Keep us strong. You power public media.Donate todayTuesday, June 9, 2026Good morning! 
Far be it from me to shut complaints down.
The rain has been a bummer. A cloudy, drizzly Memorial Day weekend. Rain dumping on graduation ceremonies across the state. The sweltering summer is on its way, and every rainy weekend is another hiking trip that might not happen.
But if you can believe it, all this rain still isn’t enough.
WHAT TO KNOW
WPLN’s environmental reporter, Caroline Eggers, tells us the drought started in December.
The current situation could now be considered a long-term drought, which the Drought Monitor defines as lasting “typically more than six months” and affecting hydrology and ecology.
“We are still seeing long-term issues, mainly related to hydrology,” said Andrew Joyner, Tennessee’s state climatologist.
The state has not had enough rain to balance groundwater, lake and stream levels, even if soils have partially replenished.
Droughts affect ecosystems in many tangled ways; they can raise temperatures in a feedback loop, worsen air pollution, stress wildlife — from wildflowers to birds and bears — shift the ground enough to damage underground infrastructure, disrupt agriculture, increase wildlife risks and make flash flooding more likely.
The Cumberland Plateau and other spots across the state have experienced worse deficits of rainfall over the past six months and stayed in the “extreme” drought category, meaning water supply is inadequate for wildlife, aquatic species may die off and water quality is poor, among other impacts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts that most of Middle Tennessee should recover from the drought this summer, but dryness will likely persist in East Tennessee, according to its latest three-month forecast.
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How did an American general’s observations in WWII Germany lead to the establishment of a Tennessee military base? The Arnold Air Force base was started with equipment confiscated from German testing grounds and the dreams of an American scientist who pioneered the field of rocketry. Plus the local news for June 9, 2026, and family medical leave.
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MORE TO KNOW
- You might have seen the viral photo of an Arby’s in the South — with a gorgeous jungle background. That dense green background? Kudzu vines. Despite its initial lush beauty, our sister station WUOT reports, the invasive vine outcompetes native species for sunshine, destroying habitats — something that has been accelerated by climate change. This is part of the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom’s series Signal Species where we focus on animals, plants, insects and other organisms that act as a “canary in the coal mine.” What are these species trying to tell us? If we listen, it might help us understand the effects of climate change and human development.
- High-ranking Republicans are objecting to Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s proposal to allot $735,000 for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. The pushback was swift, WPLN’s Alexis Marshall writes. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who’s also running for governor, posted on X this week that the Metro Council should reject the funding for TIRRC. She called the group a “pro-illegal alien nonprofit.” Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton also came out against the proposal, saying it could count as sanctuary city activity, which is banned under state law. He added that Tennessee district attorneys general and the state comptroller are “watching this very closely.”
- A new wee lassie has arrived at the Nashville Zoo. She’s a dirty blonde with a swoopy hair-do and two very tiny horns, for now. Elinor is a highland cow, a breed known for their shaggy coats and curved horns that can grow to three feet long. She’s now living in the Historic Farm habitat with her brother Hamish. The zoo says Highland cows are the oldest registered breed of cattle on earth. In their native Scotland, they’re also known as “hairy coos.”
FROM THIS IS NASHVILLE
After David Fischette stepped away from the day-to-day grind of running his business, he ended up writing a book that, in part, reflects on his efforts to repair his fractured relationship with his daughters. Then, fatherhood is a public health issue for Robert Taylor. He spent the last few years helping fathers change a few more diapers, and more importantly, see themselves as more than providers.
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