The torch was lit at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony in Orlando. | Photo by Paul W. Harvey IV via Special Olympics
Just announced: Tennessee will welcome thousands of athletes from all 50 states when it hosts the 2034 Special Olympics USA Games in Nashville.
Held every four years, the eight-day event will feature 15+ sports, draw 4,000+ athletes and coaches, and welcome more than 125,000 spectators with an estimated $100 million impact on the local economy.
What’s next
On Wednesday, the bid committee and Special Olympics North America announced the selection and signed a letter of agreement, with a final Games Agreement still to come to make Nashville’s host status official.
It will be the first time the Games are held in Nashville — and the earliest a host city has ever been announced — giving the city nearly a decade to prepare.
Our friends at NASHtoday will continue to cover preparations closely, but rest assured we’re planning our 2034 road trip.
Incogni can help remove your personal information from the web. | Image via Incogni
Using hidden cameras, the BBC caught workers at a scam call center laughing at the people they were tricking.
The disturbing truth? Scammers don’t pick phone numbers at random. They buy your data from brokers.
Once your data is out there, it’s not just calls. It’s phishing, impersonation, and identity theft.
That’s why Incogni stands out. The data removal service deletes your personal info from the web, then continuously monitors and removes new data as fresh threats emerge.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville topped the list of Forbes’ Best Employers for Company Culture. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis was the next highest Tennessee-based organization to make the list, ranking No. 21. (Knoxville News Sentinel)
Number
7,000. That’s how many tons of leaves Knoxville’s Public Services crews made into mulch (and saved from landfill waste) last year. Leaf collection starts this year on Monday, Nov. 3 — here are a few friendly reminders on how to prep your leaves for pickup.
Weather
Snow in October? In parts of the Great Smoky Mountains, that’s not as crazy as it sounds. Check out pictures of The LeConte Lodge, which saw its first snow earlier this week. Snow fell on Mt. LeConte and Kuwhi even earlier in October last year. (WATE)
Trending
On the heels of his Country Music Hall of Fame induction last week, Kenny Chesney sat down for a Q&A with Knox News — covering everything from his Knoxville roots, to his new book.
Today Is
Halloween, Samhain, and the eve of DĂa de los Muertos, which takes place tomorrow, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 2. Whether you’re decorating for trick-or-treaters, preparing an ofrenda, or just going about business as usual, check out these haunted spots and ghostly activities in Knoxville.
Open
Flock Beer & Wine opened last week on Sutherland Ave. We’re eyeing the Flock Hero sandwich with rosemary salted fries for our first visit. (Inside of Knoxville)
Sports
There will be another slate of big games as the conference prepares for Week 10 and the Oklahoma Sooners travel to Knoxville to take on the Volunteers. Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Biz
Do you need hiring help? We’ve got your back. Post your open roles on our Job Board + get connected with local candidates in no time. Pssst — did we mention it’s free?
Number
21. That’s how many months you could enjoy 0% APR with a balance transfer card. Read: You can tackle credit card debt while enjoying stellar perks, like up to $200 cash back. Discover top cards + apply.*
The Buy
The Shark Matrix IQ Robot Vacuum that’s 40% off for a limited time. Psst — that’s a savings of $120. The Buy Editor Emily loves its precision home mapping technology that results in a more thorough clean on multiple surfaces.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If you’re really feeling the Halloween spirit this year, perhaps you’ll consider adopting a black cat from one of our local shelters — like Flint, Salem, or Smalls at the Young-Williams Animal Center.
