Thursday, February 13, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1960, Knoxville received 17.5 inches of snow, making it the largest single-day snowfall in the city’s history. The city’s top 10 snowfall list includes over 10 inches of snow on five occasions.

Did you know that you can visit a baby sloth in Benton? Check out the video in today’s Et Cetera section from Ocoee Riverside Farm.

Today’s sponsor is Masterworks, offering an investment opportunity for high-net-worth investors.

Sen. Hagerty Announces Re-Election Bid

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty announced he will seek reelection in 2026, ending speculation about a possible gubernatorial run to replace term-limited Gov. Bill Lee.

A former U.S. ambassador to Japan (2017-2019) and Tennessee’s Economic and Community Development Commissioner (2011-2014), Hagerty was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020, winning 62% in the general election.

His re-election bid avoids a potential Republican primary showdown with Sen. Marsha Blackburn, preserving the current Senate delegation.

Hagerty is also the first U.S. senator to announce plans to run for re-election in 2026. He has been an ally of President Donald Trump and reportedly has $9 million in campaign funding.

Nashville Approves Metal Detectors in Schools

The Metro Nashville Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the installation of weapons detection machines in all metro high schools.

Before the vote, Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle detailed the pilot program launched at Antioch High School after a recent deadly shooting, explaining that the detectors use artificial intelligence to identify weapons, even those without metal components.

The approved plan will place detectors in all 18 metro high schools, with an annual cost of $1.25 million, including staff training to ensure smooth operations.

The district stated that the detection devices would be installed in each high school within the next few weeks or months, depending on the leasing company’s timeline.

Smyrna High School Students Release New Film

Students at Smyrna High School are preparing to release a new film that will also soon stream on Amazon Prime Video.

The school’s audio/visual program is producing its second feature-length film titled REAL, following the success of The Strings Attached in 2024.

Students handle every stage of the filmmaking process, from developing ideas and writing the script to casting, set design, filming, and editing.

A red carpet premiere for REAL is scheduled for April 22 and 23 at the Smyrna Malco Cinema, with extended screenings at the theater and a broadcast by Middle Tennessee State University before being released on Amazon.

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➤ East Tennessee: The state plans to provide a 130% tax refund to people who lost their homes due to damages from Hurricane Helene in Unicoi and Washington counties. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: A large boulder blocked part of Cummings Highway late Tuesday following ongoing rain and localized flooding. (See Photo)

➤ Murfreesboro: Jaden Beane, a missing 17-year-old teenager, was safely found, according to police. (More)

➤ Nashville: A senior at Hunters Lane High School was arrested for carrying a weapon on school property on Tuesday after police found a loaded handgun and ammunition in his car glovebox. (More)

➤ Memphis: A school bus struck a utility pole, causing wires to come down, with two children transported to a hospital to be treated for injuries on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Maury County: County schools will be closed until next Tuesday due to high levels of illness among students and teachers. (More)

➤ The Nashville SC MLS soccer team signed 18-year-old midfielder Matthew Corcoran from Birmingham Legion FC of the USL Championship. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Vols baseball team showed off new rings from its 2024 College World Series national championship. (See Pictures)

➤ The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team faces in-state SEC rival Vanderbilt on Saturday after losing to Kentucky on Tuesday 75-64. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Charms LLC officials announced the company’s $97.7 million expansion in Covington, which will create 62 new jobs and enhance its manufacturing plant and distribution center. (More)

➤ Three Nashville restaurants made Yelp’s 2025 Top 100 Places to Eat list, including DegThai, Jashan, and Sindoore. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg’s popular Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co. announced plans to expand beyond the state’s borders to launch a new location in Myrtle Beach. (More)

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➤ The second SEC Party in the Park returns next month to celebrate the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament hosted at Bridgestone Arena. (More)

➤ The Murfreesboro Oreo Festival is returning on March 1, featuring over 150 vendors, live music, and plenty of Oreo-themed items. (More)

➤ Did you know you can visit a baby sloth in Benton? The Ocoee Riverside Farm offers unique wildlife encounters, as seen in their latest video. (Watch Video)

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