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🌱 New ORNL lab could accelerate cancer research and uranium cleanup in Oak Ridge

And check out A Secret City Planned from Miles Away: Housing and Home Life in Oak Ridge During the Manhattan Project on the Oak Ridge…

Thursday August 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey there, Oak Ridge! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • New ORNL lab could accelerate cancer research and uranium cleanup in Oak Ridge
  • How Oak Ridge's energy innovators are helping build East Tennessee's tech future
  • How a new microreactor factory could reshape Oak Ridge's energy future

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid with heavy t-storms, with a high of 88 and low of 70 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 86, low: 68.
  • Saturday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 90 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• New lab at ORNL supports uranium cleanup, cancer research, Department of Energy says (wbir.com) — A new analytical lab at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is now speeding up uranium-233 processing and medical isotope work, strengthening both cleanup efforts and cancer research tied directly to Oak Ridge. The facility, run by DOE's Oak Ridge Office and contractor Isotek, cuts sample analysis times from months to weeks and boosts production of thorium-229 for promising actinium-225 cancer treatments.
   

• Spark Innovation Center bringing the next generation of entrepreneurs to East Tennessee (wate.com subscription) — Oak Ridge companies and Oak Ridge National Lab are central to a growing advanced-energy ecosystem that the University of Tennessee and the Spark Innovation Center are building across East Tennessee. The program is drawing startups from around the country, mentoring student entrepreneurs, and expanding K–12 STEM workshops, all aimed at turning the region's strengths in clean energy and advanced manufacturing into new jobs and technologies.
   

• Radiant's Kaleidos Microreactor Begins Transport to Idaho (energynews.pro) — Oak Ridge is set to host Radiant's R-50 microreactor production facility, now under federal licensing review while the company tests its Kaleidos reactor in Idaho. If approved, the Oak Ridge plant would manufacture commercial microreactors for customers including the U.S. Air Force, positioning the city in a growing advanced nuclear supply chain.
   

📸 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

    Thursday August 20
  • Member hosted event: Coffee & Connections - Free Business Networking Coffee Conversations
    Farragut West Knox Chamber Riverside Coffee Shop 16239 US-70, Lenoir City, TN
    9:00 am
  • Farragut History Tour →
    Farragut, TN Calendar, Farragut Town Hall 11408 Municipal Center Drive, Farragut
    9:00 am
  • Toddler Takeover →
    Farragut, TN Calendar Farragut, TN 37934
    10:00 am
  • Golf: Oneida (home)
    Harriman High School Harriman, TN 37748
    4:00 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

  • Found Dog!
    This sweet little girl showed during the storm yesterday. Please let me know if you know where she may live (Nextdoor A Roads on the East End)
  • Hi neighbors!
    I want to thank Gail for letting us know about John and I thank her and others who have been there for him in any way over the past months. John… (Nextdoor Moylan Lane)
  • Gold's Gym International, Inc. posted a job opening for Housekeeping in Oak Ridge. Apply here.
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Farragut. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Ridge here.

🗞 Nearby News

Oliver Springs

  • Richard (Richie) Allen Seiber, 40 (3bmedianews.com)
  • Peggy Diane Grippi, Oliver Springs (bbbtv12.com)
  • Predicting every Knoxville area TSSAA football team's region order of finish for 2026 (knoxnews.com)

Farragut

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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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