Good morning, Johnson City.

The First Tennessee Regional Mustang Group donated $4,000 to Speedway Children's Charities on Tuesday morning with money raised last year—this donation will help local charities support children in need.

The group will continue its fundraising efforts next year.

The Tipton-Ashe Gallery at ETSU will open an art exhibit called 'Layered, Woven, and Pierced' tomorrow that shows how Hurricane Helene affected the area and honors recovery efforts from over 20 local artists.

The exhibit will run until October 18—open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Food City has launched the School Bucks Challenge to offer $800,000 for schools to invest in classrooms, equipment + essential supplies for the new school year.

The program starts today and will run until May 2026 as schools register and supporters link their store cards to earn points.

Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the TRAIN Act—a bipartisan bill that aims to let copyright owners subpoena companies using AI to generate content without permission.

Some legal experts said the bill may harm fair use laws—while a fellow lawmaker defends it for setting guard rails on creative work, and the bill now awaits review by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

Johnson County Commission did not pass a resolution to restrict Bitcoin mining and is now considering a one-year moratorium to block new operations—mimicking Johnson City's recent actions.

County Mayor Larry Potter said he expects the moratorium to pass with a simple majority when the commission meets on September 18.

Watauga Orthopedics is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year as the largest independent orthopedic healthcare provider in the region—its walk-in clinic in Bristol serves patients while leaders reaffirm their commitment to community care.

2025 Tennessee State Pickleball Championships

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. — Memorial Park Community Center — Registration fees apply — Compete for medals in various pickleball divisions across multiple skill levels.

Soggy Doggy: Dog Swim

10 a.m.–3 p.m. — Legion Street Pool — $5 per dog (2 dogs per handler) — Let your pups dive into a splash party with toys and fun at this dog-only swim event.

UMOJA Festival 2025

11 AM - 6 PM — King Commons Park — Free entry — Celebrate community unity with live entertainment and local flavors at the Umoja Festival.

Pierre Bensusan Concert

7:30 PM – 1:30 AM — Down Home — Tickets required — Experience the extraordinary guitar mastery of Pierre Bensusan bringing his unique sound to Johnson City.

Date Night in the Flower Field

6-8 p.m. — Harvey Family Farm — $75 per couple — Enjoy an intimate evening surrounded by blooms with a charcuterie spread and bouquet-picking experience.

Laniidae Live Concert

9-10:30 p.m. — Capone's — Ticket info not specified — Experience an incredible night of music featuring Laniidae, Mind the Drive, and The Dirty Secrets.

Shirefest

2-4:30 p.m. — Johnson City Public Library — Free entry — Celebrate the charm of the Hobbits’ Shire with storytelling, live music, and family-friendly festivities.

Sip into Fall: Seasonal Cocktail Making

6-8 p.m. — Tennessee Hills Brewstillery — Cost not specified — Celebrate the arrival of fall with cocktails and mini charcuterie boards featuring warm spices and local flavors.

Contra Dancing at Mulligan's

6-8 p.m. — Mulligan's Irish Pub — Free entry — Experience the joy of classic contra dancing with guidance from the Jonesborough Historic Dancing Society.

Appalachian Fair Home Show

12-6 p.m. — Appalachian Fair — Free admission — Discover local and national vendors showcasing home improvement ideas and products.