Minggu, 16 Agustus 2026

Heat Impacts State Fair, Oak Tree Sculpture, and Battle of the Badge

Dangerous heat blanketed Tennessee this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Extreme Heat Warnings for multiple Middle Tennessee counties, disrupting the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair and area schools.
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Article Icon 1Extreme Heat Disrupts State Fair and Schools

Dangerous heat blanketed Tennessee this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Extreme Heat Warnings for multiple Middle Tennessee counties, disrupting the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair and area schools.

Fair officials postponed the Special Needs Day event, Clogging Exhibition, and Bike Ride Across Wilson County until August 22, adding cooling stations, misting fans, and free water as heat indexes approach 110 degrees.

Officials also extended Saturday ride armbands until midnight instead of 5 p.m., letting fairgoers ride during cooler evening hours.

Meanwhile, some East Tennessee schools shifted schedules, with Polk County Schools dismissing at noon on Friday and again on Monday, Aug. 17, due to extreme heat. Separately, Ivy Skillern Elementary announced Monday would be a virtual learning day. Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security urged residents to limit their time outdoors and take steps to prevent heat-related illness.

Article Icon 1Gas Prices Climb Again, Up 33% from Last Year

Tennessee fuel prices rose for another week, with regular gasoline averaging $3.67 as of August 14, up seven cents (2%) from the prior week, based on AAA data.

The yearly trend is steeper: gas is up $0.92 (33.2%) from a year ago, while diesel, now $5.08, has climbed $1.65 (48.2%). Both remain below record highs set in June 2022.

Prices vary across the state. Jackson leads metros at $3.79, followed by Nashville at $3.74, while Clarksville-Hopkinsville is lowest at $3.54.

AAA data shows Tennessee still sits below the national average of $4.07, though the state's increases mirror nationwide upward pressure on fuel costs.

Article Icon 1Pumpkin Spice: Chains Announce Fall Return

We are halfway through August and while it definitely still feels like summer, coffeehouses across Tennessee are gearing up for pumpkin spice season. Autumn flavors are arriving early, with Starbucks and Dunkin' launching fall menus in mid-to-late August.

Dunkin' revealed via Instagram that pumpkin returns August 19, while Starbucks announced its Pumpkin Spice Latte comes back August 25, giving Dunkin' a head start on its rival.

Starbucks' lineup includes returning favorites like Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew plus new drinks including the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso and Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha. The chain is also adding pecan-flavored items, banana bread-inspired drinks, and the new Chaider, a cider-inspired chai, alongside new food offerings for the season.

While Dunkin’s fall menu has not been officially confirmed, some social media food accounts have reportedly leaked that the menu will include several tiramisu- and pumpkin-themed drinks among other flavors.

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Around Tennessee

Clarksville: Officer Grayson Perry, a two-year veteran with the police department, talked a 17-year-old out of jumping from the Meriwether Road overpass. The teen was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. (More)

Red Bank: The high school’s Blue Lion Marching Band is preparing for its upcoming season while fundraising to help cover travel costs to perform in the 2027 Fiesta Bowl parade. (More)

Cleveland: Cleveland Utilities is conducting water-meter maintenance expected to last several weeks, with crews warning residents that temporary service outages may occur during the work. (More)

Blountville: A Sullivan County Commissioner suggested publicly hanging Flock Safety’s CEO during a dispute over the company’s license-plate surveillance technology, prompting criticism over the remarks. (More)

Lauderdale County: The sheriff’s office is implementing the "Special Needs Occupant Sticker Program" throughout the county to help law enforcement and first responders interact with people with special needs during a traffic stop or emergency. (More)

Lenoir City: Residents are petitioning officials to allow liquor stores within city limits as the city continues to grow and add businesses, potentially changing local alcohol sales rules if the effort gains sufficient support. (More)


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Tennessee Carolina Sports

The estate of late Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke will receive his full $12.5 million salary tax-free through a life insurance policy purchased by the Grizzlies. (More)

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that second-year quarterback Cam Ward needs to demonstrate more confidence after posting a sub-50% completion percentage in the team’s 19-13 preseason victory on Thursday. (More)

Tennessee football will be without starting safety Edrees Farooq for the entire 2026 season after he reportedly suffered a torn patellar tendon during practice. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | Golf | Tennis | NASCAR | Soccer

