Saturday, May 9, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1818, the Nashville Whig, a prominent weekly newspaper of the time, praised artist Ralph E.W. Earl’s portrait of Andrew Jackson, which was exhibited at the Nashville Museum.

A new poll shows the most stressful interstate ramp in Tennessee. Can you guess where it is? Learn more in today’s Around Tennessee.

A deadly virus just killed three people aboard a cruise ship, and passengers have now scattered to more than a dozen countries, including here in the United States. It’s not COVID. It’s not the flu. It’s Hantavirus, and the way it spreads might already be hiding in your home. On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess reveals the five things every American needs to know before this gets any closer. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

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.

Canvas Hack Derails TN Finals Week

A cyberattack by ransomware group ShinyHunters took Canvas offline across the state on May 7, hitting Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee in the middle of finals week.

MTSU was already mid-transition from its previous platform, with a full Canvas switch planned for Fall 2026. UT postponed finals after students lost access to course materials and exam submissions.

ShinyHunters threatened to release stolen data unless Instructure negotiated a settlement by May 12, targeting the company that operates Canvas for nearly 9,000 schools worldwide.

The breach potentially exposed data for up to 275 million users, including students, teachers, and staff across the U.S.

Fire Erupts at Recycling Facility in Henry Co.

A major fire broke out Friday at Sigma Renew 360, a plastics recycling and packaging facility in Henry, sending a massive plume of black smoke into the sky and triggering an emergency response across Henry County.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office issued a shelter-in-place order for people in the immediate area, particularly those with respiratory issues, after residents began reporting heavy smoke drifting through the community.

Mark I Drive was shut down between Pioneer Rd. and Derrington Ave., with police urging drivers to steer clear. The McKenzie Fire Department and Carroll County Fire are providing mutual aid to Henry County firefighters battling the blaze.

No injuries had been reported as of Friday afternoon. Officials did not immediately release additional details about the fire, including its cause, as crews remained on the scene working to contain the flames.

Celebrating Moms Across Tennessee

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate all of the moms (and mother figures) in your life. Tennessee destinations are rolling out brunches, special events, and deals across the state tomorrow, May 10, giving families a wide range of ways to mark Mother’s Day.

Six state park restaurants—including Pickwick Landing, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Fall Creek Falls, Cumberland Mountain, and David Crockett—are hosting buffets.

In the Smokies, Pigeon Forge venues are offering a free filet at Alamo Steakhouse, weekend resort discounts, and Mother’s Day cooking classes, while Anakeesta in Gatlinburg features a special Mother’s Day menu at its Cliff Top restaurant.

Chattanooga rounds out the weekend with a Magical Mother’s Day Tea Party, a Chattanooga Market celebration, and Southern Belle riverboat cruises, while Nashville highlights a slew of brunches around the city, a Bridgerton Tea Experience, and Nashville Riverboat excursions where moms ride free.

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LEARN MORE

➤ Nashville: A survey of 3,011 drivers ranked I-40’s Exit 204 at Charlotte Pike as Tennessee’s most stressful highway off-ramp, citing short merge lanes, confusing signage, and split-second lane decisions. (More)

➤ Memphis: The suspect accused of shooting a Memphis Police officer in the face during a February traffic stop has been captured and charged with attempted first-degree murder. A second person faces accomplice charges. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Visit Knoxville released a guide to 250th anniversary celebrations leading up to the national Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, with events planned across the city over coming months. (More)

➤ Lebanon: The Nashville Business Journal spotlighted Lebanon’s small-business community, calling the Wilson County seat a welcoming, entrepreneur-friendly destination just outside the Nashville metro. (More)

➤ Bristol: An all-freshman doubles tennis team from Tennessee High School has qualified for the state tennis championships—a standout achievement in their very first year of high school competition. (More)

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➤ Tennessee’s football team collectively gained more than 800 pounds of muscle during a 14-week offseason training program. (More)

➤ Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant was voted one of the most overrated players in the NBA in an anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic. (More)

➤ Dodgers star (and Nashville native) Mookie Betts is now the title sponsor of Tennessee’s high school Mr. Baseball Award, which will be known as the “Mookie Betts Mr. Baseball Award” going forward. (More)

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LEARN MORE

➤ The Nashville Symphony is bringing free outdoor concerts to communities across Middle Tennessee this June 3-13, at local parks in Davidson, Montgomery, Sumner, Williamson, and Wilson counties. (See Details)

➤ Tennessee basketball will compete in the 2026 Players Era Tournament, a new event where players earn millions in NIL prize money distributed directly to the team. (More)

➤ Tanger Outlets in Sevierville is celebrating its grand reopening this weekend after a yearlong renovation, with updated designs, new amenities, and special events for shoppers. (Watch Video)

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