Friday, April 18, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1783, Greene County, the birthplace of famed frontiersman Davy Crockett, was founded in East Tennessee.

For communities still rebuilding from Hurricane Helene, help is on the way—the state’s newly passed budget includes over $46 million in funds to assist recovery efforts. See more details on the budget in the story below.

We’re sponsored today by World Concern, if you’re looking for a unique and thoughtful gift idea for Easter, check out their ads in today’s edition.

Legislature Passes $60 Billion Budget

The Tennessee General Assembly passed a budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Wednesday, with the final amount falling just shy of $60 billion.

The budget agreed upon by lawmakers deviated from Gov. Bill Lee’s recommendations in several key areas. Legislators reallocated $60 million from Lee’s proposed starter home initiative, as well as $35 million from the Duck River conservation regionalization project.

Tennesseans can expect $26 million in funding for ongoing Hurricane Helene relief efforts, plus an additional $20 million in local match funds for FEMA aid.

Bipartisan Bill Helps Former Foster Youth

Tennessee lawmakers unanimously passed a bill extending foster care eligibility from age 21 to 23, sending it to Gov. Bill Lee for approval.

The legislation lets qualifying young adults who age out of foster care apply for extended services—like tuition aid, healthcare, and life skills training—through the Department of Children’s Services.

Nearly $4 million in additional state funds were appropriated in the newly passed budget to fund the expanded program.

Hospital Offers Heart Surgery Alternative

Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport became the first hospital in East Tennessee to offer a new, minimally invasive procedure allowing patients to avoid open-heart surgery.

The new TriClip system, a first-of-its-kind minimally invasive therapy, repairs tricuspid valves, improves heart function, alleviates tricuspid regurgitation symptoms, and significantly enhances patient outcomes.

Holston Valley has already successfully treated 10 patients using this updated technology, with treatments for additional patients already scheduled.

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Need a Last-Minute Easter Gift? Look No Further than Goats.

You’ve heard about chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs—but have you ever thought about giving the gift of a goat this Easter? Make a generous gift through World Concern’s Global Gift Guide, where the gift of a goat, chickens, clean water, or education can dramatically change a family’s life.

We’ve made a list of items that kids and families in some of the most remote and overlooked parts of the world desperately need. We’re offering the opportunity for you to give an Easter gift that brings new life to those in need, just like Jesus did for you and me.

We’re calling it our Global Gift Guide, and you can even give a gift in honor of someone you love and let them know they had a part in changing a life.

Give a Goat

➤ Nashville: Metro Nashville Public Schools sent a letter home with students detailing measles protocols, including that unvaccinated students may be “excluded from school” if an outbreak occurs. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Pellissippi State Community College received a $250,000 grant to upgrade its Hardin Valley campus with a new mechanical engineering facility, set to be completed in May 2027. (More)

➤ Maury County: The Williamson-Maury Habitat for Humanity chapter received a $46,500 grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, which it will use to build two new houses this year. (More)

➤ Haywood County: 200 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $9 million, were recovered during a routine traffic stop after a narcotics dog alerted near a tractor-trailer. (See photos)

➤ Bledsoe County: Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee distributed 1,915 pairs of shoes and socks to local students in partnership with Samaritan’s Feet International, a nonprofit that gives new shoes to those in need. (More)

➤ Memphis: Sheffield High School’s principal was removed after a wave of protests in which students walked out of class due to concerns, including restricted bathroom access. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators ended a difficult season on a high note, defeating the Dallas Stars 5-1 in their final game of the regular NHL season Wednesday night. (See photos)

➤ The Tennessee Titans opened up several spots on their roster ahead of the NFL draft by releasing six players, including terminating contracts for wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. and linebacker Curtis Bolton. (More)

➤ Four major Tennessee universities sent students to an “eSports” Battle of Tennessee Tournament, using large LED display screens to compete in virtual athletics. (More)

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➤ Step into comfort with Barestep’s barefoot shoes—now 50% off for a limited time! Designed with orthopedists, these ultra-light, flexible shoes relieve foot pain, improve posture, and boost circulation. Experience natural movement and long-term foot health. Don’t miss this exclusive offer—your feet will thank you!

➤ Nissan has shared its plan to maximize U.S. production to avoid new 25% auto tariffs, which includes boosting its Smyrna plant to an annual output of 640,000 vehicles. (More)

➤ Marc Finch received the 2025 PYA Ballard Innovation Award, given annually to small businesses in East Tennessee, for developing medical technology aimed at reducing infant deaths and childbirth complications. (More)

➤ Toll Brothers, Inc., announced the development of 34 luxury single-family homes in Franklin, which are anticipated to be priced starting at $1.5 million. (More)

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➤ Be prepared for any emergency with the Lone Survivalist Medical Go-Bag! This lightweight, weatherproof kit combines essential medical supplies and survival gear in one portable package. Designed for real-world crises—accidents, disasters, or everyday emergencies—it ensures you’re ready when every second counts. Limited stock—act now!

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Easter reminds us that through Christ all things are made new—and together, we can bring renewal to families in desperate need.

You can follow His example today. The Easter Global Gift Guide is filled with opportunities to share His love in tangible, life-changing ways.

Here are some items that can change the whole world for a family in need:

• Goat: Provides nutritious milk and an income from the goat’s offspring to feed the family and send the children to school. Includes training in animal care and vaccinations.

• Solar Audio Bible: Gives families who can’t read the ability to hear God’s Word in their own language, Rechargeable via solar power.

• Clean Water: Provides safe drinking water for families and villages in need.

• More options

➤ Dyersburg won Region 8’s Best-Tasting Water title and will advance to the state finals in Gatlinburg this August to compete against other regional winners. (More)

➤ Post Malone and Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves surprised young musicians at a Nashville studio with a $500,000 donation to Notes for Notes, a nonprofit promoting youth music education. (More)

➤ The Nashville Zoo welcomed a piglet named Chive, born to mother Tater, who will serve as an ambassador for the red river hog species. (See Chive)

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➤ Drive Bright™ night driving glasses are engineered to enhance nighttime visibility and reduce glare from oncoming headlights. Featuring polarized lenses with advanced GlareCut™ technology, they filter out harsh light, improving contrast and clarity in low-light conditions. Compatible with prescription glasses, Drive Bright™ provides a practical solution for safer night driving.