Friday, March 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1968, a significant winter storm brought heavy snowfall and low temperatures to Tennessee, with Memphis receiving 16.3 inches in under 20 hours—its second-heaviest snowfall on record.

Unicoi is making a play for a culinary world record, reaching out to bakers and pastry experts to bake them the world's largest strawberry cobbler. Read the story below about the Wayne Scott Strawberry Festival's attempt at history.

Did you know that the team that makes The Tennessee Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

We're sponsored today by Organixx, offering health products to combat collagen deficiency.

Rep. Rose Announces Run for Governor

GOP Rep. John Rose formally announced his gubernatorial bid Thursday, positioning himself as a conservative outsider in the race.

Rose highlighted his background as a small business owner and farmer, pledging support for anti-abortion efforts, gun rights, mental health resources, and expanding nuclear power.

Since his 2019 election to Congress, Rose has called himself "one of the most conservative members," opposing Ukraine aid and voting to object to and overturn the 2020 election results.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is also expected to enter the gubernatorial race to succeed term-limited Gov. Bill Lee.

Bill Criminalizes Smuggling or Harboring Illegals

A Tennessee bill that would criminalize harboring, hiding, or smuggling an illegal immigrant cleared its first hurdle in the House on Wednesday.

House Bill 322 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to hide an illegal immigrant, a Class E felony to hide or transport one for financial gain, and a Class A felony to hide or transport a minor under 13 for financial gain.

Supporters say the measures will strengthen enforcement, but critics argue they could have unintended consequences for nonprofits and faith-based organizations that provide aid to the undocumented.

The bill follows new data from the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference, which reports that nearly 3,000 illegal border crossers have been arrested, facing 3,854 charges, including 11 homicides.

I-24 Birth in Traffic

Chattanooga firefighters delivered a baby girl on I-24 Thursday morning after a family became stuck in traffic on their way to the hospital.

Responders quickly blocked traffic and assisted with the delivery in the backseat of the family's car. While fire officials prefer hospital deliveries for safety and sanitation, they had no choice in this case.

An ambulance transported the mother and newborn to the hospital, where both were treated and are reportedly "happy, healthy, and doing great."

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➤ Nashville: The Metro Nashville Police Department will host New York Police Department detectives for an ice hockey tournament this weekend, with proceeds benefiting the K-9 Hander's Fund, which supports the training, care, and preservation of working dogs on the force. (More)

➤ Memphis: Shelby County saw the largest population decline among U.S. counties between 2023 and 2024, losing 3,379 residents, while Davidson County, home to Nashville, gained 17,171 residents. (More)

➤ Sumner County: High school students in Sumner County constructed 30 beds for children in need on Wednesday, supporting the Sleep in Heavenly Peace nonprofit to ensure that children no longer have to sleep on the floor. (See Students)

➤ Unicoi: Strawberry Festival officials have called for proposals from bakers and culinary experts to create the world's largest strawberry cobbler, requiring applicants to include transportation plans for the cobbler. (More)

➤ Mt. Juliet: Authorities arrested three wanted suspects in separate traffic stops Wednesday, including a Smyrna resident with a 2019 felony theft warrant. (More)

➤ Alamo: The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development honored the Bank of Crockett for 138 years of service, with bank officials expressing gratitude for having "the best customers around." (More)

➤ The Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Wofford Terriers 77-62 on Thursday, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament behind a 29-point performance from standout guard Chaz Lanier. (More)

➤ Both Chattanooga Mocs basketball teams take the court today, with the men hosting top-seeded Dayton in the NIT second round, followed by the women opening their WNIT run against Alabama A&M. (More)

➤ Gov. Bill Lee submitted a letter of interest to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for Nashville to host the 2029 Super Bowl, joining with the city's bid sent earlier this month. (More)

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➤ A new economic report revealed that Tennessee's agricultural industry faced significant challenges last year due to drought and below-average yields, with 2025's outlook uncertain amid unsettled trade policies. (More)

➤ The Department of Tourism reported record growth across Tennessee this week, revealing that visitors contributed $30.65 billion to the economy—an increase of over $6 billion since 2021. (More)

➤ Memphis will welcome 15 new restaurants, bars, and venues in 2025, ranging from cocktail bars and drive-thru coffee to brunch spots and traditional Irish taverns. (See List)

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➤ Dolly Parton kicked off her national tour, "Threads: My Songs in Symphony," with the Nashville Symphony last night, featuring guest musicians and a multimedia storytelling experience that showcases her songs and life. (See Schedule)

➤ FedEx partnered with Operation Warm to donate 400 pairs of shoes to students in Memphis this week, aiming to provide over 13,000 shoes to children in 30 schools across the Americas. (More)

➤ Luke Combs was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville on Thursday for his "undeniable impact on country music". (See Video)

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