☀️ Today’s Weather
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 — Overcast. High 81°F, Low 52°F. 2% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A Kingsport man walks into Eastman and says, “I’d like a job in air quality control.” The HR manager looks up and says, “Funny — we’re actually in the market for someone to clean things up.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Kingsport’s Kingsport Carousel is a beloved community treasure — but what year was the carousel originally built, and what is the name of the famous American company that manufactured it?
Answer: The Kingsport Carousel was built in 1956 and was manufactured by Allan Herschell Company. It features hand-carved animals and is located at the Renaissance Arts Center in downtown Kingsport.
🔝 Top Stories
🏭 Eastman Issued $67,500 Fine for Air Permit Violations
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued Eastman Chemical Co. a $67,500 fine for violating the conditions of its air permits, according to a public document issued in February. This is among the largest fines levied against the Kingsport chemical giant in recent years. Residents can read the full details of the violations at the link below.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
🌳 BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park Now Open
After two years since the initial announcement, the BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park is now open. The new facility features separate playgrounds for 2–5 year olds and 5–12 year olds, a splash pad, pavilion, basketball wall, open green space, pickleball courts, kayak launch, and an adult fitness area. Officials said the splash pad is expected to open on Memorial Day, May 25.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
🎨 Kingsport Gearing Up for 3rd Annual ARTS Festival
The Kingsport ARTS Festival will be presented by Engage Kingsport and Kingsport Cultural Arts Office on April 18th, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the 100 block of Shelby Street in Downtown Kingsport. The festival celebrates local artists and makers, connecting citizens to the creative community. Highlights include the Iron Pour with sculpture artist Joe Bigley and a variety of local artisans. Admission details and full programming are available at the source link below.
🏠 Kingsport House Fire Displaces Family; No Injuries Reported
A house fire in Kingsport recently displaced a local family, though thankfully no injuries were reported. Emergency crews responded to the scene to contain the blaze. For full details on the incident, visit the source link below.
🏪 Local Business Spotlight
Critical Calculations
Running a small business is hard enough without your books keeping you up at night. Critical Calculations is a local bookkeeping service founded by Lisa Kodak, who brings over 20 years of experience in accounting and the legal field to Tri-Cities small business owners. Whether you need monthly bookkeeping, a one-time cleanup, QuickBooks setup, or just someone to make your financials actually make sense — Lisa handles it all in plain English, no jargon.
criticalcalculations.com | (423) 765-5290
📅 Upcoming Events
🔥 Iron Pour Scratch Mold Workshop — Kingsport Cultural Arts
Kingsport Cultural Arts is bringing back its popular Iron Pour event on April 18 during the Kingsport ARTS Festival. To participate, you must first attend the remaining scratch mold workshop where you’ll scratch a unique design into a 5-inch sand mold — which will then be cast with molten iron by sculpture artist Joe Bigley and his team. Cost is $23 per person. Ages 18+ (children 6–17 welcome with an adult). All materials provided.
Remaining workshop date: April 17 (6–8 PM)
Location: The Inventor Center, 118 Shelby Street, Kingsport
Register on Eventbrite or visit artskingsport.org for more info.
🎨 Kingsport ARTS Festival 2026
The Kingsport ARTS Festival will be presented by Engage Kingsport and Kingsport Cultural Arts Office on April 18th, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the 100 block of Shelby Street in Downtown Kingsport. The festival celebrates local artists and makers, connecting citizens to the creative community. Highlights include the Iron Pour with sculpture artist Joe Bigley and a variety of local artisans.
Visit artskingsport.org for more info
🏃 Greater Kingsport Family YMCA — Family Fun Day
The Greater Kingsport Family YMCA is hosting a community-wide Family Fun Day on April 18th, offering a variety of activities and entertainment for local families to enjoy together. The Family Fun Day will feature games, music, food, and other festivities for all ages. Attendees can expect bounce houses, face painting, and other interactive activities alongside vendor booths and demonstrations.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Read more at Kingsport Times News
🍴 Taste of Small Business Kingsport
Monday, April 20, 2026 | 5:00–7:30 PM
MeadowView Convention Center
Sample bites from over 20 local restaurants, meet the owners, and enter to win door prize giveaways. Tickets are $30/person in advance (non-refundable) or $40 cash at the door if not sold out. All proceeds go to the participating small business restaurants. Tickets are available at most participating restaurants.
🏘️ Downtown Kingsport Home Tour
Enjoy an afternoon in Downtown Kingsport on April 20 and take a self-guided stroll through six residential properties. The tour includes multiple lofts and homes in the historic Shelby and Sullivan Street districts, providing an inside look into downtown living. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 the day of, and guests may choose which property they begin and end with.
Date: Monday, April 20, 2026