☀️ Today’s Weather
Thursday, April 9, 2026 — Overcast skies with a high of 74°F and a low of 43°F. 0% chance of rain.
😄 Joke of the Day
A Kingsport man told his friend he was thinking about moving to Johnson City. His friend said, “Why would you leave the Model City?” He replied, “I just need a change.” His friend shook his head: “Son, you don’t leave Kingsport — Kingsport is the change.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Kingsport’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen regularly receives the city’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) — but what two nationally recognized credit rating agencies consistently reaffirm strong bond ratings for the City of Kingsport, and what are those respective ratings?
Answer: Moody’s Investor Service and Standard and Poor reaffirm their Aa2 and AA ratings for the city, respectively.
🔝 Top Stories
🗳️ Sullivan County Mayoral Candidates Face Off at Forum Ahead of Early Voting
Sullivan County’s mayoral candidates gathered for a public forum on April 9, 2026, just days before early voting is set to begin. Candidates in the May 5 Sullivan County mayoral election have been speaking on their initiatives, with four petitions issued for county mayor — Angie Stanley (R), Zane Vanover (R), Barry Brickey (R), and Ilna Perna (R) — with key issues on the campaign trail including addiction, education funding, infrastructure, and property taxes. Early voting for the 2026 primary election opens on April 15 and closes on April 30, giving Sullivan County voters a wide window to cast their ballots before Election Day on May 5.
✅ Kingsport Finances Earn Clean Audit for 27th Consecutive Year
Kingsport’s finances received a clean bill of health with auditors finding no significant deficiencies or instances of noncompliance, and city finance officials presented the Board of Mayor and Aldermen with an overview of the latest audit. Auditors offered a “clean opinion” — the highest opinion they can issue — finding no significant deficiencies or instances of noncompliance during their review of the city’s financial controls and operations. This marks the 27th consecutive year the city has received such recognition, a remarkable streak of fiscal discipline for the Model City.
🔥 Bays Mountain Prescribed Burn Covers 25 Acres
Bays Mountain Park performed a prescribed burn as a proactive measure to reduce the amount of leaf litter, duff, and downed trees on the mountain — and this year’s burn picked up where last year’s burn ended. According to the Times News, the burn covered 25 acres of the park’s landscape. Prescribed burns are a vital land management tool used to promote forest health and reduce wildfire risk at the city-owned nature park.
🏭 NETWORKS Presents Proposed Distribution Facility Project for Sullivan County
NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership is the economic development organization for Sullivan County, Tennessee, and its communities of Bluff City, Bristol, and Kingsport. The organization recently presented a proposed distribution facility project to local leadership, signaling continued momentum in attracting new industrial and logistics investment to the region. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the region offers exceptional logistic accessibility, reaching 70% of the U.S. population within a day’s drive — and with the strategic intersection of Interstates 26 and 81, along with a U.S. Customs Port and Foreign-Trade Zone, Sullivan County provides businesses with a significant competitive edge.
💊 Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition to Participate in National Take Back Day
The Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, giving area residents a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications. Take Back Day is a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing drug misuse and keeping prescription drugs out of the wrong hands. Residents are encouraged to locate a nearby drop-off site and take advantage of this free, no-questions-asked service.
🐾 Greater Kingsport Republican Women to Host Candidates Monday
The Greater Kingsport Republican Women will host a candidates forum on Monday, April 13, 2026, offering voters another opportunity to hear directly from those seeking office ahead of the upcoming primary. Events like this are especially timely with early voting for the Sullivan County mayoral race set to open on April 15. Residents interested in attending are encouraged to check with the organization for location and time details.
📅 Upcoming Events
🛍️ SMILE Rummage Sale: Shop for a Cause
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall — 1415 Waverly Rd, Kingsport
All proceeds support local foster families through SMILE Foster Closet. Fill a grocery bag with clothes for $5, or during the last hour (1–2 PM) fill an entire tote for $25. Toys, housewares, baby gear, holiday decor, and more available by donation. Foster families shop for free — check in with a volunteer when you arrive.
Donation drop-offs accepted Friday, April 10 from 5:30–7:30 PM. No knives, guns, or inappropriate items please.
🔥 Iron Pour Scratch Mold Workshops — 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 one of the remaining scratch mold workshops 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 dates: April 10 (6–8 PM), April 11 (2–4 PM), 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 2026 is happening on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 12:00 PM onwards at 100 Shelby St, Kingsport, TN. The Kingsport ARTS Festival will be presented by Engage Kingsport and Kingsport Cultural Arts Office on April 18th, 2026, in Downtown Kingsport. The festival features local artists, artisans, and creatives, and will also include the exciting Iron Pour demonstration. Visit artskingsport.org for more details.
🍴 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.