Friday, June 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1994, Johnny Cash, who lived for some 35 years on Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, walked onto Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and won over a crowd of young British festivalgoers with Folsom Prison Blues.

Today’s edition highlights two Tennessee heroes: a father who ran back into a burning home for his boy, and a good neighbor who dove into floodwater to save someone trapped in a car. See both stories below.

In moments like these, it’s easy to feel helpless watching tragedy unfold from afar. But together, we can make a real difference. Today, we’re partnering with Convoy of Hope to support families devastated by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. If you’re able, please consider joining us in providing urgently needed relief to those who have lost so much.

Judge Halts Plan to Report Immigrant Children

A Nashville judge has blocked the Tennessee Department of Health from reporting about 400 disabled and critically ill illegal immigrant children to a state immigration enforcement division.

A Davidson County chancellor issued the order within hours of a lawsuit by three Nashville-area doctors and set a July 2 hearing. The children are in Children’s Special Services, a safety-net program for kids with disabilities who need ongoing care.

The doctors, represented by the Tennessee Justice Center, argue the department misread Public Chapter 1106, contending it covers only benefit applicants over 18. They say families will pull children off ventilators rather than risk deportation.

The state has defended the 2026 law, saying it reserves taxpayer-funded benefits for those legally eligible and that no child is denied lifesaving care. The law’s Republican cosponsor, Sen. Ed Jackson of Jackson, said he is “looking into options” to adjust it.

Report: NES Could Have Restored Power Sooner

Nashville Electric Service could have restored power two to five days faster after January’s deadly ice storm had it called for outside help earlier and more broadly, an independent 130-page review found.

The report said requests for additional linemen were “not made early or broadly enough,” and the largest wave of outside crews didn’t arrive until eight days in, after the worst outages were repaired. It laid out 58 recommendations on contracting, planning, tree-trimming, and communication.

NES President and CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin called the storm “really catastrophic” and said the utility would have acted differently had it known how bad the damage would get.

The Electric Power Board approved $10 million in new contracts on Wednesday to widen the pool of available crews.

Father Earns Carnegie Medal for Fire Rescue

A Spring Hill father will receive the Carnegie Medal for North American civilian heroism after running back into his burning home four times to reach his trapped 7-year-old son.

Brandon Rorer woke around 4 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2025, to a shattering window as fire spread from the back deck of the family’s home. After his wife and daughter escaped, he learned his son Silas was still upstairs.

Rorer re-entered through the basement and climbed two flights through thick smoke and intense heat, forced back several times before reaching the boy on his fourth try and carrying him out. Silas was hospitalized for two days for minor burns, while his father spent months recovering.

He is one of 18 honorees this year, and the family has since rebuilt a new home on the site. “I think I was just doing what any dad would have done,” Rorer said. “The heroes saved my life at the hospital.”

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Rush critical aid to survivors in Venezuela

You’ve seen the reports. The devastating death toll and massive destruction after earthquakes in Venezuela. More than 180 people are dead, 1,500 are injured, and numbers are sure to rise. You can be part of the urgent response.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in the disaster zone, providing emergency food, clean water, and critical supplies to those who need them most. More support is needed.

We’ll be matching the first $4,000 donated. Please help now!

Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 collapsed buildings and trapped people in the rubble. Families with missing loved ones cling to hope as rescue teams work around the clock. Urgent needs include food, water, and other essentials.

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 350 million people affected by disasters, hunger, and crises. They are ranked by Forbes among America’s Top Charities. You can give with confidence.

The Flyover will match every dollar of the first $4,000 donated. Your compassionate gift will bring hope and help to families who have lost everything.

➤ Nashville: Metro Council members are racing to pass rules that could block a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo, a project that has drawn more than 500,000 petition signatures against it. (See Details)

➤ Also Nashville: Police charged banker Karl Stephen Richardson with 10 counts, including multiple felonies, after they say he stole from elderly customers. (See Details)

➤ Morgan County: A temporary water contact advisory was lifted for the Emory River after a train derailment, citing new water samples collected from June 12 to 20. Advisory signs along the river will come down. (More)

➤ Memphis: A man is being praised for his heroism after diving into a swollen creek to rescue a driver trapped in a car filling with water during Monday’s flash flooding. (See Photos)

➤ Cocke County: $1.5 million in state funding was announced to rebuild the Pigeon River’s storm-damaged whitewater after Hurricane Helene. The river typically draws up to 250,000 rafters a year. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Chattanooga State Community College and East Tennessee State University signed an agreement letting students in BlueCross BlueShield’s BlueHorizon apprenticeship program continue toward a four-year degree. (More)

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➤ The Memphis Grizzlies acquired big man Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons for three future second-round picks. A contestant for Sixth Man of the Year last season, Stewart adds both shot blocking and a bit of shooting to the team’s bench unit. (More)

➤ The Grizzlies are also actively trying to trade point guard Ja Morant as part of a full franchise reset. They’re struggling, however, to find a partner willing to take on the two-time All-Star’s $42 million salary. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators hold the No. 10 pick in tonight’s NHL Draft in Buffalo. (How to Watch)

➤ Meanwhile, the Preds acquired center Jack Drury from the Colorado Avalanche, the second trade between the two teams since Nashville hired former Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland as their general manager. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ Dolly Parton fired off a joking gibe at rival Buc-ee’s at the Wednesday ribbon-cutting for her new Tennessean Travel Stop, saying she “couldn’t leave it to beavers.” (More)

➤ Rocky Top Golf in Kingsport holds a grand opening this weekend for its 36-hole mini-golf course. A 20-foot Statue of Liberty replica is being installed to mark America 250. (See Details)

➤ Bristol City Council is considering an ordinance barring new recreational substance stores selling tobacco, hemp, and kratom from opening within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, daycares, or churches. (More)

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➤ Are you taking one of these 9 “memory erasing” prescriptions? You may think your memory loss is just a sign of getting older, but one of these 9 drugs could actually be damaging your brain… If you’re over the age of 60, your brain could be at risk. (More)

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Double Your Impact. Earthquake Recovery.

Earthquake survivors in Venezuela need your help. Two powerful earthquakes have devastated communities across the country. Buildings have collapsed, families have been displaced, and lives have been upended. More than 180 people are dead, and 1,500 are injured, with numbers sure to rise.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground now, supplying food, clean water, and essential relief. Please support these efforts with your gift today!

The Flyover will match the first $4,000 donated for double impact.

This means your quick response can help twice as many families recover.

Please give now and bring hope where it’s needed most.

➤ A Memphis attorney and theater producer has won nine straight games on Jeopardy!, banking nearly $200,000 and a spot in the Tournament of Champions. (More)

➤ Alcoa’s FreedomFest celebrates its 50th anniversary Saturday at the Duck Pond, having grown from a 1974 backyard display of about $100 in fireworks into one of the region’s largest July 4th events. (See Details)

➤ Knox Goats has turned dozens of its animals loose on an old parking lot in South Knoxville, where the herd is chewing through weeds and invasive plants as a chemical-free alternative to herbicides. (See Goats)

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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 world’s first trillionaire held the title for less than two weeks. What knocked him back down to mere billionaire? (Press Play)

➤ A federal judge just blocked a major piece of the President’s mail-in voting overhaul, and it comes down to one constitutional question. (Hear the Ruling)

➤ It nearly went extinct, until one Missouri farmer admitted she’d been quietly growing it all along. Meet summer’s most star-studded fruit. (Take a Bite)