Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1820, a Virginia church planter founded the Baptist Church of Nashville. The congregation would eventually become First Baptist Church Nashville, one of the oldest and most historic churches in the city.

A new study ranked 300 cities for first-time homebuyers and found four Tennessee cities among the best in the nation. See the story below to find out which cities made the cut, and write in to tell us about your Tennessee home-buying experience!

Everyone's talking about the storms El Niño will bring, but nobody's talking about the states it will skip. Forecasters now put the odds at 81% that this El Niño reaches "very strong" status by winter, potentially one of the largest on record, and Tennessee sits in the part of the map most people aren't watching. In today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla breaks down the five ways forecasters say this El Niño will shape the months ahead. So what does a record El Niño have in store for Tennessee? Tune in here!

Today's sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is highlighting a limited-time Chase Freedom Unlimited® offer that combines a lengthy introductory 0% APR, cash back rewards, and a chance for eligible new cardholders to earn a $200 bonus.

Memphis DA Declines to Prosecute DEA Agent

The Shelby County District Attorney will not pursue charges against the DEA agent who fatally shot a man inside a Memphis Burger King in May, concluding the use of deadly force was legally justified.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Memphis Safe Task Force officers went to the restaurant to serve a warrant when Darrin Pigram reached for a gun in his waistband, leading a DEA agent to open fire.

Pigram, who was working a shift when officers entered, was shot eight times. The family's attorney says surveillance video doesn't show the aggressive actions agents described to investigators.

The DA's declination letter acknowledged in a footnote that camera footage of a key moment "does not support" the agents' claims of aggressive action at a doorway. Pigram's death was the first of four fatal shootings this year by officers assigned to the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Hammerhead Worms Spreading across TN

Tennessee agriculture officials are receiving more reports of hammerhead worms across the state, and want residents to know the invasive flatworms are toxic to touch and should never be cut in half, since cutting one creates more worms as they regenerate from fragments.

Native to Southeast Asia and believed to have arrived in the U.S. in the early 1900s through nursery plant soil, hammerhead worms prey on earthworms, which are essential for healthy soil.

The worms are easy to spot: flat, ribbon-like bodies, usually brown or gray with stripes, and a distinctive half-moon-shaped head.

If you find one, officials say to use gloves or a stick to place it in a sealed bag, then kill it with salt, rubbing alcohol, or a citrus oil and vinegar spray, and inspect new plants and soil before adding them to your yard to prevent the pest from spreading.

Mom Delivers Baby in Car Wash Parking Lot

A Union County woman gave birth early Monday morning in a Knoxville car wash parking lot after realizing she couldn't make it to the hospital in time. Her husband caught the baby and carefully unwrapped the umbilical cord from the newborn's neck before the ambulance arrived ten minutes later.

Sarah Powers said she and her husband Ivan left their Union County home around 1 a.m. and made it as far as Broadway before she told him to pull over near the PureMagic Car Wash because she couldn't hold back any longer.

Ivan delivered baby Laiklynn, who weighed 7 pounds, on the side of the road while on the phone with a 911 operator, then drove his wife and daughter to the hospital, where both were confirmed healthy.

"We got all the tests done to make sure both of us were good and we were both healthy and thriving," Powers said. "It was definitely an unexpected experience!"

Flying together with our sponsor

High-interest credit card debt can make it harder to get ahead. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers a lengthy introductory 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for eligible applicants, giving you time to pay down balances with less interest during the promotional period.

New eligible cardholders can also earn a $200 bonus after meeting the required spending threshold. Plus, you'll earn cash back on everyday purchases, making this card a smart option for both saving and spending. Explore this limited-time offer today and see if it fits your financial goals.

LEARN MORE

➤ Statewide: A new report says Tennessee consumers can pay off their median credit card balance in just under a year, ranking the state among the country's most financially resilient for debt management. (More)

➤ Williamson County: The Tennessee Supreme Court has permanently disbarred an attorney for harassing a judge and helping a client hide her child from police after an Amber Alert was issued. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Demolition of AT&T Field begins tomorrow as the former Lookouts stadium clears the way for Hawk Hill, a planned neighborhood with restaurants and green space. (See Renderings)

➤ Knoxville: A man is facing four felonies after stealing a University of Tennessee golf cart on July 4, threatening a couple, then flipping the cart on Alcoa Highway before being arrested. (More)

➤ Nashville: Belmont University's medical school has been placed on accreditation probation and cannot advance for at least two years. The school is now offering refunds to students who wish to disenroll. (More)

➤ Greeneville: High school art students painted a mural celebrating important women, saw it graffitied with profanity overnight, and restored it themselves that same night. (See Mural)

Enjoy reading The Tennessee Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ The Tennessee Titans will induct former running back Chris Johnson into their Ring of Honor during the season opener on Sept. 13. Johnson, who set the NFL record for yards from scrimmage in a season with 2,509 in 2009, revealed last month that he’s been diagnosed with ALS. (More)

➤ Titans quarterback Cam Ward's hometown of West Columbia, Texas, is renaming a street in his honor. North 17th Street, where his mother grew up, will now become “Cam Ward Way.” (More)

➤ The Titans' new Nissan Stadium will be the first venue to deploy a next-generation Wi-Fi system using hyper-directional antenna technology built to cover every corner of the 60,000-seat stadium. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators rank sixth all-time among NHL franchises in regular-season point percentage according to an analysis of the league's historical standings. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 10 Reasons You’ll Want This Smart Hummingbird Feeder in Your Backyard Happy Birdy, the AI-powered smart Humming Bird Feeder that lets you see, identify, and connect with birds like never before. Enjoy real-time notifications, stunning HD footage, and AI bird recognition — all from your phone! Learn More

➤ Tennessee has joined two major agricultural export councils to help expand international markets for soybeans, the state's top commodity crop by gross dollar value. (More)

➤ Twelve people, including Nike employees, face federal indictments for allegedly stealing at least $2 million in merchandise from Nike's Memphis logistics center and reselling it nationwide. (More)

➤ Costco is coming to Montgomery County after previous plans to bring the retailer to Clarksville fell through. The location is pending final county commission approval. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Don't Wait Until it's Too Late to Fix Your Hairline Get our LOWEST PRICING EVER on your first order for a limited time only from Keeps Hairloss Treatment. See results in 180 days or your money back! Get Started

Flying together with our sponsor

Looking for a smarter way to manage your finances? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card combines everyday rewards with valuable introductory savings. Eligible new cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after meeting the required spending threshold, plus enjoy a lengthy introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Whether you're paying down existing balances or planning a large purchase, this offer can help you save on interest while earning cash back on everyday spending. See if you qualify and take advantage of this limited-time opportunity today.

LEARN MORE

➤ A new biography of Knoxville native Cormac McCarthy arrives Oct. 6. University of Tennessee librarians are cataloguing nearly 20,000 books acquired earlier this year from the Pulitzer Prize winner's personal library. (More)

➤ Joint Custody, a new half-hour comedy about the struggles of almost-30-somethings, is in production in the Jackson area, with filming set for Milan this fall. (See Details)

➤ Four Tennessee cities made a new list of the nation's best for first-time homebuyers. Knoxville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, and Nashville all ranked among the top 300 cities evaluated. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Coffee vs Hot Cacao vs Green Tea: Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days? Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

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:

➤ Forecasters warn a record-strength El Niño could decide whether your state floods or dries out. (Hear Details)

➤ Mass shootings swept through eight states last weekend, leaving dozens of victims as investigators continue to search for suspects. (Hear Episode)

➤ The Secret Service officer who took a bullet stopping a gunman at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is being honored. (Listen Now)