☀️ Today’s Weather
Overcast skies over the Model City today. High of 83°F, low of 51°F, with just a 3% chance of rain — a warm spring Sunday!
😄 Joke of the Day
A tourist driving through downtown Kingsport asked a local, “How do you know when it’s lunchtime around here?” The local grinned and replied, “Easy — the Eastman whistle blows and every Pal’s drive-through line doubles in about thirty seconds flat.”
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: Kingsport’s public transit system has served residents for decades under a familiar acronym — what is the name of Kingsport’s public transit service and what does the acronym “KATS” stand for?
Answer: KATS stands for Kingsport Area Transit Service — the city-operated bus system connecting neighborhoods across the Model City.
🔝 Top Stories
Grace House Celebrates Facility Additions and Ongoing Service to Kingsport
Kingsport’s Grace House, operated by the Kingsport Homeless Ministry, recently celebrated new facility additions and its continued mission to serve those experiencing homelessness in the community. The Kingsport Homeless Ministry operates Grace House, which serves as one of the community’s primary points of intake and coordinated entry services, welcoming individuals and families who are unhoused or facing housing instability. The facility thrives on community donations and volunteer efforts, with further renovations planned to enhance its services.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Kingsport Turns Out for 3-Year-Old Charleigh McCracken
The Kingsport community recently rallied together in a show of support for 3-year-old Charleigh McCracken, demonstrating the tight-knit spirit that defines the Model City. Details about the event and the circumstances surrounding Charleigh’s story were shared widely, drawing an outpouring of community love. Visit the link below for the full story.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Sullivan County Schools Receive Almost $40,000 in Utrust Grants
Sullivan County schools have been awarded nearly $40,000 in Utrust grants, providing a significant boost to local education programs. The funding is expected to support student learning initiatives across the county’s school system. Read the full story for details on which schools and programs will benefit.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
School Summit Tackles Children’s Mental Health
A local school summit recently brought together educators and community leaders to address the growing concern of children’s mental health in the region. The summit focused on strategies and resources to better support students’ emotional well-being in Sullivan County schools. See the full story for details on the discussions and outcomes.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
Kingsport’s Summer Camp Program Now Accepting Registrations
Kingsport’s summer camp program is now open for registrations, giving families a chance to secure a spot for their children in one of the city’s most popular seasonal offerings. The program, run through the City of Kingsport, offers a variety of recreational and enrichment activities throughout the summer months. Families are encouraged to register early, as spots are expected to fill quickly.
📅 Upcoming Events
🔥 Iron Pour Scratch Mold Workshop — 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 date: 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
The Kingsport Arts Festival will take place on April 19–20 in the vicinity of Market and Shelby streets in downtown Kingsport. The two-day festival kicks off on April 19 from 6 PM to 10 PM with a “Light up the Night” parade featuring giant puppets, paper lanterns, and digital artwork projected onto downtown buildings. Then on April 20 from 10 AM to 5 PM, the festival continues with a full day of family-friendly activities, including an iron pour, a glass blowing workshop, Raku firing, tie-dye making, an art gallery crawl, and the launch of this year’s Sculpture Walk.
Visit artskingsport.org for more information
🍴 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.