It’s Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country Wristband time!
107.7WIVK is celebrating summer and we are giving you the gifts!
We’re traveling all over East Tennessee Food City’s giving away Dollywood Wristbands for free admission to Dollywood on WIVK Day/Labor Day and Dollywood Splash Country on August 31st or Labor Day, presented by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital!
Download the WIVK APP and listen to the stream to find out what Food City locations and times we will be giving them away!
Dollywood Splash Country wristband distribution rules and guidelines
The Dollywood wristbands are very popular! Each wristband is good for one free admission to Dollywood Splash Country on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 or Monday, September 1st, 2025.
On the date of the wristband distribution, you may arrive at the announced location and get in the wristband cue line. Wristbands will be handed out until the amount of wristbands designated for that distribution date have been given out to WIVK listeners.
The WIVK promotions staff will give out one wristband per person to listeners age 4 & up. (age 3 and under are admitted free to Dollywood). You must be present to receive a wristband.
Dollywood wristband distribution rules and guidelines
The Dollywood wristbands are very popular! Each wristband is good for one free admission to Dollywood Theme Park Splash Country on Monday, September 1st, 2025.
On the date of the wristband distribution, you may arrive at the announced location and get in the wristband cue line. Wristbands will be handed out until the amount of wristbands designated for that distribution date have been given out to WIVK listeners.
The WIVK promotions staff will give out one wristband per person to listeners age 4 & up. (age 3 and under are admitted free to Dollywood). You must be present to receive a wristband.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.
In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).
Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).
Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.
During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).
Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).
In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.
“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.
“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”
The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.
For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.
The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.
Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
A complete copy of these rules can be obtained at the offices of any radio station owned and/or operated by Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. (“Sponsor”) during normal business hours Monday through Friday or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Legal Department.
Sponsor will conduct all Cumulus radio station contests and sweepstakes (“Contests” and “Sweepstakes”), including on-air contests, online and text-based sweepstakes, and contests and sweepstakes conducted through a Cumulus radio station’s social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:
No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, and local regulations apply. Eligibility. This Contest is open only to legal U.S. residents age eighteen (18) years or older at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and who reside in the Station’s Designated Market Area (“DMA”) as defined by Nielsen Audio, who have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days, and whose immediate family members or household members have not won a prize from the station in the last 90 days or a prize valued at $500 or more in the last 180 days. Void where prohibited by law. Individuals age 13 to 17 may be eligible to participate in Contests and Sweepstakes with the approval of a parent or legal guardian, provided that the parent or legal guardian is a legal U.S. resident at least 18 years of age at the time of entry with a valid Social Security number and resides in the Cumulus radio station’s listening area. Unless otherwise specified, Employees of Cumulus Media Holdings Inc., its parent company, affiliates, related entities and subsidiaries, promotional sponsors, prize providers, advertising agencies, other radio stations serving the Station’s DMA, and the immediate family members and household members of all such employees are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family members” includes spouses, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and stepchildren. The term “household members” refers to people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
Contest or Sweepstakes Period. The Contest or Sweepstake will begin and end at the times specified by Sponsor. Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for all Contests and Sweepstakes.
How to Enter. Entry methods for Contest and Sweepstakes will be specified by Sponsor and entries must be received during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period to be eligible. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Sponsor shall not be responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, inappropriate or misdirected entries, all of which will be disqualified. In the event of a dispute as to any entry, the authorized account holder of the email address or telephone number used to enter will be deemed to be the participant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned the telephone number by the wireless carrier or an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Sponsor reserves the right to contact entrants and all other individuals whose email address is submitted as part of a Contest or Sweepstakes. Time Delay Between Over-the-Air Analog Signal and Other Signal Delivery: Due to the time delay that exists between a Cumulus radio station’s analog over-the-air signal and its online webcast, listeners who listen to a Cumulus radio station online may hear Contest or Sweepstakes information or a cue to call later than listeners listening to the station’s analog over-the-air signal. As a result, the odds of an online listener winning a Contest Sweepstakes may be diminished
Winner Selection. Contest and Sweepstakes winners will be determined according to the method specified by Sponsor at Sponsor’s sole and exclusive discretion. The winning entrant will be contacted using the email address and/or telephone number provided with the entry and may be awarded the prize (subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with the terms of these rules or the specific Contest or Sweepstakes rules). Sponsor’s decisions as to the administration and operation of Contests and Sweepstakes and the selection of potential winners is final and binding in all matters related to the Contest or Sweepstakes. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within three (3) days of notification will result in disqualification.
