Friday, October 3, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1790, John Ross, who became a long-term Tennessee resident and went on to become the Cherokee Nation’s Principal Chief and leader throughout the Trail of Tears, was born in Alabama.

Are you getting into the spirit of the spooky season? Today’s edition features a handful of seasonal events happening around Tennessee, from aquarium programs to the opera. See details in the stories below.

If you’ve been searching for a safe, proven way to finally break through weight-loss frustration, today’s sponsor is Medvi’s GLP-1 program, which could be the life-changing solution you’ve been waiting for.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Hegseth, Bondi Visit Memphis Task Force

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi visited Memphis this week to back a new federal crime task force launched under Trump’s national anti-violence initiative.

The effort includes over 200 federal officers, immigration and drug agents, and up to 150 Tennessee National Guard troops assisting with arrests and traffic stops.

So far, more than 50 arrests have been made, with more expected in the coming weeks. See photos of the federal officials’ visit here.

Smokies Work to Stay Open

Local governments in Tennessee and North Carolina are teaming with the National Park Service to keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park running during the federal shutdown.

While the park’s main roads remain open, popular spots like the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Cades Cove Visitor Center have closed.

Officials are working with Sevier County, Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Pittman Center, Blount County, Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the State of North Carolina, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee to finalize an agreement to provide financial support to help keep the national park open.

Details on funding and operations are expected to be finalized soon.

Vandy Looks to Repeat at Alabama

ESPN’s College GameDay pregame show will be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday to showcase an SEC matchup between No. 16 Vanderbilt and No. 10 Alabama.

Last season’s 40-35 upset was Vanderbilt’s first win over the Crimson Tide since 1993. This year, the Commodores are 10.5-point underdogs. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

Undefeated through five games for just the second time in 80 years, Vanderbilt will play its first ranked-versus-ranked matchup with Alabama since 1937. Alabama, 3-1, is fresh off a 24-21 win on the road at then-No. 5 Georgia.

Led by standout quarterback Diego Pavia, Vandy ranks fourth nationally in scoring offense at 49 points per game.

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➤ Statewide: Three state parks have added accessible paddling launches with transition benches and grab bars, making it easier for visitors with disabilities or limited mobility to get on the water. (See P hotos)

➤ Shelby County: School choice advocate and state Rep. Mark White was appointed chair of the National Assessment Governing Board, where he hopes to guard standardized testing from political influence. (More)

➤ Hartsville: Corrections officials testified before a state Senate subcommittee following a June riot at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, revealing that around 600 violent inmates have been relocated. (More)

➤ Hendersonville: Licensed residents can now hunt deer from their properties to manage overpopulation. A directory is available to connect hunters and landowners, promoting meat donations to those in need. (More)

➤ Murfreesboro: WeGo’s Park N Ride bus service is set to launch from a site near the city’s transit hub, with a site plan scheduled for review by the planning commission on Oct. 15. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Medal of Honor recipients traveled the historic 1862 Great Locomotive Chase route to Chattanooga, where celebrations continued with tributes and community events. (See Photos)

➤ ESPN ranked Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia as the second-best Power 4 quarterback through the first month of the college football season. He trails only USC signal caller Jayden Maiava. (More)

➤ Nashville SC defeated Austin FC on Wednesday night to win the U.S. Open Cup, securing the club’s first major trophy and a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. (More)

➤ Tennessee soccer’s Shae O’Rourke announced she tore her ACL again, ending her season after leading the team in scoring with five goals. (More)

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➤ Downtown Newport is undergoing revitalization one year after Hurricane Helene’s floods, with new businesses, including a steakhouse, hotel, and retail shops, preparing to open. (More)

➤ In-N-Out Burger purchased a $30.15 million facility in Wilson County’s Speedway Industrial Park to serve as a regional hub for its growing Middle Tennessee presence. (More)

➤ Erewhon, a luxury grocery chain, teased a potential Nashville location but instead announced it will begin nationwide shipping today, marking its expansion without opening a physical store in the city. (More)

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➤ A juniper bush has become a beloved East Nashville attraction named “Jim the Juniper,” after a neighbor added eyes to it for Halloween. (See Jim)

➤ The Tennessee Aquarium is celebrating “ODDtober” with Halloween-themed animal encounters, spooky decorations, and interactive programs like underwater pumpkin carving. (See Details)

➤ The Nashville Opera will stage an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining on Oct. 9 and 11, following a surge in first-time attendees that reversed years of decline in opera audiences. (More)

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