Soaking Rains Ease Drought Conditions

Intense rainfall has delivered significant drought relief to Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, with some locations recording 5 to 6 inches of rain over the past several days.

Farmers across the Tennessee Valley are among those benefiting as days of persistent rain offer relief from a spring drought that has stressed crops and triggered federal disaster loan availability from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In East Tennessee, however, portions of the state still remain under severe to extreme drought conditions.

2026 has marked the driest start to a year since 2007, making continued soaking rains critical heading into summer.

Second Explosion Shuts Amaero Plant

The Amaero Advanced Materials & Manufacturing plant near Cleveland has suffered its second explosion this month, forcing the facility to shut down all operations.

The Tuesday blast occurred while workers were removing damaged equipment from a previous incident, with no injuries or fire reported. The latest explosion follows an initial blast on May 13, which seriously burned two workers, and a fire on May 16.

The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the May 13 explosion due to the injuries. An open records request also recently revealed six emergency calls from the plant over the course of nine months.

Amaero has brought in third-party safety experts to review plant designs and processes before operations resume.

Free Events Mark Tennessee’s 230th Birthday

Tennessee is turning 230 years old on Monday, and Nashville is throwing a free birthday bash to mark the occasion.

The Tennessee State Library & Archives will host the main celebration Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. and featuring crafts, story time, living history interpreters, musical performances, and an instrument petting zoo. At 11 a.m., the THP Honor Guard will present Tennessee’s three original constitutions.

The festivities tie into America250, as Tennessee celebrates alongside the nation’s own landmark anniversary this year.

The fun extends to Monday, the actual statehood anniversary, with a free Brown Bag Lunch lecture by Tennessee State Historian Carroll Van West at the Library & Archives.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: A kratom ban is set to take effect on July 1 under a new law that prohibits the substance’s sale, possession, and distribution in Tennessee. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: A police officer received a departmental award after rushing into a burning home and rescuing a mother and her two young children with no injuries. (More)

➤ Nashville: The school district is moving forward with adjusted school start times with the goal of better aligning with adolescent sleep needs. (More)

➤ Knoxville: A new University of Tennessee study found gun violence cost the state nearly $4.5 billion in 2023, factoring in healthcare costs, lost productivity, and criminal justice expenses. (More)

➤ Milan: The police department is launching a new summer academy aimed at giving high school students hands-on experience in law enforcement and criminal justice careers. (More)

➤ Carter County: The local property tax rate will drop 47% following a reappraisal that nearly doubled assessed property values. (More)

Enjoy reading The Tennessee Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Two Tennessee schools open NCAA baseball tournament regional play today: Tennessee and Lipscomb. It’ll be the first time in 19 years that Vanderbilt won’t be playing. (See Bracket)

➤ NASCAR’s tripleheader weekend at Nashville Superspeedway kicks off tonight with the Craftsman Truck Series Allegiance 200. (More) 

➤ Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner withdrew from the NBA Draft and will return to Nashville for his junior season. He averaged 19.5 points per game last season while setting school records for assists and steals in a single year. (More)

➤ Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes, an avid NASCAR fan, said Kyle Busch’s death at 41 is still difficult to process: “I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it.” (More) 

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | Soccer | NCAASB | WNBA | Golf

➤ Did you miss the chance to contribute yesterday? The Tennessee Flyover was built to be different than mainstream media. No agenda. No spin. Just the news, clearly written, fairly covered, and delivered every morning. We’re not backed by a corporation with an angle. We’re supported by readers, and that’s exactly how we want it. Will you chip in to help support The Tennessee Flyover?
Give $10
Give $25
Give $50
Give $100
— The Tennessee Flyover

➤ More than 4,000 Tennessee workers have been affected by layoffs or business closures in the first half of 2026, nearly identical to the same period in 2025. (More)

➤ Chattanooga-area wages are rising but remain below the national average, according to a UTC chief economist who notes local job growth is still at its weakest since 2014. (More)

➤ Dura-Shiloh will permanently close its Dickson manufacturing facility on July 18, displacing 69 workers, according to a WARN Act notice. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The $100 Billion IPO Everyone Is Watching. Elon Musk’s Starlink project could become one of the biggest IPOs in history, and investor James Altucher says there may still be a way for regular investors to position early for less than $100. He’s even revealing the free ticker behind his top pick. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Retirement Might Be Closer Than You Realize 

Knowing when to retire can be tricky and when it comes to building a retirement plan often it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together The 15-Minute Retirement Plan, to help you map out a path forward and navigate important financial decisions in 
retirement.  

This summer, our guide for investors with over $1 million can help you answer questions such as:  

-How long will I need my portfolio to last?  
-How can withdrawals impact my savings and investments?  
-What trade-offs will I need to make when retirement planning? 

Download your free guide today.

➤ Three Tennessee students are heading to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., for the competition’s first return to the capital in 15 years. (More)

➤ Chattanooga firefighters are bringing the Volunteer spirit to New York by helping a national nonprofit build a home for a wounded combat veteran. (More)

➤ Clarksville’s 2nd Annual Summer Festival returns Saturday at Kenwood High School and will raise funds to bring a Boys & Girls Club to the city. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ After age 30, your body loses collagen every year, leading to wrinkles, brittle nails, and thinning hair. Many collagen powders are incomplete, missing key collagen types your body needs. Organixx features all 5 essential collagen proteins plus a special activating vitamin to support healthier skin, stronger nails, and fuller hair with visible results.  (LEARN MORE)

Do you prefer driving to the beach or staying close and visiting the mountains?

1. Beach
2. Mountains
3. Neither
4. Both

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you enjoy learning about the symbolism of flags?

1. Yes, so interesting: 59%
2. No, so boring: 22%
3. Other (reply to tell us!): 19%

Which Memphis-born soul singer used to sneak into the old Palace Theatre as a child to watch blues legends perform?

Show me the answer