Thursday, May 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1985, country singer Dustin Lynch was born in Tullahoma. A Grand Ole Opry member, Lynch has built a chart-topping career with multiple No. 1 hits.

The University of Tennessee has received up to 18,000 books from longtime Knoxville resident Cormac McCarthy’s personal library, giving researchers an inside look into his habits, notes, and inspirations. See details here.

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Incogni, about how data brokers collect and sell personal information and how to remove it from hundreds of sites automatically.

Scientists say one small part of the brain holds the key to memory, navigation, and long-term cognitive health, but many Americans are unknowingly letting it weaken. The good news? A few surprisingly enjoyable activities may help protect your brain before real decline begins. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Ayla Brown shares three simple habits researchers say could help keep your brain sharper for years to come. Listen here.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing practical money-saving strategies designed to help retirees cut unnecessary expenses, stretch their monthly budgets further, and focus more on enjoying retirement instead of worrying about rising everyday costs.

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.

TN Democrats Stripped of Committees

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from committee assignments after protests during last week’s special session on congressional redistricting.

Republicans accused Democrats of disrupting proceedings by blocking aisles and using noisemakers on the House floor.

Democrats, including Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, called the move political retaliation tied to opposition to the new GOP-backed maps.

The fight adds more fuel to Tennessee’s already heated redistricting battle as both sides accuse the other of undermining democracy.

Sewage Leak Kills Creek Life

A sewage leak in Farragut wiped out all aquatic life along a 1.5-mile stretch of Turkey Creek after contaminated water flowed into the stream for five days.

Tennessee wildlife officials said fish and other organisms were killed, though the full environmental impact is still being assessed.

First Utility District said a contractor’s machine damaged a sewer line near Founders Park, but officials said the incident was not caused by negligence.

Crews repaired the line on Monday and are now testing the creek daily as frustrated residents report seeing dead fish and insects along the water’s edge.

Fireball Seen Over Hendersonville

A large fireball spotted above Hendersonville this week is part of a controlled natural gas flare tied to pipeline maintenance, city officials said.

The flame near Stop 30 Road and Drakes Creek comes from Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas crews burning off excess gas vapors during repairs.

Officials said safety crews are monitoring the “open flaring” operation, which will continue off and on through Monday. See a photo of the fiery display here.

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Retirement should be about your bucket list, not your grocery list. Finding extra room in your monthly budget doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul—just a few strategic moves.

The experts at FinanceBuzz have identified several simple ways to trim the fat and keep your savings where they belong: with you.

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➤ Statewide: Officials released a new electric vehicle roadmap that seeks to grow the state’s EV count to 750,000 by 2035 and expand charging infrastructure statewide. (More)

➤ Also statewide: Recent rainfall has eased drought conditions in parts of Middle Tennessee, but about 30% of the state remains in extreme drought. (More)

➤ Memphis: Reality TV star Kim Kardashian urged Gov. Bill Lee to allow new DNA and fingerprint testing before Tennessee executes inmate Tony Carruthers next week. (More)

➤ Wilson County: School officials are investigating antisemitic graffiti found in a Green Hill High School restroom as Jewish advocacy groups warn of rising online radicalization and hate targeting students. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee has received up to 18,000 books from the personal library of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, providing a rare look into the novelist’s work and influences. (More)

➤ Clarksville: The city is now home to one of only three licensed natural childbirth centers in Tennessee, giving low-risk families a home-like alternative to hospital delivery. (More)

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➤ The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame named Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee its 2026 Tennessean of the Year, while quarterback Diego Pavia earned Male Amateur Athlete of the Year honors. (See Honorees)

➤ Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward will be featured in the third season of Netflix’s Quarterback, which follows Ward and other quarterbacks throughout the 2025 NFL season. (More)

➤ University of Tennessee women’s soccer player Ali Howard, daughter of legendary U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard, has entered the NCAA transfer portal. (More)

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➤ Turn toothbrushing from a daily battle into something kids actually enjoy with the Sonic Glow Toothbrush. It’s fun, kid-friendly design and gentle 30-second cleaning help children brush longer and more effectively while encouraging healthier habits, cleaner teeth, and happier smiles — without the constant reminders or struggles from parents. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Target is officially returning to Antioch after buying an $11.2 million property at Century Farms, marking the retailer’s first South Nashville location in more than a decade. (More)

➤ Airbnb signed on as the official lodging partner for Bristol Motor Speedway and plans to add local rental listings to the track’s website starting next year. (More)

➤ Tsubaki-Nakashima will close its Erwin ball-bearing plant in early 2027, eliminating about 129 jobs as Unicoi County continues recovering from Hurricane Helene-related manufacturing losses. (More)

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➤ InvestorPlace is spotlighting what it calls a potential “Black Swan” AI investment opportunity tied to the explosive race for artificial intelligence dominance. As billions pour into AI infrastructure and next-generation technology, early investors could gain exposure to companies positioned to benefit from what some analysts believe may be the market’s next massive disruption. (LEARN MORE)

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You’ve worked hard for your retirement; now make sure your money is working just as hard for you. Stretching your budget doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. With a few effortless adjustments from the expert advice of FinanceBuzz, you can breathe easier knowing your finances are optimized for the long haul.

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➤ The Budweiser Clydesdales will make three Knoxville appearances May 20-22, including stops at a Food City event, a Savannah Bananas game, and a Knoxville Smokies game downtown. (More)

➤ Algood firefighters removed a swarm of bees from a fire hydrant outside a diner, joking that the insects may have gathered there for the restaurant’s sweet tea. (More)

➤ Developers behind Chattanooga’s The Bend project plan to build a $300 million, 12,000-seat amphitheater along the riverfront to host major concerts. (See Renderings)

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