The week moved quickly, but some stories deserve more than one day in the spotlight. Saturday Catch-Up brings together six KnoxTNToday stories you may have missed or may want to read again. Pour another cup of coffee and choose the stories that interest you.
Where were you on 9 11
Sept. 11, 2001, is a date remembered not only for what happened but also for where each of us was when we understood that America was under attack. Susan Espiritu recalls being home from her elementary classroom with a migraine and watching the Today show as an ordinary morning became history. The reflection also remembers the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees who died and the promise the company made to their families.
Two Tennesseans answer the call on the Duck River
Samuel Hardin Adcock and James Alan Garner had only seconds to respond when they saw 25-year-old Colin McNary being swept downstream in the Duck River. The Columbia men entered the water, followed him about 1,000 feet and kept him safe until a rescue boat arrived. Their courage earned both men the 2026 Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism.
The Cumberland Gap Tunnel turns 30
Beth Kinnane looks back at an East Tennessee engineering achievement that replaced a dangerous, twisting section of U.S. 25E known as Massacre Mountain. The Cumberland Gap Tunnel opened Oct. 18, 1996, creating a safer route beneath the mountain while allowing the historic Cumberland Gap landscape to be restored.
Read The Cumberland Gap Tunnel turns 30
Kodak library gains national acclaim
The Kodak branch library is one of only 15 new and renovated libraries selected for the American Library Association’s 2026 Library Design Showcase. Its Great Smoky Mountains-inspired design includes a children’s area, locally sourced stone, exposed wood beams, a covered porch and an outdoor pavilion. The recognition also celebrates a community that raised $1.2 million toward the building’s $5 million cost.
Read Kodak library gains national acclaim
Dinner from one skillet in about 30 minutes
Dishing It Out offers a colorful weeknight meal made with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, black beans, peppers and taco seasoning. Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro, salsa and sour cream provide the finishing touches. The hearty meal comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes, making it a practical recipe for a busy evening.
Get the Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Skillet recipe
Sometimes you have to leave Knoxville to see it
A day away can make the familiar feel new again. In Close to Home, Susan Espiritu reflects on how leaving Knoxville for a few hours can sharpen our appreciation for the Tennessee River, the Sunsphere, the mountains and the skyline waiting for us when we return. Travel can help us notice what everyday routines have allowed to fade into the background.
Come back Sunday for Faith Along the Way, a quieter, faith-centered read for the weekend.
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