Friday, October 31, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, Confederate General John B. Hood crossed the Tennessee River with his Army of Tennessee, beginning his campaign to retake Nashville, while Union General William T. Sherman launched his March to the Sea.

There's no better way to start a Friday than watching a mischievous black bear play on a rope swing—highlighting that bear activity continues in Tennessee throughout the fall. See the playful bear in the story below.

When disasters strike, The Flyover community always shows up. Hurricane Melissa has left thousands in Jamaica without homes, food, or clean water—and they need our help now. We're partnering with Convoy of Hope to deliver immediate relief, and we'll match the first $2,000 in donations, doubling your impact. Donate here!

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

TN Launches Food Site Amid SNAP Woes

With the federal government still shut down, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday rolled out FeedTN.org—a new website aimed at helping families find local food aid.

The site connects users to nearby food pantries and lets donors support vetted nonprofits.

Nearly 700,000 Tennesseans rely on SNAP benefits, which could lapse starting Saturday if the impasse in Washington drags on.

Lee called on congressional Democrats to reopen the government, saying state resources alone can't fill the gap.

Nashville to Host 2034 Special Olympics

Nashville has been tapped to host the 2034 Special Olympics USA Games, officials announced Wednesday during a ceremony at Bridgestone Arena.

The bid earned support from all 50 states, along with celebrities Nate Bargatze, Lainey Wilson, and Olympian Scott Hamilton. City officials praised the event’s spirit and pledged an inclusive environment for athletes and visitors alike.

The games are expected to bring significant economic and cultural impact to Middle Tennessee, drawing more than 4,000 athletes, 100,000 visitors, and generating about $100 million in revenue.

Romance Turns Farm Rivalry Into Family Ties

Two longtime farming families in Williamson County, the Hatchers and the Gentrys, have gone from friendly competitors to in-laws after their descendants fell in love and married.

Charles Hatcher, of Hatcher Family Dairy, married Mary Morgan Gentry, bridging nearly 180 years of parallel agricultural history.

Once rivals for local farming awards, the families now work together during peak seasons while keeping their operations separate.

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Urgent aid for Jamaica—your gift matters

You can be part of the urgent response to the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa—a Category 5 storm with winds up to 185 mph—hit Jamaica and left behind catastrophic destruction.

It's one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, bringing torrential rain, dangerous storm surge, and widespread flooding and landslides that have destroyed homes and critical infrastructure.

Convoy of Hope is responding with food, clean water, hygiene kits, baby care items, tents, tarps, and other emergency supplies for families in desperate need—and we need your help.

For a limited time, The Flyover is matching the first $2,000 in donations to multiply the impact of every gift.

Your support today helps bring immediate relief and lasting hope to those reeling from this disaster. Please give now to help families recover. Thank you!

➤ Nashville: Metro Nashville Public Schools is facing criticism after spending $165,000 in taxpayer funds to remodel the superintendent's office suite—including adding a private bathroom. (More)

➤ Hartsville: Former NFL quarterback and philanthropist Tim Tebow visited over 300 inmates at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, delivering a message of faith, hope, and personal transformation. (See Photos)

➤ Bellevue: A local farmer is giving away free food this Sunday to families losing SNAP benefits, calling it a way to pay forward the support he once received during hard times. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The Blount Mansion Association launched a $3 million fundraising campaign to preserve the historic 18th-century home of Governor William Blount for another century. (More)

➤ Hamilton County: A proposal to trade protected land at Enterprise South Nature Park for industrial development drew strong opposition at a county commission meeting, even though it was not listed on the agenda. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg: The season's first snow blanketed Mount LeConte on Thursday, delighting visitors to LeConte Lodge as flurries turned to accumulation overnight in the Great Smoky Mountains. (More)

➤ Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper was named to the 2026 Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Trophy Watch List after a standout 2024-25 season, leading the Lady Vols in scoring and steals. (More)

➤ UT-Knoxville announced that Smokey X, the university’s retired 14-year-old bluetick coonhound mascot, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer but showed his trademark spirit by waking to the “Rocky Top” fight song. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea is emerging as a potential candidate for Penn State’s head coaching job if he leaves the Commodores. “The guy can win big games when the lights are bright,” an unnamed source said of Lea when talking about his fit with the Nittany Lions. (More)

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➤ This Halloween, protect your home from scary repair bills with the ServicePlus Home Warranty Sale! Get coverage for appliances and major systems at unbeatable prices—no tricks, just treats. Right now, get 50% off plus 2 months free. 🎃 Claim your quote now!

➤ General Motors is temporarily laying off 700 workers at its Ultium Cells battery plant in Spring Hill due to slowing demand for electric vehicles. Operations are expected to resume by mid-2026. (More)

➤ Workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant voted to authorize a strike, empowering the United Auto Workers union to call for one if contract negotiations fail. (More)

➤ Dolly Parton's Song Teller Hotel in downtown Nashville is now accepting reservations for stays after its June 2026 opening, which will feature the new Life of Many Colors Museum. (More)

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➤ Life's hectic — grocery shopping doesn't have to be. Thrive Market delivers organic snacks, clean essentials, and healthy meals right to your door—fast, easy, and affordable. Skip the store and save your sanity. Join now to get 30% off + a free $60 gift for new members.

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Double your impact—Jamaica recovery

Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica with 185 mph winds, catastrophic flooding, and landslides that have left families homeless and communities cut off.

But help is on the way. Convoy of Hope is providing food, water, hygiene kits, baby care items, tents, tarps, and other emergency supplies for people who need them most. You can be part of this URGENT response with your generous donation, helping people who've lost everything.

And right now, The Flyover is matching the first $2,000 in donations, doubling every dollar you give. This means your quick response can help twice as many families recover.

Please give now and bring hope where it's needed most.

➤ A black bear was caught on video playfully spinning on a rope swing at a Gatlinburg Airbnb after causing minor damage, amusing the Airbnb's actual guests. (See Bear)

➤ Austin Peay State University students showcased their animation talents at the 2025 Nashville Film Festival with Nightcrawling, a short film exploring the unlikely friendship between two cryptids. (More)

➤ Loudon County farmer Alan Burton—owner of Freedom Farms and a mentor to local high school boys—earned two major hay awards this year for excellence. (More)

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➤ Most collagen products are a waste of money—and some contain toxins that can harm your skin, heart, and brain. The secret is knowing the 5 Collagen Warnings that separate clean, effective formulas from dangerous ones. Don't waste your money on "dirty collagen." Learn which products actually work.