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Good morning, Knoxville! In today’s edition: Habitat neighborhood takes shape, real-time police camera rollout, Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
A neighborhood takes shape: Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is preparing its newest neighborhood, The Plains, in the Strawberry Plains area of East Knox County, after land was prepared on December 12, 2025 — get all the details.
Public safety tech rollout: Knoxville police have installed the first camera for the new Real Time Information Center, with more locations planned and video access pending while the system is built — see what’s planned and when.
Drivers face updated rules: Downtown Knoxville is adjusting to parking changes as the city tries to make it easier to snag a spot. Expect updates that could affect where you park next time downtown — see what’s changing for parking.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
University governance updates ahead: The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Executive Committee will meet Friday, January 9 at 9 a.m. EST/8 a.m. The session will be webcast live and archived for later viewing. The agenda includes appointing university officers and setting employment terms. Accessibility assistance is available upon request. Get all the meeting details.
Refresh your rooms: Whether you want a quick accent update or a full vibe shift, Design House Interiors blends a friendly, locally owned showroom with real design know-how. Explore furniture, drapery, blinds, bedding, and layouts at your pace, and get guidance only when you want it.
Not your basic cider: Wild-fermented pours and easy hangs meet at Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus, Knoxville’s first cidery-meadery. Sip from 20+ rotating ciders and meads across 40 taps, then stick around for weekly trivia, comedy, and more… an effortless way to make Tuesday feel a little like Friday.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🌵 Succulent Love @ Painting with a Twist | Tuesday (1/6) at 6:30 PM – Get your hands dirty and build a low-maintenance love story with a succulent arrangement you probably won’t kill. Perfect for date night, friend time, or a solo zen hour, you’ll pot, chat, and leave with a cute, resilient little trophy for your windowsill.
👩 Glow & Grow @ Printshop Beer Co. | Thursday (1/8) at 5:00 PM – Knoxville’s women who run things are kicking off a private, ticketed launch built for connection, collaboration, and community. Think less awkward mixer, more purposeful meet-up with inspiration, real conversation, and the Maker City brain trust. Tickets are dropping on Eventbrite, so keep your inbox handy.
❄ Hot Glass Icicle Ornament Workshop @ Printshop Beer Co. | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Visualize Art Studio will help you craft an icicle ornament that actually survives the thermostat wars. No experience needed, all supplies and steady guidance included, so you can make something sparkly, giftable, and brag-worthy; sign up here.
This weekend
🐍 Repticon @ Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center | Saturday (1/10) at 9:00 AM – Nothing warms the heart like a bearded dragon blinking at you. Repticon Knoxville packs live reptiles and exotic critters, knowledgeable vendors, and hands-on learning, so you can ask real questions, compare gear, and maybe come home with a new scaly roommate, accidentally.
🌲 Winter Tree ID: Beginner Workshop @ Ijams Nature Center | Saturday (1/10) at 4:30 PM – Think you can’t tell an oak from a hickory once the leaves bail? Ijams’ beginner workshop teaches you the winter clues, from bark and buds to why trees wake up when they do, on a 1.5-mile stroll. All outside, dress cozy, ages 14+.
🍗 A Taste of Tradition: Old-School Southern Cooking @ The Cutting Edge Classroom | Saturday (1/10) at 5:00 PM – This hands-on Southern cooking class with Chef John cooks like your favorite aunt, only with sharper knives and fewer family politics. You’ll tackle meatloaf with mushroom gravy, jalapeño cornbread, and skillet apple pie. Come hungry, share a story, and call seconds research.
🥂 David Liles Reception @ Fountain City Art Center | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Celebrate the opening of David Liles’ new exhibit, all vibrant color, layered texture, and big feelings. Expect art you can actually talk about, plus easy conversation, light refreshments, and familiar faces. Plenty to nod at, no art degree required.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Knoxville report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 65°F – Low: 51°F – Precip: 13%
Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tomorrow – High: 67°F – Low: 47°F – Precip: 11%
Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
This house is wild
Built in 2022 with timeless design and smart upgrades, this West Knoxville home pairs soaring ceilings and natural light with hardwoods, crown molding, and coffered ceilings. The main-level primary suite adds privacy and convenience, with a tiled en suite bath. Open living spaces connect to a chef’s kitchen with a gas range, upgraded finishes, reverse osmosis, and a whole-house water softener.
Upstairs, two additional bedrooms each enjoy a full bath, plus a sunlit bonus room ready for movie nights, a home office, or play. Custom window coverings and meticulous finishes carry throughout. A covered back patio overlooks a large, flat backyard. Minutes to top schools, parks, shopping, and dining.
Take a peek inside →
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