Thursday, May 1, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1982, the World’s Fair was hosted in Knoxville—an iconic moment in the city’s history that left lasting impacts like the Sunsphere tower, which was built for the event.

If you’ve seen a lot of birds lately, you’re not in an Alfred Hitchcock film; Tennessee is at the peak of bird migration, with millions flying north as they return to breeding grounds. See maps of the migration in the story 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.

Tornado Risk Rising in Tennessee

Tornadoes are becoming more frequent and dangerous in Tennessee, particularly at night, as severe storm activity shifts eastward from the traditional Plains states.

Over the past 40 years, the traditional Tornado Alley has crept further into the South, with places like Crossville facing a rise in destructive twisters.

Experts cite warming winters, weak building standards, and a lack of nighttime vigilance as key contributors to the rising risk.

Tennessee leads the nation in nighttime tornadoes, and meteorologists urge residents to secure their homes and stay alert after dark.

Homeland Security Warns of SafeTN Scam

Scammers are impersonating Tennessee’s SafeTN app, sending fake texts about overdue tolls to trick residents into clicking fraudulent links.

State Homeland Security officials say the texts claim unpaid toll fees and threaten driver’s license suspension, often mimicking official sites to appear legitimate.

Tennesseans lost more than $190 million to similar tech scams last year, according to a new FBI report.

The department emphasized that SafeTN will never send texts about payments or license issues; residents are urged to verify messages, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, and report suspicious texts.

State Emerges From Yearlong Drought

Tennessee is nearly drought-free for the first time in 11 months, thanks to record-setting rainfall in April.

Memphis saw over 12 inches of rain in four days, while Clarksville experienced its wettest recorded start to a year and Nashville also logged record-breaking precipitation.

As of late April, only 5% of the state remains in drought, down from over 50% during the winter.

Still, experts warn that conditions can shift quickly, especially with Tennessee’s history of flash droughts tied to climate patterns like La Niña.

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➤ Statewide: Millions of birds will fly over Tennessee this week as peak spring migration, powered by strong southerly winds, sends massive overnight flocks across the state. (See Migration Maps)

➤ Cookeville: Tennessee Tech has partnered with state officials to protect the Duck River, one of the nation’s most biodiverse waterways, researching how to balance conservation with growing water demands. (More)

➤ Memphis: Interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond announced his 100-day initiative will launch May 1, focusing on academics, attendance, attitude, athletics and the arts. (More)

➤ Rutherford County: Twenty-four inmates at the County Detention Center completed a program to reduce recidivism through courses in life skills and moral reasoning, preparing them to reintegrate into the community. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: TDOT’s $161 million I-75/I-24 split project will miss its summer 2025 deadline due to added I-75 repairs, though I-24 work is still set to finish by late summer. (More)

➤ Knox County: The school district approved a $700 million budget cutting dozens of jobs, funding a new K-8 school, raising teacher pay to meet state rules, and addressing expected enrollment declines. (More)

➤ 4-star cornerback recruit Caden Harris announced his commitment to Vanderbilt football on Tuesday, spurning offers from Georgia, Auburn, and Notre Dame. (More)

➤ An NBA insider suggested Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could be traded this offseason after an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign. (More)

➤ Tennessee basketball landed combo guard Amaree Abram in the transfer portal, adding veteran experience to an already potent backcourt rotation. (More)

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➤ Business owners oppose a proposed downtown Smithville jail, citing concerns it would hurt economic growth, undermine revitalization efforts, and strain local infrastructure. (See Videos)

➤ Musician Kid Rock will open The Detroit Cowboy restaurant on May 5 in Nashville, taking over the former Joe Muer Seafood space and returning to the hospitality scene after closing his Detroit eatery in 2020. (More)

➤ A $100 million project, The Plaza at Five Oaks, is underway in Lebanon, featuring restaurants, retail, a hotel, and greenspace designed to boost the local economy and quality of life. (More)

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➤ An Eagleville teen advanced to American Idol’s Top 10 after wowing judges with her rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” earning praise for her talent and stage presence. (See Video)

➤ Vols basketball player Jahmai Mashack received an advocacy award from Second Harvest Food Bank after helping provide nearly 200,000 meals through fundraisers and hands-on volunteer work. (More)

➤ Elkmont’s synchronous firefly viewing season runs May 29–June 5, with the annual lottery for 960 vehicle passes opening May 2. (More)

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