Sunday, July 19, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1866, Tennessee ratified the 14th Amendment. The Tennessee House of Representatives passed the ratification resolution despite the opposition of President Andrew Johnson, a Tennessean himself, to the legislation.

🌻A Navy veteran in Sullivan County is inviting his local community out to visit his sunflower field and enjoy the summertime blooms. Learn more in Et Cetera.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla tackled the phone battery problem that has almost nothing to do with your actual battery. It turns out a handful of settings are running in the background all day, quietly draining power without you ever touching them, and shutting them off costs you nothing. From the toggles most people never think to check to the ones switched on the day the phone left the box, Ayla walked through seven quick fixes that can stretch a single charge well past what you are getting now. See tips here!

Today’s sponsor is Dr. Steven Gundry MD, sharing a collagen-building technique he says may help support strength, energy, and healthy aging beyond traditional collagen supplements.

Early Voting Begins across State

Early voting began Friday across Tennessee for state primaries and local races with officials statewide encouraging turnout.

The governor’s race is drawing national attention, with eight hopefuls outlining priorities such as public safety and affordability. Democrat candidate Adam “Ditch” Kurtz, a Nashville musician with a political science degree, wants to raise the minimum wage, fix roads, make marijuana legal, and fully fund public schools. Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose, who said his priorities include infrastructure, education, and health care, pointing to challenges in rural communities, is reportedly largely self-funded while Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn leads donations.

In the Senate contest, Republican incumbent Bill Hagerty faces five Democrat candidates competing to challenge him. At the Hamilton County Election Commission, several voters said their focus in the U.S. Senate race was less about party and more about electing someone who will put Tennesseans first and address needs across the state.

Local leaders in Knox County and Greene County are urging residents to vote, reminding them that early voting will continue through Saturday, Aug. 1. Community members in Knox County also emphasize the crucial role of youth participation with longtime voters encouraging young people to participate.

Woman Charged After Attempted Drowning of Child

A Johnson City woman, Mikaylee Rae Beirne, 31, was arrested on aggravated child abuse and neglect charges after allegedly forcing a child underwater in a backyard pool.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a Cochran Road residence Wednesday afternoon, where witnesses said another child alerted an adult inside the home. The adult reportedly demanded Beirne release the child, then pulled her away and helped the child from the water. Deputies reported the child suffered minor injuries and bruising.

Beirne left before deputies arrived but was located and taken into custody. She is being held at the Washington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

Rhodes College Named Among Top Colleges

Rhodes College in Memphis has been ranked No. 178 on Forbes‘ 2026 list of America’s Top 500 Colleges. The Forbes rankings evaluate U.S. universities based on students’ academic, career, and financial success, highlighting schools whose graduates achieve strong outcomes with lower debt.

The recognition follows an “A” grade Rhodes received in May in Forbes‘ College Financial Grades assessment, which measures the financial health of more than 900 private institutions nationwide.

College officials attributed the ranking to rigorous academics, personalized faculty mentoring, and opportunities for research and service, noting alumni frequently report strong job readiness and career advancement.

Nine other Tennessee colleges made the 2026 list: Vanderbilt University (No. 11), University of Tennessee, Knoxville (No. 130), Sewanee—University of the South (No. 180), Belmont University (No. 378), Lipscomb University (No. 435), Tennessee Tech (No. 447), Christian Brothers University (No. 456), Middle Tennessee State University (No. 467), and University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (No. 476).

Flying together with our sponsor

California Surgeon: “Muscle Loss in Seniors is Real, But It Doesn’t Have to Be”

If you think collagen is only for supporting healthier skin, hair, and nails, think again.

Not only does it play a role in holding the teeth in your mouth, keeping your heart walls intact, and reinforcing your gut lining…

It’s also what allows you to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities without getting tired.

But unfortunately, eating more collagen isn’t the answer.

That’s why Dr. Steven Gundry has created what he calls the “collagen reset technique.”

And to his knowledge, it’s the only technique that’s designed to help your body build its own collagen.

See the technique here ==>

➤ Blount County: Commissioners voted 14-7 to spend $5 million in local taxpayer dollars to enter into an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to acquire land necessary for the Pellissippi Parkway extension, saying earlier right-of-way acquisition could reduce costs. The vote does not approve construction of the road. Many residents at the meeting opposed the project. (More)

➤ Memphis: U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen announced $2.25 million in federal funding for veteran services, supporting housing, health care, and other assistance programs for veterans in the Memphis area. (More)

➤ Bledsoe County: A dog rescued from an animal hoarding case was reunited with its owner after more than a year, with a microchip helping identify the pet following the seizure of more than 100 animals. (More)

➤ Clarksville: First Watch, a popular breakfast chain with over 640 locations nationwide, will open a Clarksville restaurant at Exit 4 after city officials approved construction plans, expanding breakfast and brunch dining options in the growing commercial corridor. It’s the newest of several Tennessee locations including Nashville, Hermitage, Antioch, Brentwood, Franklin, and Hendersonville. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Officials posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to World War II veteran Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds and added his name to the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial at World’s Fair Park, recognizing his wartime actions that protected hundreds of Jewish American prisoners at a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp in January 1945. (More)

➤ Athens: The city will break ground Aug. 11 on a new fire station designed to expand emergency coverage, improve response times, and add three firefighter positions to serve growing community needs. (More)

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➤ Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies took on the Houston Rockets last night with a chance to advance to the NBA Summer League championship game. (See Results)

➤ Tennessee football bolstered its recruiting class ahead of five-star running back David Gabriel Georges’ imminent commitment decision, landing a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Niko Kampas. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans’ offensive line is reportedly the position group with the most uncertainty heading into training camp, particularly at the center and right guard positions. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | The Open | MLB | WNBA

Flying together with our sponsor

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The muscle-loss warning sign hiding in plain sight

If you feel like your grip strength is getting weaker…

These are early warning signs of “age-related progressive muscle loss” — one of the biggest predictors of frailty and falls among seniors.

There’s one protein most people over 40 lose faster than their bodies can replace.

A former chief of surgery uncovered an at-home “reset technique” to help your body replenish this protein on its own.

==> Click here to see how it works

➤ A Navy veteran from Piney Flats is inviting the community to his sunflower field to enjoy the blooms, take photos, and gather a bouquet of flowers. Bill Broyles says the people who stop by bring him more joy than they know and he expects the sunflowers to be at their peak through next weekend. (See Photos)

➤ A Shelby County family reunited with first responders who helped deliver their daughter during an unexpected roadside birth, thanking emergency crews for their care during the emergency. (More)

➤ Lenoir City businesses increased support for Riverside Coffee after funding challenges, helping the nonprofit coffee shop continue providing vocational training and jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tired of Popping Ibuprofen? Scientists have discovered a natural compound found in certain foods that works along similar anti-inflammatory pathways as ibuprofen—but may offer additional benefits beyond temporary relief. The growing body of research has even prompted some doctors to rethink their recommendations. Learn more about this promising natural alternative today.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A legal battle over mail-in ballots took a major turn. (Hear More)

➤ A 94-year-old Chick-fil-A employee celebrated 20 remarkable years on the job. (Listen Now)

➤ Actor Gary Sinise found healing by helping others. (Podcast Available)