Verification of Potential Winner. POTENTIAL CONTEST AND SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR SWEEPSTAKES. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and/or the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner will be notified by email and/or telephone call, after the date of random drawing. The potential winner will be required to sign and return to sponsor, within three (3) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize, if applicable. A winner who returns the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period will be deemed to have accepted the prize and thereafter will not be permitted to rescind their acceptance of the prize and/or return the prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and/or the liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that the potential winner of a contest or sweepstakes prize is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.
Prizes. Contest and Sweepstakes prizes will be as specified by Sponsor. Winner is responsible for all taxes associated with prize receipt and/or use. Odds of winning a Contest or Sweepstakes prize depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the number of eligible entries received by Sponsor during the Contest or Sweepstakes Period and the number of listeners participating at any given time. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason. For prizes that involve travel, unless otherwise specified, trips must be taken within the stated time periods or will be forfeited, winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary, and winner’s guest must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. Trips are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.
Entry Conditions and Release. By entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules, the Office Rules of the specific Contest or Sweepstakes, and the decisions of Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to any Contest or Sweepstakes; (b) release and hold harmless Sponsor, Cumulus Media Inc., and its subsidiaries, related and affiliated companies, participating sponsors, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest or Sweepstakes, and each of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes and/or entrant’s acceptance, use, non-use or misuse of the prize.
Publicity. Except where prohibited, participation in a Contest or Sweepstakes constitutes winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
Taxes. All State, Local, Federal and or other taxes, duties, tariffs, title fees, licensing fees, or other fees for prizes awarded in any Contest or Sweepstakes become the sole responsibility of the winner. All those who win a prize or prizes valued $600 or more in any given year will be issued an IRS Form 1099 to report their winnings.
General Conditions. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify any Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest or Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of a Contest or Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
Limitations of Liability. The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or Sweepstakes; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest or Sweepstakes; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or Sweepstakes or receipt or use, non-use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest or Sweepstakes, provided that if it is not possible to award another entry due to discontinuance or completion of the Contest or Sweepstakes, or any part of it, for any reason, Sponsor, at its discretion, may elect to hold a random drawing from among all eligible entries received up to the date of discontinuance for any or all of the prizes offered herein. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. In event that production, technical, programming or any other reason causes more than stated number of prizes as set forth in these Official Rules to be available or claimed, Sponsor reserves the right to award only the stated number of prizes by a random drawing among all legitimate, unawarded, eligible prize claims.
Disputes. Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Contest or Sweepstakes or the determination of the winner, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with a Contest or Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate state court located in the entrant’s Cumulus radio station’s listening area; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering a Contest or Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest or Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the state in which the entrant’s Cumulus radio station is located.
Entrant’s Personal Information. Information collected from entrants is subject to Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which is available on every Cumulus radio station’s website under the “Privacy Policy” link. All entry blanks, forms, devices, and materials gathered during the course of entry, as well as all information contained on or within, shall become the sole property of Sponsor to be used, disposed of or destroyed in its sole discretion. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information entered by website users, and assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to a Cumulus radio station website.
Sweepstakes Results. A winners list may be obtained thirty (30) days after the conclusion of a Contest or Sweepstakes by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Sweepstakes Sponsor identified below.
SWEEPSTAKES SPONSOR: CUMULUS MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC., 3280 Peachtree Road, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30305, Attn: Contests and Sweepstakes.
Sevier County, TN – (Friday, August 1, 2025) Multiple law enforcement agencies responded this (Friday) afternoon to a Goose Gap Road residence in Sevier County, TN and arrested 24-year old Arnaldo Gomez Alberto.
Mr. Alberto was wanted on multiple felony warrants stemming from an incident on Franklin Drive in Sevierville on July 26, 2025. Mr. Alberto was able to flee from that incident before officers arrived.
Law enforcement has been looking for Mr. Alberto since the July 26 incident. Information was received earlier today of his possible whereabouts on Goose Gap Road.
