Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1866, Memphis-born tenor Harry Tally was born. A pioneering artist, Tally is credited with recording one of the first songs ever to mention going to the movies, 1909's Let's Go Into A Picture Show.

If you're loading up the car for the holiday weekend, there's a little relief at the pump: AAA says Tennessee's average is down to $3.38 a gallon, the lowest it's been in about a month. See details below.

Americans have been chasing the coveted 10,000 steps a day for years. We all know walking keeps the heart strong, the mind clear, and the body moving well into old age. But a major new study says the number of steps isn't what matters most. Researchers who tracked tens of thousands of adults found that how you walk does far more for your heart than how many steps you rack up. Tune in to today's Flyover Podcast as Ayla breaks down what the research found, plus five simple ways to get more out of the walking you're already doing. So are you walking the right way? Tune in here to find out!

Later today, watch for a special message from our partner, EnergyX, about an early-stage investment opportunity in a lithium company backed by major industry leaders.

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide that aligns your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

Woman Sues over Made-for-TV Arrest

A Knox County woman is suing Sheriff Tom Spangler, alleging deputies executed a two-year-old misdemeanor warrant against her just to generate dramatic content for On Patrol: Live while she was recovering from shoulder replacement surgery.

The lawsuit claims seven to nine deputies and a camera crew arrived at her home, then handcuffed her hands behind her back despite her repeated requests for a front-cuff accommodation due to her surgery.

She was held in a transport van for more than four hours, and the charge was later dismissed and expunged. A deputy was caught on camera saying the deputies would "see what else we can get."

The suit was filed just over a week after the sheriff's office announced it was ending its participation in the show, which the sheriff's office had called "a tremendous opportunity."

Titans Legend CJ2K Reveals ALS Diagnosis

Former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson revealed Monday that he was diagnosed with ALS last year, the same disease that forced Lou Gehrig from baseball.

Johnson shared the news in an interview with Good Morning America host Michael Strahan through an eye-controlled speech-generating device, as the disease has progressed rapidly.

Johnson, who became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season in 2009, said he first noticed weakness in his right hand before receiving the devastating diagnosis. He was 39 years old and described himself as being "in the prime of his life" when everything changed.

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said Johnson's "leadership on the field, in addition to his impact in the locker room and Nashville community have written him permanently into the story of this franchise," pledging the organization's full support.

Tennessee Gets Charters of Freedom Display

Mountain City will become home to Tennessee's first permanent display of the Charters of Freedom as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration.

The display includes life-size replicas of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil Rights Amendments.

The installation at 353 N. Shady St. will be the 79th Charters of Freedom display in the country, brought to Johnson County by Foundation Forward, Inc., a nonprofit that places founding document replicas in communities without easy access to Washington, D.C.

Alongside the display, a Field of Honor with engravable pavers will be installed in front of the permanent exhibit, allowing residents to honor veterans, first responders, and local organizations with tax-deductible donations.

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➤ Nashville: A man is facing aggravated assault charges after allegedly swerving into a group of cyclists and scooter riders on Saturday. A witness chased the car and caught the license plate. (More)

➤ Also Nashville: The mayor announced plans to use eminent domain to block a proposed AI data center near the zoo as the Metro Council also works on broader data center restrictions. (More)

➤ Campbell County: Heavy rain triggered a rockslide Sunday that temporarily closed State Route 90. The roadway has since reopened. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: The Head of the Hooch regatta is expected to stay on the Tennessee River long-term despite major riverfront construction. A one-year move to Coolidge Park is planned for 2027 while work is underway. (More)

➤ Shelby County: Three men are facing felony charges after deputies caught them cutting through a barbed-wire fence at a penal farm at 2 a.m. to smuggle in contraband. (More)

➤ Blount County: A 69-year-old woman was injured Friday after her motorcycle crashed; a witness told someone at the scene that the driver had struck a bear, which then fled. (More)

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➤ The Memphis Grizzlies traded point guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trailblazers, ending his seven-season tenure with the franchise. In return, Memphis received forwards Jeremi Grant and Kris Murray. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators signed center Jack Drury to a five-year, $22.5 million contract after acquiring him from the Avalanche. Drury won 58.1% of his faceoffs last season, fifth-best in the NHL among qualified players. (More)

➤ Lady Vols legend Candace Parker was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend in Knoxville, where she led Tennessee to two national championships. Parker also won three WNBA titles and two MVP awards during her professional career. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea said his 2026 football team is the deepest of his tenure, even after losing quarterback Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers from last year's 10-3 season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: World Cup | MLB | Wimbledon

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➤ The former IKEA Memphis store in Cordova, a 271,000-square-foot building on 29 acres appraised at $45.9 million, is now listed for sale, nearly two months after the location permanently closed in May. (More)

➤ L.L. Bean will open its first Tennessee store at CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin on July 17, kicking off with a ribbon-cutting and $50 gift cards for the first 100 shoppers. (More)

➤ Western Plaza Shopping Center in Knoxville sold for $65 million to an Illinois real estate investment group, one of the area's biggest real estate deals in recent years. (More)

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Source: HealthView Services, as of 11/07/2025.

➤ Researchers snorkeled the French Broad River at Seven Islands State Park last week to check on 200 endangered wavy-rayed lampmussels reintroduced last year. (See Video)

➤ Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store in Jackson landed the No. 4 Best Buffet in America ranking from USA TODAY 10Best for the fourth straight year, cementing the 60-year-old institution as a national destination. (More)

➤ Tennessee gas prices dropped 12 cents last week to $3.38 per gallon, which is still 60 cents higher than a year ago, but good timing for the 1.47 million Tennesseans expected to hit the road for July 4th. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Americans chase 10,000 steps a day, but a major new study says how you walk matters far more. (Hear Details)

➤ A coalition that owns nearly 400 local newspapers has accused OpenAI and Microsoft of copying their reporting to train AI systems. (Hear Episode)

➤ President Trump declared the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool "in full use" and blamed radical left vandals for the pool's recent problems. (Listen Now)