Sunday, August 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1784, frontiersmen from four counties in what is now East Tennessee (Washington, Sullivan, Spencer, and Greene) formally seceded from North Carolina and declared their independence as the State of Franklin.

A sophomore at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis is using her green thumb to help revive a garden to produce a harvest that will help her entire community. Learn more in Et Cetera.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counted down the 10 renovations homeowners regret most. 74% of homeowners who renovated in the last five years wish they'd done something differently, and the most regretted upgrades aren't what you'd expect. Ayla broke down where these projects go wrong and shared simple tricks that could save you from making the same mistakes. So before you pick up a paintbrush or a sledgehammer, find out whether your dream upgrade is one homeowners wish they could undo. And if you've already survived a remodel, see if your biggest regret made the list. Tune in here!

Today's edition is brought to you by Cacao Bliss. Try their delicious heart-healthy hot cocoa superfood drink.

Precautionary Fish Advisories for 2 Waterways

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced precautionary fish consumption advisories on Thursday for the Mitchell Branch Stream in Roane County and a stretch of the French Broad River spanning Sevier and Knox counties, citing elevated mercury and chemical pollutants.

The Mitchell Branch advisory covers all fish species near Oak Ridge, after redbreast sunfish tested above state trigger points for both mercury and PCBs.

On the French Broad River, from Douglas Dam downstream to the Fort Loudoun Reservoir, the advisory applies to black bass with mercury averaging 0.42 mg/kg, above the 0.3 mg/kg threshold.

Officials advise pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children to avoid the affected fish entirely, while others should limit consumption to one meal monthly; boating and swimming remain safe.

5 School Districts Move to Display Ten Commandments

School boards in five Tennessee districts—Blount, Rutherford, Washington, White, and Wilson counties—have authorized posting the Ten Commandments in schools under a new state law permitting such displays.

House Bill 47, passed this year, lets districts place the commandments in "prominent" locations like entryways and cafeterias. Rutherford County's school board unanimously approved 24-by-36-inch acrylic signs on August 20.

In response, the ACLU and allied organizations sent public records requests Thursday seeking district communications and display designs, saying the postings violate families' religious freedom.

Lawmakers made the displays optional rather than mandatory, a choice the bill's House sponsor said would help the measure withstand constitutional challenges.

New Clinch River Valley State Park Dedicated

Tennessee State Parks dedicated the new Clinch River Valley State Park on Friday in a ceremony with state and local leaders along the riverbank in Kyles Ford, Hancock County.

The park preserves 21 acres along the Clinch River and includes a shop, restaurant space, cabins, a walking path, and river access with several access points to the blueway.

The visitor center occupies the former River Place on the Clinch, which once served as Kyles Ford's General Store, founded in the 1940s.

Officials highlighted the Clinch as one of the country's most ecologically diverse rivers, home to dozens of rare plant and animal species, and popular for paddling and fishing.

Flying together with our sponsor

Longevity breakfast dessert enjoyed by Blue Zone Costa Ricans helps them live to 100?

Most Americans think eating sweets for breakfast is unhealthy…

But according to Stanford researchers, there's one delicious “dessert” food that Costa Ricans in the famous "blue zone" there eat each morning that…

✅ Keeps them lean even into their 70s, 80s, and 90s…
✅ Slows blood sugar spikes, and maintains healthy insulin sensitivity…
✅ Keeps their blood pressure at normal healthy levels…
✅ Keeps their hearts and arteries strong and clean well into old age, with a striking lack of heart disease in their population…
✅ Even helps them have 7x more Centenarians than Japanese people…

So what's the #1 “dessert” food that helps Costa Ricans live healthy, lean, and energetic past 100?

Click below to discover Costa Rica's Blue Zone secret:

>> Eat this Costa Rican longevity "dessert" for breakfast.

P.S. Here's the crazy part - while Costa Ricans are living longer with this morning ritual, Americans trying it are losing 7 lbs in a couple weeks as a "side effect." Not a bad bonus, right?

