☀️ Today’s Weather
Rain today with a high of 80°F and a low of 63°F — 68% chance of rain. Grab an umbrella before you head out.
😄 Only in Kingsport
Eastman employs thousands of people and produces chemicals used across the globe. Its neighbors can also now tell you exactly how much a state fine costs. Only in Kingsport does a corporate compliance update become neighborhood small talk.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What Kingsport City Schools history project preserves a timeline of local education history?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
4 First Responders Struck on I-26 While Working Crash Scene — All Expected to Recover
Four first responders — three Kingsport firefighters and a Sullivan County EMS paramedic — were injured Monday night after a passing vehicle struck them while they were loading a patient into an ambulance on I-26 westbound near Exit 6. The Kingsport Fire Department said crews had responded to an initial crash when a secondary crash occurred in the traffic behind them, and all four were transported to a hospital for treatment. As of Tuesday morning, two had been released while the other two remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
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.)
Kingsport Applies for $10 Million Grant to Expand Dental Clinic
The City of Kingsport has announced it is applying for a $10 million state grant to expand the Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands on West Sevier Avenue. The grant application, a partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, would fund additional treatment areas, an expanded waiting room, and more oral health care space. City officials hope to receive a decision by the end of 2026.
TDEC Fines Eastman Chemical $51K for Air Permit Violations
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has issued a fine to Eastman Chemical Company following air permit violations at its Kingsport facility. The state’s action highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny of one of the region’s largest employers and industrial operations. Eastman has since paid the fine.
First Amendment Lawsuit Filed Against Kingsport and Police Over 2022 Arrest
A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Kingsport and its police department stemming from the 2022 arrest of a local First Amendment auditor. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) announced the suit, which alleges the arrest violated the auditor’s constitutional rights. The case is drawing attention to issues of public recording and law enforcement accountability.
Wildwood Recovery Center Opens in Region
A new recovery center — Wildwood Recovery Center — has recently opened to serve the region. The facility represents an expansion of substance use and recovery resources available to local residents. Details on services and location can be found at the source link below.
📅 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.
Tennessee Lit Con 2026
Date/Time: Friday, September 25, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM
Location: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport
A literary convention bringing together book lovers, authors, and readers in the Tri-Cities area.
Hidden Gems — Downtown Kingsport Photo Hunt
Date/Time: Friday, September 25, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM
Location: Downtown Kingsport
A photo scavenger hunt challenging participants to discover and capture the hidden gems of downtown Kingsport.
Folkfest Fall Shindig
Date/Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM
Location: 140 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN
A fall folk arts gathering celebrating music and community in downtown Kingsport.
Exchange Place Fall Folk Arts Festival 2026
Date/Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM
Location: Exchange Place Kingsport TN 1850s Farm
An annual folk arts festival held at the historic Exchange Place farm, celebrating Appalachian heritage and traditional crafts.
Smokin’ Bones CJ’s Debut
Date/Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026, starting at 9:00 PM
Location: 516 G Morelock St, Kingsport, TN
A live music performance and debut event at a local Kingsport venue.
Mercantile Vendor Market — Fall Market
Date/Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 4:00 AM
Location: Kingsport Farmers Market
A fall vendor market featuring local merchants and artisans at the Kingsport Farmers Market.
Motivating Magic Show — Kingsport, TN
Date/Time: Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Location: Temple Baptist Church, Kingsport
A magic show with a motivating message, hosted at Temple Baptist Church.
TOKs 2nd Annual Car and Bike Show
Date/Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, starting at 4:00 PM
Location: Highland Park, Kingsport
A community car and bike show showcasing vehicles of all kinds at Highland Park.
Haunted Half Marathon
Date/Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM
Location: Kingsport (Visit Kingsport)
A Halloween-themed half marathon race in the Kingsport area.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Date/Time: Friday, October 30, 2026, starting at 8:45 PM
Location: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport
A candlelit musical performance featuring Halloween classics in an atmospheric concert setting.
2nd Annual Hearth & Holiday: A Christmas Market
Date/Time: Saturday, December 19, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM
Location: Kingsport Farmers Market
A holiday market in the Christmas season featuring local vendors at the Kingsport Farmers Market.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
Project Heritage Timeline, a Kingsport City Schools initiative that documents and preserves the history of education in the community across multiple generations.