☀️ Today’s Weather
Thunderstorms today with a high of 93°F and a low of 72°F; 7% chance of rain.
😄 Only in Kingsport
The Fun Fest Store opened this week and there’s already a line for t-shirts. Kingsport doesn’t ease into summer — it sprints toward it with a schedule, a parade route, and matching merchandise.
🧠 Trivia Q&A
Question: What Kingsport stadium is closely associated with Fun Fest concerts?
Answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
🔝 Top Stories
Sullivan County Commission Rejects $103M School Budget
Sullivan County Commissioners voted down a proposed $103 million school budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, raising concerns over its reliance on surplus funding and the addition of new staff positions. The Director of Schools says he will bring a revised proposal back to the commission in July, and until a new budget is approved, the school system will operate under last year’s spending levels.
Read more at Kingsport Times News
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TDOT: Memorial Boulevard to Be Improved Over the Next 10 Years
TDOT’s improvement project for State Route 126 (Memorial Boulevard) will extend approximately 8.3 miles, from East Center Street in Kingsport to I-81, and will include expanded travel lanes along various segments of the corridor. Phase 1 of improvements — from East Center Street to east of Briarwood Road — is identified in TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan and is funded through the Transportation Modernization Fund, while Phases 2 and 3 are still awaiting funding.
Fun Fest Store Now Open in Downtown Kingsport
The Fun Fest Store has opened inside the Kingsport Chamber at 400 Clinchfield Street, with hours of operation Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fun Fest is Kingsport’s signature community celebration held every July, offering hot air balloons, national headliner concerts, a parade, road races, and more, with this year’s festival running July 17 through July 25.
Layla Santanello’s Family Longs for Answers 3 Years After Disappearance
Three years after Kingsport resident Layla Santanello vanished, her family continues to search for answers as investigators share new details about the case. Kingsport police believe others in the community may have information about what happened to her.
📅 Upcoming Events
Kingsport’s Red, White & BOOM Independence Day Celebration
Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Location: Main Street, Centennial Park area, Downtown Kingsport, TN
Kingsport’s fifth-annual Red, White and BOOM Independence Day Celebration returns to Downtown Kingsport, featuring food trucks, fireworks, free live music, and more. Headlining this year’s free concert is Grand Funk Railroad. Kingsport’s Independence Day fireworks will follow the performances, with an estimated start time of 9:45 p.m.
🤝 Community Partners
🧠 Trivia Answer
J. Fred Johnson Stadium, the longtime Kingsport venue that has hosted major concerts and events as part of the Fun Fest celebration.