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Et Cetera

Woodworking artist Lucas Pennington turned a fallen oak tree into a sculpture that combines an eagle, the American flag, and a fiddle as a tribute to both America’s 250th birthday and Tennessee tradition. The sculpture is on display at the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair. (See Sculpture)

A Battle of the Badge tournament raised more than $9,000 for Greenbrier Police Officer Matthew Hillis, who is receiving treatment for an apple-sized brain tumor. (More)

Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its 111th home in the Jackson-Madison County area, continuing its effort to provide affordable housing for local families. (More)

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The Flyover Podcast

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

College costs outpaced wages and left families scrambling to cover the bill. (Hear More)

Teen trouble prompted one New Jersey town to tighten its summer rules. (Listen Now)

A Supreme Court justice said conservatives faced an unexpected barrier on college campuses. (Podcast Available)

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The Flyover

The Poll

Is August too early for Pumpkin Spice coffee drinks?

  1. In this heat? Definitely yes!
  2. Maybe a bit too early
  3. Not sure/no opinion
  4. No, I'll take an iced pumpkin latte

 

Previous Results:

Do you donate blood?

  1. Yes, I have a few times: 32%
  2. No: 29%
  3. I did once: 20%
  4. Yes, often: 19%
North Carolina Trivia

What was the original name of the Cades Cove valley in Eastern Tennessee?

Show me the answer

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Classroom Lock Debate, Beagle Rescue, and the Carefree Boat Club

A door-lock manufacturer is challenging a Florida Department of Education rule that it says undercuts a 2025 law letting classrooms install emergency barricade locks.
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Top Stories

Article Icon 1Uthmeier Rewrites Amendment 3 

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has rewritten the ballot summary for Amendment 3, the November property tax measure, after a judge ruled the Legislature's version defective.

Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank called the original wording "clearly and conclusively defective" and said its title read like a political slogan. The new version drops the slogan and the claim that the amendment would ensure funding for core services.

The amendment itself is unchanged. It would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%.

Uthmeier said state law lets him revise only the summary and title, and faulted lawmakers for cutting sheriffs out of the process. Jackson Peel of Save Our Services, a plaintiff in the case, calls it a "scam and tax shift."

It needs 60% approval Nov. 3.

Article Icon 1Lock Maker Challenges State Classroom Rule

A door-lock manufacturer is challenging a Florida Department of Education rule that it says undercuts a 2025 law letting classrooms install emergency barricade locks.

The department pushed to repeal that statute in the 2026 session, failed, and wrote implementing rules that Board of Education Chair Ryan Petty conceded were "onerous."

The rule would require every first responder who might answer a call at the school—police, fire, EMS, and armed guardians—to carry a key to the classroom door. Schools would also need semester training and fire-code sign-off.

NIGHTLOCK co-owner Jack Taylor says handing master keys to hundreds of responders creates its own security risk, and that classroom doors must be unlocked in an attack anyway. Petty says the barricades could slow responders reaching the wounded.

A virtual hearing is set for Aug. 21. The department declined to comment but agreed to pay outside counsel up to $150,000.

Article Icon 1Miami Orders Halt to Brickell Rentals

Miami has ordered a 43-story Brickell condo tower to shut down what the city says are more than 300 illegal short-term rentals.

The Club at Brickell Bay, at 1200 Brickell Bay Drive, was approved in 2011 for 30 vacation rental units. A city investigation found more than 300 listed among its 643 units.

Assistant City Manager Barbie Hernandez wrote that the operation creates a life-safety problem because the building isn't approved for hotel-level fire and disability requirements. The letter orders the rentals to stop immediately and warns of revoked certificates and legal action.

Residents have complained for years about lobby crowds, elevator lines, and damage. Christina Lardon, who has owned there since 2008, told 7News owners have enclosed dining rooms to add unpermitted bedrooms.

Building management declined to comment. The city gave staff 10 days to respond to the letter, delivered Tuesday.

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A Smarter Way to Brush in Just 30 Seconds

Most of us spend two minutes brushing our teeth twice a day. The Sonic Glow Brush takes a different approach. Its soft, U-shaped mouthpiece surrounds your teeth and uses sonic vibrations to clean them all at once, delivering a full brushing routine in as little as 30 seconds.

