Christian School Challenges Charter Ban

Wilberforce Academy, a planned Christian school in Knoxville, is suing the Knox County School Board after it denied the school charter status because of its religious foundation.

Tennessee law bars religious schools from joining the state’s charter program, but Wilberforce argues the restriction violates the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause.

Wilberforce Academy says it will provide a biblical foundation, civics education, and entrepreneurial training without requiring Christianity, and its lawsuit seeks a ruling before deadlines for the next academic year.

Vandy QB Urges Trump to Expand CFP

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, sitting just outside the top 12 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, is calling on President Trump to issue an executive order expanding the playoff field.

Pavia made the plea on social media after the 10-2 Commodores were ranked No. 14, likely to miss the cut despite a big win over Tennessee.

Some fans and analysts have suggested a 16-team format, but no changes are expected this season as Vanderbilt extended head coach Clark Lea’s contract after the program’s strongest year in recent memory.

Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Revealed

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: Tennessee launched a $1 million initiative to help more than 800 foster youths transition into adulthood, aiming to reduce high rates of homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and trafficking among those who age out. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Sen. Marsha Blackburn introduced three bills aimed at expanding Medicaid flexibility in Tennessee, tackling issues like mental health funding and support for hospitals. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge: The U.S. Department of Energy awarded the Tennessee Valley Authority $400 million to develop a small modular reactor at Clinch River, aiming to deliver new nuclear generation in the early 2030s. (More)

➤ Murfreesboro: The city has filed a lawsuit accusing BFI Waste Systems of attempting to bypass state law as it seeks to expand a landfill amid thousands of odor complaints. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage for the family of fallen police officer Wisbens “Chacado” Antoine, who died in 2024. (More)

➤ Cocke County: The Stokely Memorial Library will soon hold a soft reopening after over a year of repairs from flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Five-star quarterback recruit Jared Curtis flipped his commitment from Georgia to Vanderbilt ahead of signing day. The Nashville native is the No. 3 player in the nation, and by far the biggest recruiting win in school history. (More)

➤ No. 13 Tennessee basketball lost to Syracuse 62-60 on the road after freshman Nate Ament missed a potential game-tying shot as time expired. The Vols drop to 7-2 on the season. (More)

➤ Two names have surfaced as potential head coaching candidates for the Tennessee Titans: Former Bears coach Matt Nagy and former Cowboys and Packers coach Mike McCarthy. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 37 Freaking Awesome Gadgets. Why is everyone talking about these 37 gadgets? Simple: they work. These aren’t random impulse buys… they’re the smart solutions people keep recommending to friends and family. Each one delivers on its promise, whether it’s decluttering your space, upgrading your tech setup, or just making daily tasks easier. The reviews speak for themselves, and so do the empty shelves. These top picks are moving fast, with several already on backorder. Learn More

➤ Middle Tennessee State University will break ground on a $73.4 million aerospace facility to support its growing pilot training program and relocate operations from Murfreesboro Airport. (More)

➤ Developers are building at least four new hotels in downtown Knoxville to meet growing demand and capitalize on the city’s emergence as a top tourism destination. (More)

➤ Surcheros Fresh Mex will open its third Tennessee location in Mt. Juliet on Monday, offering free burritos for a year to the first 100 paying customers. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Give the gift of nonstop fun this Christmas: this all-terrain, waterproof Stunt Wave RC Truck roars over grass, mud, and even water — bursting with 360° flips, stunts, LED lights, and a built-in water blaster for epic backyard battles. It’s the perfect surprise for kids (and kids at heart) who crave action and adventure. (SHOP NOW)

Flying together with our sponsor

Delete your personal data

Spam starts with your personal data being sold. Data brokers are profiting from your home address, SSN, phone number, and other personal information that doesn’t belong to them. Incogni scrubs your personal info from the web. Simple as. It takes 3 minutes to set up, tackles 420+ data brokers and people-search sites, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. Protect your data, your time, and your sanity. Get Incogni today and never look back.

Use code FLYOVER today for a 55% annual plan discount →

➤ Five-year-old Victoria Acosta celebrated her recovery from a rare cancer by debuting as a twirler at Knoxville’s Fantasy of Trees, raising funds for the hospital that saved her. (See Victoria)

➤ Nashville Yards has opened a new holiday attraction downtown featuring a synthetic “glice” skating rink, pickleball courts, food vendors, and a fire pit. (See Details)

➤ A wildlife officer rescued an injured barn owl in Warren County, transporting it to a rehab center where it was treated and released the next day in good health. (See Owl)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Plastic surgeons across the U.S. are stunned by a natural Ozempic alternative helping thousands lose weight faster than anything else — while keeping blood sugar stable no matter what they eat. And it works without the high cost, injections, nausea, or digestive side effects of the popular drug. Big Pharma wants it gone, so watch the short video now while it’s still available.

Have you mailed your Christmas cards yet?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t send them

Previous Results:

What world language did you study in K-12?

1. Spanish: 19%
2. None: 18%
3. French: 17%
4. Latin: 16%
5. German: 15%
6. Other: 15%

Which Tennessee city is home to one of the world’s largest freshwater aquariums?

Show me the answer