Friday, January 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1934, now-retired U.S. Representative William Vollie Alexander, Jr., was born in Memphis. Alexander received a law degree from Vanderbilt University.

Chattanooga could score a global spotlight as the Spanish national soccer team eyes the Scenic City's Baylor School as its training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The move would bring some of the world's top players to Tennessee. See details in the story below.

Today's sponsor is FemiCore, a women's health solution featuring a short, doctor-backed bladder restoration technique that supports bladder control and confidence without traditional exercises.

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Chattanooga Eyed for FIFA Base Camp

Chattanooga may be selected as a team base camp for Spain's national soccer team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Sports Illustrated Mexico.

If chosen, the Spanish squad, which includes stars from Premier League club Arsenal, would train and stay at Baylor School.

City leaders are optimistic, though Mayor Tim Kelly emphasized that nothing is official yet.

Spain is expected to play two group-stage matches in Atlanta, making nearby Chattanooga a strategic training location.

SNAP Changes Coming in July

Tennessee will ban SNAP purchases of soda and other sugary processed foods beginning July 31, under a USDA-approved waiver that applies to 18 states.

While states like Indiana and Utah have already enacted the change, Tennessee's implementation date was announced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, praising the move as a step toward better public health.

The update affects over 711,000 Tennesseans on SNAP, expanding coverage to include hot foods like rotisserie chicken.

Federal officials say the goal is to stop taxpayer-funded programs from contributing to diet-related illnesses.

7 Sites Considered for Historic Register

Seven Tennessee sites, including Knoxville's Dr. C.B. Jones House and Nashville's Club Baron and William T. Cheek House, are up for consideration for the National Register of Historic Places.

The State Review Board will meet next Friday to review these nominations and determine which will move forward to the U.S. Department of the Interior for final approval.

Other nominees include Johnson's Mill (Claiborne County), McFerren Grocery and Oil Company (Fayette), Flynn's Lick Methodist Church (Jackson), and the Toll Gate House (Lincoln).

The public is invited to attend the meeting, and more information is available through the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Flying together with our sponsor

Millions of women experience bladder leaks, urgency, or discomfort. Recent scientific research is uncovering a new piece of the puzzle: the urinary microbiome.

Recent medical studies have found that the balance of bacteria in the urinary system is closely linked to bladder symptoms and overall comfort. When helpful bacteria are out of balance, it may contribute to irritation, sensitivity, and leaks.

That's why many women are now exploring microbiome-focused support.

FemiCore is a daily supplement formulated with targeted probiotics and plant-based ingredients designed to support urinary balance and bladder comfort. It's not a medication, but it offers a science-based way to support bladder health as part of a wellness routine.

To learn how this emerging research works, watch the free educational video below.

Watch the free video.

➤ Nashville: Cade Cothren, a former state House speaker's chief of staff, picked up a petition to run for the District 71 State House seat after receiving a presidential pardon for his federal public corruption conviction. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: Officials unveiled renderings for a proposed new Fire Department headquarters, which would replace the department's temporary location at the old Global Mall. (See Renderings)

➤ Hamblen County: A proposal to merge Morristown East and West high schools into a two-campus system is drawing mixed reactions from parents, with some questioning whether it will ease overcrowding. (More)

➤ Knox County: The Knox County Home Rehabilitation program offers free home improvements for income-eligible residents 62 and older, addressing critical safety, mobility, and accessibility needs for homeowners outside Knoxville and Farragut. (See Details)

➤ Memphis: A new report shows Memphis had an average apartment rent of $1,134 in December, about $600 below the national average, making it one of the country's more affordable housing markets. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: River City Company announced a partnership with Retail Strategies to recruit new retail and restaurant businesses to Downtown Chattanooga, strengthening the city's economic development efforts and enhancing the downtown experience. (More)

➤ No. 10 Vanderbilt will face No. 19 Florida on Saturday after an 80-64 loss to Texas this week, its first defeat of the season, dropping the Commodores to 3-1 in SEC play and 16-1 overall. (More)

➤ Carson-Newman University football coach Ken Sparks will be posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame later this year. A Knoxville native, Sparks built the Eagles into an NAIA and Division II powerhouse over the course of 37 years. (More)

➤ The New York Giants hired former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Thursday, ending the Titans' pursuit to make him their own head coach. (More)

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➤ Amazon will open its first same-day delivery station in Memphis, boosting delivery speed and creating more than 100 jobs when operations begin in late 2027. (More)

➤ Ford's Garage announced a franchise agreement to open up to four Middle Tennessee locations over five years, expanding the brand's 1920s-themed burger and craft beer concept. (More)

➤ East Tennessee videographer Dillon Murphy has opened Trailhead Venues, a picturesque wedding venue in the Smokies, complete with cabins and sweeping mountain views. (See Venue)

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Researchers are discovering that bladder health isn't just about muscles—it's also about bacteria.

Studies show the urinary microbiome plays an important role in comfort and urgency. When that balance is off, leaks and irritation may follow.

FemiCore is designed to support this balance with carefully selected probiotics and botanicals that promote urinary health.

Learn about the science behind it and how women are using it as part of their daily routine.

➤ Kolter Towe, an Alcoa eighth-grader with dwarfism, serves as the high school's stat keeper and sports commentator, building confidence while pursuing dreams of a broadcasting career. (See Kolter)

➤ HonorAir Knoxville, the nonprofit that flew more than 4,500 East Tennessee veterans to Washington memorials, will end operations this spring after 20 years of service, with its final flight scheduled for April. (More)

➤ Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation announced a 10-year plan for Chattanooga's Booker T. Washington State Park, including glamping treehouses, a new event lodge, an expanded visitor center, and playground upgrades. (See Plan)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Plastic surgeons across the U.S. are surprised by a natural alternative to Ozempic that's helping thousands lose weight while supporting healthy blood sugar—without injections, high costs, or common side effects like nausea. Some claim Big Pharma isn't happy. Watch the short video to see how this inexpensive solution works while it's still available.