Friday, May 2, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1836, the first session of the Johnson County court was held at the Pleasant Grove School House, marking a significant moment in the establishment of the new county.

You already know there’s no crying in baseball—but does that rule apply to Little League? In today’s edition, read about the community politics heating up surrounding kids’ baseball in Williamson County. Find out more in the story below.

Did you know that the team that makes The Tennessee Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, be sure to check out today’s sponsor, Brad’s Deals, highlighting nine Prime perks you may not know about.

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.

Feds Charge Suspect in 2019 Arson Case

Federal agents have arrested Regan Prater, linking him to a 2019 fire that destroyed part of Tennessee’s Highlander Research and Education Center—an institution with roots in the Civil Rights Movement.

Prater, previously convicted in a separate arson case, allegedly detailed the Highlander fire in chats tied to white supremacist groups, using terms matching symbols seen in the Christchurch mosque shootings.

No one was hurt in the blaze, but it destroyed decades of irreplaceable civil rights records at the historic building where Rosa Parks once attended a workshop weeks before refusing to give up her seat on the bus.

Founded in 1932, the Highlander marks its 93rd anniversary this year, with officials planning to reopen the administrative office six years after the fire.

Tennessee Raises Interest Rate Cap

Tennessee has set a new maximum interest rate of 11.5%, following a routine formula that adds 4% to the Federal Reserve’s current average prime loan rate of 7.5%.

The state’s Department of Financial Institutions announced the change April 29, marking an uptick that affects consumer loans and business borrowing across the board.

This weekly-adjusted rate, required by a 1983 state law, ties local lending rates directly to national economic shifts.

Experts say Tennesseans should brace for potentially higher borrowing costs in the short term, as inflation and financial uncertainty persist.

23,000 Fans Wait for Vols Tickets

University of Tennessee football’s fan demand is outpacing supply, with more than 23,000 supporters now on the waitlist for season tickets, according to Athletic Director Danny White.

Neyland Stadium’s 70,500 season ticket allotment is already sold out for the third straight year, and interest shows no sign of slowing.

White credited the Volunteer faithful as the program’s “greatest asset,” highlighting their enthusiasm as unmatched nationally.

The surge comes amid strong team performance and a 98% ticket renewal rate—well ahead of projections originally set for 2026.

Flying together with our sponsor

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things.

Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are nine of those perks.

➤ Oak Ridge: The county’s largest-ever medical event will take place at the recreation center this weekend, with free dental, vision, and general healthcare services being offered by Remote Area Medical and the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. (More)

➤ Williamson County: The Grassland community is pushing to create its own Little League, but existing leagues in Nolensville and Spring Hill refuse to share territory, leaving families stuck with long commutes for games. (More)

➤ Memphis: Officials announced a new anti-violence plan after 36 citywide shootings, assigning federal prosecutors to high-crime precincts and seeking tougher penalties for gun offenses. (More)

➤ Hamilton County: A proposed $18 million school budget cut that would eliminate part-time nurses and student support staff received pushback from parents, who expressed concerns about student safety and mental health services. (More)

➤ Clarksville: Replant Clarksville aims to plant 3,300 trees over three years to restore the city’s tree canopy, starting with 300 in 2025 and focusing on native species and local partnerships. (More)

➤ University of Memphis sophomore Leonie Moeller was named Co-Women’s Tennis Player of the Year for the American Athletic Conference. The German native logged a 27-13 singles record this season. (More)

➤ UT-Knoxville assistant basketball coach Rod Clark accepted a position with Indiana on Wednesday. Clark spent three years with the Vols, over which the team went 79-28. (More)

➤ Nashville SC promoted general manager Mike Jacobs to president of soccer operations, where he’ll have expanded control over the team’s roster makeup. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stay safe anywhere with Halo Siren! This compact, stylish personal alarm emits a powerful, attention-grabbing sound to deter threats and attract help fast. Whether you’re walking home at night or exploring outdoors, Halo Siren gives you peace of mind and added protection at the press of a button. (Shop Now)

➤ JOANN closed six of its 13 Tennessee stores in April and plans more closures in May after filing for bankruptcy and selling its assets. (More)

➤ The Hoxton Nashville hotel will open in 2027, featuring over 200 rooms, multiple dining venues, and community-focused amenities designed to blend upscale hospitality with local culture. (More)

➤ Tennessee’s home price-to-income ratio rose to 4.7—above the national average of 4.6—as housing prices in the state have jumped 54.6% over five years, leaving nearly a quarter of mortgage holders spending over 30% of their income on housing. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Never lose a memory with PhotoStick Omni! This easy-to-use device automatically finds and saves photos and videos stored on your phone, computer, or tablet. No cloud, no subscriptions—just simple, secure backup in seconds. Keep your memories safe and organized with PhotoStick Omni, the ultimate photo-saving solution!

Flying together with our sponsor

Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks?

Free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer. Make sure you’re not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are nine Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ A 1,500-square-foot house constructed by 200 Loudon High School students was listed for auction May 3, with proceeds benefiting the school. (See Video)

➤ Julie Holt, a Latin teacher at Powell High School in Knoxville, will appear on Jeopardy! Thursday, joining host Ken Jennings as the latest East Tennessean to take the national stage. (More)

➤ The Iroquois Steeplechase returns to Nashville’s Percy Warner Park on May 10, featuring races, tailgating, and festivities for an expected 25,000 attendees, with proceeds benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Take your adventures to the next level with the SkyHawk 4K drone! Capture stunning aerial footage, perform exciting tricks, and explore the skies like never before. Easy to fly and packed with features, the SkyHawk 4K is only $99 and makes every flight a fun, unforgettable experience. Let the adventure begin!

What makes you most proud to be a Tennessean?

Previous Results:

Which Tennessee native animal best represents the state?

Black bear: 29%
White-tailed deer: 21%
Eastern box turtle: 18%
Bald eagle: 17%
Other: 15%

What was the first county established in Tennessee?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

The Tennessee Flyover
6688 Nolensville Rd
Ste 108 #2027
Brentwood, TN 37027

Friday, May 2, 2025

Friday, May 2, 2025

Feds Charge Suspect in 2019 Arson Case

Tennessee Raises Interest Rate Cap

23,000 Fans Wait for Vols Tickets

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.