SCSO SORT (Special Operations Response Team) deputies, assisted by SPD SWAT officers and PFPD SWAT officers, converged on the residence at approximately 2:06 p.m. (Friday) this afternoon. After a standoff of approximately one-hour and fifteen minutes, Mr. Alberto was taken into custody. The Sevier County Ambulance Service was on standby, however no injuries were reported.
Mr. Alberto has been charged with reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated child abuse, all stemming from the July 26 incident. He was subsequently transported to the aggravated child abuse, for booking.
SPD would like to especially thank SCSO SORT for leading the response on Goose Gap Road, and the assistance provided by PFPD SWAT.
In regard to the July 26 incident, Mr. Alberto allegedly entered a residence on Franklin Drive and threatened a woman and children with a firearm, before fleeing the area.
MADISON COUNTY– Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested a Jackson man Saturday and charged him with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder in connection to the ongoing search for Austin Drummond (DOB 8/31/1996).
At the request of 29th District Attorney General Danny Goodman, TBI special agents began investigating a quadruple murder that occurred Tuesday along Carrington Road in Tiptonville. TBI investigators, in coordination with a variety of local, state, and federal authorities, identified Drummond as a suspect. Agents obtained warrants for Drummond charging him in connection with the murders. Further investigation revealed that Drummond’s associate, Giovonte Thomas (DOB 3/24/1996), assisted Drummond.
Saturday, agents obtained warrants charging Thomas with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder. Thomas was already being held in the Madison County Jail on an unrelated charge for Failure to Appear. He will be transferred to the Lake County Jail to be arraigned on the new charges.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
At the time of this release, Drummond remained at large. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or 1-800-TBI-FIND.
UPDATE:
Tanaka Brown (DOB 11/17/1995) now also faces one count of Tampering with Evidence.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED.
MADISON COUNTY– Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrested a Jackson man Friday and charged him with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder in connection to the ongoing search for Austin Drummond (DOB 8/31/1996).
At the request of 29th District Attorney General Danny Goodman, TBI special agents began investigating a quadruple murder that occurred Tuesday along Carrington Road in Tiptonville. TBI investigators, in coordination with a variety of local, state, and federal authorities, identified Drummond as a suspect. Agents obtained warrants for Drummond charging him in connection with the murders. Further investigation revealed that Drummond’s associate, Tanaka Brown (DOB 11/17/1995), assisted Drummond.
Friday, agents obtained warrants charging Brown with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder. Brown was booked into the Lake County Jail where he remains with out bond.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
At the time of this release, Drummond remained at large. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or 1-800-TBI-FIND.
UPDATE: The U.S. Marshals Office is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Austin Drummond.
TBI UPDATE 8/2/25: Investigators searching for Austin Drummond have been wanting to locate this 1988 white Ford pickup truck with a red stripe. That truck has been located near Burnt Mill Rd. in Dyer County.
UPDATE: Investigators searching for Austin Drummond have been wanting to locate this 1988 white Ford pickup truck with a red stripe.
That truck has been located near Burnt Mill Rd. in Dyer County.
We are now asking anyone in the area with cameras to review your footage from Tuesday morning to see if you spot Drummond or this truck.
Have a tip? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND!
PREVIOUSLY POSTED:
LAKE COUNTY – Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, in coordination with a variety of local, state, and federal authorities, have identified a suspect charged in connection with a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville.
TBI Agents obtained warrants for Austin Robert Drummond (DOB 8/31/96), charging him with four counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Kidnapping, four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and one count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony. At this time, Drummond remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to call 731-415-7962, 731-333-0811, or 1-800-TBI-FIND.
At the request of 29th District Attorney General Danny Goodman, TBI special agents, began investigating the crime that occurred Tuesday along Carrington Road in Tiptonville.
The deceased have been identified as:
James M. Wilson, 21
James M. Wilson,20
Cortney Rose, 38
Braydon Williams, 15
Agencies working alongside the TBI in this case include the Tiptonville Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Jackson Police Department, the Crockett County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
8/3/2025 Update: US 441/Newfound Gap Road is now open on the North Carolina side of the park between Cherokee and Newfound Gap. Visitors are welcome to drive this section of the road, but must turn around at the Newfound Gap Overlook. Visitors can access Kuwohi from the North Carolina side.
US 441/Newfound Gap Road remains closed to all traffic between Sugarlands and Newfound Gap due to the landslide event. Please follow signage and do not enter any closed areas.