➤ Manchester: Bonnaroo organizers will skip the 2027 festival, citing storm damage and needed recovery at The Farm after severe weather disrupted events in 2025 and 2026. (More)

➤ Knoxville: East Tennessee communities received more than $11 million in state grants for parks, trails, river access, playgrounds, and recreation facilities, including $1.15 million for Knoxville projects. (See Details)

➤ Jackson: A resident escaped a Vance Street house fire unharmed after smoke and flames blocked the primary exit, prompting the occupant to use a window. (More)

➤ Maryville: City officials closed the southbound lane of Robert C. Jackson Drive after a sinkhole opened near Atchley Drive. Officials said repairs and reopening remain uncertain. (More)

➤ Columbia: Tennessee officials advanced plans for a proposed 17-mile, $500+ million Duck River water pipeline, which supporters say could strengthen water supplies as Middle Tennessee communities face continued growth and demand. (See Details)

➤ Pigeon Forge: The American Eagle Foundation and Dollywood announced on Friday that the non-releasable bald eagles from Eagle Mountain Sanctuary will make their permanent home at the foundation's 50-acre conservation campus in Kodak, where they've been living since a storm damaged the sanctuary in April. (Watch Report)

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

➤ Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh said he was impressed by the defense during the team’s joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, whom they play today in the team’s second preseason game of the year. (More)

➤ Tennessee football five-star commit David Gabriel Georges wowed fans in a recent nationally televised high school football game by staying balanced despite being flipped upside down by a would-be tackler. (Watch Video)

➤ Memphis football stars Ian Foster and Manny Covey were both recently named to preseason award watchlists. Foster appeared on the Chuck Bednarik Award list—given annually to the nation’s top defensive player—while Covey was on the Doak Walker Award watchlist—given to the nation’s top running back. (More)

➤ No. 3 Vanderbilt women’s soccer smoked No. 21 Memphis 4-1 on Friday, improving to 3-0 on the season. Vanderbilt plays again on Thursday against Rice. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Could Chocolate Help Support Your GLP-1 Levels? One particular form of chocolate is getting attention for its potential effect on GLP-1, a hormone involved in appetite and metabolism. While some people turn to expensive injections, others are exploring this surprisingly simple approach. Could your favorite treat hold the key? Discover the #1 chocolate for supporting metabolism and GLP-1 >>

Flying together with our sponsor

3 foods that are loading your body with microplastics

According to Dr. Rick Cohen - a renowned Duke University MD - these 3 "micro-plastic foods" are secretly poisoning Americans…

Because they’re packed with tiny pieces of plastic that can raise your risk of a heart attack, build up inside your brain and damage organs in your body. These "3 foods" are some of America's favorite seafood, a common vegetable and something you sprinkle EVERY day on your meals.

Avoid these 3 "micro-plastic foods at all costs

➤ Appalachian Bear Rescue introduced orphaned cub Hemlock to Quince and Redbud after health checks, with staff reporting no physical conflicts during their initial meeting. (See Bear Cubs)

➤ The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office launched Project Lifesaver, using tracking bracelets to help deputies quickly locate wandering seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s and children with autism. The sheriff’s office seeks funding to expand the program. (More)

➤ A Memphis college student revived a neglected school garden, creating a community space that provides fresh produce and encourages neighborhood involvement through gardening and education. (Learn More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Most Americans think eating sweets for breakfast is unhealthy. But according to Stanford researchers, there's one delicious “dessert” that Costa Ricans in the famous "blue zone" there eat each morning. So, what's the #1 “dessert” food that helps Costa Ricans live healthy, lean, and energetic past 100?

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

➤ A brief tariff pause ended with the U.S. and Canada locked in a new trade fight. (Hear More)

➤ A father’s decision left his young son stranded thousands of feet up Mount Fuji. (Listen Now)

➤ The night sky is set to deliver a lunar show that will not be matched until 2028. (Podcast Available)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Most of us could use a few more healthy habits, but they don't have to be complicated. Quince has a wellness product that's become part of many of our daily routines. We think it's worth checking out if you're looking to make small improvements that add up over time. (More)