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Rise and shine, Knoxville! A bill to let delivery robots use crosswalks, preservation easement for The Standard, Hot Wheels monster trucks glow, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
New chapter for a landmark: Knox Heritage secured a preservation easement for The Standard in Knoxville after GBX Group acquired it, helping ensure the historic former factory and event space stays protected for years — learn what the easement entails.
Grassroots gifting gains momentum: Knoxville neighbors are using social media to share household basics, furniture, and spring plants in giving groups that require joining, including Buy Nothing Knoxville North, South, East and Downtown — learn how these groups help.
New direction and oversight ahead: Knox County’s Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center has regained its state license after three years without one. The board plans to place Juvenile Judge Tim Irwin in charge — read the full story.
Tennessee rethinks robot access: A DoorDash-backed bill by Knoxville Senator Becky Massey advanced that would let low-speed delivery robots use crosswalks and bike lanes, with higher speeds. Cities could still restrict them — see what’s in the bill.
Gold continues to hold strong: After its best year in decades, gold remains near historic highs as investors look for stability amid inflation and debt. American Hartford has a free guide that covers everything you need to know. They’re also offering up to $25,000 of free silver on qualified accounts – check it out here.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare car insurance rates (it’s free): The average car insurance bill is roughly $175/month. I was paying more until I took a few minutes to compare quotes where I live. I ended up switching and cut my premium in half. Even if you’re not ready to switch, it’s worth checking – this comparison tool makes it easy.
*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
Strengthening community health capacity: North Knoxville just gained a new primary care clinic that has opened to expand access to preventive care and chronic disease management. It also supports the Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program, giving residents a supportive place to deliver high quality care to local patients. See what the clinic offers.
Years of planning pay off: Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness Gateway Park opened earlier this month, giving a front door to 70 miles of trails near Baker Creek Bike Park. A new playscape joins a 23,000 square foot pavilion with four bathrooms, a water refill station, and picnic tables. It was dedicated to former mayor Madeline Rogero. Get all the details.
Quick hair reboot: Frizz plotting a coup? Lox Salon handles cuts, color, styling, and plant-based keratin smoothing, so you roll into the week looking intentional, not accidental, and maybe finally make peace with those bangs that keep freelancing.
Treat-yourself bakery fix: Magpies Bakery is a North Knoxville staple for desserts that hit the spot… strawberry shortcake, a cupcake lineup (Classic Vanilla, Strawberry Cream, Chocolate Fudge), and rich Twix Brownies. When you need quick celebration energy, this spot delivers sweet joy without fuss.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
The weight loss game has changed: New GLP-1 medications work with your body’s natural hormones to help reduce appetite and support steady weight loss under medical supervision. Remedy Meds connects you with licensed clinicians online to see if you’re a good candidate. They’ll evaluate your health, provide transparent pricing, and ship medication straight to your door.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎭 Mardi Gras 2026 @ Episcopal Church of the Ascension | Tuesday (2/17) at 6:00 PM – Break out the beads, and head to church for a Fat Tuesday bash with a kids parade, a crowned King and Queen, live jazz, and Tootsie’s jambalaya, red beans and rice, and King Cake, plus a cash bar. Bid big, your beads buy good deeds.
🍳 Cuban Flavors @ The Cutting Edge Classroom | Tuesday (2/17) at 6:00 PM – Skip the airport and let Chef John, a Miami vet, walk you through a hands-on Cuban feast in Knoxville. Press your own Cubano on homemade bread, sear bistec, fry maduros, then toast with a Cuba Libre, pastelitos included. Elastic waistbands encouraged.
🌿 Sightseers: Drawing Club @ Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum | Thursday (2/19) at 6:00 PM – Whether your houseplants thrive or simply tolerate you, this en plein air drawing club is a low-pressure excuse to linger with leaves and practice light, form, color, and scale. Third Thursdays, we spread out under the sky, trade quiet nods, and make charmingly smudged masterpieces.
🍽 Winter Warmer 2026 @ The Mill & Mine | Friday (2/20) at 5:00 PM – Winter Warmer is serving up an annual, winter-harvest fundraising dinner for Nourish Knoxville, because winter produce deserves a little applause. It sells out faster than good tomatoes in July, so become a Steward for early access, or go Harvester and waltz in with two tickets.
🎖 Veterans Appreciation Dinner @ The Church at Sterchi Hills | Friday (2/20) at 5:00 PM – Take a break from the grind and join a free Veterans Appreciation Dinner at The Church at Sterchi Hills, for vets plus one. Steak bites, grilled chicken, baked potatoes, desserts, and conversation that beats scrolling your phone. RSVP required, limited seating, call or text 864-474-9304.
👹 Shrek JR @ Hardin Valley Academy | Friday (2/20) at 6:00 PM – Hardin Valley Middle School’s inaugural musical theatre class is going big with Shrek JR, their first-ever production. Expect pint-sized ogres, surprisingly strong pipes, and jokes that land better than most sequels. Support the kids, and your inner ogre will thank you.
🐦 Woodcock Walk @ Ijams Nature Center | Friday (2/20) at 6:00 PM – Join an Ijams naturalist to watch the woodcock’s sky dance, high romance, low center of gravity, along the Will Skelton Greenway. Meet at Forks of the River WMA lot, not Ijams, walk up to 2 paved miles, ages 12+, waiver at ijams.org/waiver, sightings not guaranteed.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Knoxville report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 62°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southeast wind around 0 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 66°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 0%
Partly sunny, with a high near 66. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
This house is wild
This 4-bed, 3.5-bath home pairs tall ceilings, an updated kitchen, and a screened back porch. An upstairs bonus room adds flexible space. The lower level functions as a full second suite with kitchen, bedroom, bath, laundry, gym, and extra garage. Two adjoining lots offer gardens, landscape lighting, and expansion. It is in Northshore/Choto, zoned for Farragut and Northshore schools.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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