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Article Icon 1Johnson Picked to Be Next Lt. Governor

Senate Republicans nominated Franklin Sen. Jack Johnson to become Tennessee’s next lieutenant governor, replacing retiring Lt. Gov. Randy McNally.

Tennessee’s lieutenant governor isn’t elected by voters but rather by the state Senate, where the job comes with serving as speaker. The GOP majority makes Johnson’s approval nearly certain.

Johnson, who has served in the Senate since 2006 and as majority leader since 2018, beat out Sen. Paul Bailey of Sparta, and Sen. Dawn White was chosen as the new majority leader.

McNally, 82, is retiring after nearly 50 years in state politics, and the full Senate will vote on Johnson in January.

Article Icon 1Hackers Claim Vanderbilt Data Theft

Vanderbilt University is responding to a cyberattack claimed by the ransomware group BYOD, which says it stole more than 1 million Social Security numbers, along with names, emails, phone numbers, and student and employee records.

The university hasn’t confirmed what data was taken, but it urged students and staff to shut down their devices immediately on Monday and restricted access to most systems.

Some faculty canceled classes, and campus Wi-Fi has since come back online as the university works with federal agencies to contain the attack.

BYOD, a recently emerged group, also claimed attacks on Michigan State and the University of New Mexico’s health sciences center, where a hospital had to divert ambulances.

Article Icon 1Garth Brooks Buys Lightning 100’s Signal

Garth Brooks is buying the 100.1 FM signal of Nashville’s independent Lightning 100 and plans to turn it into a country station called FM-100, pending FCC approval.

Lightning 100 isn’t going off the air, since it will keep its alternative and indie format by moving to 106.3 FM and 102.5 HD3.

Brooks said he got the idea after seeing the station ask fans to help save it in 2025, and FM-100 will feature country music of the past, present, and future along with local news.

“I owe this city,” Brooks said, adding that the new station won’t compete with Nashville’s existing country stations.

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Around Tennessee

➤ Statewide: Veterans and active-duty service members can grab free meals across Tennessee today, including Cracker Barrel’s Sunrise Pancake Special and a Krispy Kreme coffee and doughnut. (See List)

➤ Also Statewide: Tennessee is considering adding kratom to its drug-free workplace rules, which wouldn’t require employers to test for it but could affect workers’ comp claims. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Council member Amelia Parker, former council member Lauren Rider, Beau Hawk, and Richard Lawhorn have filed to run for mayor in 2027 to replace term-limited Indya Kincannon. (More)

➤ Tri-Cities: Ballad Health is installing metal detectors at its hospital entrances to boost safety for patients, visitors, and staff. (More)

➤ Franklin: A legally blind man is among riders named in a DOJ lawsuit accusing Lyft drivers of refusing service dogs and wheelchairs. The suit seeks $53 million. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: The owner of Penny, a red toy poodle taken from a truck at Staybridge Suites on Sunday, is offering a $2,000 reward for her return. (More)


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Tennessee Carolina Sports

➤ The Titans traded safety Amani Hooker, who leads the NFL with five interceptions, to Buffalo, sending him and a fifth-round pick to the Bills for a second-rounder. (More)

➤ University of Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes was named to the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2026, a group of the nation’s top college quarterbacks. (More)

➤ Chattanooga FC will celebrate its MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship with a parade across the Walnut Street Bridge on Friday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NHL

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Tennessee Business

➤ Nashville opened applications for small business grants, including a Legacy Business Program for firms at least 15 years old with fewer than 100 employees. Apply by Dec. 4. (More)

➤ A data center cooling technology company plans to create 96 jobs in Memphis, the Greater Memphis Chamber announced. (More)

➤ Bridgestone Arena picked JE Dunn Construction to manage its $1 billion renovation, a project to modernize the arena, which opened in 1996. (More)

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Et Cetera

➤ Memphis ranks No. 20 nationally for growth in millionaire homeowners, jumping 931% from 52 households in 2020 to 536 in 2024. (More)

➤ A Tennessee woman celebrated turning 100 by ziplining for the first time at the Nashville Zoo. Her secret to a long life? Four or five Milk Duds a day. (Watch)

➤ The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is celebrating 25 years with the Knoxville Area Model Railroaders at an “All Aboard the Silverline” fundraising gala. (More)

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➤ 7 Warning Signs Your Muscles Are Aging Too Fast. Weak legs, flabby arms, and fatigue might seem like normal aging. After 50, changes in muscle strength and energy can make everyday activities harder. A Texas physical therapist shares seven overlooked signs, including one you may notice getting out of a chair, and a potential contributing factor. Learn more.

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➤ There are five car-care habits that are important, and five that just bleed your time and bank account. (Hear List)

➤ A free and easy way to cut dementia risk by 17% only takes 42 minutes a day.  (Listen Now)

➤ The U.S. is set to become the first country ever to refuse a U.N. human rights review, a process all 193 member states face. (Hear Why)

  

The Poll

Is there a veteran in your family?

  1. I’m a veteran
  2. Yes, my parent or sibling
  3. Yes, my spouse
  4. Yes, my child
  5. Yes, a different family member
  6. Yes, multiple family members
  7. No veterans in my family
 

Previous Results:

How often do you still send letters or cards in the mail?

  1. A few times a year: 52%
  2. Just at Christmas: 33%
  3. Never: 10%
  4. All the time: 5%
Tennessee Trivia

Garth Brooks has sold more albums in the U.S. than any other solo artist. Which act is the only one ahead of him?

Show me the answer

If you’re a fan of our Trivia section, you’ll love our new book, The Flyover Book of Trivia 2027, an illustrated collection of 100 of our favorite questions and answers. (Buy It Now) 


 
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