☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies over Johnson City today — High 79°F, Low 58°F, with just a 5% chance of rain. A great day to get outside!
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist stopped a local on State of Franklin Road and asked, “Does it always smell like barbecue and mountains out here?”
The local said, “No — sometimes it smells like Yee-Haw Brewing and bad traffic on Market Street.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: In a dramatic March 23, 2026 vote that packed multiple courtrooms with hundreds of community members, the Washington County Commission approved a controversial rezoning request by BWX Technologies (BWXT) for a facility in Jonesborough. What product is BWXT planning to manufacture there, what federal contract is behind the expansion, and what was the final vote count?
Answer: BWXT was approved to rezone 56 acres from agricultural to high-impact industrial use to build a high-purity depleted uranium (HPDU) refinery in Jonesborough, fulfilling a $1.6 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The commission approved the rezoning in a 10-5 vote — the minimum required for passage.
🔝 Top Stories
⚛️ Washington County Commission Approves BWXT Rezoning in Contentious 10-5 Vote
After months of debate and repeatedly postponed meetings, the Washington County Commission voted Monday 10 to 5 in favor of rezoning a portion of nuclear technology company BWXT’s land for the construction of a facility on the edge of Jonesborough which will refine depleted uranium for the federal government. Some 10,000 people signed a petition opposing the expansion of the nearby depleted uranium site in Jonesborough — the state’s oldest town — and they made neon yellow shirts displaying their plea for “no uranium contamination in East Tennessee,” filling three courtrooms during Monday night’s meeting. BWXT’s rezoning is part of its expansion plan to fulfill its $1.6 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration to provide high purity depleted uranium (HPDU), which is used for nuclear weapons technology, tank armor and projectiles — and BWXT is the only U.S. supplier of HPDU to the federal government. Some residents decried the vote as a failure of the democratic process, vowing to take legal action.
🚫 Washington County Also Approves One-Year Moratorium on New Data Centers
Commissioners voted 13-2 on Monday night to approve a resolution which forbids the construction, operation, and permitting of data centers, including cryptocurrency mines, through June 30, 2027. The request to halt data centers such as Bitcoin mines in the county initially came from the Planning Commission, followed by a March 5 recommendation by the county Commerce, Industrial, Agriculture (CIA) Committee to enact a moratorium. County planning director Angie Charles explained that the moratorium would give Zoning and Planning staff time to evaluate and draw regulations on where data center uses would be appropriate within Washington County, with staff reviewing factors like infrastructure demands, land use compatibility, environmental concerns and potential neighborhood impacts.
Read more at Johnson City Press
🙏 Johnson City Hosts 5th Annual Prayer Breakfast at Freedom Hall
The breakfast was held at Freedom Hall and brought together faith leaders, community members, and local officials — with organizers saying the purpose was to unite the community in prayer, seek guidance, and support one another. The Johnson City Prayer Breakfast (JCPB) is an annual breakfast that unites the community in prayer, worship, and fellowship in the name of Jesus, providing a welcoming environment where individuals from all around the city and all denominations can come together. This year marked the fifth annual gathering, featuring spirit-filled worship, powerful prayer, and an inspiring keynote message, with the program running from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
⛳ Caddy’s Indoor Golf Coming Soon to Johnson City’s West Market Street
Johnson City will soon have a new golf experience: Caddy’s Indoor Golf will be located at 525 W. Market Street, featuring GOLFZON simulators and including a restaurant and bar. Caddy’s Indoor Golf will bring high-end simulators with access to more than 300 courses worldwide, and the venue will also serve food and drinks and host live events. Lessons, leagues, and tournaments will be available when the facility opens at the end of May.
🍽️ Oak & Anchor Grill Now Open on North Roan Street
A new restaurant in Johnson City aims to bring a cozy, elevated dining experience to North Roan Street, with hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and house-made cocktails. Johnson City’s newest locally-owned restaurant held a soft opening and is now serving a full menu for lunch and dinner at 1805 N. Roan Street, Suite A-1. The restaurant has introduced a lunch menu geared toward the workday crowd with lighter options, while behind the bar Oak and Anchor offers specialty cocktails made with house-made syrups. Co-owner Jen Gambill says the restaurant offers special date night nooks with curtains dividing private areas, creating a romantic setting unlike anything else in the area.
💧 Johnson City Stormwater Basin Project on Track to Wrap by September
The stormwater basin at Cherokee and West Walnut is designed to reduce flooding along the corridor and is partially funded by a $3.3 million state grant. Once completed, the space will serve as a public park with walkways, landscaping, and a pond feature, while also serving as an educational point for the public on the need for stormwater control. The basin is part of the larger West Walnut redevelopment project connecting ETSU to downtown.
⚾ ETSU Baseball Celebrates New Thomas Stadium Turf with Ribbon-Cutting
Just before Saturday’s game against Virginia Military Institute, ETSU Buccaneer baseball held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new field upgrades at Thomas Stadium, with alumni, families, coaches, and more on hand early to celebrate. The Bucs entered the weekend at 15-1 at Thomas Stadium this season, with an overall record of 18-6, translating to a 3-5 record on the road. The team’s remarkable home success makes every home game especially important in conference play, as the Bucs will play 18 of their final 28 games on the road, including nine in SoCon play.
📅 Upcoming Events
💼 Northeast State Spring Career Fair — April 1, 2026
The Career & Workforce Development Center at Northeast State Community College is excited to host the 2026 Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, April 1st, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM at the Blountville campus, located at 2425 Highway 75, Blountville, TN 37617. Employers from across the region will be on hand. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for job seekers to network with employers representing a wide range of career fields, and it is free of cost and open to job seekers from the public.
🎵 Johnson City Jazz Festival — April 16–19, 2026
The Johnson City Jazz Festival runs April 16–19, 2026 in Johnson City. On Friday, April 17, the festivities transition to the ETSU Martin Center’s Powell Recital Hall, featuring Moon Unit, a sophisticated guitar trio from Durham, followed by acclaimed New York jazz vocalist Emma Hedrick and her Quintet. The 2026 Johnson City Jazz Festival also includes a performance at the historic Jackson Theatre in Jonesborough on April 19 at 7:00 PM.
Read more at Johnson City Jazz Festival
🍺 Thirsty Orange Beer Festival (Main Street Days) — April 18, 2026
The Thirsty Orange Festival takes place on April 18, 2026 in Downtown Johnson City. This beloved local street festival is part of the Downtown Johnson City Main Street Days series. Expect live entertainment, local craft beers, food vendors, artisan booths, and family-friendly fun along downtown’s Main Street.
Read more at Downtown Johnson City
🎨 Art Struck Festival — April 25, 2026
The Art Struck Festival comes to Downtown Johnson City on April 25, 2026. This annual arts celebration brings together visual artists, performers, and arts lovers from across the region for a vibrant day in the heart of downtown. Enjoy fine art, live music, food, and more.
Read more at Downtown Johnson City
🚂 Mother’s Day Express — May 9, 2026
Celebrate Mom with a special excursion hosted by the George L. Carter Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Depart Johnson City by motor coach to Knoxville, board the Three Rivers Rambler steam engine for a scenic journey through the city, then enjoy a Mother’s Day lunch cruise aboard the Star of Knoxville paddlewheel riverboat on the Tennessee River.
For more information contact the Johnson City Railroad Experience at 423-631-5273.