Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1928, Marshall Grant, bassist for Johnny Cash's backing band, the Tennessee Two, was born in Bessemer City, North Carolina. Grant has been credited with influencing and supporting Cash throughout his musical career.

A 16-year-old from Hixson just became the newest member of Team USA’s baton twirling team after winning a national qualifying event. See details below.

The stock market has been on a tear as of late. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed at fresh all-time highs last Friday, and the Dow is climbing back toward 50,000. Yesterday was down a bit, but the market has been rallying. What's actually driving it? Is it Big Tech earnings? The AI buildout? Hopes that the war with Iran ends soon? On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the three forces behind Wall Street's record run and what investors are watching next. Tune in!

Today’s sponsor is Cozy Earth, and if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your sleep or finding a Mother’s Day gift that actually gets used, this is worth a look. Their bamboo sheets have quickly become a standout among The Flyover readers and one of the most talked-about home upgrades we’ve featured.

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.

Early Voting Takes off Around TN

Early voting turnout climbed in parts of Tennessee ahead of today's primary, with strong participation reported statewide.

In Shelby County, more than 57,000 voters cast early ballots, which is nearly 16,000 more than in 2018, representing about 10% of registered voters.

In Knox County, 34,212 people voted early, according to county election data. More than 80% of that number reportedly chose Republican primary ballots, likely driven in part by more contested GOP races.

Despite the uptick, most registered voters in both counties have yet to vote, leaving Election Day to decide the final turnout picture.

FTC Pushes TN on Law Schools

Federal regulators are urging Tennessee’s highest court to rethink who gets to decide where lawyers are trained.

The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, joined by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, sent a letter calling on the Tennessee Supreme Court to loosen its reliance on American Bar Association accreditation, arguing it limits competition and keeps legal education costs high.

The agency says allowing non-ABA-accredited schools to qualify graduates for the bar exam could expand access and lower barriers to entry.

The court is reviewing the issue following a request for public input. Similar moves have already been made in states like Texas and Florida.

List: Celebrities Who Attended TN Schools

A new list highlights that Middle Tennessee has turned out its share of big names, taking kids from local fame to the global stage.

Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon both spent formative years in Nashville-area schools before launching major careers in media and entertainment.

The list adds that Taylor Swift attended Hendersonville High School, where she wrote and performed some of her first big hits. See her yearbook photos here.

Middle Tennesseans of note stretch across industries, with athletes like Mookie Betts and Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, along with musicians such as Jelly Roll, Kesha, and Amy Grant.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Statewide: Tennessee’s spring squirrel hunting season begins Saturday and runs through June 14, with a daily limit of 10 squirrels. Rules vary by wildlife management area. (More)

➤ Christiana: A solar farm is testing a new approach that lets cattle graze under solar panels. The project may boost clean energy while helping farmers keep land productive. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The University of Tennessee will test a new post-event traffic plan at Neyland Stadium during upcoming events, adding more lanes and an express route. (More)

➤ Hixson: A 16-year-old from Hixson, Lydia Hughes, just earned a spot on Team USA's baton twirling squad and is headed to the World Championship in Paris this August. (See Photos)

➤ Washington County: The new Gray Branch Library has opened with double the space of its previous location, offering books, tech resources, and community rooms. (More)

➤ Memphis: Local artists partnered with musical group Wu-Tang Clan to host a three-day bodega-style pop-up during the RiverBeat Music Festival. (See Video)

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➤ Transfer portal superstar Juke Harris committed to Tennessee basketball, choosing the Vols over North Carolina and Michigan. He averaged 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds for Wake Forest last season. (More)

➤ Kim Satterfield Van Atta, the first female athlete inducted into Lipscomb's Hall of Fame, has died at 60. She was a two-time NAIA All-American and led Mt. Juliet High to a state basketball championship. (More)

➤ Former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer disagrees with AD Danny White’s idea to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams: “If you go to 24, you might as well let everybody in because you’re almost taking the whole top 25.” (More)

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➤ Four West Tennessee communities will receive $20,000 state grants to revitalize aging downtown districts and boost long-term economic growth. (More)

➤ A new Waffle House is coming to Soddy Daisy, with construction underway on Springfield Road. An opening date has not yet been announced. (More)

➤ IKEA permanently closed its Memphis store on Sunday, ending its local retail presence while continuing online sales and pickup options. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Chet Hanks, son of iconic actor Tom Hanks, says he’s living in an RV park in Nashville while pursuing country music. He says he chose the setup for flexibility after moving from Los Angeles. (More)

➤ The West Tennessee Strawberry Festival is underway in Humboldt, featuring a week of vendors and activities leading up to the annual parade on Friday. (See Details)

➤ A 48-year-old Gallatin mother and grandmother earned her college degree after pausing school to raise her family, saying she hopes her journey inspires others to keep pursuing their goals. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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