Already a familiar name on the national food scene, Lenn continues to earn acclaim for his thoughtful, ingredient-driven cooking. At J.C. Holdway, he blends family traditions and East Tennessee influences into a menu that’s won over critics and locals alike.
Best Chef: Southeast — Laurence Faber, Potchke Deli
A self-taught chef inspired by his Jewish heritage, Faber — alongside his wife and business partner, Emily Williams — has turned Potchke into a neighborhood staple, known for classic deli fare and hand-rolled bagels.
What’s next? Finalists will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, and winners will be celebrated during a Monday, June 15 ceremony in Chicago.
Midi Health makes expert-guided longevity care accessible and affordable. | Photo provided by Midi Health
Did you know genetics account for only ~25% of how long you live? The rest is up to you.
That’s where Midi Health’s AgeWell care comes in. Made for women, by women, the longevity care service checks key health markers, like hormone and blood sugar levels, then matches you with evidence-based solutions tailored to those results.
Better yet? Visits are virtual + covered by most insurance, so you don’t even have to leave the house.
As winter weather looms this weekend, Tennessee Department of Transportation crews are salting local roads in preparation. Still, officials advise limiting travel and staying home when possible. (WVLT)
Open
New hot spot alert.Earl’s is now open in South Knox, serving up elevated bar fare like burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizza, and salads alongside a beverage program boasting inventive cocktails and boozy milkshakes.
Cause
Knoxville is now home to a first-of-its-kind housing project. Lumen Flats, an 18-unit apartment complex, supports young adults aging out of foster care, offering housing for up to three years to help prevent homelessness and other risks. (WBIR)
Civic
For the first time in over a decade, the Knoxville Police Department is fully staffed. (WBIR)
Read
Five local bookstores will band together tomorrow, Jan. 24 for the Knoxville Indie Bookstore Crawl. Bookworms can grab a passport, get it stamped at each shop, and submit it for a chance to win a prize from each participating location.
Number
$4,291,350. That’s how much football fans spent on beer at Neyland Stadium during the Vols’ 2025 season. Dig into more sudsy stats. (WBIR)
Sports
Is Tennessee doing enough at cornerback to compete in the SEC? Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Don’t keep battling through unclear hearing — start fresh in 2026 with the expert-backed Horizon IX hearing aid. Its dual-processor technology separates speech from noise so conversations feel effortless again. Join 540,000+ happy customers and make this your year of better hearing. Learn about a 45-day no-risk trial.*
$500. That’s how much you could be saving on car insurance. The policy you picked a few years ago might not be the best deal today, so take less than five minutes to compare quotes using Money’s car insurance tool — it’s that simple.*
Pro Tip
Attention Amazon Prime members — don’t miss the chance to earn extra cash on every purchase you make. Check out these 16 hacks to save money + earn more cash, all from the comfort of your couch.*
City Guide
Cleared for expansion
The airport also has several amenities, from a service animal relief area to a place to get a classic shoe shine. | Photo provided by McGhee Tyson Airport
New details have been revealed about the long-planned expansion at McGhee Tyson Airport.
Built to handle about 2.5 million passengers a year, the airport is now anticipated to serve closer to 4 million annually, prompting the need to ease congestion and improve the travel experience.
Here’s what frequent flyers should know:
✈️ Southwest Airlines is taking off
Southwest will begin service on Thursday, March 5, adding new routes to Nashville, Dallas, Orlando, and more.
🧳 More gates incoming
A 13th gate is on the way, along with an additional jet bridge. Once the terminal reaches its full build-out, travelers can expect four to six more gates.
🚗 Parking relief on the way
A new parking garage will bring 3,600 additional parking spaces to the airport. Crews poured the first slab this week, and the garage is slated to open in 2027.
🦷 A water flosser that’s three times more effective than traditional flossing.
🪥 This probiotic mouthwash that balances your oral microbiome + provides long-lasting freshness and enamel care.
🦷 A top-rated electric toothbrush with five brushing modes to remove 10 times more plaque than a traditional toothbrush.
🪥 Crest’s Sensitivity Relief toothpaste that restores gum health while providing rapid sensitivity relief for up to 24 hours.
🦷 A teeth whitening pen that removes years of stains + delivers results in as little as 10 minutes.
Valentine’s Day is around the corner. If you’re planning a swanky date night, lock in a table at one of Knoxville’s buzzy new restaurants while you still can. Flying solo or hanging out with friends? Check out our events calendar for happenings that’ll make the night unforgettable.