GATLINBURG, TN US441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed until further notice due to road damage.
Late on August 1, the park responded to reports of a landslide event on Newfound Gap Road between mile marker 12 and 13 on the Tennessee side of the park (south of Alum Cave trailhead). Heavy rainfall caused Walker Camp Prong to swell and undermine part of the roadway.
The National Park Service, in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, is currently assessing the structural integrity of the damaged section of the roadway. The affected area spans approximately 100 feet and has significantly undercut nearly the entire width of the southbound lane.
Travelers planning to travel between North Carolina and Tennessee are advised to use Interstate 40 as an alternative route.
The park is preparing for a partial road reopening on the North Carolina side of the park from Oconaluftee to Newfound Gap, early next week. This partial reopening will allow visitors to access Kuwohi from the North Carolina side of the park.
For the latest updates on road conditions and park information, please visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park current conditions webpage or social media platforms.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Volunteers donned shoulder pads for the first time this fall as Tennessee football took Haslam Field Saturday morning for practice No. 3 of preseason training camp. After practice, linebackers coach William Inge spoke to local media about his unit’s progression through the first three on-field sessions of camp.
The second-year assistant has a veteran tandem in Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, and the room has leaned on their experience and leadership in preparation for the season opener – four weeks from Saturday when the Vols take on Syracuse at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 30.
“We’re always teaching leadership,” Inge said about his returning starters from 2024. “From a leadership standpoint, (Carter and Telander) have evolved into being better leaders. Most of the time that’s going to happen with what you have to do with your actions and what you have to do, what you call sweat equity, the work that you put in around your teammates because everyone is going to see that.
“If you have great actions, everyone is going to be able to follow you. Luckily those guys can act and speak about it, so what you’re seeing is a culmination of some of those things that have happened over the last year and a half or two years for them.”
Inge has been pleased with the depth of the room and the acclimation of three true freshman linebackers in Brenden Anes, Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte. Anes was a full participant during 2025 spring practice, while Harmon and Perlotte are seeing their first on-field action this fall after recovering from offseason procedures.
“We’ve been very pleased with the depth that we have in the room thus far and when it comes to the younger backers,” Inge said. “Primarily from Jadon Perlotte, Jaedon Harmon – who were not here in the spring – it’s been a pleasant surprise to see those guys, probably from number one, a preparation standpoint, but also from a skills standpoint, seeing the things they can bring to the table. It’s been really good. And then, you throw in Brenden Anes, who actually got to be here during the winter period, in the bowl prep and in the spring. It just adds to the depth and to the competition in the room.”
Full comments from Inge’s media availability can be viewed below. The Vols return to the Anderson Training Center Sunday morning for the fourth practice of fall camp.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 2, 2025
On what he’s seen out of the younger linebackers… “We’ve been very pleased with the depth that we have in the room thus far and when it comes to the younger backers, primarily from Jadon Perlotte, Jaedon Harmon – who were not here in the spring – it’s been a pleasant surprise to see those guys, probably from number one, a preparation standpoint, but also from a skills standpoint, seeing the things they can bring to the table. It’s been really good and then you throw in Brenden Anes, who actually got to be here during the winter period, in the bowl prep and in the spring. It just adds to the depth and to the competition in the room.”
On Arion Carter’s work ethic and growth… “I think that what you see, he’s been probably consistent. It’s still been the same scenario. When you come here in the morning, he’ll be the first one here. (If) you come here at night, he’ll be the last one leaving. And now, I think from a leadership standpoint, what he’s done has really turned into the player-led organization part of the program where he’s making sure the rest of the guys are doing some of those same things. So, it’s not just him dealing with the linebackers, but him also dealing with the secondary, the D-Line, the O-Line and just his communication that he has around the guys on the team. That’s what you want when you take the next step in leadership. He’s also doing the same thing. We talk all the time where, ‘in order for you to be a dominant linebacker or dominant player that is known, it is about leadership and production, and he is producing on the field as well.'”
