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🌱 What Hermes 2’s groundbreaking means for jobs and energy in Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge, Tennessee Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hey hey Oak Ridge! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Hermes 2’s groundbreaking means for jobs and energy in Oak Ridge
  • Oak Ridge community mourns the passing of Angela Hood Headley
  • Oak Ridge star tight end lines up a big visit with Tennessee

Also on today's calendar: Find Love in Knoxville: Speed Dating for Selective Singles and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: How do you measure a fish? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 84, low: 55.
  • Friday: Showers around in the p.m., with a high of 82 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Construction Starts on First Commercial-Scale Gen IV Nuclear Reactor (tomorrowsworldtoday.com) — Oak Ridge is now the construction hub for Kairos Power’s Hermes 2 reactor, the first commercial-scale Generation IV nuclear plant with a U.S. construction permit. Built beside the Hermes 1 test reactor, it will train a local nuclear workforce and eventually send up to 50 megawatts of carbon-free power to TVA to help run Google’s regional data centers.
   

2. Angela Hood Headley, 54 (3bmedianews.com) — Oak Ridge residents are mourning the passing of 54-year-old Angela Hood Headley, a longtime community member who loved caring for her family and crafting. Friends and family can visit today, April 22, from 1–2 p.m. at Evans Mortuary in Rockwood, with funeral and graveside services immediately following at Oak Grove Cemetery.
   

3. 2027 Oak Ridge tight end announces Tennessee football visit (usatoday.com) — A standout Oak Ridge High School tight end, Malik Howard, has locked in an official visit with the Tennessee Volunteers for June 5–7 as part of the 2027 recruiting class. The four-star, in-state prospect from Oak Ridge is already one of Tennessee’s top-ranked players and holds offers from dozens of major programs nationwide.
   

4. Leidos to form security screening joint venture with medical imaging manufacturer (manufacturingdive.com) — Oak Ridge is one of several Leidos security-technology sites that will be affected as the company spins off its screening division into a new joint venture with Analogic. The deal aims to advance AI-driven, 3D security imaging for airports and borders, and aligns with Leidos’ broader federal-focused growth strategy. Local impacts on the Oak Ridge facility’s jobs or operations aren’t yet detailed.
   

5. Inside the newly approved state budget (oakridger.com) — Tennessee’s newly approved $58.3 billion state budget includes millions earmarked for Oak Ridge projects tied to current and future city work. Lawmakers trimmed overall spending while expanding private school vouchers and funding several controversial initiatives, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and praise from Republican leaders for what they call fiscal discipline and education investment.
   

📸 Around Oak Ridge

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Oak Ridge

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📣 Oak Ridge Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday April 22
  • Progress Reports
    Midtown Educational Center Harriman, TN 37748
    8:00 am
  • ELA Part 2 EOC
    Oliver Springs High School Oliver Springs, TN 37840
    8:30 am
  • CHAMBER HOSTED: Business EXPO 2026 presented by Slamdot
    The Venue at Lenoir City , 7690 Creekwood Park Blvd , Lenoir City
    12:00 pm
  • Elementary School PE (ages 6-10)
    Farragut, TN Calendar Farragut, TN 37934
    1:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Regarding Waste Management, those folks have a contract for many years with the City of Oak Ridge for picking up trash and recyclables.
    Their services are part of our routine utility bills. Those folks have been pretty reliable, and I have no complaints with them. (Nextdoor Castlewood)
  • I want to say this if you don't like my story don't read it please don't say anything negative I got enough going on I have a right to be broken I've been through alot really didn't need more.The va isn't going to cure me and they really don't care
    I'm just another soldier.So if you don't like my story don't read it scroll past and for the rest ty and God bless you I love you all and greatful I… (Nextdoor Woodland)
  • National HealthCare Corporation posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Oak Ridge. Apply here.
  • CoorsTek posted a job opening for Production Operator III (Day Shift) in Oak Ridge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Ridge here.

Ok Oak Ridge! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By inches because they have no feet. (Thank you Gypsy S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Oak Ridge

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Oak Ridge

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.