Thursday, March 27, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1814, Andrew Jackson led nearly 2,000 volunteer soldiers from Tennessee in an attack on a Creek Indian stronghold in what is now Tallapoosa County, Alabama. The victory at Horseshoe Bend made Jackson famous.

Some migratory birds may have returned to Tennessee, but it’s not Spring until the ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive. Read below to find out when to expect them.

Today’s sponsor is Skybound, offering an investment opportunity to The Tennessee Flyover readers.

House Gun Debate Leads to Confrontation

Tempers flared at the State Capitol on Wednesday as Reps. Justin Pearson and Andrew Farmer faced off over HB 1392, a bill proposed by Pearson to amend the state’s gun laws. See the exchange here.

Pearson, a Democrat, berated the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, accusing Republicans of offering “empty thoughts and prayers” while ignoring gun violence, referencing his brother’s death by gun suicide.

Farmer responded to Pearson’s accusations by saying Pearson was dismissive of the committee’s hard work, highlighting ongoing tensions between the two, who have clashed before over their opposing views on the issue.

Ultimately, the bill failed, causing Pearson to approach Farmer aggressively before being restrained.

Raccoon Causes Midtown Power Outage

A raccoon caused at least 2,500 Midtown customers to lose power early Wednesday morning, Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) officials say.

According to an MLGW spokesperson, the raccoon triggered a 10-minute power outage around 3:30 a.m. while “messing around in a substation.” Officials noted that despite animal mitigation efforts, raccoons remain “sneaky.”

A similar outage occurred in 2010 when an “acrobatic and mean-spirited” raccoon knocked out power to part of downtown Memphis—including two hospitals and a newspaper—for more than five hours.

CMA Fest Lineup Announced

The Country Music Association announced the lineup for its four-day CMA Fest, the world’s longest-running country music festival, set to take place in Nashville this June.

The festival will showcase over 300 artists performing across 10 stages and includes superstars such as Blake Shelton, Ashley McBryde, Brooks & Dunn, Darius Rucker, and Dierks Bentley.

All daytime outdoor stages at CMA Fest will be free and open to the public. Throughout the festival, various games, activities, and giveaways will be available.

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➤ Memphis: A Nutbush man is in critical condition after accidentally shooting himself early Wednesday while grabbing a gun from a bed during a power outage, authorities said. (More)

➤ Newport: Crews have installed a replacement bridge over the Pigeon River, reopening the AS Line, which had been out of service since Hurricane Helene struck last September. (See Construction)

➤ Gatlinburg: Great Smoky Mountains National Park has implemented group size limits at Whiteoak Sink during wildflower season, allowing only individuals or groups of eight or fewer to access the area. (More)

➤ Mt. Juliet: STORK Pins were awarded to three members of the Mt. Juliet Fire Department this week, recognizing their exceptional skill, compassion, and care in delivering the department’s first baby in the field. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Local officials will host a community open house tonight, inviting the public to view the nearly final draft designs and provide feedback on Chattanooga’s 21st Century Waterfront project. (More)

➤ Franklin: Parks officials broke ground Wednesday on Pearl Park, a 180-acre site to feature playgrounds, sports fields, a clean water facility, and an educational trail along the Harpeth River. (More)

➤ Music City Baseball has partnered with the Lincoln Property Company to search for a development site that could include an MLB-ready stadium and potentially bring a team to Nashville. (More)

➤ Tennessee State announced that former NFL coach Gregg Williams, who was suspended in 2012 for his role in the NFL’s “Bountygate” scandal, will join its football staff as defensive coordinator. (More)

➤ Nashville SC midfielder and avid Pokémon fan Edvard Tagseth traded his game-worn jersey for a fan’s Rayquaza card after spotting the request on a sign in the crowd. (See Exchange)

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➤ Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center contributed over $22 billion to Nashville’s economy between 2019 and 2024 through spending, construction, and investments, according to an economic impact study. (More)

➤ Knoxville officials announced “Prosperity Through Innovation,” a plan to raise pay by 30%, cut poverty by 25%, and attract more 25-54-year-olds to boost national innovation and performance rankings by 2030. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee invested $150,000 in VisualizAI, an AI startup helping healthcare providers recover lost revenue while offering students hands-on experience in real-world innovation. (More)

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➤ Seven, a foal born with undeveloped bones, returned home after months of treatment at the University of Tennessee’s veterinary school, where staff helped him recover and shaved a Power T into his coat. (See Seven)

➤ The Jonas Brothers announced their JONAS20 tour celebrating 20 years in music, with a career-spanning setlist at each show, including an Oct. 14 stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. (More)

➤ Ruby-throated hummingbirds, an early sign of spring, have been spotted in Memphis and Chattanooga, with experts anticipating sightings in Middle Tennessee as early as next week. (More)

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