Thursday, March 20, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1913, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted the "Daylight Saving Time Bill," making Tennessee one of the first states to implement the practice of advancing clocks by one hour during the summer months.

A quick note: Earlier this week, an inadvertent typo referred to Pigeon Forge as Pigeon Ford. As lifelong fans of Dolly, we know better. We appreciate everyone who wrote in, and we assure you that we will do better in the future. Thank you for your feedback!

Today's sponsor is Mode Mobile, offering an investment opportunity in their pre-IPO offering.

Welcome Home Barry "Butch" Wilmore

The return of astronaut and Tennessee native Barry "Butch" Wilmore sent a sigh of relief throughout the Volunteer State Tuesday, from his hometown in Mt. Juliet to the governor’s office in Nashville.

Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams spent 286 days in space after spacecraft malfunctions extended their mission on the ISS beyond the planned eight days. They completed 4,576 orbits around Earth.

Friend and Tennessee Tech University President Phil Oldham said Wilmore’s alma mater was proud and looked forward to honoring him in the coming months. Gov. Bill Lee and the Mt. Juliet Police Department also sent welcome home messages.

Wilmore will remain at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for a few days, undergoing medical observations and reuniting with family.

Driver's License Test Bill Defeated

The House Transportation Subcommittee voted 5-3 on Tuesday, defeating proposed legislation that would require Tennessee driver's license tests to be administered only in English.

The measure would have required all driver's license applicants to take the written portion of the test in English and prohibited the use of translation dictionaries or interpreters.

Members of the committee expressed concern about the impact a move could have on international industries doing business in Tennessee, including Nissan and Volkswagen.

Tennessee's written driving tests are available in English, Spanish, German, Korean, and Japanese, with translation dictionaries permitted; however, interpreters are not allowed.

Petition to Name BNA after Dolly Parton

A petition to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton has garnered nearly 6,000 signatures, with organizers aiming to make her one of the few women globally with an airport named in her honor.

This follows a failed push from the state legislature to rename BNA after President Donald Trump, which was rejected in a House committee meeting on Tuesday.

Two Tennessee residents started the online petition, hoping the legendary country star would be considered, with one stating, “She really represents the best of what Nashvillians and Tennesseans can be.”

Flying together with our sponsor

The Rebirth of American Prosperity

With new leadership in the White House, an economic renaissance could transform retirement for millions. Sweeping reforms aim to extend past tax cuts and introduce even deeper changes for American workers.

For retirees and those planning their golden years, this means more money in your pocket and new opportunities for wealth creation.

But this economic shift also brings hidden risks for traditional retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and TSPs. These vehicles rely on a stable stock market, free from manipulation and crisis, to grow your savings. One untimely event could erase decades of hard work.

If you want to thrive during this economic transformation, pay close attention!

A wealth protection strategy gives you control over your financial future. It’s outlined in our 2025 Wealth Protection Guide—yours FREE today.

Inside, discover a wealth-saving IRS loophole that has been preserved for your benefit. This strategy allows you to move retirement savings tax-free and penalty-free into a time-tested vehicle, shielded from market chaos.

This window won’t stay open forever. Secure your FREE Wealth Protection Guide now and align your retirement with America’s bright future.

>> Get Your Free WEALTH PROTECTION GUIDE <<

➤ Chattanooga: The Walnut Street Bridge has officially closed for an 18-month renovation project aimed at preserving the iconic Chattanooga landmark with extensive repairs to ensure its safety and longevity. (More)

➤ Nashville: The Music City was listed among six Tennessee cities that saw a rental price drop of at least 1% from the previous year, despite remaining above the state’s median rent price. (See List)

➤ Memphis: Police are searching for a suspect who stole a safe containing lottery tickets from an East Memphis gas station over the weekend. The suspect entered the store, walked behind the counter, took the safe, and walked out. (See Suspect)

➤ Knoxville: A bill allowing wine and liquor sales at Knoxville's new downtown stadium is headed to Gov. Bill Lee after legislation passed to lower the county population threshold for liquor licenses. (More)

