Good morning, Johnson City.

Ballad Health has made a kettle match donation of $30,000 to the Salvation Army, with funds allocated to Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport (each receiving $10,000) to help fill service gaps.

The donation supports operations as the Red Kettle Campaign continues through Christmas Eve.

Bristol Motor Speedway CEO Jerry Caldwell memorialized driver and volunteer Greg Biffle, who died in a plane crash on Thursday in Statesville, praising his courage for delivering supplies to Hurricane Helene victims in Northeast Tennessee — an NTSB investigation may take up to 18 months.

Direct flights from Tri-Cities Airport to Chicago will start next year, with United Airlines beginning on June 8 and American Airlines on May 21 — officials said Friday.

The nonstop service will give local passengers more travel options.

Zachary Harris shared the story of the Johnson City Road Company, a local theater troupe active from the 1970s to the late 1990s that toured with original plays featuring Northeast Tennessee stories — even performing in Russia.

Occasional reunions keep their legacy alive in our local arts community.

Midnight at The Big Top

8-11:30 p.m. — Holiday Inn Johnson City by IHG — Champagne required — Ring in 2026 with a live DJ, acrobats, and circus magic.