Friday, July 11, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1917, Alfred Martin Ray, a formerly enslaved man credited with carrying the American flag up the hill at the Battle of San Juan Hill, died in his hometown of Jonesborough. Dolly’s done it again! In August, Sullivan County will celebrate 25,000 graduates of Dolly Parton’s Imagination […]

Thursday, July 10, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1852, Blountville merchant Joseph Anderson contracted for 100 acres across Tennessee and Virginia—the first step in establishing the city of Bristol. Are you an organ donor and want the world to know it? New “Donate Life Tennessee” license plates are now available for preorder. Proceeds will […]

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1918, the Dutchman’s Bend Train Wreck, the worst train disaster in American history, took place in Nashville, costing an estimated 121 lives. Today’s edition highlights a resolution to a peculiar theft: a replacement statue is being unveiled in Knoxville, a year after the original was stolen. See […]

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1797, the U.S. Senate voted to expel Tennessee Sen. William Blount after President John Adams uncovered his plot to incite a war. Blount became the first federal official to be impeached and expelled. Calling all local history buffs—today’s edition highlights a volunteer effort to preserve […]

Monday, July 7, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1954, Elvis Presley hit the airwaves for the first time with his radio debut on Memphis’s WHBQ, playing That’s All Right. Today’s edition highlights some of the sweetest July 4th celebrations, from star-spangled newborns at a Chattanooga hospital to Nashville’s famed Hot Chicken Festival. See details […]

Friday, July 4, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1793, Knoxville hosted its first Fourth of July celebration on record, just 17 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and before Tennessee even became a state. We hope you’re having a restful Fourth of July as we celebrate our nation’s founding. Fireworks won’t be […]

Thursday, July 3, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1943, the first residents arrived at the then-secret Oak Ridge—a town that housed Manhattan Project staff while they built an atomic bomb. Gov. Bill Lee has dubbed Tennessee the “original frontier,” announcing a year-long celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. See the details of his 95-county […]

Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1982, DeFord Bailey, who some consider to be the first African-American country music star, died in his daughter’s Nashville home at the age of 82. “Sherbert,” a Gentoo Penguin chick, made his debut at the Tennessee Aquarium just in time to celebrate the 4th of July—though his […]

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 1898, Tennessee soldiers participated in the battle of San Juan Hill, with Jonesborough native Alfred Ray planting the first American flag at that location during the Spanish-American War. Dolly Parton fans will be pleased to read that the Backwoods Barbie will receive an honorary Academy Award […]

Monday, June 30, 2025 Good Morning! On this day in 2001, Chet “Mr. Guitar” Atkins died in his Nashville home at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy as a Grand Ole Opry mainstay and hits like Windy and Warm. NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore was honored by his alma mater, Tennessee Tech, and his hometown, […]