☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies over the Model City today — High 87°F, Low 70°F, with a 29% chance of rain. Keep an umbrella handy just in case.
😄 Only in Johnson City
ETSU fall semester starts and suddenly traffic on State of Franklin moves like everyone forgot how traffic lights work over the summer. Welcome back, Bucs.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Fossils from Gray include animals that definitely do not roam East Tennessee today. Name one of them.
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Johnson City Commission Approves 2026–27 Tax Rate Amid Freedom Hall Pool Repairs
Johnson City commissioners recently voted to adopt a new property tax rate for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The decision comes alongside ongoing work related to Freedom Hall pool repairs, which have been a topic of recent city budget discussions.
Know a Local Business That Should Be Here?
If you send us a business that becomes a sponsor, we’ll pay you $50 for it. No cap, no catch. Just hit reply with their name and we’ll take it from there. (We still make the final call on fit, same as any other pitch.)
Motorcyclist Critically Injured After Crash on I-26
Johnson City Police Department is reporting that a motorcyclist was critically injured following a crash on Interstate 26. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and few additional details have been released at this time.
Johnson City to Host New End-of-Summer Music Festival
Johnson City is set to welcome a new end-of-summer music festival, adding to the city’s growing calendar of downtown events. The festival, Lawnstock, is scheduled for late August at Founders Park and has been generating buzz ahead of its debut.
Former Tri-Cities Teacher Accused of Sexual Battery Appears in Court
A former teacher in Northeast Tennessee who is charged with sexual battery recently appeared in court. The case is ongoing, and additional details are expected to emerge as proceedings continue.
Johnson City Native BJ Edwards Transfers from SMU, Commits to Oklahoma
Johnson City native BJ Edwards has made a significant move in his college football career, transferring from SMU and committing to the University of Oklahoma. The news marks a notable milestone for a local athlete making waves on a national stage.
📅 Upcoming Events
Event details are pulled from public listings and can change. Please confirm dates and times on the official event page before making plans.
Meet the Mountains Festival — August 14–15, 2026
When: Friday, August 14, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Saturday, August 15, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Where: Winged Deer Park Lakefront, Johnson City, TN
The 8th annual Meet the Mountains Festival, presented by Visit Johnson City, is a free outdoor recreation festival featuring a zip line, rock wall, e-bike demos, paddling stations, axe throwing, educational clinics, live music, food vendors, local beer, and over 100 exhibitors. New additions this year include an atlatl station, e-foil and e-surfboard demos, and an Appalachian Highland Games throwing demonstration.
Redneck Brawl — Saturday, August 15, 2026
When: Saturday, August 15, 8:00 PM
Where: Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City
A combat sports event coming to Freedom Hall Civic Center. Visit the venue’s website or ticketing platforms for ticket information.
Chamber Membership Breakfast with ETSU — Wednesday, August 19, 2026
When: Wednesday, August 19, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM (Doors/breakfast open at 7:00 AM; program begins at 7:30 AM)
Where: ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, 1320 W State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37614
The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce hosts its quarterly membership breakfast featuring ETSU. Registration is required — visit the Chamber’s event calendar for details.
More info at Johnson City Chamber
Lawnstock: A Day of Music in Downtown Johnson City — Saturday, August 22, 2026
When: Saturday, August 22, 1:00 PM onwards
Where: Founders Park, Johnson City
Lawnstock is a new end-of-summer music festival coming to Founders Park in downtown Johnson City. For lineup and ticket details, visit the link below.
More info at Visit Johnson City
ETSU Buccaneers vs. Campbell Fighting Camels (Football) — Friday, August 28, 2026
When: Friday, August 28, 7:00 PM
Where: William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City
ETSU football opens its home schedule against the Campbell Fighting Camels. Note that ETSU’s stadium has recently gone cashless for concessions this season.
📜 Today in Johnson City History
Note to editor: No local Johnson City history angle was found in the source material for this date. Consider swapping in a local item if one turns up.
Two hundred and sixty-one years ago today in 1765, Boston’s Sons of Liberty gathered under a large elm tree to protest the Stamp Act, giving rise to the “Liberty Tree” as a symbol of resistance found in towns across the colonies.
For more details, subscribe to the Today in Johnson City History newsletter by Rebecca Henderson.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
The site has yielded fossils of tapirs, rhinoceroses, alligators, mastodons, saber-toothed cats, and red pandas — none of which live in Tennessee today.