Saturday, September 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1986, the Hernando DeSoto Bridge in Memphis was lit up for the very first time. The iconic bridge now spans the Mississippi River, connecting Memphis to West Memphis, Arkansas, and its lights have become a recognizable part of the city’s skyline.

🏈 It's football time in Tennessee as the Volunteers begin their 130th season today at sold-out Neyland Stadium. Click here for the gameday timeline and see more in Tennessee Sports.

Alzheimer's disease can now be detected with a simple blood test, and for the first time, two new drugs can actually slow its progression. On The Flyover Podcast, Amy counts down the five numbers behind the biggest shift in Alzheimer's care in a generation, including one that could catch the disease before symptoms even start. Tune in here!

If you haven't compared your car insurance in a while, there's a good chance you're paying more than you need to. Even if you checked rates a year ago, the market has changed. That's why today's sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to compare quotes from more than 120 insurers in just a few minutes.

Heat Wave Forces Early School Dismissals

A prolonged heat wave pushed temperatures toward triple digits across Tennessee this week, prompting school districts from Chattanooga to Knoxville to dismiss students early and adjust outdoor activities.

Bradley County and Cleveland City schools released students early Thursday, joining Bledsoe, Polk, and McMinn counties, with officials citing student safety and hot bus routes.

Hamilton County Schools moved all Friday home football games to 7:30 p.m. as forecasters expected highs near 99 degrees, three degrees shy of the record 102.

In Memphis, a cooling center reopened Thursday at the Hospitality Hub with free transit rides available, and forecasters declared severe weather days through the weekend.

Leaders Pledge Full Funding for Imagination Library

Tennessee legislative leaders pledged this week to have the state fully fund Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which mails free books monthly to children from birth through age five.

State Sen. Bo Watson and House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the state would cover the local match, which currently splits program costs 50-50 between the state and communities or nonprofits.

Watson said rural communities often struggle to raise their share. He estimated the change would add about $5.1 million to the 2027 budget, pending approval after November's election.

In Shelby County, affiliate Porter-Leath mails books to roughly 30,000 families and said full funding could expand its reach, though the commitment isn't expected to take effect until next July.

Cattle Farmers Encourage Buying Local Beef

A 90-day suspension of tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported lean beef trimmings took effect Sept. 1, and Middle Tennessee cattle farmers say they are worried about profits.

Spring Hill farmer Ben Neale of Light Hill Meats told NewsChannel 5 the move might save families $2 to $10, while cattle prices have already dropped 10% to 15% on the news.

Wilson County's Perry Neal said he is anxious about fall sales, noting the announcement alone has hurt local livestock markets amid a historic shortage of U.S. cattle.

The administration says the imports will ease grocery prices; the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association countered that lower cattle prices could discourage herd rebuilding. Several producers urged shoppers to buy local beef instead. If you're looking to support local beef producers, here are 10 Middle Tennessee farms you can buy beef from.

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Your Insurance Rate Might Be Higher Than It Should Be

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➤ Ripley: Local leaders celebrated the completion of an $8.8 million preservation project Thursday, which upgraded units at an affordable housing community featuring modernized infrastructure, renovated kitchens, central air conditioning, and enhanced shared amenities. (More)

➤ Sevier County: A developer seeks to relocate graves at the historic Ellis Cemetery so that the land can be converted into a billion-dollar sports complex, citing abandonment and neglect, while descendants object that the move would erase local history. (More)

➤ Nashville: A juvenile stole a Nashville Fire Department brush truck from a Hobson Pike fire hall on Thursday night, struck an officer's vehicle, and crashed, police said. The juvenile is in custody. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge: Officials broke ground Thursday at A.K. Bissell Park on a permanent monument honoring the Scarboro 85, the students who desegregated Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High School in 1955. (More)

➤ Dyer County: A motor vehicle crash in the area of Tatumville and Highway 77 killed two people and injured four others on Thursday, the county sheriff's office said, with several agencies responding to the scene. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating. (More)

➤ Knoxville: The city was awarded $1.15 million in state funding for riverfront, park, and trail improvements, money that will fund upgrades at three city parks, officials said. (More)

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➤ No. 20 Tennessee opens its 2026 football season today against Furman at sold-out Neyland Stadium at 3:30 p.m., with freshman Faizon Brandon starting at quarterback for the Volunteers. (More)

➤ Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi reshaped Tennessee’s 53-man roster after initial cuts, adding five players while retaining several waived players on the practice squad. (More)

➤ No. 10 Tennessee soccer remained unbeaten after tying No. 12 Virginia, 1-1, in Charlottesville. Taylor Cheatham scored Tennessee’s goal, while Addison Halpern equalized for Virginia. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | NCAAF | Soccer

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➤ "Impossible" Bone Density Improvements Linked to Overlooked Protein. Doctors are doing double-takes at recent DEXA scans showing unprecedented bone density improvements in women over 60 after adding this protein in their diet. The stunning results have doctors questioning if their equipment is malfunctioning. (Learn More)

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➤ Zoo Knoxville welcomed Elsa, an albino American alligator from Florida, for a temporary stay. Staff said the animal will remain in Knoxville temporarily as a new addition. (See Alligator)

➤ Men on the Move, an initiative based in Jackson, is launching a male mentorship program that will expand into 45 area schools, connecting hundreds of students with positive, supportive adult role models. (See Details)

➤ Make-A-Wish East Tennessee opened The Wishing Place in Knoxville as the organization approaches its 2,000th wish. The new site operates from JTV’s campus off Parkside Drive. (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, straight from the heart of the country.

➤ A simple blood test is rewriting how early Alzheimer's can be caught and treated. (Listen Now)

➤ Social Security overpaid a retiree $35,000 and gave her just 30 days to pay it back. (Hear Details)

➤ AAA predicts drivers will face the highest Labor Day gas prices on record this holiday weekend. (Podcast Available)