Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2019, Gov. Bill Haslam granted long-awaited clemency to Cyntoia Brown, who had been imprisoned for killing the man who trafficked her at the age of 16.

Anakeesta in Gatlinburg has closed temporarily to install the Crystal Express, a high-speed gondola offering 360-degree mountain views, as part of a $100 million expansion debuting in late spring. See details in the story below.

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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.

Knoxville Symphony Sued Over DEI Fallout

James Zimmermann, former principal clarinetist for the Nashville Symphony, is suing the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO) for allegedly rescinding a job offer due to his past criticism of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Zimmermann says he won a blind audition in September but was later told he wouldn’t be hired due to concerns about his past employment.

He’s seeking one year’s salary and damages for time spent preparing, claiming his position is now being filled by an “obvious DEI hire who’s still in college.”

KSO leadership has not yet publicly responded, but a statement is expected later this week. Zimmermann has previously performed in high-profile contexts, including former President Obama’s second inauguration.

Oak Ridge Firms Land $1.8B for Uranium Boost

Two Oak Ridge companies have secured a combined $1.8 billion in federal funding to expand domestic uranium enrichment.

The Department of Energy announced the awards on Monday as part of a $2.7 billion, 10-year effort to reduce the U.S. reliance on foreign uranium.

American Centrifuge Operating and Orano Federal Services, both of which operate in Oak Ridge, will each receive $900 million.

The move was praised by Sen. Marsha Blackburn and builds on earlier DOE contracts that hope to reshape the nation’s nuclear fuel supply chain.

Anakeesta Launches $100M Expansion

Gatlinburg attraction Anakeesta is kicking off a $100 million expansion with the debut of the Crystal Express gondola, set to open in late spring.

The high-speed lift will feature over 50 glass-floor cabins offering panoramic views of the Smokies and downtown Gatlinburg, replacing the park’s current lift.

Anakeesta is temporarily closed during installation, but guests can return in early spring via the Ridge Rambler.

The upgrade is part of a five-year plan to enhance the park’s guest experience.

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➤ Statewide: Tennessee is among 19 states experiencing the highest level of flu activity, jumping from minimal to “very high” in just three weeks, according to the CDC data. (More)

➤ Nashville: A tanker truck capable of holding 2,600 gallons burst open early Tuesday, spilling fuel and prompting the closure of Gallatin Pike. (See Photos)

➤ Also Nashville: Vanderbilt LifeFlight is transitioning its medical flight program back in-house starting in March, with plans to fully operate all nine bases by June. (More)

➤ Clarksville: Austin Peay State University agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to a professor who was fired for controversial comments on Charlie Kirk’s death. (More)

➤ Atoka: An infant was safely surrendered at the Fire Department’s Safe Haven Baby Box, which marks its first use since installation in 2024. Officials praised the move, saying it likely saved the child’s life. (See Video)

➤ Knoxville: Scammers cloned a family’s GoFundMe created to raise $2,000 for funeral expenses. The fake page raised nearly $12,500 by misleading donors before being taken down. (More)

➤ Women’s Basketball AP Poll: Vanderbilt rose five spots to No. 7 this week, while Tennessee rose three spots to No. 20 in the country. (See Full Poll)

➤ Memphis Tigers quarterback AJ Hill is transferring to Arkansas, where former Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield accepted a job this offseason. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators signed goaltender Justus Annunen to a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension. The 25-year-old has a 3-5-1 record on the year when starting. (More)

➤ No. 11 Vanderbilt men’s basketball faces off against No. 13 Alabama tonight on ESPN2. (How to Watch)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Swig, a popular dirty soda chain, is opening a new location in Clinton, joining existing shops in Oak Ridge, Maryville, and Knoxville. (More)

➤ The Chattanooga Airport has purchased two parcels of land along Lee Highway for $2.2 million. Officials say the property will support long-term expansion plans. (More)

➤ Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is planning to open a new location in Knoxville featuring signature dishes like Huli Huli Chicken, teriyaki, and SPAM Musubi. (More)

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➤ A dedicated volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee has been honored with a community bench in Maryville after logging more than 1,500 volunteer hours since 2020. (See Video)

➤ Carter County students are finally set to return to Hampton High School for in-person classes more than a year after Hurricane Helene destroyed the building. (See Photos)

➤ Rock legend and Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth will bring his North American Tour to Memphis with a performance at Graceland Live on May 1. (More)

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