Monday, June 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1861, Tennessee voted to secede from the Union, becoming the last state to join the Confederacy after a major shift in public opinion.

Even former members of Congress aren’t exempt from bag limits: former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher and three other Tennessee hunters were suspended from hunting for a year after exceeding the legal duck limit. See details below.

Today’s sponsor, Blood Sugar Rising, highlights emerging research on how certain everyday foods may affect blood sugar health and energy levels—and reveals one common item that experts say could be contributing to early warning signs associated with Type 2 diabetes.

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.

Fireworks Truck Lights Up I-75

A pickup truck and box trailer loaded with fireworks caught fire on Interstate 75 northbound in Hamilton County, near the Ooltewah area. See video of the blaze here.

The fire triggered a dramatic series of explosions that launched pyrotechnics into the air above the highway, sending drivers scrambling. I-75 was shut down in both directions as emergency crews worked to contain the incident.

The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department confirmed no injuries, a fortunate outcome given the highway chaos captured in viewer videos showing a full pyrotechnic display.

The cause of the fire has not been released, and the truck’s origin and destination remain unclear.

Flesh-Eating Larvae Force Tennessee Action

Tennessee officials are taking action after a New World screwworm fly was confirmed in a Texas calf last week, marking the first U.S. detection in decades.

The parasite’s larvae use sharp mouth hooks to burrow into and feed on the living tissue of animals, entering through open wounds or body openings, including eyes and ears.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture says there are no confirmed cases in the Volunteer State, but officials are issuing temporary livestock import requirements to get ahead of any potential spread.

Livestock owners are urged to check animals for unusual wounds, draining sores, or signs of discomfort, and to report suspicious cases immediately to state animal health officials.

TDOT Worker Delivers Baby on I-40

A Tennessee Department of Transportation highway response operator helped save a newborn after responding to a childbirth call on Interstate 40 East in Knox County on Friday.

Chester Hembree arrived to find the baby had already been delivered inside a vehicle and was not breathing, so he cleared the infant’s airway of mucus and used stimulation techniques while waiting for first responders.

Hembree, who has worked for TDOT for 20 years and has nearly 30 years of public safety, law enforcement, and EMS experience, said he was only about 1 mile away when the call came in and reached the scene within a minute.

The mother and baby were taken to a hospital in stable condition. Hembree said he was simply “at the right place at the right time.”

Flying together with our sponsor

Do you always feel tired… What if 1 common food in your diet is quietly contributing to low energy and blood sugar problems?

Researchers have linked it to pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, an early warning sign associated with Type 2 diabetes. Do you know which food it is? [View Full List]

➤ Clarksville: Law enforcement swept Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital after a bomb threat was reported to police over the weekend. Authorities are still investigating the incident. (More)

➤ West Tennessee: A drug raid in the region turned heads when investigators discovered a stash of contraband disguised as a can of corn. (More)

➤ Memphis: The metro market just posted the steepest decline in median home sale prices of any top-50 metro in May, according to a new report. (More)

➤ Also Memphis: Former U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher and three other hunters have been suspended for overhunting ducks in violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (More)

➤ Kingston: The city’s former finance director has pleaded guilty to overpaying herself more than $131,000 in unearned salary and benefits. (More)

➤ Bristol: The city is installing a pedestrian island near the center of State Street, giving visitors an iconic photo op with the famous Tennessee and Virginia marker as a backdrop. (More)

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➤ The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly expected to trade star point guard Ja Morant this summer. Morant has publicly feuded with the team over his suspension and disagreements with the coaching staff. (More)

➤ JUCO standout defensive tackle Christian Mays announced his commitment to Tennessee on Saturday, choosing it over Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Auburn. (More)

➤ Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo told reporters in a recent interview that the team’s primary goal for next season is creating a strong culture. (More)

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➤ The $100 Billion IPO Everyone Is Watching. Elon Musk’s Starlink project could become one of the biggest IPOs in history, and investor James Altucher says there may still be a way for regular investors to position early for less than $100. He’s even revealing the free ticker behind his top pick. (More)

➤ Iron Forge Brewing Company officially opened Thursday near Knoxville’s Covenant Health Park, becoming the first restaurant in the new stadium district. (More)

➤ Realtracs’ Zillow deadline arrives today, and Nashville-area home listings could disappear if the national platform doesn’t comply with Middle Tennessee MLS data-sharing rules. (More)

➤ Tennessee’s fourth Buc-ee’s is taking shape along Joe B. Jackson Parkway off Interstate 24. Traffic signals for the Murfreesboro location are already in place. (More)

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Many people are shocked to discover that this everyday food may be one of the biggest contributors to early diabetes warning signs. Research suggests you avoid this at all costs… Learn which food to avoid here.

➤ GEODIS Park’s Summer Kickoff runs through July with free FIFA World Cup 26 watch events, including USA vs. Paraguay on Friday, plus a concert series. (More)

➤ The Great Smoky Mountains just earned the top spot in a new national hiking ranking from footwear brand Kuru. A new guidebook is also out this month, naming the park’s best trails. (More)

➤ A Williamson County cat named Mike, who vanished nearly nine months ago, has finally been reunited with his owner, thanks to the county animal center. (See Reunion)

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