Thursday, September 3, 2026

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Union forces to seize control of Knoxville, encountering little resistance as Confederate forces had already largely withdrawn.

Do you remember what evenings felt like when you were a kid? The whole family at the table by six, a phone call after dinner, maybe the sound of neighbors talking out on the porch. These are five after-dinner habits that once defined American life, and they've all but vanished or been replaced. Join Ayla on The Flyover Podcast as she counts down all five and takes you on a trip down memory lane. Tune in here!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Flyover readers, we raised $26,638 for Convoy of Hope’s Nepal flood relief efforts. Your support is making a meaningful difference for families affected by this disaster. If you haven’t had a chance to give, or would still like to participate, you can make a contribution here.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Incogni, about how much of your personal information may be available online and how to remove it before scammers or identity thieves can use it.

Today’s sponsor is Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags, helping fall travelers pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and layers while saving up to 60% of valuable luggage space.

Knox County Bans Flock Cameras

Knox County Commission voted unanimously Monday night for an emergency ordinance ordering every Flock camera used by the sheriff's office taken down within 30 days.

The vote followed an hours-long Aug. 25 meeting that showed the office had bought cameras in batches just $10 under the $25,000 threshold requiring mayoral review.

Mayor Glenn Jacobs said camera permits were already revoked, and he faulted the sheriff's office for not disclosing a coming $2.6 million request to maintain the system.

New Mayor Betsy Henderson, sworn in Tuesday alongside Sheriff Brent Gibson, said she fully supports the takedown and that residents have spoken clearly against Flock.

Oakland Mayor Arrested

Oakland Mayor George Adrian Wiggins was arrested Monday and booked on criminal conspiracy to commit theft of property, along with his son Thomas Wiggins and a woman, Isabella Marino.

The three are accused of planning and carrying out the theft of campaign signs, including a batch of "No Wiggins" signs taken from West Junior High on Aug. 6.

An affidavit shows police received a flash drive on Aug. 12 with footage of two vehicles pulling up to the school as several people cut signs down and loaded them up.

A woman stopped in one of those vehicles told police Wiggins offered to pay her for removing yard signs, then told her to lie about it. All three are out on bond.

Middle Tennessee Heat Wave Continues

Middle Tennessee's oppressive heat is not letting up, with First Alert Weather Days in effect through Saturday and highs in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees through Friday.

A heat advisory runs through Friday evening for Middle and West Tennessee outside the Cumberland Plateau, where the heat index will reach 105 degrees.

In Shelby County, the health department counted 321 emergency department visits for heat-related illness in August, and doctors warn September heat is every bit as dangerous as July's.

Memphis has opened a cooling center, and the worst of the heat should back off after Saturday, though highs are expected to stay in the low to mid 90s.

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➤ Lebanon: A small plane crash-landed just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in a grassy area feet from the playground at Byers Dowdy Elementary. No one was hurt, and the FAA is investigating. (More)

➤ Statewide: State Homeland Security officials are tracking an online "Cat in the Hat" trend that has included threats against schools, and a Warren County student has been charged. (More)

➤ Nashville: Police say a 33-year-old man just discharged from TriStar Centennial drove off in a parked ambulance because he had no ride home. He faces vehicle theft charges. (More)

➤ Smyrna: A child died at what the state Department of Human Services calls an illegal child care operation on Lake Farm Road. No arrests have been made in the joint investigation. (More)

➤ Great Smoky Mountains: Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak, missing since August 24, was found safe Tuesday in North Carolina outside the park. Officials say the incident is still under investigation. (More)

➤ Mason: Families and community leaders protested outside the CoreCivic-run detention facility as organizers said more than 400 detainees entered a third day of a hunger strike, which ICE disputes. (More)

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➤ The Predators traded forward Luke Evangelista to New Jersey for first- and second-round picks in the 2028 draft, a move GM Chris MacFarland said was not made lightly. (More)

➤ Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is open again after more than two years of renovations. The Memphis Tigers host Arkansas State there this Saturday. (More)

➤ Tennessee freshman wing Ralph Scott will undergo left knee surgery Thursday and is expected to miss six to eight months, sidelining him for the coming season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ Overseas arrivals to Tennessee fell by about 60,000 last year, cutting tax revenue from international tourists by $547,326 and shrinking overseas-visitor employment by 37.6%. (More)

➤ HCA Healthcare is eliminating a small percentage of corporate office and support positions, citing rising costs, an increase in uninsured patients, and shifts in health policy. (More)

➤ The Family Aquatic Center, a popular Sevierville pool facility, will not open Saturday as planned and is closed for the 2026 season due to a shortage of staff. (More)

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➤ Dollywood, a Pigeon Forge theme park co-owned by the late Dolly Parton, announced plans to honor the country music icon with new park attractions. (See Plans)

➤ In related news, Metro Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the airport authority to rename Nashville International Airport after Parton. The authority takes it up Sept. 17. (More)

➤ A new four-pet limit in Knoxville now covers monkeys. Jamie Fuller, who keeps about 30 monkeys at her north Knoxville home, says the ordinance will force her to move. (More)

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