Selasa, 18 Agustus 2026

Dolphin-Swimming Lawsuit, "Nashville" Actress Dies, and Drag Racers Caught

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and deciding state to ratify the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote nationwide, after a 24-year-old Niota lawmaker cast the tie-breaking "aye" at his mother's urging.

A grassroots push to offer a "Back the Blue" specialty plate for Tennessee cars is now taking preorders. If you could design a Tennessee specialty license plate for a cause you care about, what would it support? Hit reply to tell us.

Before you pour the coffee, go take a look at your thermostat. Do you know why it's set to that number, or did you pick it years ago and never touch it again? You're not alone. A federal energy survey found that only 12% of American households program their thermostats to match their actual schedules. Everyone else runs one flat number all day on the single biggest expense in their power bill. There's a specific setting, a certain number of degrees for a certain number of hours, that unlocks real savings with no new equipment. Ayla has the numbers on today's podcast. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a message from our partner Fisher Investments on 13 common retirement investing mistakes that could quietly cost you over time, and how to spot them before they derail your long-term plans.

We're always interested in products that take an everyday task and simply make it easier. That's what caught our attention about today's sponsor, the Sonic Glow Brush. If you've ever wished brushing your teeth was quicker without sacrificing a thorough clean, this is worth a look.

Vanderbilt Redevelopment Nears Final Vote

A sweeping redevelopment near Vanderbilt University, spanning more than 40 acres of surface parking lots and carrying the potential to alter the city's skyline, is advancing toward a final Metro Council vote.

The proposed Innovation Neighborhood would bring up to 6.1 million square feet of research space, housing, retail, and green space to the West End corridor, with some buildings potentially reaching 35 stories.

Neighbors organized as the Hillsboro-West End group say they support redevelopment but want the heights scaled back to fit the surrounding historic area, nicknaming the project the "Vulch."

The measure cleared its second of three council readings on Aug. 5 after a lengthy public hearing. A final vote will decide whether one of the city's largest projects moves forward as proposed.

TN Woman Sues to Swim With Dolphins

A Middle Tennessee woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seeking permission to swim with spinner dolphins in Hawaii.

She says she used dolphin-assisted therapy to heal from a 2015 traumatic event and that federal rules now block a practice central to her mental health.

In September 2021, regulators banned swimming with or approaching Hawaiian spinner dolphins within 50 yards, citing disruption to the nocturnal animals' daytime rest.

Her suit says she always left the water to give the dolphins time to rest and caused them no harm. The rule carries penalties of up to $20,000 and a year in prison.

Historic Nashville Motel Reborn

A historic East Nashville motel on Dickerson Pike has been transformed into Salt Ranch, a boutique destination that opened this spring with a pool club, a bar, and a library bodega.

The 2.5-acre property features an open-air hotel with 48 rooms and a restored Main House once part of Nashville's mid-century motel scene. See more details about the property here.

The site's roots run deep, dating to a structure built around 1824 that later became the Congress Inn motor lodge before closing in 2020.

Nashville native and commercial real estate investor Tyler Cauble bought the property in 2021 and teamed with Remington Hospitality to run it. The project reflects a wave of investment reshaping the once-gritty Dickerson Pike corridor.

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➤ Statewide: A grassroots "Back the Blue" specialty license plate is taking preorders and needs 1,000 commitments before June 2027 to enter production. (See Details)

➤ Nashville: Nashville actress Hayden Panettiere died Sunday at 36. She was found in cardiac arrest at a South Carolina residence, with the cause pending investigation. (More)

➤ Memphis: xAI says it will restart construction of a water recycling plant in January 2027, designed to recycle 10 million gallons daily and protect billions of gallons of drinking water yearly. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Five people were charged after troopers say three cars formed a "rolling roadblock" so two others could drag race early Sunday on Pellissippi Parkway. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: A convenience store owner is accused of running an illegal gambling and drug operation and accepting EBT payments despite having no valid license since 2019. (More)

➤ Hopkinsville: The nonprofit Men 2 Be is working to stabilize and preserve the historic Attucks School after a roof collapse. (More)

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➤ Tennessee football opened at No. 20 in the first AP Top 25 of the season. The Vols are one of nine SEC teams in the poll, the most of any conference. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans signed tight end Matt Lauter and running back Dominic Richardson on Sunday while officially placing Jaylen Harrell and Jaren Kanak on injured reserve. Both new additions were undrafted free agents waived by other teams earlier this offseason. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Titans' redesigned raccoon mascot T-Rac went viral after meeting Gizzard, a rescue raccoon from Vermin Sanctuary, as part of the team's ongoing rebrand. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis

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➤ A $36 million Kroger development is coming to Town Creek Parkway in Lenoir City, expected to create 175 jobs and boost local school funding through sales tax revenue. (More)

➤ Memphis active home listings jumped 11.5% from a year earlier, more than five times the national rate, tilting one of the country's most saturated markets toward buyers. (More)

➤ Goodwill Industries of Tenneva will cut the ribbon Thursday on what it calls its largest retail store in the Tri-Cities, on East Oakland Avenue in Johnson City. (More)

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A Small Upgrade You'll Use Every Day

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➤ The Jonas Brothers are bringing another Burning Up tour to Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 5, with additional shows announced in Kentucky. (More)

➤ A Memphis bakery is offering more than bread, including stable jobs and a path forward for people working their way out of homelessness. (More)

➤ Rockvale High School's Fire Management and Science program received a fire truck from the Rutherford County Fire Department for hands-on learning. (See Details)

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➤ What’s the Best Breakfast Food in 2026? Oatmeal, eggs, cereal, coffee…The best breakfast choice may not be what you think and how you prepare it could make all the difference. A leading cardiologist reveals his surprising breakfast recommendation, plus one simple morning change that may help support a healthy metabolism and your weight-management goals. See the Full List of Breakfast Recommendations >> "

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

➤ Most Americans never program their thermostats, and it's costing them. There's an exact degrees-and-hours setting that can trim real money off heating and cooling costs. (Hear Setting)

➤ Newly declassified files show the FBI stumbled onto former Rep. Eric Swalwell's affair with a suspected Chinese spy while trying to recruit her as a confidential informant. (Hear Story)

➤ A popular Maryland state park is partially closed after rabid beavers attacked two teens. Experts say there are warning signs to watch for. (Hear Warning Signs)