☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies today with a high of 85°F and a low of 59°F. Just a 2% chance of rain — a good day to get outside before the summer heat really cranks up.
😄 Only in Johnson City
ETSU students have figured out how to build underwater robots that compete on the world stage — but you still can’t make a left turn downtown without planning three streets ahead.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: In 1928 and 1929, Johnson City became part of early country music history through what recording event?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
ETSU Underwater Robotics Team Competes at World Championship in Canada
A team of East Tennessee State University students is competing in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, from June 24–27 at the MATE ROV World Championships, after months of late nights and countless hours building, testing, and troubleshooting their underwater robot. As part of the competition, students design, build, and operate robots in a series of tasks replicating real-world applications — ranging from addressing climate change and marine renewable energy to aquaculture. ETSU’s team is one of three dozen competing in the Explorer division, which includes teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States, with nearly 90 teams competing in the World Championships across three divisions in total.
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Tennessee Laws Going Into Effect July 1 — What Johnson City Residents Need to Know
A number of new laws will go into effect in Tennessee next week, ranging from education to immigration and personal safety. One law — known as the voucher expansion program — will expand the Education Freedom Scholarship program, providing funding to families to help pay for students to attend private schools. Perhaps the most far-reaching change for many Tennesseans is a statewide ban on kratom — Governor Bill Lee signed House Bill 1649, known as Matthew Davenport’s Law, making Tennessee the eighth state in the nation to fully prohibit the substance beginning July 1.
Johnson City Man Arrested After Baseball Bat Attack at Restaurant
A Johnson City man has been arrested after allegedly attacking a victim with a baseball bat at a local restaurant, according to police. Details of the incident, including the location and circumstances, are outlined in the full report. The case is being handled by local law enforcement.
Local School Boards Prepare for New State Education Laws
Local school boards are reviewing and preparing to implement several new state education laws set to take effect in the coming weeks. One new law limits the use of digital devices in kindergarten through fifth grade, prohibiting students in those grades from accessing digital devices at school, restricting teachers from using digital devices for instruction, and barring electronic testing for those students. School officials are working to update policies and communicate changes to families ahead of the new school year.
Read more at Johnson City Press
District 3 State Senate Candidates Weigh In on Area Issues
Candidates vying for the District 3 state senate seat recently shared their views on issues affecting the Tri-Cities region. The race is drawing local attention as candidates outline their positions on matters directly impacting Johnson City and surrounding communities. Visit WJHL for the full breakdown of where each candidate stands.
📅 Upcoming Events
Lakeside Concert Series: The Legacy Motown Revue
The Lakeside Concert Series featuring The Legacy Motown Revue is happening on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 7:00 PM onward at Winged Deer Park – Goulding Amphitheatre, 199 Carroll Creek Road, Johnson City, TN.
TEDxJohnsonCity
TEDxJohnsonCity is happening on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 6:00 PM onward at the ETSU Foundation Grand Hall at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts, Johnson City. This is the event’s fourth annual return to the area. Visit the link below for ticketing and speaker information.
More info at Visit Johnson City TN
40th Annual Pepsi Independence Day Celebration
PepsiCo Beverages Johnson City and the City of Johnson City will host the 40th Annual Independence Day Fireworks Celebration at the grounds of Freedom Hall Civic Center on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The schedule includes food trucks opening at 3:00 PM, kids’ activities and Touch-A-Truck at 4:00 PM, live music performances, and the fireworks finale. Since several thousand people attend the event each year, early arrival is strongly encouraged.
More info at JohnsonCityTN.org
Johnson City Doughboys vs. Burlington Sock Puppets
The Johnson City Doughboys take on the Burlington Sock Puppets at Howard Johnson Field, 111 Legion St., Johnson City, TN. Multiple home games are scheduled — check the link below for exact dates and ticket availability for upcoming matchups.
More info at AmericanArenas.com
Sunny War – Live at The Cardinal Music Hall
Sunny War performs live at The Cardinal Music Hall in Johnson City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Check the link below for tickets and showtime details.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
The Johnson City Sessions, a series of field recordings made by Columbia Records that captured old-time Appalachian music from the region.