Monday, August 17, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1786, frontiersman, marksman, and future congressman David “Davy” Crockett was born in what’s now Greene County. He’d go on to serve in the state legislature, represent Tennessee in Congress, and die defending the Alamo.

Crockett lived in all three of Tennessee’s grand divisions before earning his place in the history books. Has your family lived in Tennessee for generations, or are you a transplant who chose the Volunteer State? Hit reply and tell us your story.

How does the military decide who’s tough enough to become a Navy SEAL? Why does it take a full year to train someone to fly a plane that never leaves the ground? And what exactly happens inside the school that teaches Americans how to survive being captured? The military doesn’t advertise most of this, but the answers are out there, buried in Navy attrition reports, Army training records, and firsthand accounts from the people who made it through. Today on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla digs into what that paper trail reveals about how America really forges its warfighters. Tune in here!

Car insurance has become one of those bills that seems to creep higher every renewal, even if nothing about your driving has changed. That’s why today’s sponsor is Insurify, a free comparison tool that helps drivers quickly see if they’re paying more than they need to.

‘Teacher of the Year’ Quits over Grade Dispute

Samira Hardcastle, named 2025-26 Teacher of the Year at a Metro Nashville middle school, resigned after accusing district leaders of directing her to change a student’s failing grade.

She said she failed the student for not finishing an art project, prompting a parent to sit in the office for hours until administrators overrode the mark.

Hardcastle, who refused to make the change herself, told the school board the practice creates “false entitlement” and makes district scores look better than they are.

A second former teacher has since come forward with similar allegations and is suing the district over her suspension.

Parton Skips NightFlight Debut

Country legend Dolly Parton missed Friday’s dedication of the new NightFlight Expedition ride, billed as the largest single investment in Dollywood’s 40-year history. Parton appeared by video from Nashville instead.

The 80-year-old said dizziness and dehydration prompted her doctor to keep her home, joking that “my Nashville doctor clipped my wings.”

Wearing fairy wings for the appearance, she apologized to the crowd, saying she had intended to be there in person.

The absence extends a difficult stretch for Parton, who canceled her Las Vegas residency in May and has been recovering in the year since her husband, Carl Dean, died. She has reassured fans that her treatment is going well and that she isn’t ready to slow down.

Renter Loses Appeal After Citing Fake AI Cases

A Nashville renter lost his eviction appeal after the Davidson County Circuit Court found his filing bore what it called “the hallmarks of artificial intelligence.”

Samuel Robinson, representing himself, cited real cases but with wrong dates, invented quotes, and fabricated references, and leaned on a model tenant-protection law Tennessee never actually adopted.

In one instance, he misquoted the state code on landlords’ maintenance duties in a way that, had it been real, would have helped his case.

The court affirmed the landlord’s eviction judgment.

Flying together with our sponsor

Your loyalty could be costing you money.

Many drivers simply renew their current policy year after year without checking what other companies are offering. But rates can vary dramatically from one insurer to another, and comparing quotes is often one of the easiest ways to lower your monthly expenses.

That’s where Insurify comes in. Instead of visiting multiple insurance websites one by one, Insurify lets you compare personalized quotes from 120+ top insurance companies in just a couple of minutes. The platform is free to use, doesn’t sell your information to third-party spammers, and even lets you connect with licensed insurance agents if you’d like help reviewing your options. Many drivers have the potential to save hundreds of dollars each year simply by comparing rates before renewing.

If your premium has gone up recently, it’s worth taking a few minutes to see what else is available. Compare your quotes today.

Compare Before You Renew

➤ Statewide: A new report labels Tennessee a “maternal health care desert,” finding a third of counties lack maternal care services and nearly 58% have no birthing facilities. (More)

➤ Nashville: Dr. Mark Fowler, involved in a botched May lethal injection, is set to oversee the execution of Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee’s death row, amid ongoing protocol challenges. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: Metro police are investigating after crews pulled a completely submerged, small silver sedan from the water Sunday morning. (More)

➤ Blount County: Regional crews are searching Tellico Lake for a kayaker missing since last Tuesday after his empty kayak and belongings were found drifting below Chilhowee Dam. (More)

➤ Memphis: Rep. Steve Cohen announced a $21.9 million FAA grant for Frederick Smith International Airport to fund road reconstruction, snow-removal equipment, taxiway work, and security upgrades. (More)

➤ Clarksville: A military-grade blasting cap turned up in a donated bag at a Goodwill, prompting a Montgomery County Bomb Squad response. (See Details)

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

➤ Tennessee Titans 2026 draft pick Jaren Kanak will miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a pectoral injury in the team’s preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers. (More)

➤ Tennessee football finished off its second week of training camp with a two-hour scrimmage inside Neyland Stadium. Head coach Josh Heupel said he thought quarterbacks George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon both performed well, though Heupel has still yet to name a starting quarterback. (More)

➤ Memphis had five members of its 2026 team named as HERO Sports preseason Group of Six All-Americans, including defensive cornerstones J’Mond Tapp and Ian Foster, who were named First-Team selections. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Pack 3X More in Any Bag. Checked bags cost money and time. Aerless compression bags let you fit 3X more into a single carry-on, with a pocket-sized rechargeable pump that removes excess air in seconds. Over 1 million travelers use it, backed by 50,000+ five-star reviews. (Click here)

➤ Starbucks baristas held a one-day strike on Friday over what they call unfair labor practices as the chain plans a Nashville-area expansion. (More)

➤ A large Trump merchandise store along I-40 near Knoxville is closing, with the owner blaming thin foot traffic and shoppers’ financial strain. The store’s remaining inventory is 50% off. (More)

➤ Tesla Cybercabs were spotted in a Franklin business parking lot, offering a rare local glimpse of the automaker’s autonomous vehicle. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 15X Bigger Than SpaceX: Elon’s New Launch. While the rest of the market goes crazy for “the mother of all IPOs,” a new Elon Musk innovation is quietly being rolled out nationwide. It’s been 27 years in the making, and it could have a radical impact on how millions of people manage their money… and even collect Social Security. Here’s everything you need to know.

Flying together with our sponsor

Insurance companies change prices all the time, which means the company that offered you the best rate a year ago may not be the best option today. Insurify makes it easy to compare real-time quotes side by side and shop with confidence, all without the hassle of visiting dozens of websites. It only takes a few minutes, and you could discover meaningful savings before your next payment is due.

Compare rates now and see if you could save with Insurify.

➤ The Foo Fighters made their Nissan Stadium debut with a three-hour set in 101-degree heat, nearly 27 years after Learn to Fly was released. (More)

➤ Graceland has multiple major new attractions planned for 2027 to mark the 50th anniversary of Elvis’s death, including an Elvis hologram show expected in Las Vegas. (Watch)

➤ Giles County Fire & Rescue freed a kitten trapped under an ice storage box at a local store. Employees decided to keep it and named it “Little General.” (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Most People Blame the Wrong Thing for Easy Bruising. “I must just be clumsy.” “It’s my age.” “It’s probably my medication.” If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking one of these after another bruise seemed to appear out of nowhere, you’re not alone. Click here to discover the 7 warning signs experts say are worth paying attention to—and why so many people overlook them until much later. Learn More

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:

➤ Navy SEAL candidates cover more than 200 miles on roughly four hours of sleep, and most still don’t finish. (Hear Toughest Training)

➤ Two million American raccoons have taken over Germany, and the Nazi commander blamed for it didn’t do it. (Hear Real Culprit)

➤ Your beach read reveals which of four anxieties is quietly driving you. (Hear Your Type)