Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1867, Chattanooga experienced its worst flood in recorded history, as the Tennessee River reached 58 feet and inundated much of the city.

In a rare accomplishment, the Webb School of Knoxville’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams both recently won their state championship. You can read more in our Et Cetera section below.

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State Takeover of Memphis Schools Advances

A Memphis lawmaker is advancing legislation for a state takeover of the Memphis Shelby County School Board following the board’s controversial decision to dismiss its superintendent.

The specifics of the legislation are expected to be introduced this week after Rep. Mark White (R) discussed the matter with the governor and House and Senate leadership, who supported moving forward.

State leaders have expressed concern over the district’s direction after the contentious firing of Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins on Jan. 21, who was succeeded by Roderick Richmond.

Feagins’ dismissal, criticized by local and state leaders, was attributed to issues related to communication and financial management by several board members, though Memphis leaders have largely opposed the option for the state to take control of the school district.

Lawmakers Propose More Recess Time at Schools

A proposed bill seeks to increase student physical activity requirements, aiming to promote children’s well-being. However, some educators express concerns about how to implement the changes.

The new legislation would raise the daily recess requirement for elementary students from 15 to 40 minutes, increasing the weekly total from 130 to 200 minutes.

The bill would also mandate that middle and high school students receive 90 minutes of physical activity or “unstructured play outside” each week, separate from traditional physical education classes.

JC Bowman, executive director and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, said some educators worry about the availability of space and time to accommodate the proposed changes, along with concerns about the supervision of physical activity for middle and high school students.

TN Communities Among Nation’s Most Creative

Three of Tennessee’s communities rank on a new list of the nation’s most creative communities, alongside big cities like New York City and Miami.

Downtown Knoxville ranked No. 8 on the list, with the survey noting its art galleries, public sculptures, and local music.

The Gulch neighborhood in Nashville made the list at No. 17. It is noted as a key spot for emerging and established musical artists and a hot spot for food festivals and other events.

The South Main Arts District in Memphis came in at No. 72, noting its National Civil Rights Museum and historic venues. The full list of the 110 top creative venues is available here.

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➤ South Nashville: The Red Cross is assisting residents displaced in an apartment fire on Sunday at 307 Glengarry Drive, though no injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Kingsport: Pratt’s BBQ’s iconic “Big John” statue collapsed Saturday during a move to a new site, ending its decades-long presence on Stone Drive. The incident was captured on video. (Watch Video)

➤ Chattanooga: Police and fire rescue responded to calls of a car of fire in front of a Verizon store on Gunbarrel Avenue, with officials investigating the vehicle that was engulfed in flames. (See Photo)

➤ East Tennessee: Three small earthquakes struck eastern Tennessee within 24 hours, including a 2.0-magnitude near Vonore, with no reported damage or injuries. (More)

➤ Memphis: A man found shot in the neck near a Whitehaven elementary school Monday morning is in critical condition after reportedly being set up during a meeting with a woman, Memphis police said. (More)

➤ Johnson City: East Tennessee State University hosted the second annual Blue and Gold Scholarship Pageant, a preliminary competition for Miss Tennessee, where Jacey Sizemore was crowned Miss Blue and Gold, and Jaida Jones was named Miss Blue and Gold Teen. (See Photos)

➤ The University of Tennessee baseball team is off to its best start in the school’s history, reaching a 16-0 record after defeating St. Bonaventure. (More)

➤ The SEC Network documentary Volunteer For Life, which aired yesterday, tells the story of former Vols star Chris Lofton’s secret battle with cancer during his college career. (More)

➤ Vols basketball star Jahmai Mashack has been awarded UT’s highest student honor, the Torchbearer, in recognition of his academic excellence and dedication to serving others in the spirit of the Volunteer Creed. (More)

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➤ Skinny Dennis, a bar named after country musician Skinny Dennis Sanchez that first opened in Brooklyn in 2013, is opening a Nashville location with a honky-tonk vibe similar to the original. (More)

➤ Hub International Limited, a prominent global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, has hired financial advisors Steven Glasgow and Jordan Sibler, along with acquiring their books of business in Nashville. (More)

➤ Former NFL player Avery Williamson has opened WOW Studios in Milan, offering a salon, barber shop, massage therapy, and other personal care services. (More)

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➤ Webb School of Knoxville experienced a rare accomplishment as both its boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won the state championship for their division. (Watch Video)

➤ The United Way of Greater Nashville is offering residents free tax prep service for households making less than $76,000 a year. (More)

➤ An Oak Ridge family received the trip of a lifetime to Disney World Florida as 4-year-old Matthias Martin battles cancer. (Watch Video)

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