Here’s what’s happening around East Tennessee today, along with helpful community resources and interesting things to discover beyond our backyard.

Motivation Monday

A new week does not require a perfect plan. Start with the next right thing and build from there.

Highlights

  • Preschool Storytime — 10:30–11 a.m., South Knoxville Branch Library and Farragut Branch Library. Stories and activities are designed to build early literacy skills for preschool-age children.
  • Curiosity Club: Knox County Rescue — Medical/First Aid Team — 5–6 p.m., Burlington Branch Library. The program for ages 5-11 introduces children to the work of the medical/first aid team.
  • International Overdose Awareness Day — 6–8 p.m., Volunteer Landing. The remembrance event includes a dove release, shoe memorial, resource booths, speakers, and therapeutic animals. The Henley Bridge will also be illuminated purple for National Overdose Awareness Day.
  • The Knox County Commission Meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM at the City County Building.

Featured Resource

Knoxville Public Library often has weekly story times, LEGO clubs, craft sessions, and teen gaming nights. Check their weekly calendar: Knox County Public Library.

Community Calendar

Looking for more to do? Here are upcoming events and activities across East Tennessee.

  • East Tennessee History Center and Museum: Discover the stories behind East Tennessee’s past through engaging exhibits, genealogy resources, and interactive experiences at the East Tennessee History Center: East Tennessee History Center and Museum.
  • Ijams Nature Center: Ijams offers programs, activities, and events for all ages on a weekly basis, and almost every day. Check their Calendar of Events here.
  • Muse Knoxville is an interactive children’s museum with daily sessions: Muse Knoxville
  • Outdoor Knoxville: A calendar produced by Legacy Parks Foundation has a comprehensive list of upcoming local outdoor events. Find it here.
  • Visit Knoxville published 2026 Guide: The free 2026 Official Knoxville Visitors Guide is now available: Visitors Guide.
  • Zoo Knoxville is open daily; special feeds/talks may have times posted onsite: Zoo Knoxville

Helpful Community Links

  • Stay informed: WBIR, WATE,  WVLT.
  • KCS Calendar: Stay informed with Knox County Schools calendar here.
  • Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commission: The Planning Commission meets the second Thursday of each month. Find agenda, minutes, and information here.
  • KUB Construction: Traffic advisories and construction-related impacts are communicated primarily through the online construction map.
  • Mayor Glenn Jacobs weekly podcast: Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs provides a weekly podcast.
  • Mayor’s Kickin’ It with Kincannon: City of Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon shares a monthly podcast Kickin’ It with Kincannon
  • Weather: The latest weather forecasts from WBIR Weather.

Across Tennessee

  • Great Smoky Mountains Travel: Keep up to date on the TN/NC park Basic Information, Visitor Centers, Park Closures and Alerts, Parking Tags, Camping, Hiking, and general Visit Planning, all here.
  • Tennessee Entertainment for All: The TN Vacation website links visitors to any region of Tennessee, featuring up-to-date venues and performances for all ages and preferences.
  • Tennessee Government meetings: Follow the latest here.
  • Tennessee State Parks lead us to the adventures of a lifetime: Tennessee State Parks
  • Tennessee Travel Information: As you make travel plans, get information on all travel issues across Tennessee here.

Across America

  • National: Latest S. headlines at Google News US.
  • Congress: Weekly Review
  • Entertainment: Latest in Movies, Music, TV, Books, Arts, Design, Celebrities at Google Entertainment.
  • Science: Latest in Environment, Space, Physics, Genetics, and Wildlife, at Google Science.
  • Sports: Latest in NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, Soccer, NASCAR, & more sports at Google Sports.
  • Stocks: Follow the stock market: Market Watch.
  • S. Supreme Court: Follow the decisions of the top court here

Around the World

Today in History

  • 1897 – Thomas Edison received a patent for the Kinetograph, an early motion-picture camera.
  • 1962 – Trinidad and Tobago became independent from the United Kingdom.
  • 1997 – Diana, Princess of Wales, died following a car crash in Paris.

Tennessee Trivia

Did you know? Tennessee’s official state cultivated flower is the iris.

😊 Today’s Smile

Why did the notebook feel confident on Monday? It had a fresh page.

Share an event: Know of a local event or resource we should include in Daily Connections? Email us at news@knoxtntoday.com.

Our Town. Your News: Subscribe to our free newsletter, and get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place each morning.

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.