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Tick bites rising in 2026: Symptoms, diseases to watch in Tennessee

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Tick bites rising in 2026: Symptoms, diseases to watch in Tennessee


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Tennessee has entered peak tick season and according to experts, this year could be one of the worst on record.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Tick Bite Data Tracker, which uses real‑time emergency room surveillance, shows weekly tick‑bite ER visits are higher than historic averages in every U.S. region except the South Central states, with the Northeast recording the highest levels so far in 2026.

During the fourth week of April, about 114 out of every 100,000 emergency department visits nationwide were for tick bites, the highest rate for this point in the year since at least 2017, the CDC said.

Emergency room visits for tick bites in the Southeast, including Tennessee, have risen in the month of April over the past five years, per CDC data. The rate increased from 29 visits per 100,000 people in 2021 to 50 this year, an overall jump of about 72%.

Here’s everything to know about the diseases ticks carry and what symptoms to look out for.

What diseases do ticks carry?

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According to the CDC, some ticks can carry pathogens that can lead to human disease, including:

  • Alpha-gal syndrome
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Babesiosis
  • Bourbon virus
  • Colorado tick fever
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Hard tick relapsing fever
  • Heartland virus
  • Lyme disease
  • Powassan virus
  • Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Soft tick relapsing fever
  • STARI
  • Tularemia
  • 364D rickettsiosis

What are the symptoms of tickborne diseases?

The CDC recommends consulting a healthcare provider if you are bitten by a tick and develop the following symptoms within a few weeks:

  • Fever/chills. All tickborne diseases can cause fever.
  • Aches and pains. Tickborne diseases can cause headache, fatigue and muscle aches. People with Lyme disease might also have joint pain.
  • Rash. Lyme disease, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis and tularemia can cause distinctive rashes.

What is tick paralysis?

Tick paralysis is believed to be caused by a toxin in the saliva of an attached tick.

People with tick paralysis can experience weakness or paralysis that gradually moves up the body. These symptoms can sometimes resemble other neurologic conditions (for example, Guillain-Barré syndrome or botulism).

Patients typically regain movement within 24 hours of removing the tick, wrote the CDC.

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How do ticks spread disease?

Ticks spread disease while feeding on a host’s blood.

After finding a spot, they latch onto the skin, cut into it, and insert a feeding tube that helps them stay attached. According to the CDC, some ticks release a substance to hold themselves in place and saliva with mild anesthetic effects, which makes the bite hard to feel.

Feeding can last from minutes to several days, depending on the species. During this time, ticks can both pick up pathogens from an infected host and transmit them through their saliva, added the CDC.

Once finished, they drop off and can pass any acquired diseases to a new host during their next feeding.

What types of ticks are common in Tennessee?

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There are several common tick species in Tennessee. Here are the ones you’re most likely to encounter around your yard, according to All-American Pest Control Inc., a Middle Tennessee based pest control company:

  • Lone star ticks: Common across the state, these ticks are the least likely of the three to bite humans. They are named for the distinctive white spot found on the backs of adult females.
  • American dog ticks (wood ticks): Larger in size, these ticks have reddish‑brown bodies with white or yellow markings. Dogs and humans are their primary hosts.
  • Black‑legged ticks (deer ticks): The smallest of the common Tennessee ticks, black‑legged ticks are most often linked to disease transmission, though all three species can spread various illnesses.

Where are ticks most commonly found in Tennessee?

Ticks are outdoor pests.

While they can be carried indoors on people or pets, they cannot survive inside for long due to the lower humidity levels in houses.

Outdoors, ticks can appear in many areas, but they favor dense vegetation and moist environments. They’re most likely to be found in the following places:

  • Tall grass
  • Overgrown lawns
  • Wooded areas
  • Tree lines
  • Leaf litter
  • Brush piles
  • Yard edges
  • Fence lines
  • Parks
  • Trails

Contributing: USA TODAY

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.

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Construction on state routes to be paused for 4th of July holiday: What to know

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Construction on state routes to be paused for 4th of July holiday: What to know


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As millions of people are expected to travel through Tennessee to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is suspending all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes.

The suspension will begin at noon on Thursday, July 2, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6. Workers may still be on-site during the suspension, and reduced speed limits in work zones will remain in effect. TDOT added that drivers could still be impacted by some long-term lane closures for ongoing construction projects. Drivers are still urged to use caution.

“With so many people driving on and around the Fourth of July, we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without delays,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “We are suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time. Be mindful that our HELP Trucks will be on patrol in urban and rural areas and drivers must obey the law by moving over and slowing down for all emergency vehicles on the side of the road.”

AAA predicts more than 1.6 million Tennesseans will travel at least 50 miles from home for the Independence Day between Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, July 5. The company added that this will set a record for Fourth of July travel in Tennessee.

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“For many families, traveling for Independence Day isn’t just a trip; it’s a tradition,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Vacations are one category where consumers are still willing to spend, even if that means cutting back on something else. With an extended holiday travel period, we expect busy roads, steady demand for flights, and continued interest in cruises across many parts of the country.”

For those looking to travel over the weekend, join 6 News anchor Bo Williams for our Upcoming Road Work stream on WATE6+ at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. He will break down traffic conditions, construction projects and events that are expected to impact drivers in East Tennessee over the weekend.



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TN Lottery Cash 3 Evening, Cash 4 Evening winning numbers for June 28, 2026

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The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 28 drawing

Evening: 5-3-8, Wild: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 28 drawing

Evening: 5-6-1-2, Wild: 1

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from June 28 drawing

05-08-17-19-31

Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing

04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:

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Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

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Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.

When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
  • Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
  • Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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2026 Tennessee Football Position Preview: Running Backs | Rocky Top Insider

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2026 Tennessee Football Position Preview: Running Backs | Rocky Top Insider


tennessee football running back
Tennessee RB DeSean Bishop. Photo via Ryan Sylvia | RTI.

A position group that has stability at the top but questions behind the starter is running back. DeSean Bishop returns as the unquestioned starter after a dominant redshirt-sophomore year, but both the pieces behind him a year ago that split the load have departed.

Now, it’ll be a battle for reps between young returners Daune Morris and Justin Baker and Tulane transfer Javin Gordon. Tennessee has rotated up to three backs a game, as well, making a chance for two to be in a game-by-game position to contribute.

Bishop, the star of the room, has expectations that he could play his way into an NFL draft pick this upcoming year. This past season, he took 182 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. That was good for a really strong average of 5.9 yards per tote.

More From RTI: Tennessee Left Off Eight-Team List of SEC College Football Playoff Contenders

Gordon, the Tulane transfer, joins after his true freshman year with the Green Wave. While it wasn’t at the SEC level, he was very productive, posting 128 carries, 516 yards and five touchdowns.

Morris and Baker return after limited roles. Morris was the fourth back, meaning he got more run than Baker when injuries did occur. He finished his freshman year with 35 carries, 133 yards and a touchdown while also returning punts. Baker took 14 carries for 43 yards.

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“It’s huge because you look at the production, you got a guy that understands what he’s walking into in terms of seeing it week in and week out in terms of the caliber of teams that we’re going against,” Tennessee running backs coach DeRail Sims said in the spring about Bishop returning. “His understanding of what it’s like when the game’s on the line and having to go out there and make plays in all three facets of the game, in running the ball, the protection piece, and the passing game. So it’s huge having Bish back.”

The other pieces of the running back room are three-star freshman Will Rajecki and redshirt-senior Hunter Barnes.



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