Friday, July 31, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1875, Andrew Johnson, the 17th president and the only U.S. senator from a seceding state to stay loyal to the Union, died of a stroke at his daughter’s home near Elizabethton at 66.

The Putnam County Fair has kicked off its 100th year, marking a century of blue ribbons and delicious treats, which has us thinking about summer’s simplest pleasures. What’s your must-do activity at a county fair? Hit reply to tell us.

Today’s sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

Blackburn Wants Opioid Ad Pulled

Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s legal team and gubernatorial campaign are demanding that a dark-money group, the American Exceptionalism Institute, pull a satirical ad accusing her of being paid to sponsor bills that fueled the opioid crisis.

The ad dubs her “Queen Pharma Mama” and urges viewers to call her office. Her attorneys call it defamatory, alleging it claims bribery and quid pro quo corruption “without a shred of factual support.”

The ad appears to reference a 2016 law Blackburn co-sponsored that one investigation found weakened the DEA’s ability to intercept large opioid shipments.

Blackburn has taken more than $500,000 from the pharmaceutical industry but has not been accused of any crime. Her team also argues the ad’s undisclosed AI-generated images violate a new Tennessee law, a Class C misdemeanor.

Nursing Mother Detained by ICE

A nursing mother seeking asylum was detained by ICE outside her Antioch home and is now being held at a Louisiana facility nearly 700 miles from her two young kids, according to her attorneys.

Identified by the pseudonym “Maria Perez,” she is the mother of a 10-month-old she had been breastfeeding and a 2-year-old son with Down syndrome. Her lawyers say she fled domestic violence in Guatemala and has no criminal history.

Her legal team argues the arrest violated the Constitution and ICE’s 2021 policy, which says the agency generally should not detain pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals absent exceptional circumstances.

A judge denied bond Wednesday and declined to expedite her asylum case, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The Department of Homeland Security said it plans to provide a statement.

List: Notable Movies Filmed in Tennessee

Tennessee has served as a Hollywood backdrop for decades, and a new roundup spotlights eight films shot across the state.

Robert Altman’s 1975 classic Nashville turned the city itself into a character, weaving Centennial Park, Belle Meade, and the Grand Ole Opry into its portrait of the country-music scene before the skyscrapers arrived.

Others lean on Tennessee’s landscapes and landmarks: The Green Mile and Walk the Line both used the old Tennessee State Penitentiary, Hustle & Flow shot entirely in Memphis, and Hannah Montana: The Movie captured a Southern summer across Columbia, Nashville, and Franklin.

Even The Matrix made the cut, with Nashville’s skyline featured in its opening rooftop chase.

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➤ Statewide: Six duck hunters cited for firing guns while legally hunting on private land have appealed their case, which could shape whether cities can restrict lawful hunting statewide. (More)

➤ Memphis: A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper tracked down a high-speed chase suspect within 24 hours using social media. He identified the suspect from Facebook and Instagram photos of his red Corvette. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The iconic Masonic temple on Locust Street, built from an 1828-born industrialist’s Victorian mansion and home to lodges since 1914, could face demolition after a permit was opened July 13. (More)

➤ Also Knoxville: A local teen earned the Girl Scouts’ Gold Award Scholarship for her donation drive that helped more than 100 people. The $5,000 honor is given to just 6% of scouts nationwide. (More)

➤ Robertson County: A family of five, including three young children, was rescued from the Red River on Wednesday after launching late and becoming disoriented in the dark. (More)

➤ Pigeon Forge: The city is warning residents and visitors of a foul smell after a fire damaged an aeration fan at its wastewater treatment plant. The fire is out, but the fan is offline pending repairs. (More)

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➤ A second Tennessee student worker was flagged by the NCAA for using the Kalshi prediction market app, this time for placing a single Super Bowl trade as a favor for a friend’s $25 referral bonus. The student wasn’t fired and said they didn’t know prediction markets counted as sports betting. (More)

➤ Three-star running back Asa Barnes committed to Tennessee this week, their second running back pledge in two weeks after five-star David Gabriel-Georges chose the Vols over Ohio State. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans opened training camp this week with an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of former running back Chris Johnson, who revealed his diagnosis in June. Johnson will be inducted into the Titans Ring of Honor at the Sept. 13 home opener. (More)

➤ Tennessee and Duke will play a preseason basketball scrimmage at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Oct. 20, a rematch of last year’s exhibition in Knoxville. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ The owners of several popular Townsend destinations like Little Arrow Outdoor Resort, River Rat Tubing & Rafting, and Burger Master are partnering with Nashville-based Streamside RV Resorts & Campgrounds. (More)

➤ Sam’s Club held its grand opening yesterday in Lebanon, capping a two-year effort by city officials. Lebanon’s council is weighing about $20 million in road and infrastructure spending tied to the project. (More)

➤ Blue Roo Vape and Smoke Shop in Knoxville has turned an unusual mascot into a draw. Customers travel over an hour to see Sophie, a nearly two-year-old kangaroo who greets shoppers on Tuesdays and Saturdays. (See Sophie)

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➤ Dollywood’s long-delayed NightFlight Expedition, billed as the world’s first indoor adventure coaster of its kind, will finally open to the public Aug. 19. The climate-controlled ride simulates soaring over the Smokies. (More)

➤ The 100th Putnam County Fair is now open in Cookeville, running through Aug. 8 with livestock shows, motorsports, pageants, and games. Admission is $5 for anyone over 5. (See Details)

➤ Netflix dating show Love is Blind is casting Nashville singles for an upcoming season. Producers want applicants 21 or older who are ready for commitment. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia’s deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO’s top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)