Friday, August 8, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, Andrew Johnson freed his personal slaves at his home in Greeneville, TN—a symbolic act that preceded statewide emancipation on Oct. 24, 1864, with slavery formally abolished statewide in 1865.

An educational resource group ranked Tennessee high schools using test scores, college data, and reviews. See today’s Around Tennessee section to learn which school topped the list.

We’re sponsored today by GoldCo, with financial advice from renowned economist Peter C. Earle, Ph.D.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Tennessee Astronaut Butch Wilmore Retires

NASA confirmed on Wednesday that astronaut and test pilot Barry “Butch” Wilmore retired after 25 years, logging 464 days in space and completing five spacewalks across three missions.

Wilmore, a decorated U.S. Navy captain, flew tactical aircraft from four carriers in both combat and peacetime. NASA selected him for astronaut training in 2000.

Wilmore’s final mission was a test flight of Boeing’s Starliner that was originally slated for eight days, but unforeseen circumstances led to a nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station. As commander, he was tasked with troubleshooting critical systems and maintaining station operations during the extended deployment.

The Tennessee Tech alumnus was honored by his alma mater with its highest award and a campus plaza named in his honor.

TPC Southwind Hosts Golf’s Best

The PGA Tour’s postseason rolls into Memphis this weekend as the FedEx St. Jude Championship is being held at the newly renovated TPC Southwind.

The renovation marked the most significant overhaul of the green complexes since 1998, with all 18 fully rebuilt and resurfaced.

Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas praised the course’s condition but noted its firmness puts a premium on accuracy and control.

All 69 players—except Rory McIlroy, who opted out—will play through Sunday, battling to stay inside the top 50 and keep their FedEx Cup Playoff hopes alive.

Cyclist Saved by Retired First Responder

Retired first responder Matthew “Happy” Gilmore saved a cyclist’s life after witnessing a crash Wednesday morning in Portland.

Gilmore was in the right place at the right time, and rushed to help the unresponsive man, who was experiencing shallow breathing before he lost his pulse. He then performed two rounds of CPR and revived him before emergency services arrived.

Portland police praised Gilmore’s quick response on social media, calling on others to follow his lead.

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Renowned Economist Warns that the “De-Dollarization” Has Begun

Economist Peter C. Earle, Ph.D., isn’t mincing words:

“The loss of the dollar’s reserve status… is likely to have severe consequences for both U.S. citizens and the government.”

And he’s not alone. Central banks across the globe are loading up on gold—while quietly reducing their exposure to the U.S. dollar.

The shift away from the dollar has officially started.

What does that mean for your savings, retirement, and financial future?

Find out what’s happening and how Peter C. Earle is fighting back.

Economist Peter C. Earle, Ph.D., is the Director of Economics and Economic Freedom at the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER). His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, and MarketWatch.

He holds advanced degrees in economics and finance, and spent over 20 years as a trader and analyst on Wall Street, with experience spanning hedge funds, crypto, and consulting.

👉 [Get The Facts Now]

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee unveiled three new dorms that are expected to house 2,000 students this fall, complete with lounges, study rooms, and modern amenities. (See Photos)

➤ Gallatin: The Music City Executive Airport will host the Airplanes, Appetites and Automobiles breakfast on Saturday, featuring a classic car show and close-up views of vintage aircraft landings and takeoffs. (More)

➤ Nashville: Crime dropped significantly in Donelson’s Harborview neighborhood after residents funded license plate reader cameras eight months ago following a string of incidents. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: Hume-Fogg High School was named Tennessee’s top public high school according to a new report citing the school’s 99% graduation rate, 1,320 average SAT, and 19:1 student-teacher ratio. (See Full Rankings)

➤ Hendersonville: Police are warning residents about scam calls spoofing the Hendersonville department’s number, falsely claiming arrest warrants and demanding payment to avoid jail or cover a bond. (See Details)

➤ East Tennessee: The World’s Longest Yard Sale runs through Sunday with hundreds of vendors along Tennessee’s stretch of U.S. 127 from Pall Mall to Chattanooga, offering all kinds of bargains. (See Map)

➤ Governor Bill Lee said that the state deserves an MLB baseball team during his recent visit to Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, repeating a recent refrain that “baseball belongs in Tennessee.” (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans will start their first-team players against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in this weekend’s preseason opener. (More)

➤ Hundreds of former U.S. military members attended Vanderbilt’s Soldiers to Sidelines Coaching Summit in Nashville last month, which helps transition veterans into sports coaching roles. (More)

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➤ State officials are projecting that the filming of 9-1-1 Nashville will generate $75 to $90 million through local businesses and production services, boosting jobs in set design, rentals, and hospitality. (More)

➤ MTSU opened its $75 million Applied Engineering Building, featuring advanced robotics and manufacturing tools to give students real-world experience in a fast-growing career field. (See Details)

➤ Buildex Modular, a modular housing company, will invest $23.3 million in a Fayetteville facility to expand production, creating an expected 110 jobs in the region. (See Details)

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De-Dollarization has begun: Central banks across the globe are loading up on gold—while quietly reducing their exposure to the U.S. dollar. The shift away from the dollar has officially started. What does that mean for your savings, retirement, and financial future?

Find out what’s happening and how renowned macroeconomist Peter C. Earle, Ph.D., is fighting back.

➤ Christopher Columbus’s replica ships, the Niña and Pinta, are sailing into Chattanooga on Oct. 31, offering tours and history lessons at Ross’s Landing City Park until Nov. 24. (See Details)

➤ The 15th annual Red Bull Tennessee Knockout returns this weekend to the Training Center in Sequatchie with 500 riders competing in the grueling off-road motorcycle race. (More)

➤ Memphis’ Good Fortune Co. advanced past the first round of The Great Food Truck Race with its five-spice dessert dumplings. The next episode airs Sunday at 8 p.m. CT on Food Network. (More)

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➤ The Secret Weapon Against A Dirty House. Keeping your home clean just got a whole lot easier. This genius invention is the secret weapon thousands are using to tackle dirt, grime, and buildup without scrubbing for hours. It’s fast, powerful, and works on nearly every surface—from tile to tubs to countertops. (LEARN MORE)