Saturday, May 2, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 2010, Middle Tennessee experienced a second day of historic flooding. Back-to-back record-breaking rains fell on May 1 and 2, resulting in widespread flash flooding and causing the Cumberland River and local creeks to flood. A total of 18 people were killed in the state and damages totaled over $2 billion particularly in Nashville.

Welcome to the first Saturday edition of The Tennessee Flyover! Beginning today, we’ll be delivering state news to your inbox seven days a week. Let us know what you think by replying to this email.

It’s been a wild week of news, and some of the biggest stories may have flown right under your radar. President Trump hinted that a major UFO file release is coming “in the near future,” engineers are using sound waves to extinguish wildfires, and Saudi investors are pulling the plug on LIV Golf. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Amy Hess takes an in-depth look at some of the most interesting stories of the week. Tune in here!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. If you haven’t started shopping, start here: our 2026 Gift Guide has thoughtful, practical, and indulgent picks for every kind of mom.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing 19 smart expenses to cut when money gets tight—practical tips that could help you save more, reduce stress, and take control of your finances faster.

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.

President Trump Confirms Tennessee Will Redistrict

President Trump confirmed Thursday that Gov. Bill Lee has committed to redrawing Tennessee’s congressional districts, following a Supreme Court ruling that stripped key Voting Rights Act protections long used to shield majority-minority maps from partisan dismantling.

Wednesday’s high court decision gutted Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, eliminating a legal guardrail that had long blocked racial gerrymandering in redistricting. With that protection gone, Republican leaders now see a clear path to sweep all nine of Tennessee’s U.S. House seats before November’s midterms.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn—a frontrunner in the governor’s race—is calling for a special legislative session and has shared a proposed map that would carve up Memphis’s 9th District, Tennessee’s only majority-minority, Democrat-held congressional seat.

A special session before the August 6 primary deadline now appears likely. Gov. Lee has pledged to “work hard” with GOP lawmakers on new maps, and gubernatorial candidate John Rose is already urging Tennesseans to make the state’s congressional map “a sea of red.”

Manhunt Underway in Stewart County

A manhunt is underway in Stewart County, for Craig Berry, who authorities say shot his wife during a domestic altercation early Friday morning before fleeing into nearby woods.

Stewart County deputies responded to a shooting near the 100 block of Old Paris Highway around 1:30 a.m. on May 1. Berry reportedly ran off before officers arrived and is considered armed and dangerous.

School officials confirmed the victim is a teacher in the Stewart County school district and is currently hospitalized in stable condition. Her name has not been released to protect her privacy.

Sheriff’s deputies and Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers continue searching along Old Paris Highway, urging residents to avoid the area and call 911 if Berry is spotted. The district is offering counseling services.

Six Historical Properties Recognized

The Tennessee Historical Commission’s State Review Board will meet May 15 in Nashville to consider six properties nominated for the National Register of Historic Places, that the country’s official roster of cultural resources deemed worthy of preservation.

Among the nominations are the Haynes Heights Historic District in Davidson County, the African American Residential Districts in Nashville, the Lake County Courthouse, the J.R. Watkins Products Building in Shelby County, the Methodist Episcopal Church South at Tazewell in Claiborne County, and Historic County Facilities statewide.

The 12-member board, drawn from history, architecture and archaeology backgrounds, will hear cases in person at 2941 Lebanon Pike and virtually. Approved nominations advance to the National Park Service for final listing.

Flying together with our sponsor

Money is tight, and with prices on the rise, deciding where to cut back can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to see a difference.

Here is how to start: Browse FinanceBuzz’s list of money-saving strategies below and choose just one or two to try today. Even a single small change can create the breathing room you need to breathe a little easier.

LEARN MORE

➤ Nashville: Metro Nashville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle spent $19,293 on district travel over two years, including multiple luxury hotel stays and a $771 dinner for herself and staff. One Metro Schools parent commented, “I think parents deserve a refund.” (More)

➤ Memphis: Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to Hamilton High School in South Memphis after a shots-fired call Thursday afternoon. No students were injured; the school went into lockdown while police investigated. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is now an official university partner with Metro Nashville Public Schools, giving MNPS high school seniors access to UT’s Flagship Scholarship program and a financial path to the state’s flagship campus. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Tennessee General Assembly passed sweeping changes to the state’s noncompete law, reshaping rules around duration, geographic scope, and enforceability—with significant implications for employers and workers statewide. (More)

➤ Franklin: The Tennessee Titans’ new head coach Robert Saleh purchased a 10-acre family compound outside Nashville for $8.3 million, relocating with his wife and eight children after his January hiring. (More)

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

➤ Tennessee bettors cannot legally wager on today’s Kentucky Derby because horse racing is specifically excluded from the state’s definition of a “sporting event” under the 2019 Sports Gaming Act. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators released new renderings for the $750 million Bridgestone Arena renovation, which will open the building up to Broadway with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Construction begins this summer with completion expected in 2030. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee’s Vols Adapt program hosted an event this week to introduce students to adaptive sports like wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and goalball. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Sleep deeper and wake up refreshed with the Baloo Weighted Blanket, crafted from breathable cotton for year-round comfort. Its gentle, even pressure helps reduce stress and promote relaxation, like a calming hug all night long. Experience better sleep, improved mood, and natural comfort designed to help you truly unwind. (SHOP NOW)

Flying together with our sponsor

Your money is getting tight. Prices are going up. And figuring out what to cut back on can feel overwhelming. Here’s what you can do: Read FinanceBuzz’s list of money-saving strategies below, and start with one or two today. Even doing just one can help you breathe a little easier.

LEARN MORE

➤ Franklin Main Street Festival drew thousands of visitors downtown last weekend, despite the rain on Saturday, with local vendors, live music, and family activities filling the city’s historic main drag. (More)

➤ Tennessee Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary at Castle Gwynn in Arrington May 2-31 with special programming across its Saturday-Sunday schedule. (More)

➤ Starbucks is joining a wave of food/restaurant chains relocating offices to Nashville, part of a broader migration of food industry companies chasing lower operating costs and a growing Southern workforce. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Struggling with knee pain or instability? The Nü-Knee Brace delivers targeted compression and support to reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and help you move freely again. Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for all-day wear, it’s designed to keep you active—without bulky braces or limiting your mobility.