Friday, April 24, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1929, the Morristown Gazette and Mail reported on a labor strike at the American Cigar Box Company of Johnson City. About 200 employees protested after 25 union men were fired without cause.

Experts warn Tennessee will see increased tick activity as tick-related emergency room visits climb to their highest levels in nearly a decade across multiple states. See details in the story below.

Mother’s Day is closer than you think. Our 2026 Gift Guide has something for every kind of mom, from thoughtful to practical to a little over-the-top. Don’t sleep on it.

Today’s sponsor, Cytonics, is a pioneering biotech company developing a potential first-ever cure for osteoarthritis, offering investors a rare opportunity to get in early ahead of its next phase of clinical trials.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog, your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Burchett Speaks Out on UFOs

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, says he believes aliens exist based on classified briefings, citing videos, photos, and pilot encounters with unidentified craft that he says defy known technology.

He acknowledged he hasn’t personally seen such craft but argues trained military pilots and officials wouldn’t fabricate the evidence, and that some missions have reportedly been canceled due to unknown objects.

Burchett is pushing for full public release of UFO-related files ordered by President Trump, framing it as a transparency issue tied to taxpayer dollars.

He also said his outspoken stance has brought repeated death threats, though he remains committed to disclosure.

Knoxville Clinic Reversal Calms Families

A Knoxville children’s hospital is backing off plans to shut down a key behavioral health clinic, easing fears for families across the region.

Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital had warned its Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic would close June 29 due to a provider’s departure, leaving patients with conditions like autism and ADHD in limbo.

Hospital officials said care will continue under a new structure as they search for a replacement, aiming to ensure uninterrupted treatment in a region with limited pediatric specialists.

Rodeo Horse Visit Lifts Patient

A Tennessee nursing home turned therapy into a homecoming when a retired rodeo horse paid a visit to its longtime owner.

A Blount County facility arranged for Rio, a former pick-up horse who now helps train young rodeo horses, to visit Mr. Kiesner after staff learned of their 26-year bond.

The visit came shortly after Mr. Kiesner was admitted to the facility following a hospital stay, giving him a boost during recovery.

During Rio’s visit, Mr. Kiesner shared a notebook filled with detailed drawings of the horse, offering a window into the depth of their bond over the years. See photos here.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Next-Gen Treatment Targeting a $560 Billion Disease

It’s one of the world’s most common diseases, with over $560 billion spent managing its symptoms each year. But soon, its 500+ million patients may finally be able to do more than that.

Because an emerging biotech called Cytonics may have discovered what soon could be osteoarthritis’ first and only cure.

They successfully completed Phase 1 FDA trials on 10,000 patients with zero adverse effects. Now, Cytonics is gearing up for Phase 2 clinical trials on a version designed for global scale.

Potential medical breakthroughs like this are rare. Even rarer? You can invest in Cytonics at the pre-clinical stage. Become a Cytonics shareholder by 4/25 for exclusive early-stage bonus stock guarantees.

➤ Statewide: Tick bites are sending people to emergency rooms at the highest rate in nearly a decade as experts warn that warming weather, a dry winter, and active wildlife could drive a surge. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: The Tennessee Attorney General is warning that a wave of too-good-to-be-true online deals for classic cars are often scams run by fraudulent sellers. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Chattanooga firefighters rescued an 88-year-old man who fell 50 feet down a Missionary Ridge embankment while retrieving a ball, using ropes to lift him to safety with minor injuries. (More)

➤ Williamson County: A nonprofit hospital faces criticism for aggressive debt-collection practices after suing more than 3,000 patients and garnishing wages over unpaid bills. (More)

➤ Bell Buckle: An artist listed a one-of-a-kind mosaic-covered home for sale, saying the intricate property reflects years of personal work and serves as a tribute to her late son. (See Video)

➤ Knoxville: A police K-9 from North Carolina is recovering and could be released soon after being airlifted to the University of Tennessee for treatment following ozone exposure. (More)

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

➤ The Tennessee Titans selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick in the first round of last night’s NFL Draft. Rounds two and three continue today. (See Full Draft)

➤ NBA Commissioner Adam Silver denied rumors that the Grizzlies will leave Memphis for Nashville, saying he wants the team to play select games in Nashville to build a statewide fan base. (More)

➤ Fulton High’s baseball team wore blue-and-white throwback uniforms this week, honoring Knoxville High School, which closed in 1951 when Fulton opened and absorbed many of its students. (More)

➤ Tennessee basketball will play NC State in Nashville next season, pitting coach Rick Barnes against his former assistant—and newly minted Wolfpack coach—Justin Gainey. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Why doctors are calling Berberine “Nature’s Weight Loss Secret”. In a 12-week study, participants taking berberine lost 5 pounds and 3.6% body fat. Research shows it reduces appetite, blocks new fat cell formation, and activates a key metabolism-regulating enzyme called AMPK—all without prescriptions or dangerous side effects. Learn More

➤ A renovated 1910 property in Nashville’s Sylvan Park will reopen as an eight-suite boutique bed and breakfast on May 12, featuring modern amenities and an on-site café. (More)

➤ A new report projects Chattanooga will gain about 3,200 jobs in 2026 after losing roughly 1,000 in 2025, as economists warn that a gradual recovery will face continued manufacturing challenges. (More)

➤ Knoxville-based EVRCool won the PYA Ballard Innovation Award, a Shark Tank-style pitch competition that awarded $65,000 in cash and services to East Tennessee entrepreneurs. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Spring is here—time to blast away months of dirt and grime without the hassle. The HydroX5 Pressure Washer delivers powerful, cordless cleaning that’s up to 5× stronger than a standard hose, making it easy to refresh patios, driveways, cars, and outdoor furniture in minutes. Lightweight and portable, it lets you clean anywhere—no cords, no heavy equipment—so you can enjoy a spotless home all season long. LEARN MORE

Flying together with our sponsor

They’re Challenging Big Pharma at a $560 Billion Game

Big Pharma companies spent billions trying to cure osteoarthritis. An upstart biotech called Cytonics may have actually done it.

Their first-gen therapy has already been used to treat 10,000+ patients successfully.

Now, after completing Phase 1 FDA trials, Cytonics is gearing up for a Phase 2 clinical trial for “CYT-108”, their next-gen drug candidate that’s 200% more potent and built for global scale.

The opportunity? 500m+ people deal with osteoarthritis worldwide, with no treatment that can actually stop it. It’s a $560b market in total. It’s also why Cytonics has raised $25m from over 7,000 investors.

And you can join them ahead of Phase 2 trials. Invest in Cytonics by 4/24 to earn up to 18% bonus stock.

This is a paid advertisement for Cytonics Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://cytonics.com/
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee of performance. Past performance does not predict future results. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal.

➤ Lily Faught, a Tennessee teen with Down syndrome, will dance at a prestigious Orlando competition after her Nashville studio embraced inclusive programming, creating a new division for dancers with special needs. (See Lily)

➤ Penguins at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium kicked off nesting season with Rock Day, during which penguins use stones to build nests as they prepare for potential chicks in the coming weeks. (See Photos)

➤ Memphis Botanic Garden announced its 2026 Live at the Garden concert series lineup, featuring artists like Alabama, John Legend, and Kool & the Gang across five shows. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ After Harvard’s latest brain discovery, you no longer have to lose your memory. We are born with “memory protein.” After 50, it decreases, leading to mental decline. The solution is a song that reactivates it – boosting memory, eliminating brain fog, and sharpening thinking. 7-minute brain song reactivates your “memory protein”