Thursday, February 6, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1796, the Tennessee State Constitution was adopted in Knoxville. A resolution was made in 2014, marking the date as State Constitution Day.

The Super Bowl countdown continues, with just three more days until the big game. The Titans didn’t make it this time, but at least nine players with Tennessee ties will be in the big game featured in our Sports section below.

We’re sponsored today by the non-profit World Concern, offering an opportunity to help needy Christian children in Somalia.

Manhunt Underway in Robertson County

Authorities in Robertson County urged residents Wednesday to keep their doors locked as they conducted a manhunt for 39-year-old Jimmy Anthony Cox in connection with a murder case.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check at a home on Fishers Grove, where deputies discovered Jeremy Crabtree, Cox’s stepfather, deceased from stab wounds.

Investigators determined that the incident arose from a domestic dispute between Crabtree and Cox. After the attack, Cox reportedly fled on foot and was last seen near Fishers Grove Road in Greenbrier.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching the area using aircraft, K9 units, and ground patrols. Local schools were placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution. At the time of this writing, the manhunt remains ongoing.

TN Lawmakers Call for Elon Musk Investigation

Rep. Karen Camper (D-Memphis) submitted a letter on Tuesday to the state’s attorney general, raising concerns over reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has accessed systems within the Treasury Department’s payment infrastructure.

Camper urged Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to investigate whether the personal data of Tennesseans has been accessed, the chain of custody for any extracted information, and whether any of the data has been transferred to unauthorized individuals or entities.

She also expressed concern about access to the Office of Personnel Management which could include federal disciplinary records, potentially allowing federal employees to obstruct disciplinary actions.

A Treasury Department official wrote a letter Tuesday to lawmakers stating that a tech executive working with Musk will have read-only access to the payment system.

‘Super Bowl of Bass Fishing’ Returns to Knoxville

The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) officials announced today that the prestigious Bassmaster Classic, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,” will return to Knoxville for the third time.

The world’s top professional anglers will compete from March 13-15, 2026, as competitors fish the Tennessee River, with daily weigh-ins taking place at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, presented by GSM Outdoors, will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall. It will span over 250,000 square feet and feature more than 200 exhibitors.

The 2026 Bassmaster Classic, hosted by Visit Knoxville, will showcase 58 of the sport’s top anglers seeking a $300,000 first-place prize and a total purse exceeding $850,000.

Flying together with our sponsor

Somalia is facing a devastating combination of natural disasters, global conflicts, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks. East Africa has just endured its worst drought in 40 years, leaving tens of millions without access to clean water, wiping out millions of livestock, and destroying crops. With domestic food production crippled, Somalia has relied heavily on imports—90% of its wheat coming from Russia and Ukraine—until those shipments stopped.

Now, two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition, and cholera is spreading in some regions. The food crisis, compounded by global humanitarian aid being redirected to Europe and the Middle East, has created a perfect storm, leading to a sharp rise in child malnutrition.

Be Doers

We’re asking the Flyover Community to join us in partnering with World Concern to help get emergency nutrition packs (a peanut paste fortified with nutrients), water, and hygiene products to those with the most need.

Every $12 feeds a child for a month. We’re matching the first $750; just give through this link.

➤ Erwin: The state has approved $9.77 million to replace the Chestoa Pike Bridge, which was destroyed by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ East Tennessee: Several school districts closed due to illness, with flu cases impacting staffing and attendance in Lenoir City and Loudon County Schools. (More)

➤ Nashville: A deadly shooting outside of Green Hills Mall following a robbery on Tuesday has led to safety concerns for shoppers and mall workers. (More)

➤ Memphis: Mayor Paul Young announced that planned renovations for the FedExForum could take up to 10 years at a projected $550 million. (More)

➤ Maryville: The city council approved a $55 million bond for high school additions, including 48 new classrooms and an auditorium. (More)

➤ At least nine players in the Super Bowl have Tennessee ties, including Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Darian Kinnard. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee baseball team is featured in the new MLB video game The Show 25 and is highlighted twice in the video trailer. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans have already sold out their new “Mosh Pit” for next season, which included submitting an audition video to identify the team’s most committed fans. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The PhotoStick® OMNI automatically finds, sorts, and saves up to 60,000 photos and videos across all your devices with just ONE click. Over 1.5 Million People Use ThePhotoStick® OMNI!

➤ In-N-Out Burger announced plans to open four to five Memphis locations, adding to nearly three dozen locations possible across the state. (More)

➤ Siskin Hospital in Chattanooga is celebrating 35 years of healing and helping others with events and reflections throughout February to honor this milestone. (More)

➤ Linde, Inc., an industrial gas company, announced plans to build a new facility in Charleston in a $70 million expansion project that will create 18 new jobs. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Kailo’s Flex™ is an all-natural pain patch designed to quickly relieve pain anywhere on your body. It is the most flexible, comfortable, and affordable pain patch device we have ever made! (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Somalia faces a crisis from natural disasters, conflict, poverty, and disease. The worst drought in 40 years devastated crops and livestock, while food imports from Russia and Ukraine halted. Two in five Somali children now suffer from acute malnutrition. Join us in partnering with World Concern to get emergency nutrition packs & clean water to children. $12 feeds a child for a month.

➤ Sweet Week in Gatlinburg begins on Friday, showcasing “sweet treats” for locals and tourists visiting the area. (Watch Video)

➤ A Knoxville pharmacist recently helped save the life of a customer having a heart attack in a local Kroger grocery store. (Watch Video)

➤ Wilson County Rotary clubs celebrated the donation of 100,000 books to local schools with programs serving about 2,100 kids each month. (Watch Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Check out CozyCharge, the rechargeable hand warmer that provides eight hours of warmth whenever you need it. (See It Here)