Monday, June 23, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1969, the Red Boiling Springs Flood shocked Middle Tennessee as nearly eight inches of rain fell in the span of six hours, causing property damage totaling about $2 million at the time.

Miss hearing updates on Ed, the runaway zebra? A Hendersonville daycare owner has immortalized the viral story in a children’s book thanks to modern self-publishing tools. See more in the story below.

Today, we’re sponsored by BOXABL, offering you an opportunity to invest in the next big building technology.

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.

Man Charged in Plot to Kidnap Memphis Mayor

A 25-year-old man armed with a Taser, rope, and duct tape was arrested after allegedly attempting to kidnap Memphis Mayor Paul Young on Sunday night.

Police say Trenton Abston scaled a wall into the mayor’s gated subdivision and walked to his home, leading to charges of attempted kidnapping, stalking, and trespassing.

Much of the incident was caught on security cameras, and Abston is being held without bond ahead of a Monday court appearance.

Mayor Young linked the threat to rising political violence and called for a return to civil discourse.

Longtime TN Lawmaker Frank Niceley Dies

Frank Niceley, a longtime conservative voice in Tennessee politics, died Thursday at 78 following a heart attack.

The Strawberry Plains Republican served multiple stints in the state House and Senate from 1988 to 2024.

Known for his sharp wit, rural roots, and colorful ‘Frankisms,’ Niceley was not afraid to stir controversy but was remembered by colleagues as deeply committed to Tennessee.

Leaders across the aisle have praised his independence and passion for local culture. See more details in Niceley’s obituary here.

Hunting and Fishing License Fee Hike Halted

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has scrapped a planned hunting and fishing license fee increase that was set to take effect July 1.

Executive Director Jason Maxedon reversed the decision after lawmakers pledged to pursue alternative conservation funding during a legislative committee meeting.

The TWRA had proposed the hike to address budget shortfalls caused by inflation, but some legislators objected to putting more financial pressure on residents.

A separate increase in boat registration fees will still be in effect as scheduled.

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➤ Statewide: Tennessee will lower the blood alcohol threshold for aggravated vehicular homicide and assault charges from 0.20 to 0.15 starting July 1, seeking to deter drunk driving with tougher penalties. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Local parents launched a second billboard campaign to raise fentanyl awareness, aiming to spark conversations and prevent more overdose deaths among area youth. (See Billboard)

➤ Manchester: Bonnaroo organizers will offer full refunds for all 2025 tickets bought through Front Gate Tickets following backlash over the festival’s weather-related cancellation. (See Details)

➤ Lenoir City: More than 30 members of Two Rivers Church returned safely from a biblical study trip to Israel after airstrikes in Jerusalem forced them to shelter in their hotel and delayed their flight home. (More)

➤ Wilson County: Senior residents earning up to $63,470 will qualify for a 2026 property tax freeze after a county resolution raised the income limit to ease pressure on those with fixed incomes. (More)

➤ Nashville: Jake Howell, executive chef at Peninsula in East Nashville, was named Best Chef: Southeast at the 2025 James Beard Awards, earning national recognition for his team and community. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Volunteers had three members of their baseball team named as first-team All-Americans: starting pitcher Liam Doyle, second baseman Gavin Kilen, and first baseman Andrew Fischer. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators have $14 million in cap space heading into the NHL offseason, more than enough to add a big piece to help move back toward contention. (See Offseason Preview)

➤ Five-star running back Savion Hiter traveled to the University of Tennessee on an official visit over the weekend. (More)

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➤ Vanderbilt University Medical Center plans to lay off 650 staffers, mostly in research and administrative roles, following a $300 million cut in federal grants. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee wants to lease a former Walmart for $15.6 million to create a student recreation center, with the UT Foundation covering acquisition, buildouts, maintenance, and parking upgrades. (More)

➤ Fifth Third Bank is investing $20 million through its Neighborhood Program to support affordable housing, small businesses, and infrastructure improvements in Nashville with help from local organizations. (More)

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Homes built differently: BOXABL homes are manufactured in our Las Vegas factory, folded for transport, and then unfolded on-site in just an hour.
BOXABL milestones:

Delivered a prototype order to SpaceX in 2020.
Project order for 156 homes from the DoD completed in 2021.
Built over 700 homes to date.
Actively delivering to both developers and individual consumers.
Reserved the Nasdaq ticker symbol $BXBL!
Raised over $200 million from over 50,000 investors since 2020.

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➤ A Hendersonville daycare owner, inspired by a zebra’s viral escape in Rutherford County, created the children’s book Ed the Zebra’s Wild Vacation using AI tools and Amazon publishing. (See Book)

➤ The Country Music Hall of Fame’s new exhibit honors country star Lainey Wilson and showcases her journey from small-town Louisiana to CMA Entertainer of the Year. (More)

➤ Charlotte Hornets rising star Brandon Miller returned to Cane Ridge High School to host his annual youth camp, drawing over 100 kids and emphasizing fun, hard work, and community pride. (See Photos)

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