Tennessee

With I-40 damaged from Helene, how will it impact holiday traffic in Tennessee? What to know before you go

Published

7 months ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

With I-40 damaged from Helene, how will it impact holiday traffic in Tennessee? What to know before you go

Are you taking a road trip this holiday season?

You’re not alone. AAA experts predict 71.7 million travelers to be on the roads nationwide around Thanksgiving, a 1.3 million increase over 2023 numbers.

In East Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Transportation Spokesperson Mark Nagi anticipates the highways being “very busy.” Road damage and closures add even more complication and congestion to the already-crowded roads.

Tropical Storm Helene caused grave damage to Tennessee and North Carolina highways when the storm swept through on Sept. 27. Months later, road damage continues to be top of mind for drivers.

“We’re continuing to work to get these roadways and bridges open as quickly as possible,” Nagi said.

Interstate 40 remains closed across the Tennessee and North Carolina state border after a mudslide wiped out a portion of the highway. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has a plan to reopen two-way traffic in the gorge, but not in time for Thanksgiving or Christmas travel.

To make travel a bit easier, there will be no temporary lane closures from noon on Wednesday, Nov 27, through 6 a.m. on Dec. 2, according to Nagi. However, this does not apply to long-term closures like I-40 where roads are closed for damage.

Tips for holiday travel

Knowing that highways in East Tennessee could be extra busy this year, Nagi shared some road trip tips to make the holiday travel easier.

Download the SmartWay app, or look at the road closure map online.
Give yourself extra time to travel. Leave early if you can.
Try to avoid travel during peak times, including Wednesday, Nov 27.

Where is I-40 closed?

Still, you’re unable to drive across the Tennessee state line into North Carolina on I-40.

In Tennessee, there is one lane of traffic open in each direction between Mile Marker 446 and Mile Marker 451 at the state line. Commercial traffic cannot go any further than Mile Marker 440 on I-40 East, according to Nagi.

The highway is closed in both directions from Mile Marker zero to 20 in North Carolina.

How many people travel across I-40 at the gorge?

I-40 is a major thoroughfare through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The stretch of I-40 in North Carolina that was damaged by Helene supports about 7,610 trucks daily and a total average daily traffic of over 26,000 vehicles.

Alternate route: Use Interstate 26 through Erwin

You can use I-26 through Erwin to cross the state line. This route option reopened in late October, according to Nagi. There is one-lane two-way traffic through the area.

Nagi said there would likely be more traffic on this route through the holiday travel season.

Alternate route: Use Interstate 81 and Interstate 77

From Knoxville, travelers can head north on I-81, which connects with I-77 toward Charlotte. It’s more miles, but you can eventually get to Ashville and other areas of North Carolina from there.

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Tennessee

Ed, the runaway pet zebra, has been captured in Tennessee

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Press Room

Ed, the runaway pet zebra, has been captured in Tennessee

In this image taken from June 8, 2025, video by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in Rutherford County, Tennessee, shows the airlifting of a zebra named Ed that had evaded capture for several days after it ran away from its owner.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office/AP

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Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office/AP

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A runaway pet zebra that was on the loose for more than a week in Tennessee and became an internet sensation in the process was captured Sunday, authorities said.

Ed the Zebra was captured safely after being located in a pasture near a subdivision in the Christiana community in central Tennessee, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. The sheriff’s office said aviation crews captured the zebra.

“Ed was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Video posted by the sheriff’s office shows Ed wrapped in a net with his head sticking out as he is carried by the helicopter to the trailer.

Ed arrived in Christiana on May 30, the sheriff’s office said. His owner reported him missing the next day.

The zebra was spotted and filmed running along Interstate 24, forcing deputies to shut the roadway. But Ed escaped into a wooded area.

There were several sightings posted to social media. Ed was filmed trotting through a neighborhood.

The zebra quickly became the subject of internet memes. One fake posting showed Ed dining at a Waffle House, a southern staple. Others had him visiting other Tennessee cities or panhandling on the side of the road.

The pursuit of Ed came a month after a runway kangaroo shut down a section of Alabama interstate.

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Tennessee

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs Arkansas on today? Time, TV schedule for Fayetteville Super Regional Game 2

Published

1 day ago

June 8, 2025

Press Room

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs Arkansas on today? Time, TV schedule for Fayetteville Super Regional Game 2

Tennessee baseball can extend its season with a win in Game 2 of the Fayetteville Super Regional against Arkansas on June 8.

The Vols (46-18) managed just two hits in the Game 1 loss, 4-3 to the Razorbacks on June 7. But ace Liam Doyle is the probable starting pitcher for Game 2.

Arkansas (47-13) put together 10 hits in Game 1, including a two-run home run by Ryder Helfrick to take the lead in fifth inning.

If the Razorbacks win, they will advance to the College World Series in Omaha next weekend. If the Vols win, Tennessee and Arkansas will play a deciding Game 3 on June 9 with time yet to be announced.

Here’s how you can watch Tennessee baseball vs. Arkansas Game 2 in the Fayetteville Super Regional:

Tennessee vs. Arkansas on Sunday will be televised by ESPN. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Game time: 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 8
Location: Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas

All games at Baum-Walker Stadium; best-of-three format

Game 1: Saturday, June 7, 5 p.m. on ESPN
Game 2: Sunday, June 8, 3 p.m. on ESPN
Game 3 (if necessary): Monday, June 9, TBD

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Tennessee

Tennessee vs Arkansas Preview – Fayetteville Super Regional

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee vs Arkansas Preview – Fayetteville Super Regional

The Tennessee Volunteers are set to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in game one of the Fayetteville Super Regional.

Tennessee’s road to repeating as national champs continues on Saturday as they will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in game one of the Fayetteville Super Regional. The two teams faced off in the regular season and Arkansas took the series. Tennessee won the first game but the Razorbacks won the next two games to take the series.

The two teams will play in a best of three series. The winner will move on to play in Omaha in the College World Series.

The Vols will be looking to end their recent struggles against the Razorbacks this weekend. UT’s last series win against Arkansas came in 2005 while its last series win in Fayetteville was back in 2001.

This weekend will mark the seventh super regional for Tennessee in program history. The Vols have won five of their previous six supers and have posted an 11-4 overall record in those six appearances. After winning the 2025 Knoxville Regional last week, UT is now 26-6 all-time in NCAA regional games played at Lindsey Nelson Stadium and 31-9 overall in NCAA postseason games at home.

First pitch is set for 5 PM ET and will be broadcasted on ESPN for those who want to watch.