Thursday, January 8, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1958, a series of explosions in the chemical lab at Franklin’s Lillie Mills sparked a massive fire that destroyed the five-story grain mill. The concrete silos were left standing and remained in use for decades.

Premiering this month at the Sundance Film Festival, Murder 101 tells the remarkable true story of Elizabethton High School students who, through a 2018 sociology class assignment, helped solve a decades-old cold case. See details in the story below.

The Flyover Podcast shares how millions of Americans could get money back following a $2.5 billion settlement over Amazon Prime’s subscription practices. On today’s episode, host Ayla Brown breaks down how much you could receive and what to do next. Tune in here!

If you’re interested in where the next real wave of AI growth is happening beyond the hype, today’s sponsor, RAD Intel, is building performance-driven AI that’s already delivering results for major brands.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Freedom Scholarship Applications to Open

Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program opens Jan. 13 for the upcoming school year, with applications available for K-12 students seeking to use state funds to attend eligible private schools.

State data shows that the program awarded $7,295 per student, filled all 20,000 vouchers statewide in 2024–25, and could more than double in 2026 at an added projected cost of $144 million. Renewal applications for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program opened Dec. 9, with 20,000 vouchers available annually, split evenly between income-eligible families and open enrollment.

State GOP leaders have praised the multimillion-dollar program for expanding school choice, while Democratic lawmakers criticize the program as lacking transparency, favoring wealthy families, and diverting public school funding.

Technical glitches hampered the rollout last year, but state officials say improvements are coming for 2026.

ETCH, Cigna Inch Closer to Coverage Deal

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital says it’s reviewing a new proposal from Cigna, offering hope to more than 27,000 families at risk of losing in-network coverage.

The hospital and insurer have traded blame over who initiated the contract dispute, with Cigna citing high costs and ETCH accusing the company of issuing a surprise termination notice back in May.

While negotiations continue, Cigna says it will still cover emergency and some other services past the March 1 deadline.

Parents say the progress is a welcome step, but worry that the clock is ticking.

Film Features TN Students’ Cold Case Work

A new docuseries inspired by research from Elizabethton High School students that drew national attention will premiere Jan. 27 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, spotlighting their role in linking a suspect to the Redhead Murders.

The series, Murder 101, follows a 2018 sociology class assignment that led to a real cold case breakthrough, including the 2022 identification of victim Tracy Sue Walker, who went missing in 1978.

The filmmaker behind the project says the show blends true crime with coming-of-age drama.

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➤ Statewide: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported that 2,547 sober people have been arrested for DUI since 2017, far more than previously disclosed. (More)

➤ Nashville: Metro Nashville Public Schools is seeking input on three proposed timing models, including two that would shift start times later. (See Details)

➤ Columbia: Officials will vote today on a proposed water rate increase nearing 150% over five years to fund a new treatment plant, as residents urge a delay to explore alternatives. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg: The National Park Service is conducting a 900-acre prescribed burn in Cades Cove to restore native meadow habitats and reduce wildfire risk. (More)

➤ Also Gatlinburg: The city will temporarily close the Baskins Creek Bypass on Monday and Tuesday for construction tied to Anakeesta’s Crystal Express lift system upgrade. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The East Tennessee Historical Society received a $78,600 state grant to upgrade museum lighting to LEDs, part of a $5 million competitive program supporting capital improvements at museums statewide. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans are interviewing former Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett for their head coaching vacancy tomorrow. He joins an ever-growing list of candidates that includes former Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. (More)

➤ Tennessee hosted former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt for an on-campus visit yesterday. Leavitt is the No. 1 overall prospect in the portal. (More)

➤ Seven Nashville Predators prospects competed at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, with four earning medals and standout performances from Brady Martin and goalie Jack Ivankovic. (More)

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

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➤ Chris Hall was named CEO of Remote Area Medical, succeeding Jeff Eastman, who has led the organization since 2015 and will remain in an advisory role through 2026. (More)

➤ Gray Media purchased the property housing WBBJ-TV in Jackson for $2 million, expanding its regional station portfolio following its December 2025 agreement to acquire the ABC affiliate from Bahakel Communications. (More)

➤ Bitcoin mining firm CleanSpark says it curtailed power by hundreds of megawatts at 11 Tennessee sites during extreme cold last year using a flexible demand response system. (More)

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➤ An East Tennessee boy, diagnosed with Hurler syndrome as a newborn, is now thriving after receiving a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment as part of a clinical trial. (More)

➤ Chattanooga City Council approved an ordinance allowing earlier carriage horse retirement, classifying horses as geriatric at 20, requiring retirement at 25, and adding protections for aging horses and pregnant mares. (See Horses)

➤ A new master plan to rebuild David Crockett Birthplace State Park after Hurricane Helene calls for a new visitor center and a modernized campground with RV and tent sites. (See Plan)

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Thursday, January 8, 2026

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Freedom Scholarship Applications to Open

ETCH, Cigna Inch Closer to Coverage Deal

Film Features TN Students’ Cold Case Work

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.

One Email. All The Tennessee News.

Get Informed About The Volunteer State In 5 Minutes.