Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2003, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sheb Wooley died at the age of 82. Wooley was best known for his comedy hit single The Purple People Eater, which inspired a movie of the same name released in 1988.

A Nashville hotel billed as Dolly Parton's love letter to the Music City began accepting reservations this week. Find out more in Business.

Millions of Americans may have prediabetes and not even know it. Your body sends warning signs years before prediabetes shows up, and doctors say most people miss them completely. Researchers point to five key findings that change how we think about the condition, including one small change that could slash your risk by more than half. Join Ayla on The Flyover Podcast to hear what your body may be trying to tell you. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags, helping fall travelers pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and layers while saving up to 60% of valuable luggage space.

Judge Dismisses Petition Against ICE

A federal judge has dismissed a Nashville reporter's petition claiming her March detention by ICE was illegal and retaliatory.

Estefany Rodriguez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias, was arrested March 4 and held in Alabama and Louisiana before her release on a $10,000 bond March 19.

Her attorneys alleged the arrest and swift out-of-state transfer punished her reporting on immigration raids across Middle Tennessee, in violation of the First Amendment.

U.S. District Judge Eli Richardson ruled largely on procedural grounds, finding the requested injunction too wide-ranging and her release request moot.

Parents Sue After 5-Year-Old Charged

The parents of a 5-year-old with autism are suing Sumner County Schools and an assistant principal over a months-long juvenile court case against their son.

The family says it told H.B. Williams Elementary about the boy's autism and requested a full-time aide and behavioral supports that were not initially provided.

A school resource officer filed assault charges against the child last year. When a judge rejected the charges, parents of two classmates pursued them through a private prosecution.

All charges were dismissed in April after a judge found the boy not competent to proceed. The suit accuses administrator Brandon Smart of "pure vengeance."

Guide: Great Smoky Elk Rut

Elk gather in mixed herds from early September to mid-October for the rut, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is urging visitors to watch safely.

Bulls with elevated testosterone may charge people, vehicles, or pets, and cows remain protective of their calves, adding stress across the herds.

Federal law requires visitors to stay at least 75 feet from elk, and fields around Oconaluftee and Cataloochee are closed to foot traffic during the rut.

Elk are most active at dawn and dusk, with Cataloochee, Balsam Mountain, and Oconaluftee the prime spots. Tennessee's own herd draws viewers to Hatfield Knob.

Flying together with our sponsor

Fall travel means packing bulkier layers, sweaters, and jackets—but Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags can help you make room for it all. Designed to compress 15+ clothing items and save up to 60% of your luggage space, they make it easier to pack more without immediately reaching for a bigger suitcase.

With durable, anti-rip construction and a portable vacuum pump, Aerless lets you compress clothes wherever your fall adventures take you. Pack smarter, stay organized, and leave extra room for everything you bring home.

➤ Shelby County: Attorneys filed a federal class action Tuesday over conditions at the county's criminal justice center, alleging failed ventilation, raw sewage, and detainees held in intake chairs for weeks. (More)

➤ Brentwood: Optometrist Helen Boerman was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $7 million in restitution for defrauding Medicare and TennCare. (More)

➤ Nashville: A proposal to ban right turns on red at most Nashville intersections has been drastically scaled back, though backers still say it would reduce pedestrian crashes. (More)

➤ Clay County: A 71-year-old Indiana man died after a bass boat struck an island on Dale Hollow Reservoir, marking Tennessee's 17th boating-related death of 2026. (More)

➤ Jefferson City: Carson-Newman student Noah Matthews pulled a 3-year-old boy from the swift current of Mossy Creek on Monday, and police say he likely prevented a tragedy. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Residents gathered Saturday to help shape the future of a site on Howard Baker Jr. Avenue that housed a predominantly black neighborhood before urban renewal. (More)

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➤ Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon was named SEC Freshman of the Week for the second straight week after throwing for two touchdowns in Saturday's 45-24 win at Georgia Tech. He has seven total touchdowns through two starts. (More)

➤ Draymond Green revealed on his podcast that he asked the Warriors for a sign-and-trade to the Memphis Grizzlies during 2023 free agency. Memphis offered roughly $10 million more per year before Golden State raised their initial offer. (More)

➤ Titans quarterback Cam Ward said he isn't panicking after Sunday's loss to the Jets: "We're better than what we showed offensively … It's going to pay off for us eventually, whether it's next week or the week after." (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer

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➤ Journey to Patmos, the island where John wrote the Book of Revelation, and explore the real history behind three of its seven churches. Times of Fire brings ancient prophecy to life through archaeology, history, and Scripture — free to watch from RevelationMedia.

➤ Dolly Parton's SongTeller Hotel soft-opened in downtown Nashville on Monday, accepting its first reservations for 245 rooms and two live entertainment venues. (More)

➤ Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis was named a Best Children's Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for the 16th consecutive year. (More)

➤ Knoxville City Council is weighing a certified property tax rate of $1.3956 per $100 of assessed value, down from $2.1556, after the countywide reappraisal. (More)

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➤ Gatlinburg native Logan Smith is one of 22 contestants on the first all-civilian season of NBC's Traitors, which premieres tomorrow at 8 p.m. (More)

➤ The YMCA of Middle Tennessee is installing AngelEye underwater AI cameras at its 12 indoor pools to alert lifeguards when a swimmer appears to be in distress. (More)

➤ The Big Ears Festival revealed its 2027 lineup, with Jeff Tweedy, Norah Jones, Courtney Barnett, and Thundercat among the acts. General passes go on sale Wednesday. (More)

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➤ Waking Up to Pee at Night? It’s Not Normal. If nighttime bathroom trips are disrupting your sleep, you’re not alone - but it’s not something you have to accept. A new report reveals the real reason so many adults wake up to pee and a simple way to support 24-hour bladder control, fewer urges, and fewer leaks. See what’s behind it and how to fix it. Read now.