Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, General Ambrose Burnside led Union forces to seize control of Knoxville, encountering little resistance as Confederate forces had already largely withdrawn.

We hope this Labor Day weekend was a breath of fresh air for you—it certainly was at the gas pump, at least. This year marked Tennessee’s most affordable Labor Day gas prices since 2020. See details below.

⭐️ The Flyover Podcast with Ayla Brown spotlights important national stories you won’t find in your state newsletter. Today, she covers the rediscovery of a Great Lakes shipwreck lost for 138 years. Watch it here. 🚢

Today, Compressa is sponsoring us, offering compression products that help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance joint stability.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

TVA Plans Biggest US Small Nuclear Build

The Tennessee Valley Authority signed a deal with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 GW of small modular reactors, the largest program of its kind in the nation.

ENTRA1 will build and own six plants across TVA's seven-state region, selling power back to the federal utility—enough for about 4.5 million homes or 60 new data centers.

The project will use NuScale Power's recently approved reactor designs, though TVA has not released a timeline or costs.

Officials say the move is key to meeting surging electricity demand as the region grows three times faster than the national average.

Titans Add Veteran Linebacker Kyzir White

The Tennessee Titans signed veteran linebacker Kyzir White just days before their season opener against Denver.

White, 28, comes off a standout 2024 with the Cardinals, where he tallied 137 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and served as team captain.

Drafted by the Chargers in 2018, he's also played for the Eagles and brings over 600 career tackles to Tennessee.

The move bolsters the Titans' depth at inside linebacker, a position they had been trying to shore up during camp.

UT Helps Five Sisters Preserve Family Farm

The Sharp-Hunter sisters are working with the University of Tennessee Extension Office to keep their family farm in Campbell County alive after generations of ownership.

With no farming background, they turned to UT experts for soil testing and lease agreements, allowing a local cattle farmer to rent the land.

The farm was also selected for UT's statewide barn mural campaign, tying local heritage to a broader push for preservation. See the murals here.

The effort comes as Tennessee has lost more than 430,000 acres of farmland since 2017.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Sevier County: A local man with autism is training sheriff's office deputies on how to better interact with people with disabilities, even earning the honorary title of "special deputy" for his efforts. (More)

➤ Knox County: The school district is launching an Innovative Schools program to expand educational options like language immersion and arts-based learning, inviting families to share preferences through a survey. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Nonprofit ShowerUp has been providing free mobile showers to a growing number of homeless students, as public facilities charge as much as $17 for a single shower. (More)

➤ Rutherford County: County officials are weighing a jail expansion as overcrowding at the Adult Detention Center raises safety, financial, and legal concerns. (More)

➤ Nashville: Frank Michanowicz, the city's longest-serving substitute teacher, celebrated his 100th birthday on Labor Day surrounded by family who traveled from around the world to see him. (More)

➤ Johnson City: A local Salvation Army received a full set of linens for all 15 bedrooms in its new Veterans' Wing, thanks to a donation from the Washington County Federated Republican Women's Club. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia's brother was arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest following the team's win on Saturday night. (More)

➤ Nashville hosted the Broadway Block Party this weekend, a massive college volleyball event during which No. 1 Nebraska came back to beat No. 7 Kentucky in dramatic fashion. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt women's basketball player Madison Greene suffered an injury in practice this weekend that will end her 2025-26 season before it even begins. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | U.S. Open

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➤ This Labor Day marked Tennessee's most affordable gas prices since 2020, with the statewide average falling to $2.75 per gallon this week. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans are now worth $6.3 billion, according to Forbes' latest NFL valuations, placing them 20th among the league's 32 franchises. The team generated $582 million in revenue in 2024. (More)

➤ Tennessee welcomed a record 147 million visitors in 2024, generating $31.66 billion in direct spending. Nashville largely drove the boost, contributing over $11 billion. (More)

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➤ Vietnam vet Jim Baird traveled to Nashville to give away his 1966 Corvette to fellow vet Curt Baumann after being inspired by David Ball's song Riding with Private Malone. (See Video)

➤ Mateo the donkey slipped through an open gate in Murfreesboro and went for a stroll, amusing residents before being safely reunited with his owner. (More)

➤ Knoxville Area Transit is offering game-day transportation options, including $10 round-trip shuttles, for fans heading to Tennessee home football games at Neyland Stadium. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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