mexican prosecutors have filed treason charges over a CIA drug raid that left four people dead, escalating sovereignty tensions. (Hear Story)

Have you ever traveled along the Cherohala Skyway?

Previous Results:

Would you ever own an exotic pet like a kangaroo?

No way: 86%
Maybe something small: 8%
Sign me up: 4%
I have one: 2%

True or False: You can legally own a camel, giraffe, or bison as a pet in Tennessee.

Show me the answer

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The Tennessee Flyover
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Saturday, October 24, 2026

Saturday, October 24, 2026

FEMA Approves $15M for Recovery Projects

Drought Squeezes Middle Tennessee Farms

Michelin Recognizes 40+ Tennessee Restaurants

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