Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1928, Myrtle Corbin, a Lincoln County-born sideshow performer born with two separate pelvises and four legs, died at the age of 59.

Have you stumbled upon a massive bumblebee head lately? The difficult-to-replace piece was stolen from a carnival ride at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Humboldt. See details below.

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Mother's Day is right around the corner. If you haven't started shopping, start here: our 2026 Gift Guide has thoughtful, practical, and indulgent picks for every kind of mom.

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Redistricting Discussion Fuels Protests

Tennessee lawmakers opened a special session yesterday to redraw congressional maps, including a proposal that could split Memphis’ only majority-black district ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The effort moved quickly through brief opening meetings, with committees set and a tight timeline to follow. A final vote is targeted within days.

Thousands of protesters filled the Capitol and surrounding streets as Democrats argued the plan would dilute black votes and undermine civil rights gains.

Lawmakers also adopted new rules allowing the removal of disruptive observers from galleries, even as ongoing rallies created a chaotic environment outside.

New Tech Could Protect Artists From AI

Tennessee leaders and tech developers are pushing new tools to enforce AI protections for artists, building on the state’s 2024 ELVIS Act.

At a Belmont University event on Monday, the startup Monarrch unveiled technology that creates a “style fingerprint” from an artist’s work to track, block, or license AI-generated uses of their voice and likeness.

“As an artist, you shouldn’t have to choose between being exploited by AI or excluded from AI,” said Monarrch's co-founder.

The same gathering brought U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and industry leaders together to discuss a broader AI royalty economy, including systems that could ensure creators are paid when their work trains or appears in AI content.

Neyland Set for Bananas Takeover

Crews are transforming Neyland Stadium ahead of a Savannah Bananas Banana Ball game set for May 23, part of the team’s 2026 national tour.

Photos of the preparations show crews creating a baseball diamond on the field.

University of Tennessee officials are also testing new traffic patterns and shuttle plans to handle crowds, following a trial run during a recent Luke Combs concert.

The Bananas will play an earlier game on May 21 at Covenant Health Park, as Knoxville gears up for one of the more unconventional stops in baseball’s barnstorming circuit. Learn more about the Savannah Bananas here.

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➤ Statewide: Tennesseans voted in-person in primary elections yesterday until polling locations closed at 8 p.m. Primary winners will advance to the general election later this year. (See Details)

➤ Pigeon Forge: Dolly Parton says she’s improving while dealing with ongoing kidney stone issues, but recovery and treatments will delay her return to full performances. (More)

➤ Nashville International Airport plans to permanently close its longtime aircraft observation area to make room for future development, disappointing aviation fans. (More)

➤ Humboldt: A carnival ride at the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival was vandalized when part of a bumblebee ride was stolen. Organizers are offering a reward for information. (More)

➤ Blount County: A volunteer rescue team has reduced emergency response times on the dangerous Tail of the Dragon mountain route from 45 minutes to about 15. (More)

➤ Fayette County: The school district will lay off up to 75 employees at the end of June. The district is cutting costs amid declining enrollment and a multimillion-dollar budget gap. (More)

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➤ McCallie School in Chattanooga ranked No. 1 on a USA Today list of the state’s best high schools for athletes, followed by Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. (See Full List)

➤ No. 5 seed Tennessee opens SEC softball tournament play today in Lexington, Kentucky, facing the winner of yesterday's South Carolina-Ole Miss game. (More)

➤ Former five-star basketball recruit Aaron Bradshaw is transferring from Memphis to Tennessee State after averaging 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds with the Tigers last season. (More)

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➤ Tennessee’s average gas price has climbed above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022. Experts say the rise is driven by rising oil costs and global supply concerns. (More)

➤ Ghost River Brewing Company will close its Beale Street location tomorrow after five years, shifting focus to its expanded main brewery in South Memphis. (More)

➤ Bristol city leaders approved a financing plan for a proposed Aldi on Volunteer Parkway. The approval is a key step before county approval and possible construction later this year. (More)

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➤ A rare albino blue catfish was reeled in from the Tennessee River by a Knoxville 11-year-old. The genetic anomaly is caused by a lack of pigmentation, according to wildlife officials. (See Catfish)

➤ Murfreesboro will host a homecoming parade and free concert today for American Idol finalist Jordan McCullough after he advanced to the show’s top three. (See Details)

➤ A Maynardville teen has turned her baking hobby into a full-time business, opening her own storefront and serving customers while balancing schoolwork. (More)

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