Sunday, September 6, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1916, Clarence Saunders opened the very first Piggly Wiggly store in Memphis as the nation's first true self-service grocery store.

Looking for something fun to do in September? Learn about six Tennessee festivals bringing food, music, family fun, and plenty of fall vibes this month in today's Top Stories.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counted down the seven purchases experts say you need to make before you retire. Research shows these are the buys worth making while the paychecks are still coming in, and some are pricier than you'd think. Ayla ranked all seven by urgency, and the one at the top of the list only gets more expensive the longer you wait. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is Dr. Steven Gundry, sharing a simple 2-minute daily trick designed to activate a key metabolic process that may help your body manage stubborn fat.

Gas Prices Near Record Highs

Tennessee drivers are paying about $1 more per gallon than last Labor Day as gas prices approach record highs, with the national average at $4.14 Saturday, according to AAA.

AAA said the national average has never topped $4 on Labor Day; the previous record was $3.82 in 2012. Tennessee's statewide average stood at $3.81 as of Saturday morning, with Cleveland the highest at $3.91 followed by Nashville and Jackson at $3.89.

AAA and GasBuddy attribute the increase to the conflict with Iran, which has pushed crude oil near $90 a barrel, and to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries.

Diesel also hit a record near $5.85, with some Mid-South stations at $5.99. Some relief may follow the Sept. 15 switch to winter-blend fuel, though conflicts could delay it.

Tennessee Awards First Rural Health Grants

The Tennessee Department of Health announced the first 53 recipients of Rural Health Transformation Program grants Thursday, funding projects across 44 counties with federal money.

The awards fall under the state's Healthy Active Rural Tennessee priority, which focuses on preventing chronic disease and improving overall health through community-based projects. The projects will include building walking trails, sidewalks, community gardens, fitness programs, and gathering spaces rather than hospitals or clinics.

County and municipal governments received 31 awards and nonprofits received 22 awards, including projects in economically distressed Scott, Cocke, Clay, Hancock, and Lauderdale counties, according to the department.

Tennessee received nearly $207 million through a federal grant program funded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Remaining funds are slated for healthcare workforce recruitment, struggling hospitals, and mobile mental health services.

6 Festivals Return to Tennessee This Month

Ready to welcome fall? From food and music to family fun and small-town traditions, these six festivals happening across Tennessee this month offer plenty of fall vibes.

Historic Downtown Bristol hosts the 25th Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Sept. 11-13, an outdoor music celebration featuring multi-genre live performances, food trucks, and art markets; while Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer stages the 48th Annual Mountaineer Folk Festival the same weekend—an outdoor family-friendly heritage event showcasing traditional Cumberland Plateau folk music, pioneer skills, and crafts.

The Nashville Fair opens Sept. 11 and runs through Sept. 20 at The Fairgrounds Nashville highlighting classic agricultural exhibits, competitive exhibits, amusement rides, livestock shows, and live entertainment. Gallatin's Autumn in the Square, taking place on Sept. 12, is an early-autumn celebration featuring local food, crafts, and small-town charm. Vonore's 35th Annual Cherokee Fall Festival follows on Sept. 12-13 featuring Native American foods, crafts, dance performances by the Warrior Dancers of Ani-Kituhwa, historic demonstrations, and cultural displays.

Dollywood's Harvest Festival begins Sept. 14 in Pigeon Forge and runs through Oct. 31, featuring Southern gospel, bluegrass, and country music alongside autumn pumpkin displays.

Flying together with our sponsor

The DIY Trick That "Flushes Out" Calories

What if I told you there’s a “metabolic switch” you can flip — that can help your body “flush out” excess body fat?

Well, it might seem outlandish at first...

But by activating 1 specific process in your body — thousands of people are losing stubborn fat and keeping it off for good.

Just do THIS once each day (takes about 2 minutes).

➤ Knoxville: Twenty-one Knox County students were hospitalized for heat illness, three critically, after a bomb threat sent Carter Middle School's student body to a football field for about an hour. (Watch Report)

➤ Chattanooga: CARTA will replace downtown Chattanooga's aging electric shuttle fleet with autonomous shuttles using a $25 million federal grant, with engineering and procurement expected to begin in 2027. (More)

➤ Tipton County: Deputies arrested three people after finding 22 pounds of steroid compounds, over 500 illegally manufactured Xanax pills, miscellaneous prescription medication, and firearms at a Munford-area home, and removed an 8-year-old child from the residence. (Watch Report)

➤ Putnam County: A Monterey woman filed a federal lawsuit alleging authorities wrongfully arrested and jailed her after mistaking her for a wanted person who shares her name. (See Details)

➤ Johnson City: The city's "last call" ordinance, which bars alcohol sales after 1 a.m., marked one year on Saturday, with residents and bar owners still debating its safety and business effects. (More)

➤ Collierville: TDOT will close Collierville-Arlington Road over the Wolf River beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8 for a $16.8 million bridge replacement, with the span expected to reopen by fall 2027. (More)

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➤ No. 20 Tennessee opened its season with a 56-9 rout of Furman, while Neyland Stadium joined in a singalong of I Will Always Love You honoring the late Dolly Parton. (Watch Video)

➤ Meanwhile, the Commodores opened their 2026 season as 28.5-point favorites over Austin Peay, while Memphis sought a 2-0 start against Arkansas State. (See Scores)

➤ The Tennessee Titans held their Annual Foundation Luncheon recently, hosting around 350 guests to raise money to support local communities. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ ServicePlus Home Warranty’s Labor Day Sale is here with savings designed to help protect your budget from unexpected home repairs. For a limited time, get 50% off plus 2 FREE months of home warranty coverage. Protect essential home systems and appliances while taking advantage of this special holiday offer.

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Top Doctor: "Oats are one of the best ways to fatten us up"

For decades, Americans were told oatmeal is the perfect healthy breakfast.

However, a new report reveals “oats are one of the best ways to fatten us up.”

Dr. Steven Gundry exposes 3 “healthy foods” causing weight gain and reveals a groundbreaking discovery to help release excess calories instead of storing them as fat.

Click here to watch Dr. Gundry's full presentation before it's removed

➤ Singer-songwriter Dasha donated $50,000 to Cowboy Ranch Rescue in Antioch, funding the rescue of four horses, a donkey, and two barn cats from slaughter and giving them a safe home. (More)

➤ Benton County opened its "Bargain Highway" yard sale, stretching more than 30 miles from I-40 exit 126 to Highway 69-A through Holladay, Camden, and Big Sandy. (More)

➤ Tennessee football will wear a commemorative butterfly helmet sticker honoring Dolly Parton at every game this season. The country music icon, a Tennessee native, died Aug. 25 at age 80. (See Sticker)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Who should shape the way we think? Education is never neutral, and what we learn can have a lasting influence on how we understand the world. In A Battle for the Mind, R.C. Sproul examines education from a Christian perspective and the importance of grounding our thinking in biblical truth. Ligonier Ministries is offering the ebook free to readers. Discover A Battle for the Mind and download your free copy today.

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.

➤ The jobs of tomorrow may involve caring for people or powering machines. (Hear More)

➤ The NFL’s nicest and nastiest fan bases are finally revealed. (Listen Now)

➤ America’s tastiest small town is just a train ride from two major cities. (Podcast Available)