Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1942, singer and composer Isaac Hayes was born in Covington. Hayes would go on to create the Grammy and Oscar-winning score for the film Shaft.

Last week, after featuring Dolly Parton’s cotton candy soft drink, we asked what flavor you would add to Coke—and we got some passionate replies. Some of our favorite ideas were chocolate, butterscotch, and lemon. Thanks to everyone who wrote in!

🎙️ In today’s Flyover podcast, host Ayla Brown digs into what’s happening with the all-you-can-eat hotel breakfast. Once a travel staple, the buffet isn’t quite what it used to be. Why the shift? That’s a podcast-exclusive story you won’t see in the email edition. Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

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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 Guard Deploys to DC to Combat Crime

Roughly 160 Tennessee National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of President Trump’s federal security effort—a move Gov. Bill Lee said supports efforts to crack down on crime.

The deployment will back local and federal authorities with patrols, monument security, and traffic control.

The deployment is part of a broader mobilization involving Guard units from five other Southern and Midwestern states.

USDA Trades Solar for Farmland Investment

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the department will end all grant programs funding solar panels on productive farmland during remarks at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair on Monday.

At the same time, Rollins announced $89 million in new rural investment funding to support Tennessee’s farming infrastructure. The USDA’s press release is here.

She framed both moves as part of an effort to support farmers and stop what she called the “removal of farmland from production” for solar use.

Vols, Iamaleava Breakup Gets Comedy Spin

A popular social media parody skit took aim at the University of Tennessee’s high-profile split with quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Watch it here.

The skit jokingly proposed a “rosterflex” jersey with removable names and numbers, which would let fans swap players without buying new gear.

While clearly a gag, some Vols fans have warmed to the idea in light of growing frustrations with the NIL era and constant player movement.

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➤ Statewide: The Tennessee Highway Safety Office is launching the Safer on 11W campaign, which runs through Labor Day. The plan includes a DUI checkpoint and heightened traffic enforcement. (More)

➤ Jackson: West Tennessee Healthcare is piloting an AI tool to analyze patient data, helping case managers predict discharge readiness and optimal post-hospital placement. (More)

➤ Westmoreland: Westside Elementary School has banned energy drinks after a nurse observed negative effects of caffeine among young students. (More)

➤ Nashville: Tennessee State University will build a $50 million engineering facility, featuring over 30 cutting-edge teaching and research labs. Completion is expected by summer 2027. (See Renderings)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee hit a record enrollment of more than 40,000 students for the 2025 fall semester, representing a 30% increase since 2020. (More)

➤ Spring Hill: City leaders will vote on a revised backyard chicken ordinance that allows more hens on larger lots following public feedback. Roosters will remain banned under the new rule. (More)

➤ Middle Tennessee State eliminated alternate football jerseys and helmets from their uniforms, which saved them $668,000 to dedicate toward paying players instead. (More)

➤ Titans quarterback Cam Ward reportedly got into a scuffle with defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons at training camp after Ward celebrated a touchdown pass in Simmons’ face. (More)

➤ Memphis basketball will host Arkansas at the FedExForum in October as coach John Calipari returns to play his former team for the first time since 2009. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | LLWS

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➤ Shelbyville’s Uncle Nearest whiskey was placed under a court-ordered receivership due to $108 million in unpaid loans, though the company blamed financial troubles on fraud by a former executive. (More)

➤ Nashville International Airport hit a record 24.7 million passengers during the 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a 4.2% increase over the previous year, including its busiest day ever with 110,000 travelers. (More)

➤ The University of Tennessee announced a 4% stadium-wide ticket price increase for the 2026 football season at Neyland Stadium, alongside continued 10% talent fees. (More)

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➤ The Tennessee State Fair introduced The Great Bacon Toss, a spirited competition where teams lob plastic bacon between skillets with sizzling enthusiasm. (More)

➤ A Civil War battlefield in Spring Hill will be permanently preserved by the Battle of Franklin Trust with support from local tourism funds. (See Video)

➤ Rachel’s Garden, a $1.7 million disability-inclusive playground in Goodlettsville, will open on Sept. 7 with features like accessible swings and shock-absorbing turf. (See Photos)

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