On Arion Carter’s and Jeremiah Telander’s leadership qualities… “Those are the things that we teach, and we talk daily about. The one thing that we’re teaching and preaching, and from my perspective leading, is we’re always teaching leadership. From a leadership standpoint, they have evolved into being better leaders. Most of the time that’s going to happen with what you have to do with your actions and what you have to do, what you call sweat equity, the work that you put in around your teammates because everyone is going to see that. You can be a very good leader with you having to say nothing, but you happen to have great actions. If you have great actions, everyone is going to be able to follow you. Luckily those guys can act and speak about, so that’s what you’re seeing is a culmination of some of those things that have happened over the last year and a half or two years for them.”
On how he saw Jadon Perlotte and Jaeden Harmon handle being out during the spring and how he saw them maximize everything they were doing mentally… “Some of that is for sure the things that I have to be able to do because you don’t know for sure what their level of preparation is, what their level of teaching was kind of beforehand. You could think about what it may be, but I’ve definitely been pleased. From a preparation standpoint, to see the work that they put in to make sure they’re right, you can see immediately Jaedon Harmon, he got under the wing of Arion Carter. It could not have been any better. To see (Jadon) Perlotte somehow matriculate to be somehow under the wing of (Jeremiah) Telander. It’s something I didn’t really have to push to see Perlotte and Brenden Anes get under Telander because they are both playing the MIKE (middle linebacker) positions. Seeing them, I think their biggest asset has been their level of preparation. I told them in the spring, you are not getting the physical rep, but you have to get the mental rep. So, whenever we go to walkthroughs or practices, there are some things we would look at one-on-one. Just seeing them understand how it applied now that they have had the opportunity to do some of those things, you can see they are learning double just in the four practices now that they have had a chance to experience it. With them, you do something good, I tell them, keep it in a jar. So, when it comes out again, you can remember it. If it is something that wasn’t so good, ‘hey, let’s throw it out and remember it needs to be this.’ They’ve been very good with the correction phase.”
On what has allowed him to stack up talent in the linebacker room… “Recruiting is a constant process. The one thing I want to do in my room is to have the very best platform for everyone to be able to go in and play. I tell them, if you are prepared and you understand how not to beat yourself, you will have a chance to play. Something I take a lot of pride in, for me from a coaching standpoint, is putting our players in positions where they all can play. That’s what I tell them in the recruiting process. If you do what you are supposed to do, you are going to have a chance to play. That’s what we want to be able to do. That’s our job now that you have a brand in that Power T, which is the mighty icon of the SEC. You can go into any home and sell them the vision that is very real. And it’s a real vision, because when they push play, they see it. They see it and our reputation, it really destroys our past.”
On Edwin Spillman’s growth, and the expectations for his role this season… “Edwin would be what you would call, ‘the monster of the room’ because he doesn’t have to speak a lot, because you have Arion (Carter) and (Jeremiah) Telander there. But, when he does speak, he is very active, and he is someone who is, literally, biting the heels off of those guys when it comes to his performance, his actions, his leadership and his trust level. So, he is someone that we have a high regard for when it comes to putting him on the football field.”
On how he handles coaching a room with both veteran experience and youth… “Well, we tell them, ‘the life that you’re going to be in is like drinking from a firehose.’ But also, I want to make sure that you know – even though some of the guys like Arion (Carter) and (Jeremiah) Telander have playing experience, I keep the heat turned up on them as well so that they don’t know that they’re an experienced player. What I’m able to do is give them level 300 questions to some of the situations and I can give level 100 questions to some of the younger players and bring them along slowly but surely. And luckily, as we have time and you endure the growth process, everyone still gets matriculated into the same system and same teachings. So, that is something that we’ve done with our process, is a lot of times with the young guys, I do get a lot of time with our young guys, specifically only them, so that I can bring them along. We also bring in the older guys, the veterans that have played before, so they can get with them and bring them along. That’s how you become player led. That’s our mission, to make sure that the separation isn’t so far between the players that don’t have a lot of playing experience combined with the players that do have a lot of playing experience because, in our system and in the world that we live in, young guys don’t have time to be young.”
On the resemblance of some of the younger players to the likes Carter and Telander… “Absolutely. When you talk about seeing flashes, holy smokes. Let’s just say with (Jadon) Perlotte, I have to keep a rope on him because he is the one where you have to say, ‘woah’ instead of ‘sic ’em.’ When the ball is snapped, he goes at 150 miles per hour, all the time. (Jaedon) Harmon is your quiet leader. He’ll be so prepared, and he knows and understands everything that is going on. He is like a slither as he finds his way around and he’s always around the football. That’s exactly what you want and what we’ve seen the last couple of days.”
