Friday, September 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1780, the Overmountain Men mustered at Sycamore Shoals to confront British Maj. Patrick Ferguson, earning a pivotal victory that some historians say turned the tide of the American Revolution.

UT's beloved mascot Smokey is holding a clinic Sunday to find two understudies to step into the famous hound-dog suit. Which mascot do you think is the greatest of all time, and which one gives you the creeps? Reply and tell us.

Today’s sponsor is Curated Gift Guides, rounding up 37 of the most useful and ingenious gadgets of 2026 designed to solve everyday problems and make great gifts.

Secret Service To Screen Neyland Visit

The Secret Service will conduct enhanced security screenings at every Neyland Stadium gate for Saturday's Tennessee-Texas game ahead of President Trump's expected attendance.

Stadium gates will open at 9 a.m. ET, three hours before the noon kickoff, and fans are urged to arrive significantly earlier than usual.

University police warned of increased wait times, extra checkpoints around campus, and no re-entry once a ticket is scanned. The clear-bag policy remains in effect, with no on-site storage for prohibited items.

The visit adds a presidential spotlight to an already massive matchup, No. 1 Texas versus No. 14 Tennessee, with ESPN's College GameDay broadcasting from campus.

AI Giants Hire Their First Tennessee Lobbyists

Major artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have hired lobbyists in Tennessee for the first time in 2026, state ethics filings show.

At least 11 companies tied to AI and data centers are now lobbying state lawmakers, joining firms like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Oracle that were already active in the state.

Analysts say the push is aimed largely at countering a rising anti-data-center movement, as communities worry about electricity costs and environmental impacts.

Several Tennessee towns have imposed moratoriums on data-center construction, and disputes have flared around projects like Elon Musk's xAI facilities in Memphis.

Civil War-Era Home Restored after Helene

A Civil War-era family home in Rutledge has been restored two years after Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee, its cracked foundation rebuilt and new drainage installed to withstand future storms.

The home belongs to Michael Brown, whose family has held the property since his great-great-grandmother bought it with a Civil War pension after her husband was killed at the Battle of Bulls Gap.

Crews with Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation and Development stabilized collapsing basement walls with metal bracing and added a sump pump and drainage to stop the water intrusion.

A field supervisor said many homeowners didn't discover the storm's damage until weeks or months later. Crews continue to assist with recovering and rebuilding damaged structures two years after the storm.

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The 37 Best Gadgets of 2026 You Won’t Find in Stores

The best gadgets aren’t just cool... they solve real everyday problems. From clutter-busting tools to clever tech upgrades, these picks are making waves for their usefulness and ingenuity. We’ve rounded up the most talked-about items that people can’t stop adding to their carts.

Each one combines practical function with a touch of genius, making them perfect for your home, office, or even as gifts. But be warned... demand is skyrocketing, and these top gadgets are already selling out faster than expected.

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➤ Statewide: Independent candidate Lauren Pinkston says she won't drop out of the governor's race after Democrat nominee Jerri Green urged her to, arguing an independent bid could split the anti-Blackburn vote. (More)

➤ Gatlinburg: A Tennessee judge ordered Dolly Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, to stay at least 1,000 feet from her estate's employees and business partners after filings alleged repeated threats. (More)

➤ Memphis: The family of construction worker Alexis Vicent is suing for $30 million, alleging he died in a fall on his first day at xAI's Colossus 2 data center because of missing safety equipment. (More)

➤ Hamilton County: The school district launched the Tennessee QuantumWorks curriculum in classrooms, building on EPB's quantum-computer deployment in Chattanooga. (More)

➤ Bristol: A woman is suing a funeral home for more than $2 million, alleging her late partner's returned belongings were contaminated with human remains. (More)

➤ Nashville: The Nashville Symphony says it lacks enough cash to sustain current operations and is drafting a restructuring plan after two rounds of layoffs in 2024 and 2025. (More)

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➤ Braves CEO Derek Schiller said the team won't support Nashville as an MLB expansion city, citing that part of Tennessee falls within Atlanta's designated territory. (More)

➤ Titans legend Chris Johnson, diagnosed with ALS this year, told People he wonders whether football played a role but won't blame the game, calling instead for more research. (More)

➤ Beloved local sports broadcaster and youth coach Aaron Harvey, 37, died from injuries in a head-on crash in Roane County. His family invites mourners to wear Tennessee orange. (More)

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➤ Nashville's planned East Bank hotel won't be finished before the city hosts the 2030 Super Bowl, with construction now running from late 2027 into fall 2030. (More)

➤ Cracker Barrel stock rose 4.49% after a mixed fourth-quarter earnings report and a Fiscal 2027 outlook projecting growth, trading at above-average volume. (More)

➤ Jackalope Brewing Co. in Nashville posted 17.1% beer-sales growth over 26 weeks, sharply outpacing the city's declining craft-beer market after its 2024 acquisition and purchase of Black Abbey. (More)

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Genius Gadgets: The 37 That Actually Earn Their Keep

Smart shoppers know the secret: the best gadgets earn their keep. These 37 picks prove it. They aren't gimmicks or dust collectors, they're practical innovations that deliver real value every single day.

Whether you're organizing your space, upgrading your routine, or getting a head start on gifts, this list highlights what's genuinely worth buying right now. The catch? These popular items are selling faster than anticipated, so availability won't last.

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➤ Tennessee secured 350 acres at the jagged "Devil's Racetrack" formation in Cumberland County to preserve the landscape and extend the backcountry Cumberland Trail. (See Photos)

➤ University of Tennessee mascot Smokey is holding a free clinic on Sunday for aspiring mascots, offering students hands-on learning time during a search for two understudies. (More)

➤ Memphis' First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1832, will sell its historic downtown building and relocate as its congregation outgrows the aging space. (More)

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