The case centers on Cody Strausborger, whose arrest report says police stopped him while driving along Hillwood Drive. The report says an officer saw Strausborger taking pictures of a home while driving and noticed his brake light was out, prompting a traffic stop. During that stop, a K9 officer alerted to the presence of drugs, so the officers searched Strausborger’s car, the report says.

“Inside the vehicle, officers located 15 metal shields appearing to be FBI and other agency special agent credential badges, FBI clothing and several FBI folders,” the report said. It adds that officers also found several weapons, including gun materials, knives and a sword:

• 61 rounds of various caliber ammunition
• Multiple Airsoft guns
• Three wooden rifle stocks
• Three rifle barrels
• Multiple large knives
• A sword
• Metal fixed blade knife with integrated brass knuckles

Also in the car was what officers think was marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia like glass pipes.

“Based on the suspicious nature of the items located in the vehicle and the potential impersonation of a federal officer, I deemed the items suspicious and confiscated them for investigation,” the report said.

Strausborger was taken into custody and faces several drugs and weapons charges.

The report adds that an FBI agent responded to the scene and is still investigating Strausborger.

In a message shared after the show, Bryan said lightning moved in quickly near the venue, forcing changes to the night’s schedule. The storm delayed entry for fans and kept Kings of Leon from performing their opening set. Bryan said his own performance was also shortened, with the final six songs left off the setlist.

The singer apologized to fans who were disappointed, but said the decision came down to safety. He pushed back on the idea that the show ended early because of rain, explaining that lightning was the issue.

Bryan also responded directly to a fan who criticized the long wait, lack of communication, and cost of attending the concert. He pointed to the visible lightning above the stadium and thanked fans, crew members, and venue staff who worked through the difficult conditions.

The event was announced as part of Nova’s ongoing Red Room series, which brings artists into close-range venues for exclusive performances. Access to the show is being offered through a fan competition, rather than a standard ticket sale.

Evans, who grew up in Newcastle, has built a strong following in both Australia and the United States. He is known for blending modern country with pop influences, and his live shows often center on his guitar-driven sound and direct connection with the crowd.

The Sydney appearance adds another local moment to Evans’ 2026 schedule and gives Australian fans a more personal way to hear his music live. For country listeners, it also reflects the continued demand for smaller, fan-focused events alongside larger tours and festival appearances.

Among the top items within the budget are an unchanged property tax rate, public safety accounting for more than 20% of the proposed budget to cover salaries and benefits for police officers and firefighters, affordable housing, improvements to parks and recreation facilities and Transforming Western, a multi-year investment to create hundreds of affordable houses.

In Tuesday night’s meeting, the city council approved the first of two readings for the proposed net budget. With a legislative budget hearing and public hearing slated for May 7, council will vote on a second reading of the budget May 26.

As for other items approved during the meeting, a $17 million grant will fund safety improvements on a 0.75-mile stretch of Chapman Highway between Blount Avenue and Woodlawn Pike. It will create a shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway that’s separated from motorized vehicles, landscaped medians and enhanced pedestrian crossings at key intersections. A plan to partner with the Downtown Knoxville Alliance to purchase a small parcel at 314 Union Ave. near Krutch Park for $450,000 was also approved.

The Big Orange bats came out swinging with four runs in the bottom of the first after back-to-back round trippers from Reese Chapman and Levi Clark.

The Vols (30-15) keep their foot on the gas in the second, plating five more runs to take a commanding 9-0 lead. UT blasted two more homers in the inning, as Manny Marin hit his eighth of the season to lead off the frame before Henry Ford added to his team-leading home run total with a three-run shot a few batters later. Chapman capped off the scoring in the inning with a run-scoring single to give him four RBIs for the night.

Nate Eisfelder joined in on the home run party with his second four-bagger of the year, dispatching the first pitch he saw into the porches to lead off the fourth and put the Vols ahead 10-0.

All nine players in UT’s starting lineup recorded at least one hit while Chris Newstrom and Ariel Antigua also had RBIs off the bench in the win.

Nine pitchers combined for Tennessee’s third shutout of the year and their second in the last three games after blanking No. 13 Alabama, 10-0, in eight innings last Friday.

Freshman left-hander Cam Appenzeller made his first-career start and pitched a scoreless first inning with a pair of strikeouts before handing the ball off to the bullpen.

Sophomore righty Brayden Krenzel was credited with his second victory of the season after tossing 1.1 shutout innings with one punchout. Ethan Baiotto, Sawyer Deering, Will Haas, Chandler Day, Brady Frederick, Taylor Tracey and Jax Bishop were the other seven pitchers to take the mound in the win.

With Tuesday’s victory, the Volunteers reached the 30-win mark for the seventh straight completed season (excluding 2020 COVID year) and improved to 12-0 in midweek contests this year. The 30 wins for head coach Josh Elander are also the most by any skipper in their first season in program history, surpassing Tony Vitello’s 29 wins in 2018 and John Whited’s 29 triumphs in 1982.