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Around Florida

Statewide: Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Florida House "needs to take a mulligan" and backed gubernatorial candidate Paul Renner's call for a special session. Both want the House to revive Senate-passed bills on vaccine exemptions, ivermectin access, and an AI bill of rights. (More)

Pensacola: The City Council took no action Thursday on a first reading of Mayor DC Reeves' proposed curfew for anyone 17 and under, introduced after the deadly July 4 mass shooting downtown. Police backed it; council members questioned the age cutoff and the exemptions. (More)

Lake County: A small plane crashed and burned Friday morning in a rural stretch south of Groveland. Both people aboard were hurt, officials said. (See Photo)

Palm Beach County: Big Dog Ranch Rescue took in 155 beagles from a shuttered Wisconsin breeding and testing facility, closing out a relocation of more than 2,000 dogs. The rescue says they'll get surgeries, vaccinations, and homes. (See Video)

First Coast: Carefree Boat Club members say the company's boats were lifted out of marinas in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine this week. Members are concerned about accessing the amenities they're paying for. (More)

Sarasota: A mandatory electrocardiogram screening under Florida's Second Chance Act caught a congenital heart defect in Cameron Crider, a 15-year-old athlete. “I didn’t know what it was. I just wanted to know how to fix it,” Cameron said. (Read Story)


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Florida Sports

➤ The Miami Dolphins opened the preseason with a 20-7 loss to the Washington Commanders after De’Von Achane finished a 93-yard opening drive with Miami’s lone touchdown. (More)

 Undrafted Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies Jalon Daniels and Ayden Garnes sparked a 24-16 preseason victory over the New York Jets, with Daniels leading two second-half touchdown drives and Garnes returning an interception 47 yards for a score. (More)

 Miami Dolphins consultant and ESPN analyst Troy Aikman must participate in Monday Night Football production meetings remotely and is barred from team practices and practice facilities because of his role with the club. (More)

 Miami Hurricanes running back Jordan Lyle faces a felony fleeing-and-eluding charge and a misdemeanor reckless-driving charge tied to a July 10 incident in Sunrise. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | Golf | Tennis | NASCAR | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

Don't Wait Until it's Too Late to Fix Your Hairline. Get our LOWEST PRICING EVER on your first order for a limited time only. See results in 180 days or your money back! Learn More

Flying together with our sponsor

A Small Upgrade You'll Use Every Day

Some products promise to change your life. Others simply make your daily routine a little better. We think this falls into the second category. If you're going to brush your teeth every day anyway, it makes sense to see if there's a faster, easier way to do it.

Learn more about the Sonic Glow Brush and see if it's right for you today.

Et Cetera

Walt Disney World cast members collected more than 155,000 school supplies this summer for A Gift For Teaching, which stocks classrooms in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, and Polk counties. The annual drive has now topped 1 million supplies over a decade. (See Photo)

NASA will open the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center to the public Nov. 7 and 8 for MAX POWER, a two-day aerospace expo and airshow marking the country's 250th anniversary. (See Details)

The Museum of Art and Design at Miami Dade College opened nos encontramos at the Freedom Tower, an exhibit of work Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara made in prison. He was freed July 7 and flown to Miami on humanitarian parole. (Read Story)

Flying together with our sponsor

Waking Up to Pee at Night? It’s Not Normal. If nighttime bathroom trips are disrupting your sleep, you’re not alone - but it’s not something you have to accept. A new report reveals the real reason so many adults wake up to pee and a simple way to support 24-hour bladder control, fewer urges, and fewer leaks. See what’s behind it and how to fix it. Read now.

The Flyover Podcast

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

College costs outpaced wages and left families scrambling to cover the bill. (Hear More)

Teen trouble prompted one New Jersey town to tighten its summer rules. (Listen Now)

A Supreme Court justice said conservatives faced an unexpected barrier on college campuses. (Podcast Available)

Check This Out

After seeing it struggling to get back into the water last year, several beachgoers worked together to help a stranded shark get back into the swim of things. Brave or foolish, they got the job done.

The Polling Station

Have you visited the Kennedy Space Center?

  1. Yes
  2. I want to!
  3. No

 

Yesterday's Results:

The Miami Heat will be on TV more in the upcoming season. Do you plan to tune in?

  1. No: 79%
  2. Maybe: 13%
  3. Yes: 8%
Florida Trivia

NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center has one of the longest runways in the world. How long is it?

Show me the answer

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