Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1967, the University of Tennessee’s Ron Widby personally scored 50 points during an 87-60 home win over LSU that stood as the university’s single-game scoring record for nearly 20 years.

As the race for the next Tennessee governor begins to take shape, a new prospective candidate is bringing some out-of-this-world experiences to the table. Learn more in the story below.

Did you know that the team that makes The Tennessee Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to sign up and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

Today’s sponsor, RAD Intel, is building a compounding AI platform through its Artificial Intelligence Buyout strategy—scaling from a $10M to $220M+ valuation and offering Reg A+ shares at $0.85 through March 12 as it positions for the next wave of AI-driven growth.

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.

Astronaut Enters Governor Race

Barry “Butch” Wilmore, a Mt. Juliet native and veteran NASA astronaut, has officially joined the growing list of candidates for Tennessee governor, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Wilmore, who returned to Earth last March after an extended nine-month space mission, is now in the mix alongside U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. John Rose to replace term-limited Gov. Bill Lee.

The qualifying deadline is noon on March 10, giving campaigns little remaining time to lock in.

Wilmore, a University of Tennessee and Tennessee Tech graduate, brings military and space credentials to what’s shaping up to be a crowded 2026 Republican primary.

Bill Could Close 100+ CVS Stores Statewide

A Tennessee Senate bill targeting pharmacy benefit managers is drawing fire from pharmacy giant CVS, which says it could prompt the closure of 134 stores statewide, including rural locations.

Senate Bill 2040 would restrict PBMs from owning pharmacies in what sponsors call a move to curb conflicts of interest and rein in drug costs.

The bill cleared the Senate Health and Welfare Committee a week ago and now heads to the Finance Committee.

CVS warns the bill would slash jobs, shut down MinuteClinics, and disrupt care for 1.5 million Tennessee customers, calling it “health care chaos."

Viral Kidney Recipient Seeks Donor

Steve Winfree, the Middle Tennessee man whose wife revealed she was his kidney match with a baseball card in a 2017 viral video, is back on the transplant list after his donated kidney failed.

Doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently told Winfree the organ is no longer functioning, just as the couple prepares to welcome their second child in August.

Winfree, who has Type O blood, is seeking a living donor and says anyone with O positive or O negative blood could be a potential match. Winfree says he’s praying for a “second miracle” and is urging potential donors to get tested.

The couple’s story previously led to a self-published book and an upcoming film adaptation.

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Prepared for the AI Land Grab, still $0.85/share

As AI markets mature, companies aren’t just competing—they’re combining.

In 2021, RAD acquired Atomic Reach, its core AI engine. Since then, RAD Intel’s valuation has scaled from $10M to $220M+, a 22x increase driven by that intelligence layer and reinforced by recurring 7-figure Fortune 1000 contracts delivering 3–4x ROI.

Now RAD is structured as a holding company through its Artificial Intelligence Buyout strategy. That structure lets RAD deploy the same AI foundation across independent operating businesses, turning 1 AI asset into a compounding value platform.

Backed by Fidelity funds and venture investors. Selected by the Adobe Design Fund. Supported by early operators from Google, Meta, Amazon, and YouTube. 15,000+ investors aligned. Nasdaq ticker reserved $RADI.

Reg A+ shares remain open at $0.85 per share through March 12, before a scheduled pricing adjustment.

If you’ve been watching the space for real traction, timing matters. Review the offering while the current tier is still available.

Lock-in $0.85 through March 12.

➤ Statewide: The Tennessee Valley Authority’s board chairman has resigned before his term was set to expire in 2027. The board continues operating with a quorum. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: Gov. Bill Lee visited schools to celebrate Read Across America Week and proclaimed March as Literacy Month, touting statewide reading gains. (More)

➤ Nashville: The Main Library is tentatively set to reopen March 30, pending final inspections, following months of restoration work after a major parking garage fire. (More)

➤ Franklin: A massive pollen bomb was caught on video after unseasonably warm, breezy weather triggered an early burst of tree pollen. (See Video)

➤ Kingsport: Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium will feature a 45-minute immersive Dark Side of the Moon show this spring, pairing Pink Floyd’s iconic album with space-themed visuals. (More)

➤ Johnson City: The Reese Museum is inviting the public to share photos, uniforms, and stories about Appalachian Girl Scouts to help shape its upcoming 2027 exhibit, Mountain Magic. (More)

➤ Women’s Basketball AP Poll: Vanderbilt remained locked into the No. 5 spot this week, while Tennessee was ranked outside of the Top 25 yet again. (See Full Poll)

➤ Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel is in favor of expanding the College Football Playoff field from 12 teams to 24: “The way college football is constantly changing, that probably makes the most sense.” (More)

➤ The city of Memphis will host a WTA women’s tennis tournament, the Memphis Classic, at the Leftwich Tennis Center from late July through early August. It’s a multi-year deal, meaning the partnership will likely extend past 2026. (More)

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➤ Ageless Multi-Collagen delivers a powerful 5-type collagen blend to support youthful skin, strong hair and nails, healthy joints, and gut wellness. Tasteless, clump-free, and easy to mix into any drink, it’s made in the USA and backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee—feel vibrant from the inside out!

➤ Gas prices in Tennessee have ticked up in recent weeks, with analysts citing seasonal trends and rising oil prices amid escalating U.S.–Iran tensions. (More)

➤ Clarion Partners’ CPREX fund has acquired the 126-unit Vitality Living Franklin senior housing community, expanding its healthcare real estate holdings in a high-growth market. (More)

➤ Waffle Mania is preparing to open a quick-service restaurant in Millington, with permits under review and limited details available beyond a likely waffle-focused menu. (More)

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From $10M to $225M+. Share Price Changing Soon.

RAD Intel’s Reg A+ round remains open at $0.85 per share through March 12.

Since merging at a $10M valuation, RAD has scaled to $225M+, raised $60M+ from 15,000+ investors, and earned backing from multiple Fidelity funds. The company was selected by the Adobe Design Fund and maintains recurring 7-figure enterprise contracts across Fortune 1000 brands.

Sales contracts doubled from 2024 to 2025*, and the Nasdaq ticker symbol is $RADI.

If you’re evaluating timing, the current $0.85 tier won’t stay open.

Review the offering before the $0.85 share price changes.

Lock-in $0.85 through March 12.

This is a paid advertisement for RAD Intel made pursuant to Regulation A+ offering and involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The valuation is set by the Company, and there is currently no public market for the Company's Common Stock. Nasdaq ticker “RADI” has been reserved by RAD Intel, and any potential listing is subject to future regulatory approval and market conditions. Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.radintel.ai.

➤ Zoo Knoxville will host its inaugural Red Panda Run 5K on May 30, inviting runners to race through the zoo and Chilhowee Park for a three-mile course featuring animal views. (See Details)

➤ A total lunar eclipse turned the moon a deep red over Middle Tennessee early yesterday morning. Local viewers captured photos as the blood moon reached peak totality around 5 am. (See Eclipse)

➤ Scrappy, a three-year-old German Shepherd mix who arrived at a Hardin County shelter as a puppy, has finally been adopted after spending 803 days without a home. (More)

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