UP NEXT: Tennessee heads north to Lexington for a longstanding rivalry series against Kentucky that begins on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET. All three games of the series will be streamed digitally on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.

The Knox County Republicans claim that violates state law and are asking the District Attorney General Charme Allen to file criminal charges.

Courtney Durrett recently posted a video on Facebook saying she voted outside of her political party.

Durrett is a Democrat and voted in the Republican primary, and people at a recent county commission meeting spoke up about the issue.

Some people online are saying this is an issue as Tennessee statute says a person must be a bona fide member or affiliated with the party in primary elections.

“Where I think it becomes problematic is when you spoke earlier about the bona fide, how legitimate are they? How do you figure that out? The only way you might be able to do that is actually find out if they voted in past primaries and in which one. You could do that, go back to records, but then beyond that, it becomes a gray area,” O’Gorman said.

“In this case, what if there’s no Democratic primary candidate for the office, and there’s only three Republican candidates for, let’s just say, sheriff in some county in Middle Tennessee? If there’s no other candidates except the three Republicans running, no Democrat, then the primary is the election,” O’Gorman said.

In response, the Knox County Republican Party released a statement that this is an effort by Democratic officeholders to influence the outcome of the Republican primary.

O’Gorman does not think that has a high chance of happening.

“I don’t think the Republican Party needs to lose sleep over this, but my guess is that they’re trying to make sure that this is a test case to try to show the legality of this statute,” O’Gorman said.

It happened Sunday, according to a police report obtained by WVLT News. The report says customers told officers Esequiel Lopez-Jiminez had used his phone to take pictures of women throughout the store.

According to the report, officers reviewed security footage and saw him taking pictures of five women. At one point, the report says, Lopez-Jiminez placed his phone under a woman’s skirt and took a picture.

After speaking with Lopez-Jiminez, the report says, he was placed under arrest and charged with five counts of unlawful photographing.

The RSVP initiative will see volunteers working with officers to build relationships with Oak Ridgers who may live alone or have little family support. The goal is to increase community connections like reducing isolation and catching concerns early.

RSVP services will include:

• Reassurance calls and home visits
• Home safety guidance and crime prevention tips
• Referrals to community services
• Emergency contact verification

This program reflects our ongoing commitment to community policing and proactive engagement,” said Oak Ridge Police Department Captain Shannah Newman. “By partnering with dedicated volunteers, we’re able to extend our reach and better serve some of our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Those interested in referring a friend or family member or volunteering are asked to call (865) 425-3511 or visit this website.

BearWise, the national education program dedicated to fostering a safe coexistence between people and black bears, has 45 member states and is administered nationally by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. As a founding member, TWRA oversees BearWise activities throughout Tennessee. Through this partnership, Dollywood Parks & Resorts encourages residents and other businesses to take simple, thoughtful actions—such as removing food and trash from vehicles and locking cars and building doors—that can help protect one of the region’s most cherished resources, the black bear.

“Dollywood taking this initiative to educate visitors from all over will have a lasting impact on not only guests, but the community and black bears current and future,” said Janelle Musser, Asst. Black Bear Program Coordinator of TWRA and Tennessee BearWise.

Guests will soon notice BearWise signs throughout Dollywood properties, each highlighting tips and reminders regarding black bear behavior and how to help protect this treasured resource of the Smokies. As guests later venture into various parts of the Smoky Mountain region, these reminders will guide them should they encounter a black bear. In addition, Dollywood has implemented new proactive policies and procedures to ensure bear attractants remain secure, which will help keep Tennessee’s bears wild.

“At Dollywood, we believe part of our role in this community is teaching people how to enjoy the Smokies safely,” said Jerry King, Dollywood Safety Manager. “Becoming BearWise isn’t just about rules—it’s about understanding bear behavior and making smart choices, like keeping food secured and giving bears plenty of space. Because of the millions of guests who visit our properties each year, we can share the BearWise message with an even broader audience. We hope that if everyone does their part, we can help protect these incredible animals and keeps the mountains a place we all can enjoy for years to come.”

One of the biggest challenges for the TWRA and BearWise Tennessee is the weekly rotation of visitors in the Smoky Mountain Region. Most visitors are here for a very short period and quickly and succinctly providing educational messaging to them is a barrier to success. “With millions of guests each season, Dollywood Parks & Resorts provides an ideal location to promote the BearWise message to visitors and residents of the region,” said Dan Gibbs, Black Bear Program Coordinator of TWRA and Tennessee BearWise.

Always remember that wildlife is a natural part of our environment, and while guests may be tempted, they should never attempt to feed, pet, or approach any wild animals. Enjoying wildlife from a distance keeps both visitors and animals safe.

BearWise education initiatives empower residents, businesses, and visitors to be part of the solution. By working together, the community can help ensure the Smokies remain a safe, welcoming, and thriving place for bears and the millions who visit each year.

For more information about BearWise and the program’s educational efforts, please visit http://bearwise.org.

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