Thursday, May 22, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1978, actress Ginnifer Goodwin was born in Memphis; she has gone on to star in several acclaimed films and TV series, including titles like He's Just Not That Into You and Once Upon a Time.

Fans of Alan Jackson, it's time to start booking your travel plans—the country legend announced that his final show will take place in Nashville next summer, marking the end of his iconic 40-year career. See more details in the story below.

Today's sponsor is Incogni, which protects your personal information while you browse the web.

Don't feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

TN Foster Kids Sue DCS

A group of 13 foster children has filed a federal class action lawsuit against Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS), alleging neglect, unsafe living conditions, and systemic failures.

Filed in Nashville on Monday, the suit represents over 9,000 children in state custody and is backed by national advocacy group A Better Childhood and law firm Bass, Berry & Sims.

The foster youth claim DCS routinely leaves kids in temporary shelters for months, places them in unsafe facilities, and overburdens undertrained caseworkers.

The lawsuit argues that conditions worsened after federal court oversight ended in 2017 and seeks reforms that include reduced caseloads, better placement standards, and more permanent homes.

TVA Moves Forward on Small Reactor

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted the nation's first-ever construction permit for a small modular nuclear reactor, aiming to build one at its Clinch River site near Oak Ridge.

The application, filed with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, proposes using GE Hitachi's BWRX-300 technology, which produces about one-fourth the power of conventional reactors but with lower carbon output.

TVA calls it a key milestone in advancing U.S. nuclear tech, with plans backed by major industry partners and an $800 million Department of Energy grant application.

The Clinch River site remains the only U.S. location with an approved permit for this reactor type.

$5M Gift Bolsters NICU at Nashville Hospital

Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta and his wife Sandi donated $5 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, expanding its neonatal intensive care services.

The hospital—already among the nation's largest NICUs—treats up to 1,600 infants annually and recently added a four-floor expansion, including the newly named "Scott & Sandi Borchetta Floor" on the 14th level.

The gift supports equipment, staffing, and a new center focused on severe lung conditions.

The Borchettas previously funded a 23-bed NICU wing in 2020 through Big Machine Label Group.

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➤ Nashville: A naloxone vending machine has dispensed up to 1,500 free overdose-reversal kits per week since mid-April, far surpassing expectations and signaling high community need amid ongoing opioid risks. (See Photo)

➤ Johnson City: A local television station hosted a telethon Wednesday to raise funds for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee, which granted 116 wishes in 2024 but still has more than 100 children on its waiting list. (More)

➤ Jackson: A tornado damaged Kirkland's Home Warehouse on Tuesday, prompting an evacuation. No injuries were reported, though debris was seen flying overhead. (See Video)

➤ Sevier County: Residents say ongoing pipeline construction by East Tennessee Natural Gas has disrupted their lives with constant noise and limited access, prompting frustration over communication, compensation, and delays in property restoration. (More)

➤ Shelby County: State officials say residents are owed over $130 million in unclaimed money, with state workers setting up at local festivals to help people recover their share. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Blood Assurance, the primary blood provider for area hospitals, is calling for volunteers to donate as summer demand surges, with rising trauma cases and fewer contributions during school breaks and vacations. (See Details)

➤ The No. 7-seeded Lady Vols will begin Super Regional play Friday against Nebraska in a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. (See Schedule)

➤ Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells were named to the NBA's All-Rookie First Team, giving the Grizzlies the most selections of any team in the league this season. (More)

➤ UT-Knoxville received one of the top seeds at the NCAA DI Women's Rowing Championship later this month, where they'll join Texas as the lone SEC competitors. (More)

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➤ The Tennessee Titans secured international marketing rights in Ireland through the NFL's Global Markets Program, aligning with growing Nashville-Dublin ties, including new direct flights. (More)

➤ Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris says he has no concerns about the proposed xAI Colossus project, despite the Memphis City Council introducing an ordinance to tighten environmental regulations. (More)

➤ Small Comforts Kitchen, a gluten-free bakery founded in 2022, is opening its first storefront in South Knoxville's Baker Creek Bottoms today, expanding from farmers' markets to meet growing demand. (See Details)

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➤ Eagleville teen and American Idol finalist Mattie Pruitt released her debut single, Strings, after performing with the Goo Goo Dolls during Sunday's season finale. (More)

➤ The Chattanooga Airport received a $1.2 million grant to build a new park in time for summer 2026, featuring WWII memorials, a static plane, and a 12-foot play control tower. (More)

➤ Country star Alan Jackson played the final show of his farewell tour Saturday, announcing one last performance in summer 2026 in Nashville to cap his legendary 40-year career. (See Details)

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