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 Library and 1.3 million books read by local children over the past 21 years. See details in the story below.

Today, we’re sponsored by Convoy of Hope, which is providing aid to flood survivors in Texas. Right now, The Flyover is matching the first $2,000 in donations to support their efforts.

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.

New Shingles Vaccine Study Underway In East TN

A clinical trial for a new shingles vaccine, promising fewer side effects than current options, is underway in East Tennessee.

Curevo Vaccine, a Seattle-based biotech company, is developing the vaccine, called amezosvatein, and has already enrolled over 800 participants nationwide in Phase 2 trials.

The study, offered locally by the Alliance for Multi-Specialty Research, including two doses given two months apart, with participants receiving care and a stipend.

Sullivan Imagination Library Honors 25,000 Readers

Sullivan County’s Imagination Library is celebrating major milestones—25,000 children have graduated from the program, which has distributed over 1.3 million books locally since 2004.

The free celebration, Look Out World Here We Come, takes place on August 10 at the Kingsport Farmers’ Market. The event includes carousel rides, ice cream for the first 800 guests, storytime, and prizes.

The Imagination Library program, spearheaded by Dolly Parton, serves 89% of the county’s children and mails 6,800 books each month. Check out the Sullivan County Imagination Library here.

Tennessee Comfort Food Finds Home Down Under

White Pine native Jackie Fowler is bringing Southern comfort food to rural Australia with her restaurant, Tennessee Tucker.

Thirteen years ago, Fowler and her husband moved abroad, opening the Tennessee-themed eatery in a small town where fried chicken, cornbread, and sweet tea are novel treats for locals.

Decked out with Smoky Mountains décor and license plates, the restaurant attracts curious visitors eager for a taste of the South.

Tennessee Tucker is active on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, where their dishes and décor are on display.

Flying together with our sponsor

Hope for Texas Flood Survivors

You’ve seen the reports about the devastating death toll and massive destruction caused by floods in Texas. At least 120 people lost their lives, and more than 170 are still missing. Now, you can help the survivors.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in central Texas, delivering vital relief supplies to families in crisis. We’re ensuring those who’ve lost everything don’t also lose hope.

The Flyover is matching the first $2,000 donated—please help now!

Torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes—the worst flooding the U.S. has seen in decades. Survivors are overwhelmed with shock, grief, and tremendous loss. Urgent needs include food, water, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and other essentials.

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 300 million people facing disaster, hunger, and crisis. They are ranked by Forbes as one of America’s 40 Top Charities, so you can give with confidence.

The Flyover will match every dollar of the first $2,000 donated. Your immediate gift will let flood survivors know they’re not alone. Help them feed their families, recover, and begin to rebuild with dignity and hope.

➤ Statewide: The Nissan Maxima is Tennessee’s most stolen vehicle due to its vulnerability to key-reprogramming theft tactics, according to a new study. (More)

➤ Franklin County: A local family will honor their cousin who died in the Texas floods with a blueberry stand fundraiser supporting her memorial, a scholarship, and relief for other flood victims. (More)

➤ Fayette County: The Wilder Youth Development Center received $185 million in state funding to build a new juvenile facility with two buildings and capacity for up to 144 beds. (More)

➤ Hamilton County: Beka Bohannon, current Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, has been selected to lead the county health department six months after the former head was fired. (More)

➤ Also, Hamilton County: Morning Pointe of East Hamilton will celebrate the grand opening of its new Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, The Lantern, on July 17, adding 60 memory care apartments. (More)

➤ Carter County: Two lemurs rescued from a local home are recovering at the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter, where staff—unfamiliar with exotic species—are consulting elsewhere for care advice. (More)

➤ MTSU women’s basketball coach Rick Insell was just selected for induction into the Conference USA Hall of Fame. Insell has amassed 489 wins over a twenty-year period, including nine conference tournament championships. (More)

➤ Nashville SC extended its unbeaten streak to fifteen on Wednesday after beating D.C. United 5-2, propelling them into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals. (More)

➤ Tennessee landed a huge baseball transfer commitment on Wednesday from former Duke pitcher Mark Hindy, who chose the Vols over Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Demolition began on the University of Tennessee’s historic Melrose Hall dormitory, clearing the way for a new $240 million student center set to open in fall 2027. (See Photo)

➤ The Tennessee Highway Patrol is recruiting new cadets, offering an extra $10,000 for assignments in Shelby County, as officials emphasize the need for service-minded applicants. (See Details)

➤ Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a popular West Coast chain known for its giant pizzas and crispy pepperoni, is making its Tennessee debut with a three-store deal in the Nashville area. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Flood survivors in Texas need your help. Torrential rains and flash floods have devastated communities across Central Texas—homes destroyed, families displaced, lives upended. At least 120 people lost their lives, and more than 170 are still missing.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground now, working with local churches and responders to deliver food, clean water, hygiene kits, and essential relief. Please support these efforts with your gift today!

The Flyover will match the first $2,000 donated for double impact.

Your compassionate gift will bring hope and help to families who have lost everything.

Please act now.

➤ A baby bald eagle at Radnor Lake State Park is drawing crowds as it nears its first flight, months after its parents rebuilt their nest lost in a February storm. (See Eagle)

➤ A “doggie stick library,” created by Inglewood couple Michaela and Cesar Virto outside their home, offers neighborhood dogs a playful stop to “borrow” sticks during walks. (See Stick Library)

➤ A section of Arkansas Street in Memphis has been renamed to “Lieutenant Jeffrey Todd Norman Street” to honor the heroic firefighter who died in July 2023 while battling a house fire. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Imagine Your Doctor’s Surprise at Your Next Bone Scan. Five common “bone-dissolving” foods in your kitchen right now are secretly undermining your bone health despite your calcium supplements. While you diligently take calcium and vitamin D, these everyday foods – many considered “healthy” – are silently leaching minerals from your skeletal system. Discover how to eliminate these bone-destroying foods and add this game-changing nutrient before your next appointment. (Learn More)

What’s your “too hot to cook” dinner plan in July?

Previous Results:

What Tennessee license plate do you have your eye on?

Other (tell us what!): 19%
Save the Bees: 17%
Support Our Troops: 17%
Appalachian Trail: 16%
Donate Life: 16%
Dollywood Foundation: 15%

In what Tennessee town was the first successful bald eagle nest found in 1983, following years of conservation efforts?

Show me the answer

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Friday, July 11, 2025

Friday, July 11, 2025

New Shingles Vaccine Study Underway In East TN

Sullivan Imagination Library Honors 25,000 Readers

Tennessee Comfort Food Finds Home Down Under

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.