On the next step for Carter and Telander as players and where they need to grow this season… “I think, just for them, being consistent at the point of attack. That is our number one mission. When you’re at the point of attack, you have to be able to make your play. That’s been our main sight now, is getting to the point of attack, and now, let’s not just make the tackle, let’s create a takeaway. That’s how you take the next step.”
On what will set Edwin Spillman apart this season… “His ability to attack. He’s the combination of both Arion (Carter), with his speed and physicality, and (Jeremiah) Telander, with his ability to run through a wall. If you had a brick wall up, he’s like the Incredible Hulk, because he is going through the wall. That’s what we love about Edwin. And that’s why he’s going to continue to keep on rising. He’s like yeast, every day he gets better, he gets taller, he gets bigger, everything that you want out of a player. It’s a blessing to have him on our football team.”
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Tennessee place kicker Max Gilbert was named to the 2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List on Friday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
An in-state product from Memphis, Gilbert connected on 20-of-26 field goals and was a perfect 54-of-54 on PATs in 2024. He totaled 114 points, which ranked sixth in UT single-season history. His tally was fourth among all players in the SEC.
Gilbert hit on 3-of-6 field goals from 50 or more yards with a career-high 52-yarder against Georgia.
The strong-legged kicker was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week last season after connecting on all three of his field goal attempts and both PATs, including a long of 41 yards in his SEC debut on the road at No. 15 Oklahoma.
He then garnered Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” following a 4-for-4 day against Mississippi State.
The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 18th. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 25th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Friday, December 12th, during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 34th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 8th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors Head Coach Josh Heupel Dodd Trophy Watch List
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So. Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr. Butkus Award Watch List Second Team All-SEC (Athlon) Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So. Third Team All-SEC (Media) Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr. Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr. Jim Thorpe Award Watch List Nagurski Trophy Watch List Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Walter Camp) First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr. Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Tennessee Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kim Caldwell shared her program’s non-conference schedule on Friday, and nine of the Lady Vols’ opponents saw postseason play in 2024-25, including four teams ranked in ESPN’s 2025-26 “Way Too Early” Top 25.
Among them are 2025 NCAA Final Four participants UConn and UCLA. The defending champion Huskies are No. 2 in ESPN’s preseason poll, while UCLA is No. 3, and UT will face both on the road. The Big Orange women also face No. 9 NC State in the season opener and No. 17 Louisville at the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic in neutral site contests in Greensboro, N.C. and Brooklyn, N.Y., respectively.
“Including our conference opponents, our schedule includes the top six teams and 10 of the top 20-ranked programs in the early preseason polls,” Caldwell said. “We have our work cut out for us, but I believe our challenging non-conference opponents will better prepare us for what we’re going to see in the Southeastern Conference.
“We’re a little out of balance in terms of home and away ranked opponents, and that’s something that takes some time to even out. We’ll continue to work on it going forward, but I think this year it will allow us to really test our players and get them ready for conference play.”
After facing three in-state non-league opponents a year ago, Tennessee will face four this season, including Belmont and East Tennessee State at home and Middle Tennessee State and UT Martin on the road. The Lady Vols will travel to Belmont and host MTSU in 2026-27.
Including previously announced SEC opponents, UT is guaranteed to play 14 of its 28 total contests vs. teams making last year’s NCAA field. The total of foes seeing postseason action rises to 20 when including those who competed in the 2025 WBIT and WNIT events.
Including SEC games, ten match-ups for the Big Orange in 2025-26 will be against teams ranked in the ESPN Way-Too-Early preseason poll. Among them are home tilts vs. No. 4 Texas and No. 17 Vanderbilt, road contests at No. 1 South Carolina, No. 2 UConn, No. 3 UCLA, No. 5 LSU, No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 13 Ole Miss, and neutral site battles with No. 9 NC State and No. 17 Louisville. Season tickets are available now at AllVols.com.
The Lady Vols take the floor for their first contest on Oct. 29, as Columbus State (Ga.) comes to Knoxville for an exhibition. The Lady Vols then begin the regular season vs. No. 9 NC State in the Battle of the ‘Boro on Nov. 4 before returning to Food City Center to welcome East Tennessee State for the home opener on Nov. 7. Caldwell’s club appears at home twice more during the month vs. Belmont on Nov. 13 and against Coppin State on Nov. 23, and it plays at UT Martin on Nov. 9, Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 20 and No. 3 UCLA on Nov. 30.
