Sunday, August 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1977, Elvis Presley passed away due to heart failure at Graceland in Memphis. He was 42 years old.

A patriotic woodworking artist carved a fallen oak tree into a stunning wood sculpture for the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair as a tribute to Tennessee and America’s 250th Birthday. See the details in Et Cetera. Also, as Middle Tennessee remains under an extreme heat advisory, some Tennesseans are anticipating the return of pumpkin spice as major coffee chains announce their fall menus. Learn more in today’s Top Stories.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla shared what scientists said about when you should actually be eating dinner. Scientists say your dinnertime could be shaping your blood sugar, your cravings, and even your heart health, and the growing field of chrononutrition finds that eating at the wrong hour can throw off the body's internal clock. Poorer blood sugar control. Stronger cravings the next day. Even a higher risk of heart disease. Ayla explained what dinnertime is actually right for you, so before you plan tonight's meal, find out whether your schedule is working for you or against you. Tune in here!

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.

Extreme 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.

Gas 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.

Pumpkin 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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➤ 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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➤ 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)

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➤ 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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➤ 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 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)