Friday, January 31, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1836, Cannon County was established when the state legislature took portions of Rutherford, Smith, and Warren counties to create the new county named in honor of Whig Governor Newton Cannon.

A Memphis-area music teacher garnered national attention this week after winning a music educator's award from the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum.

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TN a Top State in National Flu Outbreak

Tennessee ranked among the top states in a new map charting flu positivity rates across the country, has jumped week-to-week from 18% to 25%.

The Volunteer State ranked among the 14 states with the highest influenza activity, alongside neighboring Alabama and Georgia.

Widespread sickness has led to closures of some school systems across the state, including those in West Tennessee and Chattanooga.

Some schools, such as public schools in Hardin and McNairy counties, have closed until Monday to allow sanitation of buildings and for students and staff to recover.

Nashville WNBA Team Bid

Former Gov. Bill Haslam and other investors are leading a bid to bring a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team to Nashville.

The bid submitted yesterday proposes the team name Tennessee Summitt, which would begin playing in Bridgestone Arena in 2028.

The team name was selected to honor former University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt, who led the team to eight NCAA championships in 38 seasons.

Several celebrities have reportedly joined the expansion team bid, including NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, WNBA legend Candace Parker, and country music artist Tim McGraw.

Dolly Parton Musical to Debut at Belmont

Dolly Parton has announced that the premiere of her musical, Dolly: An Original Musical, will take place at Belmont University in Nashville this summer.

Speaking at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on campus, Parton said that the performances will precede the show's Broadway debut in 2026.

The musical will have a limited four-week engagement at Belmont, with preview performances beginning Friday, July 18. Opening night is set for Friday, Aug. 8, with the final performance on Sunday, Aug. 17.

The musical will feature a score composed by Parton, including some of her biggest hits alongside brand-new songs written specifically for the production. Tickets are available here.

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➤ Knoxville: Flights from Nashville International Airport on Jan. 30 to Washington D.C.. were canceled following a deadly crash between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday night. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge: The city will become the first to host the Southeastern Conference Rowing Championship, with competitions slated to take place in Melton Lake on May 11. (More)

➤ Nashville: The city saw a slight decrease in renting costs for January, offering some relief in what remains one of the region's most expensive markets. (More)

➤ Harrison: A Harrison woman gave testimony on Wednesday about gunshots being fired near her family, including her four young children, while they were sledding on a developer-owned property earlier this month. (More)

➤ Smyrna: The area's Nissan plant is offering buyouts to factory workers as part of the company's international plans to cut 9,000 jobs. (More)

➤ Memphis: School board members decided to renew the charter for City University School of Independence for 10 years despite low enrollment. (More)

➤ Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has been added to the NFL's Pro Bowl roster, following appearances in 2021 and 2022. (More)

➤ Nashville Predators assistant general manager Jeff Kealty has been selected to serve as the GM of the 2025 U.S. Men's National Team. (More)

➤ Tennessee Vols point guard Zakai Zeigler is set to return to the team's basketball lineup after suffering a knee injury in a recent loss to Kentucky. (More)

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➤ Wedlake Industries announced plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Hohenwald, investing $10 million and creating 46 new jobs in Lewis County. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge Land Bank approved a developer to start the first project in plans to create a new downtown area in the city. (Watch Video)

➤ Karrington Rowe, a high-end, new concept restaurant, has opened in Downtown Franklin, adding to an expanding lineup of local businesses in the historic area. (More)

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➤ Cordova High School music teacher Adrian Maclin received national attention this week after winning the 2025 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum. (Watch Video)

➤ Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital NICU has introduced new video technology that connects babies with their parents even when they can't be there in person. (More)

➤ Chloe Padilla became the first woman in Tennessee history to coach a boys' wrestling team, taking over the leadership of Central High School's team in Knoxville. (Watch Video)

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