December begins with the second game of a West Coast swing at Stanford as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge on Dec. 3, followed by Winthrop at home on Dec. 14, vs. No. 17 Louisville at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 20 and then Southern Indiana at Food City Center on Dec. 22 to close out the 2025 portion of the schedule. A trip to face UConn concludes the non-conference slate of games on Feb. 1, with the contest slated to be held at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.
Columbus State – Exhibition Game (Oct. 29)
This is the first meeting between UT and CSU.
The Cougars compete at the NCAA Division II level and made the Southeast Regional Round of 32 last season.
CSU was 21-9 in 2024-25 and 14-4 in the Peach Belt Conference.
Vs. NC. State in Greensboro, N.C. (Nov. 4)
NC State is ranked No. 9 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This marks the 17th meeting between these programs.
Tennessee leads the series, 12-4.
The teams last met on March 25, 2024, when the Wolfpack prevailed, 79-72, in the NCAA Second Round in Raleigh.
NC State finished 28-7, tied for the ACC regular-season title at 16-2 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season.
East Tennessee State (Nov. 7)
This marks the 29th meeting between these schools in women’s basketball.
UT leads the all-time series, 25-2-1, and has won the past 23 times they’ve met.
The teams last met in Knoxville on Dec. 20, 2021, with the Lady Vols winning, 112-58.
The Buccaneers finished 17-13 a year ago, finishing 8-6 in the Southern Conference.
At UT Martin (Nov. 9)
This marks the 18th meeting between these teams
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 15-2
The teams last met on Nov. 7, 2024, with the Lady Vols prevailing, 90-50.
The Skyhawks finished 13-19 a year ago, including 10-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Belmont (Nov. 13)
This marks the 12th meeting between these programs.
The Bruins lead the all-time series, 6-5.
The teams last met on March 21, 2022, with UT getting a late Sara Puckett trey to hold on, 70-67, in the NCAA Second Round in Knoxville.
Belmont was 26-13 overall and 15-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season.
BU advanced to the WBIT Championship game before falling to Minnesota, 75-63.
At Middle Tennessee (Nov. 20)
This is the 25th meeting between these programs
UT is 23-1 all-time vs. Middle Tennessee
The Lady Vols claimed an 89-75 victory over the Blue Raiders in the last meeting on Nov. 12, 2024, in Knoxville.
MTSU was 26-9 a year ago, tying for first in Conference USA at 16-2.
The Blue Raiders fell in the WBIT First Round to Belmont.
Coppin State (Nov. 23)
This will mark the first-ever meeting between these programs.
CSU is located in Baltimore and is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
The Eagles are coached by Darrell Mosley, who is in his first season after serving as an assistant coach and then associate head coach at Arizona State since 2022.
Coppin State finished 19-15 overall and 8-6 in the MEAC in 2024-25.
CSU advanced to the second round of the WNIT before bowing out.
At UCLA (Nov. 30)
UCLA is ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This will mark the 22nd meeting between these programs.
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 18-3.
The last meeting occurred on Nov. 20, 2022, when the Bruins claimed an 80-63 victory over the Lady Vols in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.
UCLA went 34-3 overall and finished second in the Big Ten last season at 16-2.
The Bruins advanced to their first-ever NCAA Final Four in 2025, falling to UConn in the semifinals, 85-51.
At Stanford (Dec. 3)
This will be the 40th meeting between these programs.
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 25-14.
The teams last met on Dec. 18, 2022, with the No. 2-ranked Cardinal prevailing, 77-70.
Stanford finished 16-15 overall and 8-10 in ACC play a year ago.
SU missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament but appeared in the WBIT before falling in the first round to Portland.
Winthrop (Dec. 14)
This is the seventh meeting between Tennessee and Winthrop.
UT holds a 4-2 advantage in the series.
The teams last met on Dec. 29, 2024, with the Lady Vols racing to a 114-50 victory.
Winthrop finished 16-15 last season, including 9-7 in the Big South.
LVFL Semeka Randall Lay has led the Eagles since 2020-21.
