Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1999, singer Anita Carter—the youngest of country music’s famous Carter Family and sister-in-law to Johnny Cash—died in Goodlettsville at the age of 66.

Is your Tennessee summer bucket list running dry? Gov. Bill Lee has the solution—he plans to add a total of 14 new state parks to Tennessee’s system before his term ends in 2027. See details in the story below.

Later today, we’ll email you on behalf of our partner Timeplast with the chance to invest in a breakthrough innovation: plastic that dissolves in water. Keep an eye out—this is your opportunity to get in early.

Today, we’re sponsored by Jet Surge Powerwasher. This simple attachment transforms any garden hose into a pressure washer.

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.

George Jones’ Widow Defrauded of $12M

A man is accused of stealing over $12 million in cash and crypto from Nancy Jones, the widow of country legend George Jones.

Kirk West, 58, was arrested Thursday at the Nashville airport, a day after police began investigating the theft.

Authorities say West, a longtime romantic partner who previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud, took $400,000 in cash and millions in cryptocurrency after Jones suspected infidelity and asked her granddaughter to check the safes.

West, who is being charged with felony theft, allegedly promised to return $5 million but never did.

Two Tennesseans Killed in Montana Plane Crash

A small plane crash near Yellowstone National Park killed three people: Tennesseans Robert Conover, 60, and Madison Conover, 23, as well as Kurt Robey, 55, of Utah.

The single-engine Piper PA-28 took off just before midnight Thursday from West Yellowstone Airport and crashed shortly after.

Search crews found the wreckage using data from a victim’s smartwatch. Federal investigators are still probing the cause.

WWII Vet Honors Game, Country at 98

George Horne, a 98-year-old World War II veteran and longtime baseball coach, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the American Legion State Tournament in Columbia.

The event, which saw teams vie for a spot in the regional finals, marked the 100th anniversary of Legion Baseball.

Horne served in Germany with the U.S. Army’s 28th Division and went on to coach Post 19’s team, farm in Spring Hill, and serve nearly 50 years in the National Guard.

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➤ Nashville: The city is bracing for its 27th straight day over 90 degrees, with heat indexes expected to hit 110 this week—one of Nashville’s longest and most dangerous heat waves on record. (More)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Bill Lee is set to add a record 14 new state parks before leaving office, marking a major expansion of Tennessee’s park system. (More)

➤ Memphis: The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the Bartlett Muslim Society after it was denied a permit to build a mosque. (More)

➤ Sevier County: A minor 2.3-magnitude earthquake struck just after midnight Sunday, shaking parts of East Tennessee without causing any damage or injuries. (More)

➤ Medina: Local native Meghan Poore was crowned Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2026, earning a $10,000 scholarship, a statewide spokesperson role, and a spot in the Miss Volunteer America pageant. (See Photos)

➤ Uncertainty mounts around the availability of Tennessee football’s Boo Carter, whose own agent admitted he has no idea if he even represents his client anymore. (More)

➤ Three 2025 Nashville Predators draft selections will join Team Canada at the World Junior Summer Hockey Showcase, including fifth-overall pick Brady Martin. (More)

➤ Wrestling fans descended upon Tennessee this weekend to pay homage to recently deceased WWE superstar Hulk Hogan at his store in Pigeon Forge. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

➤ Thank you to everyone who supported The Tennessee Flyover yesterday—your generosity keeps us going. We rely on readers like you to power independent journalism, so if you haven’t yet, please consider chipping in today to help us keep bringing you the news without the noise.

➤ Canada-based Vibrant Health Products will invest $48.5 million to open its first U.S. bakery in Rossville, creating almost 400 jobs over five years. (More)

➤ Electric cooperatives plan to build a natural gas plant at the West Tennessee Megasite to prevent blackouts. A two-year approval process is underway. (More)

➤ Chattanooga’s Holiday Market will relocate to Knoxville’s World’s Fair Expo Center for two weekends in December. The event features over 200 local vendors offering crafts and festive goods. (See Details)

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➤ Dairy Queen locations across East Tennessee will donate $1 or more from every Blizzard sold on Thursday—Miracle Treat Day—to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. (See Details)

➤ Nashville’s Meharry Medical College has opened an Innovation Suite at its School of Dentistry, giving students access to advanced technology and hands-on training. (More)

➤ Over 250 outdoor writers will visit Chattanooga for a conference from Aug. 19-21, showcasing the city’s outdoor attractions through guided tours and events. (More)

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