➤ East Tennessee: Interstate 40 at the Tennessee-North Carolina border has reopened after extensive repairs from Hurricane Helene, restoring the route between Knoxville and Asheville, North Carolina. (More)

➤ Sevierville: Authorities have arrested two men suspected of stealing nearly $1 million from Target, recovering 77 fraudulent gift cards used for money laundering in their vehicle. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

The Tennessee Flyover – a daily news publication reaching over 50,000 readers – is seeking top real estate firms and professionals to feature in front of our engaged audience. Whether you want to promote your listings, grow your client base, or strengthen your brand, we can help you connect with families ready to buy or sell their Texas properties. Reach out now—we’d love to discuss partnership opportunities! Click here to contact us today and let’s grow together!

➤ The Tennessee Volunteers, the Midwest region’s No. 2 seed, enter tonight’s first-round matchup against No. 15 seed Wofford Terriers as 18.5-point favorites in the men’s Division I basketball tournament. (More)

➤ ETSU dealt No. 1 Tennessee baseball its first loss of the season with a dramatic extra-innings win. ETSU infielder Grant Gallagher put the Buccaneers ahead with this home run in the top of the 10th inning. (See Homerun)

➤ Two Tennessee basketball players were named to the AP All-American teams: Memphis’s P.J. Haggerty, who was named to the second team, and Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler, who made the third team. (More)

➤ Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron was ejected from Tuesday night’s game against the St. Louis Blues for this hit on Pavel Buchnevich. The Predators would eventually lose the game, 4-1. (See Collision)

➤ Enjoying March Madness? Love college athletics? Want to stay up-to-date on everything related to name, image, and likeness in sports? NIL Wire is just the place for you. Sign up here with one click!

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Safeguard your cherished memories effortlessly with ThePhotoStick® Omni. This compact device automatically backs up photos, videos, and documents across all your devices—Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. With storage options from 32GB to 512GB, it detects and eliminates duplicates, ensuring organized and clutter-free backups. (See It Here)

➤ In-N-Out is constructing its first Murfreesboro location in the Clari Park area, with officials saying it's "too early to identify a precise opening date.” (More)

➤ The "tariff war" has Tennessee craft distillers concerned, fearing they've become "collateral damage" due to the long-term impacts on global production and distribution. (More)

➤ A Tennessee graduate returned to Knoxville to launch Laborup, an AI-driven job posting platform that connects manufacturing workers with prospective employers. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Spring into action with Wood Ranger Power Shears! Effortlessly tackle your spring pruning and trimming tasks with these lightweight, cordless shears. Featuring a powerful motor and razor-sharp SK5 steel blades, they ensure precise cuts through branches, shrubs, and tough vegetation. Rechargeable 24V lithium-ion battery offers extended use. (Shop Now)

Flying together with our sponsor

Hello Friends, Bill O'Reilly here.

I remember how the Great Recession of 2008 wiped out $2.4 trillion dollars from retirement funds.

And now it looks like history is repeating itself.

Experts forecast the coming recession will be even worse than the 2008 financial crisis, including:

• More than 2 million lost jobs

• Stocks plummeting over 20%

• IRAs and 401(k)s to lock in losses of 25% and keep falling

We can't stop the recession from happening, but you can prepare for it.

That's why I've put together a concise guide to help you protect your finances during this downturn.

Request your free guide now to recession-proof your life and protect your IRA, 401(k) and pension savings.

➤ The Chattanooga Fire Department received its first infant in their Safe Haven Baby Box. The department unveiled the designated box last November. (More)

➤ Maryville was named one of the safest college towns in America, due to its low crime rate and small-town charm. (More)

➤ Three Tennessee cities ranked among the top 20 "allergy capitals" in the U.S., with Memphis leading the way at No. 5, based on pollen scores for trees, grasses, and weeds. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Experience crystal-clear vision with Peeps™ eyeglass cleaner! Utilizing NASA's carbon technology, Peeps™ safely removes smudges and fingerprints without scratching. Trusted by optometrists, its compact design offers up to 500 uses, ensuring spotless lenses anytime, anywhere. (See It Here)