Monday, January 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2015, former District 27 state senator and Baptist pastor Bobby Carter died at the age of 75. Carter was also a star basketball player at the University of Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville rang in the new year with the birth of a little girl named Adeline just hours into 2026. See photos of the hospital’s first baby of the year in the story below.

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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.

Trump Touts Crime Drop in Memphis

President Trump, speaking at a press conference about Venezuela on Saturday, pointed to a sharp decline in Memphis crime following last year’s National Guard deployment.

Trump stated that crime in the city was down 77% since the federal operation began in late 2025.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young confirmed violent crime hit a 25-year low, citing a 30% drop year over year, including 47% fewer homicides.

The city responded directly to the president’s press conference comments, stating it could not verify the exact 77% figure but could confirm a significant drop in crime.

Cigna May Drop Only Kids’ Hospital in Region

Cigna plans to remove East Tennessee Children’s Hospital from its network by March 1, potentially affecting around 27,000 patients.

The two sides are locked in a dispute over costs, with Cigna calling the hospital too expensive and ETCH arguing it’s being unfairly compared to non-specialty providers.

ETCH, the region’s only pediatric hospital, says Cigna initiated the termination last May, ending an 18-year agreement.

Both parties say they hope to reach a new deal, but time is running short for families needing specialized, in-network care.

Titans Restructure, Launch Coach Search

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk announced a major front office shakeup as the team heads into a pivotal offseason.

General Manager Mike Borgonzi will now have full control of the 53-man roster, oversee the coaching staff, and lead the search for a new head coach following the midseason firing of Brian Callahan.

The restructure, detailed in a letter to fans, aims to return the team to “championship-caliber” after another disappointing season.

A wide-ranging head coach search is expected to begin this week.

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➤ Williamson County: Some local families are urging expanded routine testing for histoplasmosis after loved ones suffered life-threatening fungal infections that went undiagnosed for months. (More)

➤ Clifton: The state’s first fully modular water treatment plant will soon break ground, with the expandable $25.8 million facility designed to eliminate contaminants like PFAS. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Medical Center welcomed its first baby of 2026—a girl named Adeline—marking a joyful start after a record 5,000 births in 2025. (See Photos)

➤ Franklin: The farmers market moved to Franklin First United Methodist Church after outgrowing its longtime Factory location, tripling available parking. (More)

➤ Putnam County: New funding has allowed Fire Station 12 to operate 24/7, cutting emergency response times in rural areas by more than half and giving residents added peace of mind. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg: Crews at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have made major progress renovating the Laurel Falls Trail, adding repaving, new viewing platforms, and expanded parking. (See Photos)

➤ Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward exited the season finale with a shoulder injury as Tennessee fell 41-7, finished 3-14 in 2025, and secured the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. (More)

➤ No. 18 Tennessee men’s basketball lost its conference schedule opener 86-75 against No. 18 Arkansas on Saturday night. (More)

➤ The NHL will discipline Calgary Flames forward John Beecher after he unnecessarily punched Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron during Saturday’s game, a 4-3 Predators victory. (See Punch)

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➤ Dax Hock, CEO of Traega Entertainment, sold his custom-built, car-centric Franklin estate—featuring a 12-car showroom and skid circle—for $17.5 million. (See Estate)

➤ Opponents of BWX Technologies’ proposed depleted uranium facility expansion urged Washington County leaders to reject a rezoning request ahead of an initial vote tied to a $1.6 billion federal contract. (More)

➤ Johnson City breweries are offering non-alcoholic drinks like kombucha and craft sodas to welcome Dry January participants while keeping a social atmosphere. (See Details)

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➤ Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will mark Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday on Jan. 17 with a panel discussion of her 2023 book, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones. (See Details)

➤ Spencer, a 25-year-old hyacinth macaw and Zoo Knoxville ambassador, is back for his second season dazzling fans at UT basketball games with his miniature slam dunks. (See Spencer)

➤ Metro Nashville Animal Care and Control hosted a Kitten Reading Club on Jan. 2, inviting children 12 and under to read with adoptable cats during free 20-minute sessions. (See Details)

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➤ Make 2026 the year you start learning about the Bible (for free). Malachi Daily is a free email newsletter that helps you memorize 1 Bible verse every other week and learn its context via emails. In addition to memorizing Bible verses, you’ll learn how each passage fits into the cohesive story of the Bible. Click here to get started today.