Wednesday, September 17, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1960, Sun Records founder Sam Phillips opened his Memphis recording studio, replacing the iconic Sun Studio where legends like Elvis and Johnny Cash got their start.

Thirteen people were arrested in Memphis on Tuesday when a task force caught them stealing $250,000 worth of chicken. Find out more in Around Tennessee.

Do you ever feel like you just can’t catch up on sleep? Turns out the rules you’ve heard about weekend sleep may have it backward. Can sleeping in actually undo the damage from a rough week? Is there a point where extra sleep starts working against you? And does anyone really know the magic number? Scientists finally have answers, and Ayla is breaking them down on The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Choice Home Warranty, helps homeowners protect their budgets from unexpected repair costs when major appliances and home systems break down.

Your next order of fries could come with a little help from a robot. Later today, watch for an email from our partner, Miso Robotics, about its kitchen technology and an investment opportunity.

LMU Settles Jewish Discrimination Lawsuit

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has entered a voluntary settlement with federal civil rights authorities over the treatment of Jewish students at its medical school in Harrogate.

Investigators found the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine denied Jewish students’ requests to reschedule classes and exams for religious holidays during the 2025-26 school year.

The school granted similar accommodations to non-Jewish students, then barred all religious absence requests in January 2026 after students challenged the double standard.

LMU must revise its absence policy, reverse penalties against affected students, and train faculty and staff. Its cooperation keeps the university eligible for federal funding.

Millington Fugitive Captured in Slovenia

A man wanted in the 2022 killing of a Millington teenager has been captured in Ljubljana, Slovenia, a country in central Europe.

Seth Walls, 23, is accused of fatally shooting 15-year-old Haley Reedy in September 2022 at a home on Clear Creek Drive in Millington.

Walls posted a $10,000 bond and skipped a court date. The U.S. Marshals adopted the case in 2023, and Interpol fingerprints confirmed his identity.

He remains in custody in Slovenia while the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office coordinate his extradition to the United States.

UT Unveils 865 Neyland

The University of Tennessee (UT) has revealed “865 Neyland” as the official name and brand for the mixed-use entertainment district rising beside Neyland Stadium.

The name nods to East Tennessee’s area code, which spells VOL on a phone keypad, and will also serve as the district’s permanent street address.

Plans call for 100,000 square feet of dining, retail, and entertainment space anchored by a 24-story hotel and residential tower, with completion set for 2028.

Two outdoor plazas will hold more than 3,000 square feet of LED displays, including a 50-foot screen at a permanent live performance stage.

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Your AC Quits. Now You’re Facing a $6,000 Bill.

It always seems to happen at the worst possible time. Your AC quits during the hottest week of the year. Your refrigerator suddenly stops cooling—with a week’s worth of groceries inside.

Then comes the repair or replacement bill.

Replacing a central AC system now costs homeowners around $6,000 on average—and depending on the home and system, it can climb above $12,000. Even replacing a refrigerator costs around $1,500 on average.

Homeowners insurance typically isn’t designed to cover appliances and systems that fail from normal wear and tear. That’s where Choice Home Warranty can help. Depending on your plan, coverage may include major systems and appliances such as air conditioning, heating, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.

Choice has covered more than 2.9 million homes and serviced more than 9.8 million claims.

See what a Choice Home Warranty plan could cover in your home.

➤ Statewide: Tennessee could owe as much as $243 million a year in SNAP benefit costs under the One Big Beautiful Bill, on top of $77 million in new administrative expenses. (More)

➤ Nashville: Metro Council approved a Kia and Hyundai settlement worth $1.22 million gross, leaving the city $747,819 after attorneys’ fees from the 2023 car theft surge. (More)

➤ Memphis: A task force arrested 13 people caught unloading $250,000 worth of stolen chicken from an 18-wheeler behind a hotel on Lamar Avenue. (More)

➤ Lawrenceburg: A family faces homelessness after their insurer denied a claim on the home they spent five years building, which burned in January, and then bought the lien on the property. (More)

➤ Claiborne County: Former sheriff’s deputy Matthew Hopson, 29, was indicted on official misconduct after the TBI alleged he solicited someone as part of a murder-for-hire scheme. (More)

➤ Columbia: A prostitution and human trafficking bust at a local massage parlor has ties to both campaigns in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, though neither candidate was arrested. (More)

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➤ Vanderbilt named true freshman Jared Curtis its starting quarterback against NC State after he played most of last week’s win over Delaware. Curtis is a former five-star prospect. (More)

➤ Memphis tight end Hunter Tipton earned John Mackey Award Player of the Week honors after catching nine passes for 229 yards and a touchdown at Boise State. (More)

➤ All four Nashville Predators preseason games will air on The Spot-Nashville 28, marking the first time in franchise history that every exhibition game will be televised. (See Schedule)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer

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➤ Diesel prices have broken records every day this week, according to GasBuddy data, with Memphis averages climbing about a dollar per gallon over the past month. (More)

➤ The Jefferson City Council approved a five-year plan raising water and sewer rates 16% on the first 2,000 gallons, with another 16% planned for July. (More)

➤ The Drop Inn, a “glamping” cabin retreat inside Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, plans to open to public guests in October, and its booking calendar is already live. (More)

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Could You Absorb a $6,000 Home Repair?

That’s approximately what a central AC replacement costs on average today. Depending on your system, the final bill could climb above $12,000. A new refrigerator averages around $1,500—and that’s before replacing the food that spoiled when it stopped cooling.

A home warranty can help you prepare before something breaks. Depending on the plan, Choice Home Warranty may cover major appliances and home systems that fail from normal wear and tear.

Don’t wait until the AC stops blowing cold air to think about the cost.

Check your available plans and see what coverage could cost.

➤ The Tennessee Valley Fair runs through Sunday at Chilhowee Park, with tickets from $7 for children to $46 for multi-pass bundles, plus concerts, rides, and agricultural events. (More)

➤ The Fall Rod Run returns to Pigeon Forge today through Saturday, bringing hundreds of show cars, a swap meet, and a $10,000 cash giveaway to the LeConte Center. (More)

➤ Knoxville native Dale Dickey lost her first Emmy to Widow’s Bay co-star Kate O’Flynn, and the two shared a hug just before O’Flynn took the stage to accept. (More)

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➤ 5 Reasons Why This Coffee Booster Is Becoming The Go-To Weight Loss Hack. Wellaray® Slim Coffee Booster is a scientifically formulated blend of four natural ingredients that target stubborn weight gain.  Just one packet mixed into your morning coffee is enough to boost your metabolism by up to 67%, help block carbohydrate absorption, and eliminate sugar cravings – all while keeping your energy stable throughout the day.  Learn More

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ Can you catch up on sleep, and how many hours does it take? (Listen Now)

➤ Democrats refuse to advance a sweeping crypto bill until new limits are placed on presidential profits from digital assets. (Hear Episode)

➤ House lawmakers held billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress, escalating their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s network. (Hear Details)