Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, the Battle at Liberty Gap took place in Bedford and Rutherford Counties, ending in the retreat of the Confederate army and the Union army claiming Middle Tennessee.

As a blistering heat wave grips the state this week, Nashville is opening public cooling centers to help keep residents and visitors safe, while urging everyone to avoid the extreme heat. See cooling center locations 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.

Record July 4th Travel Surge Predicted

A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel during the extended July 4 holiday period, with 1.6 million Tennesseans joining in—a 1.9% bump from last year.

Most will drive, but flights and cruises are seeing gains, too, especially since the holiday falls on a Friday.

Top destinations include Orlando, Anchorage, and Vancouver, with AAA urging early departures to dodge traffic jams.

FedEx Founder Fred Smith Dies at 80

Fred Smith, the Marine veteran who founded FedEx and transformed global shipping, has died at 80, the company has confirmed.

Launching in 1973 with a handful of planes out of Memphis, Smith’s vision of overnight, hub-based delivery reshaped business logistics worldwide.

Smith led FedEx to handle over 17 million daily shipments before stepping down as CEO in 2022.

A quiet philanthropist and former co-owner of the Washington Commanders NFL team, Smith leaves behind a towering legacy in both business and civic life.

13 Horses Begin a New Life in Gallatin

Eleven horses and two foals rescued from poor conditions in Gallatin are now starting a new chapter, thanks to Volunteer Equine Advocates, following an animal cruelty investigation.

The nonprofit is providing the animals with much-needed care, including hoof trimming, dental work, and veterinary visits, all in a safe and nurturing environment.

The group hopes their journey, which is being funded entirely by donations, will draw the attention of empathetic Tennesseans. You can find information about how to donate here.

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➤ Nashville: The city has opened public cooling centers and is urging residents to limit outdoor activity as a dangerous heat wave pushes temperatures above 100 degrees. (See Locations)

➤ Also Nashville: A federal judge denied pretrial detention for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member charged with human smuggling, though ICE will still detain him under immigration authority. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: About 30 protesters rallied downtown Saturday against U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, vocalizing opposition to further engaging in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee is considering a $45 million plan to create the Maplehurst Innovation District on Hill Avenue, aiming to link the campus to downtown with a tech-focused live-work-play neighborhood. (More)

➤ Park City: A 2.4-magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday evening about 20 miles north of Huntsville, causing no damage or injuries—just mild local tremors. (More)

➤ Gallatin: Betty Hooper, a Hawaii-born World War II radar worker who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and later raised six children in Tennessee, turned 100 this weekend and was celebrated by four generations of family. (See Betty)

➤ ESPN predicted that the Nashville Predators would be involved in any blockbuster trade to happen on NHL draft night, dangling the No. 5 pick in the draft for a win-now veteran. (More)

➤ Tennessee baseball secured a transfer commitment from former Virginia slugger Henry Ford. Ford is a top-100 prospect for the MLB draft, and hit .362 last season as a sophomore. (More)

➤ Former Philadelphia Eagles executive Louis Riddick compared Titans quarterback Cam Ward’s unorthodox passing style to Patrick Mahomes because of his ability to put velocity on side-arm throws. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer

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➤ LifeScience Logistics, a leader in healthcare supply chains, plans to set up operations in South Memphis, expected to create 101 new jobs. (More)

➤ Tennessee gas prices jumped 15 cents to an average of $2.85 per gallon amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Nashville seeing the highest at $2.88, though prices remain 15 cents lower than this time last year. (More)

➤ Knoxville’s Startup Day will return on September 16 as 865 Fest with expanded programming, including pitch contests offering up to $15,000 in prizes, student entrepreneur showcases, and business panels. (See Details)

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➤ The Lavender Festival reportedly doubled Oak Ridge’s population in a day for its 25th anniversary, offering lavender-themed food, live music, and science exhibits. (More)

➤ String City, a weeklong puppet show hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Public Library, uses marionettes and shadow animation to showcase the history of country music. (See Puppets)

➤ Two teens represented Middle Tennessee at the national Jimmy Awards in New York City on Monday after winning top honors at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Spotlight Awards for high school musical theatre. (See Video)

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