Friday, April 25, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1954, CBS affiliate WDEF-TV Channel 12 began broadcasting in Chattanooga, marking a significant expansion of television media in the region.

If you’re looking for the perfect summer road trip destination, consider visiting WildSide Adventure Park in Pigeon Forge, which recently installed the longest zipline in the U.S. See a video of the drop here.

We’re getting close to the podcast launch for the national edition of The Flyover! The first episode will be featured here on Monday. For now, here’s an introduction from our hosts, Ayla Brown and Amy Hess.

Do you love Tennessee? So do our 55,000 readers. Advertise in The Tennessee Flyover and connect your business with passionate locals. Learn more.

We’re flying today with Timeplast, offering an investment opportunity in a new environmentally safe plastic technology.

Study: Rural Hospitals May Cut Maternity Care

Five more rural Tennessee hospitals are expected to close labor and delivery units, a new report claimed, as fewer than half statewide still offer maternity care.

The potential closures are driven by low birth rates, staff shortages, and inadequate reimbursements from both Medicaid and private insurers.

Tennessee already has one of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates and received a D- for preterm births from the March of Dimes.

The report, published by the Center for Health Care Quality and Payment Reform, calls for higher Medicaid payments and stronger pressure on insurers to help keep rural maternity care viable.

State Grants $3.2M to Scarboro 85 Monument

A planned Oak Ridge monument for the Scarboro 85, a group of Black students who desegregated local schools in 1955, will receive $3.2 million in funding from the state.

The students’ actions marked the Southeast’s first school integration, preceding both the Clinton 12 and the Little Rock Nine.

The monument, planned for A.K. Bissell Park, will feature 85 pillars and a plaza to symbolize the students’ legacy and the community’s role in civil rights history.

The Scarboro 85 Monument Committee has been fundraising for the project for years; the state grant will help close in on the project’s $4.2 million goal.

Titans Select Miami QB Cam Ward

The Tennessee Titans selected Miami QB Cam Ward with the #1 overall pick in the NFL Draft last night. Ward is the first quarterback the Titans have taken in round one since selecting Marcus Mariota in 2015.

Cam Ward led the Miami Hurricanes to a 10-3 season last year, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. Scouts have praised his throwing velocity, pinpoint accuracy, and mobility throughout the predraft process.

The draft continues tonight, with the Titans holding the third pick in the second round. (More)

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Japanese Water Soluble Plastic Has American Competition

Japan’s RIKEN institute recently unveiled a plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours — a breakthrough in the fight against pollution. But Florida-based Timeplast may have quietly surpassed it.

With seven patents and a proprietary process called “molecular disintegration,” Timeplast’s plastics dissolve not just in seawater, but also in freshwater, rain, humidity, and soil. Unlike traditional solutions, these materials leave no microplastics behind and maintain the strength of conventional plastics. Already used in 3D-printing and flexible composites, Timeplast’s lineup is versatile and scalable.

They’re on a mission to revolutionize multiple industries:

Packaging
3D Printing
Healthcare
Agriculture
Consumer Goods
Marine
Construction
Retail & Events

As you can see, the market potential is enormous ($1.3T in total). That’s just one reason why they’ve already attracted over 6,000 investors.

This is your opportunity to join Timeplast as they lead a plastic revolution with global implications. Become a Timeplast shareholder now.

➤ Statewide: Animal shelters can apply for Animal Friendly grants funded through specialty license plate sales to help cover low-cost spay and neuter programs; the application closes May 16. (More)

➤ Nashville: Old Tent City homeless residents have petitioned for a phased closure of their encampment, asking city officials for time and resources to safely transition into permanent housing. (More)

➤ Rutherford County: A high-tech crime center assisted law enforcement in over 400 cases in 2024 using tools like gunshot sensors and license plate readers, enhancing safety while raising privacy concerns. (More)

➤ Wilson County: The owner of a neighborhood gun range, recently sued for zoning violations, will ask the County Planning Commission to rezone his property amid resident protests over safety, noise, and declining property values. (More)

➤ Johnson City: A $60,000 StarLab portable planetarium, which enhances STEM education with immersive astronomy experiences, was purchased by the school district after a successful community spelling bee fundraiser. (More)

➤ Sumner County: The county museum announced a tribute album honoring Grand Ole Opry pioneers Dr. Humphrey Bate and His Possum Hunters during its 50th anniversary Barn Dance, with proceeds supporting preservation efforts. (More))

➤ No. 1-ranked Tennessee softball fell to Clemson in extra innings on Tuesday, snapping a five-game winning streak. The Lady Vols face off against Ole Miss tonight. (More)

➤ The Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the OKC Thunder late last night in game three of their playoff series. Click the following link to see the results. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators are expanding their youth hockey program to provide more resources within the “nontraditional hockey market” of Tennessee. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ LG Electronics is considering expanding its Tennessee plant to boost washer and dryer production, aiming to protect its U.S. business from looming import tariffs affecting nearly 20% of appliance sales. (More)

➤ AM Technical Solutions secured a general contractor license, allowing it to expand high-tech construction services to meet growing demand near Nashville. (More)

➤ Construction of a new luxury resort in a Sevierville residential area has raised traffic and safety concerns, with residents citing inadequate infrastructure to support increased resort traffic. (More)

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Meet the Genius Who Invented Plastic That Dissolves in Water

The world produces 450 million metric tons of plastic waste each year. Microplastics are seeping into our oceans and food. They even show up in our bodies. So you can imagine how revolutionary a new kind of plastic that completely dissolves in water can be.

Thatʼs exactly what Timeplast created. The company patented a water-soluble, time-programmable plastic that vanishes without harming the environment. Major players are already partnering with Timeplast for their patented technology.

Now you can invest in Timeplast as they scale operations in a $1.3 trillion market. Become a Timeplast shareholder here.

This is a paid advertisement for Timeplast’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.timeplast.com.

➤ WildSide Adventure Park installed the longest zipline in the U.S.—MegaZip—which stretches 5,771 feet and features a 1,000-foot drop. (See Video)

➤ The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga will host sensory-friendly IMAX film screenings this spring with adjusted lighting, sound, and accommodations for guests with sensory sensitivities. (More)

➤ Ed Sheeran and Noah Kahan delighted fans with an acoustic performance of Kahan’s Stick Season at Santa’s Pub in Nashville as part of Sheeran’s small-venue tour. (See Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

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