Thursday, June 12, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1985, country singer Chris Young, famous for hits like The Man I Want To Be and Gettin’ You Home, was born in Murfreesboro.

Today’s edition covers Tennessee’s celebrations for the U.S. military’s 250th anniversary, from Marine Week Nashville to a veterans’ event in the Smokies. See more about the planned ceremonies in the stories below.

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Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

20 Protests Set for President Trump’s Birthday

Progressive activists plan to hold more than 20 No Kings protests across Tennessee on Saturday, coinciding with President Trump’s birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade.

The protests, spanning Memphis to Johnson City, oppose Trump’s military celebration, framing the day as a stand against authoritarianism.

The president’s camp, meanwhile, has maintained that the D.C. parade is a tribute to the Army, not Trump’s birthday.

The events, led by Indivisible and the 50501 Movement, are a continuation of the groups’ national campaign against the presidential administration.

West Nile Virus Case Confirmed in Knox

Health officials have confirmed a human case of West Nile virus in Knox County, one of three reported across Tennessee.

Shelby and Carroll Counties also reported infections, with 10 total cases now documented in seven U.S. states as of June 3.

The virus, spread by mosquitoes, rarely causes symptoms, but about 1 in 150 infected individuals can develop severe illness.

With no vaccine available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends residents take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Gov. Lee Expands Workforce Board Powers

Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order on Tuesday that gave the state’s Workforce Development Board expanded authority over job training and program funding.

The 33-member board, once mainly advisory, can now steer resources and coordinate workforce initiatives across public schools, technical colleges, and higher ed institutions.

Lee said the changes will strengthen career pipelines for young people, rural residents, and others with limited access to jobs.

The board will also advise the governor on policy effectiveness and removing barriers to employment.

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➤ Statewide: The Tennessee Department of Human Services will issue a one-time $120 per child payment to underserved families in 15 counties through the state’s summer nutrition initiative. (See Details)

➤ Also, Statewide: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency urges residents not to disturb fawns, as mothers often leave them briefly to avoid predators, and human interference can cause more harm than good. (More)

➤ Manchester: Jonathan Mayers, co-founder of Bonnaroo and a major figure in the music festival world, died just days before the 2025 event kicks off. No cause of death has been released. (More)

➤ Nashville: The Marine Corps marked its 250th anniversary with Marine Week, engaging thousands through public workouts and ceremonies, including a local Marine returning home with the Silent Drill Platoon. (See Photos)

➤ Blount County: Over 250 veterans buried across the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be honored Saturday for the Army’s 250th birthday, including speakers, pin presentations, and tributes to War of 1812 veterans. (More)

➤ Memphis: City officials confirmed residents have left the troubled Serenity Towers apartment complex as it awaits sale, with most receiving compensation and housing aid after years of neglect and code violations. (More)

➤ Tennessee baseball’s Liam Doyle was named Perfect Game’s Pitcher of the Year for 2025 after logging a program record of 164 strikeouts in 19 games. (More)

➤ A new law will allow Tennessee hunters to utilize bait when hunting deer. The bait privilege licenses will be $50 for residents and $100 for non-residents. (More)

➤ The U.S. men’s soccer team lost 4-0 to Switzerland on Tuesday, marking its longest losing streak since 2007 and its worst first-half defensive showing in over 40 years. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ Tennessee ranked sixth in a new labor policy report, praised for pro-business laws that reportedly spurred population growth and influenced reforms in nearby states. (See Report)

➤ The ScaleUp Kitchen program by theCO will offer 14 free summer workshops across West Tennessee, equipping food-based businesses with practical tools in sales, marketing, finance, operations, and profitability. (More)

➤ Gov. Bill Lee cut the ribbon on Tennessee College of Applied Technology Elizabethton’s new facility Tuesday, launching programs in construction, nursing, and more to boost job readiness. (See Ribbon-Cutting)

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➤ Kitchen Social’s summer camp in Brentwood teaches aspiring young chefs hands-on lessons in pizza and pancake making, along with the food science of tools like parchment paper. (See Video)

➤ Over 150 standout high school athletes were honored Tuesday by Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs at Covenant Health Park for the fourth annual Night of Champions. (See Photos)

➤ A Snoop Dogg biopic is in the works from Memphis filmmaker Craig Brewer, who is teaming up with the rap icon to tell the story of his rise from West Coast artist to household name. (More)

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