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Our environmental reporter, Caroline Eggers, has been writing pretty extensively about black bears in Tennessee for our nature series Signal Species.
This should have been the first clue: Signal Species explains how different plants and animals are giving us “signals” about the changing climate and the pace of human land development and use.
Her work has also looked into ways to protect bears.
So when I saw a story from Caroline about a bear cub sanctuary, I assumed it was a straightforward feel-good story.
It’s not. But it has a good ending! Black bear cubs orphaned in the wild may soon find a new temporary home at the Appalachian Bear Rescue, Caroline reports.
WHAT TO KNOW
Image: courtesy of Appalachian Bear Rescue
Appalachian Bear Rescue is a 30-year old wildlife rehabilitation facility near Gatlinburg. It just reopened after a lengthy closure.
In 2024, the sanctuary had a pneumonia outbreak. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency euthanized the 13 cubs living there. Late that year, the rescue stopped taking cubs in.
The two groups have since set up an agreement with new protocols. And director Greg Grieceo says the bear rescue raised about $1 million from supporters to expand its wildlife enclosures.
Black bear cubs lose their moms from car crashes, starvation, hunting, or when TWRA euthanizes them after conflict.
The Appalachian Bear Rescue has historically succeeded at rehabilitating cubs in a way that ensures similar survival rates to wild cubs.
Grieco plans to track survival rates to ensure the new protocols will give rescued cubs the best chance at a healthy life in the wild.
“We’re going to try to confirm that for our concerned supporters and followers to make sure what we’re doing is working effectively,” Grieco said during a June press conference. Get the full story
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Why are there so many court challenges to state laws at this time of year? After the legislative session and around the start of July comes the next phase in the annual cycle of lawmaking: court cases seeking to stop or alter new laws. Plus the local news for July 6, 2026, and echoes between the new Nashville Congressional districts and an old North Nashville wound.
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MORE TO KNOW
- Tennessee overhauls the way it handles survivor benefits for orphaned foster kids. Since 2019, more than $38 million in Social Security or disability payments for older youths in Tennessee’s foster care were routinely siphoned by state officials. Instead of holding the money for the kids, Tennessee Department of Children’s Services used the money to pay for the youth’s time in care. It’s called the “orphan tax.” Technically it’s legal. But the practice leaves thousands of kids destitute when they age out of the system at 18. According to The Tennessean, the funds would average about $30,000 per child. Now, the funds will instead be placed in a special type of U.S. Treasury account that the children will be able to access once they age out of the system.
- At least two Tennessee nonprofits are feeling the love from Taylor Swift’s high-profile wedding to Travis Kelce. When the pair recently said “I do,” they celebrated by making multiple large charitable donations. One recipient was Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports. Another was The Store, according to the Nashville Business Journal. That’s a Nashville institution founded by county musician Brad Paisley and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley. The Store gives qualifying people in need a chance to shop for free food in a retail environment.
- Bought frozen organic blueberries from Publix? You should check them. The grocery chain has announced a recall after an E. Coli outbreak. Specifically, the product is “Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries.” They are 10-ounce packages with a best by date of Feb. 9, 2028.
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