Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1984, Geoffrey Bodine won the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Nashville Fairgrounds, leading 327 of 420 laps in a dominant performance that would prove to be the final Cup Series victory at the historic track.

A Marine Corps veteran from Chattanooga may soon be a Guinness World Record holder after deadlifting 884 pounds at the bottom of a pool. Have you ever attempted to break a record?

Are you frustrated with a phone battery that never seems to last the day? You are not alone, and the fix usually is not a trip to the store or a few hundred dollars for a new device. A handful of settings buried in your phone are quietly draining power all day long, and most of them are switched on by default without you ever knowing. In today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla walks through seven quick changes that can stretch your battery well past what you are getting now. Tune in here to learn more.

Today's sponsor, hear.com, introduces the nearly invisible Horizon IX hearing aids, designed to deliver crystal-clear conversations in noisy environments with advanced dual-processing technology, and backed by a 45-day no-risk trial.

TN Bets $3 Million on Quantum Computing

Tennessee is committing $3 million to attract quantum computing researchers and businesses to the state, offering priority state funding to National Science Foundation X-Lab teams that choose to relocate here.

Gov. Bill Lee said the investment builds on what he called one of the strongest quantum ecosystems in the country, anchored by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which recently welcomed a new quantum computer.

Lee's 2026 budget already included $43 million in quantum infrastructure investments, and the new $3 million will be available to any X-Lab awardee who relocates to Tennessee, as well as companies that emerge from the program.

Officials say the goal is to turn quantum research into jobs and commercialized technology rooted in Tennessee rather than watching innovations developed here take root elsewhere.

Sewage Dumped in Cherokee National Forest

A Cleveland septic company owner was arrested after investigators say he dumped human waste from commercial septic tanks onto a Forest Service road in the Cherokee National Forest, just 165 feet from a tributary that flows into Parksville Lake.

Michael Seth Plasterer, owner of Emergency No More Septic, Drain & More, faces charges of aggravated criminal littering and unlawful disposal of raw sewage stemming from an August 2025 incident captured on video by U.S. Forest Service officials.

Investigators say neither Plasterer nor his company held permits to pump septic systems or dispose of sewage at approved facilities in Tennessee.

Former employees and associates told investigators sewage was allegedly dumped in the Cherokee National Forest or into storm drains in Cleveland on multiple occasions.

Dollywood Collaborators Build New Attraction

Johnson Architecture, the Knoxville firm behind several Dollywood areas and Zoo Knoxville spaces, will help design The Play District: Powered by Hasbro, a planned indoor attraction in Pigeon Forge featuring NERF, Peppa Pig, Transformers, and Play-Doh.

The firm has shaped East Tennessee's entertainment landscape since 1994, with its portfolio including multiple Dollywood areas and the upcoming Neyland Entertainment District in Knoxville.

"Designing memorable places is at the heart of what we do," said Johnson Architecture President Jeff Williamson.

The Play District, scheduled to open next summer, will be developed by Safe Harbor Development and is expected to bring a new family entertainment option to one of the most visited tourism corridors in the Southeast.

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➤ Statewide: Tennessee Highway Patrol is participating in Operation Southern Slow Down, a multistate crackdown on speeding on major highways and high-risk areas. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: A new ranking put Tennessee last in the nation for quality of life, citing high violent crime and low inclusiveness scores. The state still finished No. 9 overall for business. (More)

➤ Knoxville: A police crime scene technician was seriously injured Sunday night when a man opened fire from nearby woods while she and officers were investigating a separate shooting. (More)

➤ Memphis: The fire department launched its first-ever EMS Bike Team, deploying trained medics on specially equipped bikes to reach patients faster at special events and high-pedestrian areas. (More)

➤ Columbia: Mt. Olivet Bridge has closed due to structural concerns. The city is asking TDOT to move up a replacement project currently scheduled for 2029, given the impact on local traffic. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Seventy cats and kittens from the Humane Educational Society are flying to Pennsylvania today for adoption in one of the shelter's largest relocation efforts ever. (More)

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➤ Five Vanderbilt baseball players and five Tennessee players were selected on Day 2 of the MLB Draft, the first of which was Tennessee third baseman Henry Ford, who was selected in the sixth round by the Seattle Mariners. (See Results)

➤ Five-star running back and Tennessee football recruit David Gabriel Georges will announce his commitment decision one week from tomorrow. The standout in-state product is reportedly torn between Tennessee and Ohio State. (More)

➤ Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears told reporters in a recent interview that he feels the team will have a winning record for the first time since 2021 next season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: WNBA

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➤ Crossville is considering a two-year data center moratorium after a bitcoin mining facility drew noise and heat complaints from a neighboring manufacturer. (More)

➤ Bob's Discount Furniture is opening four stores during Labor Day weekend in Clarksville, Franklin, Madison, and Murfreesboro, making Tennessee the chain's 28th state. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Trump Store in Lenoir City, a roadside fixture visible from I-40, is closing after the 80-year-old owner decided to retire. (More)

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➤ A Chattanooga Marine Corps veteran deadlifted 884.6 pounds underwater, smashing the previous world record of 595 pounds. He's now awaiting official certification from Guinness World Records. (See Photos)

➤ A Greeneville toddler born with half a heart and awaiting a transplant was honored with a community parade this weekend. Walmart made her an honorary truck driver for her third birthday. (See Video)

➤ A Jackson children's author launched her newest book, When It Rains in God's Flower Garden, at the Jackson-Madison County Library Saturday with a live reading and signed copies. (More)

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➤ Boost Your Memory By 75% Just By Stopping This Kitchen Mistake. Memory researchers say one common kitchen habit accelerates memory loss. Stop doing it today and discover the simple change helping thousands sharpen focus and recall. Find Out All About It Here!

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ How can you make your phone battery last significantly longer without buying a new device? (Hear More)

➤ Homeless encampments have taken over 12 blocks near a popular New York City museum, and workers say the city has stopped clearing them. (Hear Episode)

➤ A fire tore through a crowded bar in Thailand this weekend, killing dozens. (Listen Now)