Vs. Louisville in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Dec. 20)
Louisville is ranked No. 17 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This will mark the sixth meeting between the Lady Vols and Cardinals.
UL holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.
Louisville defeated UT, 76-64, in Wichita, Kan., on March 26, 2022, in the NCAA Sweet 16 the last time these squads met.
The Cardinals finished 22-11 a year ago, including 13-5 in the ACC.
UL fell in the 2025 NCAA Second Round at TCU.
Southern Indiana (Dec. 22)
This will mark the first meeting between these programs.
Southern Indiana is coached by Rick Stein.
USI went 23-13, including 12-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference, last season.
The Eagles advanced to the second round of the 2025 WNIT.
Last season, Southern Indiana lost a 67-63 heart-breaker at Indiana on Dec. 4.
At UConn (Feb. 1)
Ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This will mark the 28th meeting between Tennessee and UConn.
The Huskies hold a 17-10 all-time series lead.
No. 19/17 Tennessee won last year’s contest, 80-76, in Knoxville over No. 5 UConn to end a four-game losing skid in the series.
The Huskies finished 37-3 overall and 18-0 a year ago to capture the BIG EAST Conference crown.
After losing at UT, the Huskies won their last 16 games of the season to claim the 2025 NCAA Championship.
Overton County, TN (WOKI) A joint investigation is underway after a body is found Thursday in a burning refrigerator on the side of a road in Middle Tennessee.
Officials with the Overton County Sheriff’s Office say deputies responded to a report of a refrigerator on fire on the side of Sunk Cane Road in the early morning hours of Thursday.
Upon arrival, deputies found a body in the burning refrigerator.
Detectives and agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also responded to the scene.
The body has been sent to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy, and the TBI has collected the refrigerator and taken it to its Nashville lab.
Anyone with information is asked to please call the TBI or the OCSO.
Deputies responded to a report of a refrigerator on fire on the side of Sunk Cane Road in the early morning hours of Thursday. (Courtesy: TBI)
Oliver Springs, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: A man is facing several charges after police in Oliver Springs, with the assistance of the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad, confirm the presence of homemade explosives in his vehicle.
Officials with the Oliver Springs Police Department say that just after midnight Friday, officers were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store at 574 East Tri County Blvd.
They found the driver, 35-year-old Wesley Hobby of Thorn Hill, unconscious and partially hanging out of the driver’s side door; he was taken into custody.
According to court records, officers noticed several containers of alcohol.
While searching the vehicle, officers also discovered two homemade cylindrical explosive devices which were subsequently rendered safe by the bomb squad.
Hobby has been charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.
ORIGINAL STORY: A man in Oliver Springs is facing charges after police say they found suspected explosives in his car.
Officials with the Oliver Springs Police Department say that just after midnight today (Friday), officers were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store at 574 East Tri County Blvd.
When they found the driver was unconscious and partially hanging out of the driver’s side door and was taken into custody.
While searching the vehicle officers discovered two possible explosive devices, prompting them to call in the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad to assess and neutralize the devices.
Investigators say that a 35-year-old man from Thorn Hill is charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a hoax explosive device.
Nashville, TN (WVLT) The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced the opening of the TN Promise Application for the high school graduating class of 2026.
TN Promise provides high school graduates the opportunity to attend college tuition-free. Students can use this scholarship at any of Tennessee’s community colleges or Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT,) said THEC.
This year’s application is also the entry point for a new initiative called Tennessee’s Direct Admissions Pilot Program, which automatically accepts eligible high school seniors into in-state public and private universities, as well as TCAT, according to THEC.
THEC said “In partnership with tnAchieves and The Ayers Foundation Trust, TN Promise supports students not only financially, but with built-in mentoring and support to help them navigate the transition from high school to college.”
Last year’s TN Promise application cycle welcomed a record-breaking number of class applicants, according to THEC.
“Tennessee Promise has helped more than 250,000 Tennessee students access college over the past ten years,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC executive director. “We are excited that the class of 2026 will have the opportunity to not just benefit from this program but to break last year’s application record. We and our partners remain committed to helping students take the first step toward earning a college credential.”
Students can now apply here. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announces the opening of the TN Promise Application for the high school graduating class of 2026. (Courtesy: WVLT / WVJC)
