Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 2008, the Tennessee Lady Vols defeated the Stanford Cardinal 64-48, securing a then-record eighth NCAA national championship.

A big thank you to everyone who shared their favorite "meat and three" locations. We’ll be featuring some of your favorite spots in our Around Tennessee section in the coming weeks.

We're sponsored today by Rosetta Stone, offering their biggest sale of the year on their language learning software.

Undocumented Student Bill Passes Committee

The Tennessee House Government Operations Committee narrowly passed HB 0793 in an 8-7 vote Monday, permitting schools to charge undocumented students tuition or deny enrollment if unpaid.

The bill would require proof of citizenship, legal status, or pending citizenship; without it, schools may charge tuition for enrollment of undocumented students. Supporters argue the bill is necessary because educating undocumented students imposes a significant financial burden on the state.

Protesters interrupted the vote, reciting the Lord’s Prayer before being escorted out by state troopers.

House Bill 793 will no be discussed in House Finance, Ways and Means Committee—another hurdle before advancing to the full House and Senate for a vote.

TEMA Updated Report Released

The Tennessee Department of Health released an updated severe weather report Monday, confirming 10 people died in weather-related events last week.

Officials announced that lives were lost in McNairy, Carroll, Obion, and Tipton counties. A full assessment of damage may take weeks as floodwaters slowly recede across the region.

Residents were advised to expect TEMA, FEMA, county agencies, and volunteers in their communities assessing eligibility for a federal major disaster declaration.

Agencies have recommended monetary donations over supplies to ensure those affected receive exactly what they need. See ways to donate here.

Local Beekeeper Rehomes Bees

A Shelbyville beekeeper has stepped up to protect pollinators, offering to rehome bee swarms for free—no stings attached.

After a brutal winter that led to historical bee die-offs across the country, beekeeper Rob Allen has focused on rescuing surviving colonies and relocating them safely and humanely. He uses hive boxes to give the bees a new home, supporting local ecosystems through pollination.

Allen has asked people that spot a colony or swarm not spray or swat the insects, but contact a local bee expert, like him, who can rehome the bees without harm.

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➤ Knox County: The Board of Education will vote Thursday on a proposed $43.8 million, 144,225-square-foot elementary school in Farragut to support long-term growth and capacity. (More)

➤ Hendersonville: An expectant mom’s maternity photos went viral after she posed for 10 minutes in front of a tornado-forming storm, saying, “We knew it was a storm, not a tornado storm.” (See Photo)

➤ Chattanooga: Local news personalities Riley Nagel and Cornelia Nicholson, whose 2023 proposal video went viral, were married last month. (See Proposal)

➤ Memphis: Residents impacted by recent severe weather can call TEMA’s free Crisis Cleanup Hotline for help with tarping, debris removal, and repairs, though assistance is not guaranteed. (More)

➤ Johnson City: At least 300 people attended Monday’s Johnson City Prayer Breakfast, uniting diverse denominations in a morning of prayer, worship, fellowship, and community spirit. (More)

➤ Greene County: Lancer Capital Group Foundation hosted its first “scholarship shootout” Saturday, raising more than $2,400 for JROTC scholarships and drawing over 30 participants from the community. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Volunteers added 6-foot-8 forward Jaylen Carey and point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie via the transfer portal to offset key losses after their Elite Eight run. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans have hired Taylor Zarzour as the team's new lead broadcaster, replacing former play-by-play announcer Mike Keith. (More)

➤ An Alabama man won the 2025 Major League Fishing championship Sunday after boating 70 miles upriver to fish all day below Nickajack Dam in Marion County, Tennessee. (More)

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➤ Nashville International Airport will hit a record 114 nonstop destinations by August, launching the #SummerOf100 campaign and adding Icelandair and Aer Lingus to its expanding international network. (More)

➤ BRIDGE, a private economic group, missed Monday's $2 million deadline for a Tri-Cities Airport airline expansion but plans further investor talks to keep the project alive. (More)

➤ An investment group has plans to revive Nashville's historic Arcade mall, renovating the area into a new downtown destination spot, with bars, restaurants, and music venues. (More)

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➤ Two Bikes is helping build a better Knoxville through its Pedal It Forward campaign, donating refurbished bikes to nonprofits that support students and individuals experiencing homelessness. (More)

➤ See pictures of chalk drawings from Knoxville's annual Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk, where middle school students to professional artists transformed Market Square sidewalks. (See Photos)

➤ Images from this weekend's severe weather in Memphis reveal the dangers of 15 inches of rain, including flooded streets and a submerged interstate. (See Flooding)

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