The Wake Up Morning Report: Tennessee

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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | 5:00 AM CT

Tennessee begins Tuesday with mostly quiet weather, several developing public-safety stories, and the November 3 election moving closer.

In West Tennessee, the National Weather Service says dry air is creating elevated fire danger through Tuesday, with relative humidity potentially falling to 20–30%. No watches, warnings or advisories were posted for the Memphis forecast area in the latest NWS update.

Nashville / Middle Tennessee: A Nashville man described by police as a repeat merchandise-theft suspect faces 19 charges and is scheduled for a court appearance today. Authorities connected him with numerous theft investigations, including a March incident at a Green Hills Lululemon.

Memphis / Shelby County: Memphis says its “100-Demo” campaign has reached its goal of demolishing 100 vacant and blighted structures in 60 days. Nearly 160 structures have been demolished citywide since the beginning of 2026, according to city officials.  

Memphis police are also investigating a hit-and-run that critically injured a pedestrian and a separate Monday collision involving a sedan, garbage truck and semi that left a man critically injured.

Knoxville / East Tennessee: A Knoxville woman faces vehicular assault, DUI, driving-on-suspended-license and child-endangerment charges after police say she crashed on I-275 with four children in the vehicle. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 10.

Clarksville / Montgomery County: Clarksville City Council is preparing to revisit a proposal to abolish the city's Parking Commission during its October session. Monday also brought significant traffic disruptions from a rollover crash at Fort Campbell Boulevard and Ringgold Road and congestion on I-24.

Murfreesboro / Rutherford County: A ruptured gas line closed a portion of North Tennessee Boulevard Monday between East Clark Boulevard and Stonewall Boulevard while Atmos Energy worked on repairs. Saint Rose of Lima Catholic School was notified of the closure.

Chattanooga / Hamilton County: A Stronger Together Resource Fair is scheduled for this evening from 5:30–7 p.m. in Hamilton County.

State government & politics: Tennessee's November 3 general election is approaching, with multiple State House and Senate seats on the ballot. The voter-registration deadline is Monday, October 5, with early voting scheduled for October 14–29.  

State government also has several public meetings scheduled today, including Board of Pharmacy, School Performance and Accountability Committee and State Board of Education math-standards meetings.

College sports: The biggest Tennessee college-football result from the weekend remains No. 1 Texas 20, No. 14 Tennessee 17 at Neyland Stadium.

WEATHER — TODAY

Today's overall pattern is dry and warmer, with abundant sunshine across much of Tennessee. The NWS Memphis office specifically highlights elevated fire danger in West Tennessee because of very low humidity. The NWS Morristown office says East Tennessee remains dry and sunny through Thursday with gradual warming.

The current forecast show: Nashville 88°/57°, sunshine; Memphis 92°/70°, mostly sunny; Knoxville 82°/53°, mostly sunny with patchy morning fog; Chattanooga 86°/54°, sunshine; Clarksville 88°/58°, sunshine; Murfreesboro 88°/54°, sunshine.

The Memphis NWS office is emphasizing low humidity/elevated fire danger rather than rain today, while East Tennessee forecasters describe Tuesday as dry.

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This news story was covered by Hattiesburg News Staff. Thank you for visiting The Hattiesburg News.