Friday, March 28, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1902, McMinnville set a state record for the most precipitation in 24 hours, receiving 11.00 inches.

Hollywood stopped in Franklin this week as Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth attended the premiere of King of Kings, a Christian animated film set for release next month. See the premiere photos and story below.

Today, we're sponsored today by Sam's Club, offering a special deal on new memberships for The Tennessee Flyover readers.

Severe Weather Expected by Sunday

A weather alert has been issued for Sunday in the Volunteer State as strong to severe storms are expected overnight, potentially producing damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes.

Rain on Saturday and early Sunday will combine with favorable storm conditions, fueling possible storm development that could persist after dark and into the overnight hours.

While the timing and number of strong storms remain uncertain, the likelihood of severe storms is increasing, with storms possibly starting Sunday afternoon but most likely occurring in the evening and overnight into Monday.

Forecasters urged residents to review safety plans. Nighttime tornadoes, which are most common in Tennessee, require quick action and preparedness.

Pot for Potholes Act Fails

The Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 5-2 this week to defeat the Pot for Potholes Act, a measure to legalize and tax recreational marijuana.

If passed, the bill would have legalized cannabis for those 21 and older, imposing a 15% sales tax to fund state roads, bridges, and transportation projects statewide.

The legislation faced strong opposition, with critics calling it a "publicity stunt," while supporters argued it reflected public opinion, citing that 63% of voters back marijuana legalization.

Tennessee Home Values on the Rise

Brentwood homes had the largest increase in value over the last year, according to a new ranking of Tennessee cities with fastest growing home prices.

Data collected on home prices from 50 cities and towns in Tennessee revealed that Brentwood properties increased by $84,310 to a median home value of $1.31 million. The average median value in the U.S. was $357,377, up 2.1%.

Meanwhile, Pall Mall in Fentress County led the state in percentage growth, up 17% to $219,534, while other high-dollar gainers included Lookout Mountain (+$78,502) and College Grove (+$64,835).

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Every trip to the store seems to cost more—and when there are kids to feed, there's no room for cutting corners. Sam's Club understands what families are facing right now. That's why they're offering a Plus Membership for $65—$45 off the regular price—plus a free 16" pizza to get dinner on the table without spending a dime more.

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➤ Knoxville: Type One Energy will build a prototype fusion power plant at the retired Bull Run Fossil Plant, partnering with the TVA to potentially bring commercialized fusion energy to local communities. (More)

➤ Clarksville: Austin Peay State University will propose a 5% increase in tuition and fees at next month's Board of Trustees meeting, addressing rising operational costs and enhancing student experiences. (More)

➤ Rutherford County: Medical officials have confirmed Tennessee's first measles case, involving an unidentified person infected earlier this month, with the source of the virus still under investigation. (More)

➤ Memphis: Scooter's Coffee, a national chain, named Tennessee-based Pyramid Coffee, LLC—the operator of four Memphis-area locations—as its Franchisee of the Year, recognizing the team for its excellence in sales, community involvement, and employee management. (More)

➤ Johnson City: Drones will continue to fly over downtown through Saturday as city officials continue to collect data on pedestrian and vehicle traffic, parking usage, and patterns. (More)

➤ Franklin: The animated Christian film King of Kings premiered in Franklin this week, with Emmy and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth and renowned voice actor Jim Cummings in attendance. (See Stars)

➤ The No. 2-seeded Tennessee Volunteers will face the No. 3-seeded Kentucky Wildcats in an all-SEC Sweet 16 matchup today. (See Details)

➤ Former Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt is suing the NCAA for $100 million in lost wages, claiming the NCAA conspired with Tennessee to make him a "sacrificial lamb" for violations. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans will make light blue their primary home jersey color this upcoming season, with navy shifting to an alternate color, reflecting the team's history and aiming for more consistent uniform combinations. (More)

➤ Nashville SC held a signing ceremony this week at GEODIS Park for its 2025 Special Olympics Tennessee Unified team, which pairs athletes with volunteers for exhibition matches at MLS stadiums. (More)

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➤ Schneider Electric was named the Official Energy Management Partner of the new Nissan Stadium, installing Tennessee-made technology to boost efficiency and sustainability to the new facility when it opens in 2027. (More)

➤ Music City Executive Airport is celebrating its Mid-Field Apron expansion tomorrow at 10 a.m., inviting the public to come and engage in the festivities. (More)

➤ Dave's Hot Chicken is expanding into Appalachia with 13 new locations across the region, including Eastern Tennessee, bringing its popular Nashville-style hot chicken to new customers. (More)

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Beat rising costs with a membership designed to save more.

Sam's Club is offering a $45 discount on a Plus Membership, now just $65 (regularly $110). To kick off the savings, Sam's Club is offering a free 16-inch pizza through March 31.

Plus, Members enjoy free delivery, early shopping hours, and the ability to skip checkout lines with Scan & Go.

With low prices on name brands and exclusive Member's Mark products, Sam's Club helps members get more for their money—especially when prices are rising everywhere else.

➤ Davis House, a child advocacy center, has announced its second annual stuffed animal drive, hosted and organized by a Franklin teen who collected 1,600 toys last year. (See Details)

➤ Knoxville firefighters rescued a small dog from a burning home after a neighbor told dispatchers that no one was home but believed the pet was still inside. (More)

➤ State officials announced that five of 49 roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene remain closed in East Tennessee. Delays are still impacting local commutes. (More)

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