Friday, February 20, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1884, Tennessee was one of several southern states struck by the Enigma Outbreak of tornadoes. The disaster was thought to be one of the largest tornado outbreaks in recorded American history.

Ever wanted a piece of the Smokies on your porch? Anakeesta is selling its iconic Gatlinburg chairlift seats for $1,200 (plus $500 if you want a stand), as the park rolls out a flashy new lift. See details in the story below.

Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping retirement savers explore how physical gold and silver could potentially strengthen and diversify their portfolios amid growing economic and political uncertainty.

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.

Historic Nashville Home Razed Illegally

A nearly 100-year-old home in East Nashville, once home to The Groove record store, was demolished without a permit, sparking anger from neighbors and city leaders.

Metro Codes issued a stop-work order on Wednesday after the teardown was already complete, saying the property owner failed to secure proper approval.

Neighborhood association president Elizabeth Smith called it a “total lack of respect,” while Metro Council member Clay Capp vowed consequences.

The owner now faces tripled permit fees and possible environmental court action, as questions linger about what comes next for the lot on Calvin Avenue.

Johnson City Eyes Data Center Study

Johnson City commissioners will consider a $96,880 contract for a noise and vibration study to guide new rules on data centers and heavy industry.

The move follows public backlash over a proposed Bitcoin mine near a BrightRidge substation and past noise complaints tied to a Limestone crypto facility set to close March 28.

The study would place monitoring equipment at 10 sites and help draft ordinance changes before a moratorium on new I-2 heavy industrial businesses expires on June 4.

Supporters say the data will give the city a legal footing to protect neighborhoods while allowing lawful businesses to operate.

Mt. Juliet Firefighters Star In Music Video

Country artist Chase Matthew featured the Mt. Juliet Fire Department in his new Holdin’ It Down music video, spotlighting small-town pride and hometown heroes.

The video includes scenes inside the fire station and alongside a department firetruck, telling the story of a child who grows up to become a firefighter.

Fire officials said they were proud to represent the city on a national stage and thanked Matthew for highlighting local crews. See behind-the-scenes photos here.

The Nashville singer has topped 1 billion career streams, with Love You Again reaching the Billboard Hot 100.

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A New Era for Gold & Silver

For years now, many people in or near retirement have viewed precious metals through a single lens: wealth preservation. It was the "safe haven" you turned to when the rest of the market looked shaky.

But that era may have ended… with a new one emerging.

We have now entered a period of unprecedented momentum.

Gold charged past $5,000/oz.

& Silver skyrocketed past $100/oz.

For the first time in decades, the conversation for retirement savers seems to be shifting. It’s no longer just about "holding the line"—it’s about the potential growth these physical assets could bring to a diversified portfolio.

Why This Could Just Be The Beginning

While $5,000 gold and $100 silver are historic milestones, many seasoned market analysts suggest this move may just be getting started, even with the recent pullbacks.

Analysts report that gold has more room to run. With the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections, political uncertainty may increase further. At the same time, persistent concerns about over-valued equity markets could reinforce portfolio diversification flows into gold.

Claim your FREE 2026 Gold & Silver Kit which reveals the latest market data and shows you exactly how to add physical metals as a hedge for your retirement strategy.

➤ Statewide: The Department of Transportation is expanding its HELP roadside assistance program into rural areas this spring, offering motorist aid and emergency response services. (More)

➤ Hawkins County: Clinch Valley Volunteer Fire Department has added volunteers and equipment under Chief Dave Strong, but limited access to water leaves crews with about eight minutes to fight a fire before tankers run dry. (More)

➤ Charleston: Austin and Halley Scott will host a Feb. 28, Walk for a Cure at Hoyt Berry Park in Charleston to raise money for gene therapy research for their son Nathaniel, who has PKAN, a rare, terminal neurological disease. (See Details)

➤ Nashville: Cheekwood will reopen March 7 to coincide with its annual Cheekwood in Bloom festival after weeks of recovery and restoration following Winter Storm Fern. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: A man was arrested after being linked to the theft of three boats from Bass Pro Shops last July. The man allegedly used his truck to drive off with the boats. (More)

➤ Monroe County: The family of a late teen track star is urging the school board to begin construction on a memorial track at her high school, nearly 10 months after funding was approved. (More)

➤ Tyler Tanner’s half-court attempt rimmed out at the buzzer, sealing Vanderbilt’s 81-80 loss to Missouri and ending the Commodores’ bid to complete a 21-point comeback. (See Shot)

➤ Memphis basketball dismissed senior Hasan Abdul Hakim from the program for violating team rules, then reinstated senior Zach Davis back to the roster to take his place. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt hired Jackson Lampley as an assistant offensive line coach, bringing the former Tennessee lineman and Montgomery Bell Academy graduate back to Nashville after one season as an LSU offensive intern. (More)

➤ Tennessee men’s basketball faces off against Vanderbilt tomorrow afternoon on ESPN. (How to Watch)

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➤ Upgrade your bathroom with the MatMend Instant-Dry Stone Bath Mat — a quick-dry, antimicrobial mat made from natural diatomaceous earth that absorbs water in seconds, resists mold and odors, and features a sturdy, slip-resistant surface for safer, cleaner floors with minimal maintenance. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Picky Chick Consignment, which supports 350 local families, is hosting its spring sale today through Sunday in Knoxville, featuring infant and teen clothing, summer toys, Legos, shoes, and brands such as Nike and Lululemon. (More)

➤ Developers announced plans to transform Nashville's RiverGate Mall into a 57-acre mixed-use district with housing, retail, green space, and transit upgrades in a $450 million project set to begin in 2026. (See Plans)

➤ Trane Technologies will move its supplier to Clarksville’s NorthPark Logistics site, eliminating 12 daily semi-truck trips on Interstate 24 and adding 25 jobs through a $20 million investment. (More)

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➤ Rare Unlimited Cash Back Match Turns Heads. If you’re carrying credit card debt, a new 0% intro APR card could give you breathing room to pay it down. This top-rated card also offers 5% cash back—matched after your first year for up to 10% on qualifying purchases. (Learn More)

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New Era for Gold & Silver: Despite recent pullbacks, analysts report that precious metals have more room to run. With the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections, political uncertainty may increase further. For the first time in decades, the conversation for retirement savers seems to be shifting.

It’s no longer just about "holding the line"—it’s about the potential growth these physical assets could bring to a diversified portfolio. Get the latest market insights and learn how to add physical metals to your retirement savings with the 2026 Ultimate Guide to Gold & Silver.

➤ Anakeesta is selling retired chairlift seats for $1,200 each, offering fans a chance to own a piece of the park during its $100 million expansion, which includes a new lift. (More)

➤ First graders at Nashville's King's Academy thanked Nashville Electric Service line workers who restored power after January's ice storm, practicing kindness and gratitude by creating a book and video. (See Video)

➤A documentary about Clarksville’s railroad history will premiere Sunday, highlighting four years of research, interviews, and archival work by Austin Peay professors during a free event at the L&N Depot. (See Details)

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➤ Dentists can scream this is “medically impossible” all they want, but they can’t deny the lab test results. Every single patient who ate this fruit experienced dramatic improvements in their teeth and gum health within days, rebuilding gums, eliminating bad breath and toothaches, and even growing back stronger teeth. Read all about it here: The Cheap Fruit That Makes Dentists Almost Useless (They Tried to Ban It).