Court Backs State Law to Cut Metro Council

Over 45,000 Pounds of Trash Removed from Lakes

A record 46,605 pounds of trash was removed from four Tennessee lakes this spring thanks to 198 volunteers in the Tennessee River Grand Slam cleanup series.

The effort, organized by Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful and backed by TVA and TDOT, focused on Douglas, Norris, Pickwick, and Kentucky Lakes. The largest haul came from Douglas Lake in March, still recovering from last fall’s Hurricane Helene.

This year’s total exceeded the previous record by more than 10,000 pounds, highlighting growing volunteer support and ongoing need after storm damage.

Titanic Artifacts Expected to Fetch $1M

Two new Titanic artifacts at the Pigeon Forge museum are set for auction, where they’re expected to fetch more than $1 million.

The items—Isador Straus’s pocket watch and a letter written by his wife, Ida, aboard the ship—belonged to the couple who famously died together in the 1912 disaster.

The artifacts will remain in Tennessee until December 5 before heading to auction in the U.K.

Museum officials say the exhibit offers visitors a powerful glimpse into one of the tragedy’s most poignant love stories.

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➤ Shelby County: The county health department is giving away free mosquitofish to help curb West Nile virus by eating mosquito larvae in stagnant water—up to 100 a day. (More)

➤ Nashville: Authorities are searching for Tony Lopez-Infante, a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, accused of a hit-and-run that seriously injured a pedestrian. He faces multiple charges and a deportation order (More)

➤ Hamilton County: The school board postponed a decision on new student cell phone rules, with members split between banning phones entirely and allowing them for emergencies. (More)

➤ Sevier County: County and state officials are working together to revise local flood maps to better reflect risk zones along the Little Pigeon River system, aiming to improve future flood planning after recent severe weather. (More)

➤ Maryville: A local handyman and his family are planning to buy a new home after winning $1 million from a Tennessee Lottery scratch-off ticket, part of over $21 million in prizes awarded statewide last month. (More)

➤ Two international soccer teams will use Tennessee as a training ground for the 2025 Club World Cup: Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal will practice in Nashville, while New Zealand’s Auckland City FC will practice in Chattanooga. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee finished second in this year’s All-SEC Sports title race, trailing only the Texas Longhorns in conference championships. The Vols had won the award in each of the last three years. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia went back and forth with Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams on social media after the latter referred to the Commodores as an “ant” that his team would “kill…with a sledgehammer.” (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NHL | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ In-N-Out Burger plans to open 35 locations across Tennessee by 2026, including a regional headquarters in Franklin, marking the chain’s farthest eastward expansion to date. (See Details)

➤ Summertown Metals announced Wednesday that it will invest $22.6 million and create 170 jobs as it expands into Hamblen County. (More) 

➤ Bridgestone has filed a WARN notice confirming its La Vergne tire plant will begin to close on July 31, affecting 658 workers as part of efforts to boost efficiency and competitiveness. (More)

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This tech company grew 32,481%

No, it’s not Nvidia… It’s Mode Mobile, 2023’s fastest-growing software company, according to Deloitte.⁴

Just as Uber turned vehicles into income-generating assets, Mode is turning smartphones into an easy passive income source. It is already helping more than 45 million users earn over $325 million through simple, everyday use.

They’ve just been granted their stock ticker by the Nasdaq, and you can still invest in their pre-IPO¹ offering at just $0.30/share.⁵

➤ Post Malone will open a 26,000-square-foot honky-tonk bar in Nashville this summer featuring six bars, three stages, a rooftop, and full-service dining as part of his shift into country music. (More)

➤ Eleven-year-old Maggie Lamb of Knox County has earned praise for portraying young Dolly Parton in Dollywood’s From the Heart while balancing school, Girl Scouts, and rehearsals. (See Young Dolly)

➤ Country legend George Jones was honored with a life-size bronze statue at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, joining fellow greats like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride as part of the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebrations. (See Photos)

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What is Pigeon Forge’s most underrated attraction?

1. Titanic Museum
2. Dolly Parton’s Stampede
3. Outdoor Gravity Park
4. Smoky Mountain Cat House
5. Other

Previous Results:

What exotic animal would you keep as a pet?

1. None: 32%
2. Other: 15%
3. Bobcat: 14%
4. Zebra (duh): 13%
5. Kangaroo: 13%
6. Ostrich: 13%

What was Tennessee’s first newspaper?

Show me the answer