Jumat, 28 Agustus 2026

Nuclear Microreactor, Dolly's Last Act of Kindness, and NightLight Returns

Friday, August 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1993, two-time Super Bowl champion offensive lineman Shaq Mason was born in Columbia. He played for a decade in the NFL, anchoring the New England Patriots' line for their Super Bowl LI and LIII wins.

Tennessee's black bears, once nearly wiped out, are quietly reclaiming old territory. Have you ever crossed paths with a bear here in Tennessee, and how'd it go? Hit reply and tell us.

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Fort Campbell Picked for Nuclear Microreactor

Fort Campbell, which straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee line, is one of five bases selected for an advanced nuclear microreactor under the U.S. Army's new Janus Program.

The Army announced deals worth up to $2.2 billion over five years for companies to build, own, and operate the reactors, with BWXT Advanced Technologies handling the Fort Campbell site.

The program aims to give installations reliable "baseload" power independent of the commercial grid, which officials say could fail or be targeted during a major conflict.

Construction at Fort Campbell is expected to begin in late 2028, with full operation projected by the early 2030s, part of a Trump administration push to expand nuclear power.

BNA Sets Runway Expansion Timeline

Nashville International Airport is moving ahead with a runway expansion, securing a project timeline and $7.9 million for land acquisition as it plans for continued growth.

The airport wants to extend one of its runways to roughly 12,000 feet so it can add direct long-haul flights to Asia, a plan the FAA has slowly advanced after earlier denials for insufficient demand data.

BNA, one of the nation's fastest-growing airports, handled a record 24.7 million-plus passengers last fiscal year and expects to need capacity for 40 million by the mid-2030s.

Separately, American Airlines announced new one-stop international options from Nashville beginning in 2027, with tickets going on sale Monday.

Black Bears Reclaim Old Tennessee Territory

Black bears are slowly recolonizing Middle and West Tennessee, decades after overhunting shrank their range to just 10 mountainous eastern counties by the early 1970s.

The state's population has since rebounded to an estimated 6,000 bears, and sightings have spread west into counties like Wilson, Sumner, Cheatham, and even Davidson.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials say the newcomers are mostly young transient males pushed out to find their own range, arriving from expanding populations in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Program Coordinator Dan Gibbs says the spread can't be stopped, calling it a healthy sign, though he warns most conflicts trace back to unsecured garbage and other food left out where bears can reach it.

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➤ Nashville: Dolly Parton's sister Stella said the star agreed to let her medical team use experimental drugs during cancer treatment, hoping to help others, in a final act of her lifelong generosity. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg: The National Park Service is searching for a man reported missing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday. His vehicle was found near the Sugarlands Visitor Center. (More)

➤ McMinnville: Deadly floods in Nepal have a Middle Tennessee tie, as locally-based Isha Foundation said 77 people from one of its pilgrimage groups were near the Nepal-Tibet border when floodwaters hit. (More)

➤ Memphis: A man in court on a weapons case faces new charges after police say he bolted from the courtroom when the judge revoked his bond. (More)

➤ Also Memphis: Mayor Paul Young announced $100,000 in food aid through the Memphis Cares partnership for residents hit by Saturday's severe storm. (More)

➤ Clarksville: Austin Peay State University will host its first Health and Performance Summit on Oct. 17, drawing experts from the NBA, MLB, Olympic sports, and military special operations. (More)

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➤ Tennessee's NIL collective is opening a brick-and-mortar retail store on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, believed to be the first of its kind in college sports. The shop will sell exclusive merchandise and host player appearances for members. (More)

➤ Hall of Fame golf course architect Tom Fazio is designing America's first 18-hole indoor golf courses for CityGolf USA, starting with a 174,000-square-foot flagship location in Nashville set to open this winter. (More)

➤ The Memphis Grizzlies announced 23 fan events this fall ahead of the 2026-27 season, including a free open practice at FedExForum. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators received just three nationally televised games on ESPN for the 2026-27 NHL season. (More)

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➤ David Reynolds, chairman and CEO of Home Federal Bank, East Tennessee's largest locally owned bank, will step down as CEO in December. (More)

➤ University of Tennessee Athletics generated more than $1.1 billion in economic impact in fiscal year 2025, including $410 million in direct spending, according to a new report. (More)

➤ The Truth, a new Nashville music venue in Wedgewood-Houston, is hiring more than 150 workers ahead of its opening this fall. (More)

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➤ Tennessee lawmakers on both sides of the aisle plan to honor Dolly Parton in next January's legislative session. Some are proposing to name Nashville International Airport after her. (More)

➤ The NightLight outdoor movie series returns to Nashville this fall with five ticketed events, including a Halloween Film Fest at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. (More)

➤ The Tennessee Titans announced a special ticket offer honoring former running back Chris Johnson, the franchise favorite once known as CJ2K. (More)

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