Lee Says He Won’t Send Guard to Memphis

Cracker Barrel Keeps Old Logo After Backlash

Tennessee-founded restaurant chain Cracker Barrel has scrapped plans for a new logo after backlash from customers and criticism from President Trump.

The redesign, unveiled August 19, dropped the chain’s iconic “Old Timer” figure, sparking accusations that the company was abandoning its Southern roots. 

Shares fell about 7% before the restaurant reversed course on Tuesday, saying the old logo would stay. 

Trump framed the attempted rebrand and subsequent backlash as “a billion dollars worth of free publicity.”

Peyton Manning Gives $4M To UT

Peyton Manning is donating more than $4 million to the University of Tennessee to fund two endowments in honor of his academic mentors, John Haas and Faye Julian.

The money will support student success programs, faculty research, and operations at the College of Communication and Information.

Manning, a 1997 UT graduate and NFL Hall of Famer, has long supported his alma mater through scholarships, internships, and teaching.

University leaders say the gift will help future Volunteers “thrive for generations.”

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➤ Statewide: Tennessee ranked third in math and ninth in reading recovery nationwide since the pandemic, according to a new report evaluating academic gains. (More)

➤ Knox County: Commissioners voted on Monday to support continued cooperation with ICE under the 287(g) program, which lets deputies enforce federal immigration laws in jails. (More)

➤ Morristown: A local man who shares a name with baseball legend Babe Ruth was indicted for filing fraudulent class action claims under the names of deceased and retired players. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: A successful sting conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation led to 14 human trafficking arrests. Nonprofit groups Street Grace and Willowbend Farms assisted with survivor support. (More)

➤ Nashville: House Speaker Mike Johnson stopped at the Nashville Palace while promoting President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” highlighting its elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay. (More)

➤ Unicoi County: Both lanes of the I-26 East bridge have reopened, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene destroyed it. The westbound bridge is expected to fully reopen by mid-September. (See Video)

➤ The Vols extended football coach Josh Heupel’s contract through the 2030 season on Tuesday. Heupel is 37-15 over the last three years—the second-best of any Tennessee football coach during the last five decades. (More)

➤ The Memphis Sports Hall of Fame announced the inductees for its 2025 class, headlined by Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen and University of Memphis tennis coach Tommy Buford. (See Inductees)

➤ The Tennessee women’s soccer team (4-0-0) climbed to No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and No. 4 in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s rankings after opening the season with four consecutive shutouts. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | U.S. Open

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➤ Sevier County brought in nearly $4 billion in visitor spending in 2024—a 2% increase over the previous year—amid the state’s fourth straight year of record-breaking tourism. (More)

➤ Knoxville’s Xul Beer Company will take over Nashville’s Southern Grist Brewing by the end of 2025, expanding its footprint through a partnership with a longtime industry peer. (More)

➤ Williams-Sonoma’s brand Rejuvenation opened a Nashville showroom, displaying its line of customizable lighting, hardware, furniture, and décor. (More)

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➤ A Tennessee professor went viral after theatrically canceling class in reaction to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, later clarifying the stunt reflected how the announcement would dominate social media. (See Video)

➤ Frankie Purdie, a Fort Campbell soldier and 16-year Army veteran, was crowned Universe United Mrs. 2025 in Lenoir, North Carolina, also winning Mrs. Congeniality and Overall Fitness awards. (See Photo)

➤ Olympian Shawn Johnson East and country star Jessie James Decker will host Nashville’s Got Talent on Sept. 4, benefiting The Store, a nonprofit founded by Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. (See Details)

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What fall beverage will you indulge in this week?

1. Apple cider
2. Pumpkin spice latte
3. Hot toddy
4. None, it’s summer
5. Other (let us know)

Previous Results:

Would you bring your furry pal along for a pet-friendly hotel stay?

1. No, leave them home: 36%
2. Would love to: 35%
3. Depends on where: 29%

Which small amphibian makes the Great Smoky Mountains the ‘Capital of the World,’ especially near Grotto Falls?

Show me the answer