MATCH CENTRAL: Tennessee at Virginia (exhibition)
Courtesy / UT Athleticcs

MATCH CENTRAL: Tennessee at Virginia (exhibition)

The Lady Vols are headed to Charlottesville, Virginia, for the first of two pre-season exhibition matches, squaring off with the Cavaliers in a 7 p.m. ET contest at Klöckner Stadium Wednesday night. 

Live stats and live video will not be available for this exhibition match. Admission for this contest at UVA is free.

NEW FACES: Tennessee added 17 newcomers in its 2024 signing class. 10 newcomers are freshman as seven are transfers with collegiate experience.

BACK AGAIN: The Lady Vols return 13 letterwinners from the 2023 squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

THE LAST MEETING: Tennessee last played Virginia during a regular season matchup on Sept. 12, 2014, falling 2-1 to the eventual NCAA runners-up.

UP NEXT: Tennessee will host UNC Asheville at 1 p.m. Sunday in its final tune up before the season begins when UT goes on the road to Indiana for an 8 p.m. ET contest on Thursday, Aug. 15. 

Knoxville Police Say Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence are Working

Knoxville Police say collaborative efforts to reduce gun violence in the area are paying off.

Officials say “If you look at our numbers year-to-date right now, all fatal and non- fatal are down 33 percent compared to the same time in 2023.” 

Taking a look at historical data, this far into the year, KPD reported a three-year average of 47 non-deadly shooting victims and a five-year average of 45 victims.

 KPD patrols three districts: East, West, and Central. In those areas, KPD selected three microzones that been impacted the most by gun violence over the last five years, upping efforts.

In the East District, a 7 and a half-block microzone located between Martin Luther King Avenue and Chestnut Street has had no shootings in the last 10 months.

The project’s focus is not only on reducing gun violence, but to provide better quality of life by working with other city partners.

Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles Cell Phone Seized by FBI
Official Photo

Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles Cell Phone Seized by FBI

Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles is speaking out after the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized his cell phone.

His phone was taken August 2nd, the day after he beat Courtney Johnston in the U.S. House primary race for District 5.

In a post on X by Ogles yesterday (Tuesday), he says “It is his understanding that the FBI is   investigating the same well-known facts surrounding these filings.”  He says that it’s been widely reported for months that his campaign made mistakes in its initial financial filings and they have worked diligently with attorneys and reporting experts to correct the errors and ensure compliance going forward.

Ogles added that he will be cooperating with the FBI as he claims to have been doing with the Federal Election Commission.

He says he’s confident all involved will conclude that the reporting discrepancies were based on honest mistakes, and nothing more.

Ogles has represented the district since last year which includes Lewis, Maury and Marshall counties and parts of Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties in Middle Tennessee.

As the elected primary Republican candidate, Ogles will now face the unopposed candidate in the Democratic Primary, and three independent candidates.

Amazon Officials Hope to Open East Knoxville Location this Year
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Amazon Officials Hope to Open East Knoxville Location this Year

Amazon hopes to have its second facility in East Tennessee up and running by the end of the year.

Amazon announced it would open a distribution site in East Knoxville on the former site of East Towne Mall in 2021 with plans to open in 2022.

Since then, it has sat empty, but an Amazon spokesperson says internal construction is ongoing and hopes to open before the 2024 holiday season.

However, an opening date has not been finalized.

This will be the second Amazon facility in East Tennessee. A fulfillment center opened in Alcoa last year.

TBI: Crossville Police Department Detective Charged with Assault

TBI: Crossville Police Department Detective Charged with Assault

Cumberland County, TN (WOKI) A detective with the Crossville Police Department is indicted on an assault charge following an investigation.

Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say special agents were asked to investigate an allegation that Detective Tyrel Lorenz assaulted a man after a criminal interview on June 3.

TBI says the investigation found that Lorenz used physical force while arresting the man who was then taken to a local hospital, treated and released.

Lorenz turned himself in Monday, August 5 at the Cumberland County Jail following his indictment on one count of assault; he has since been released pending his next court date.

Crossville Police Department detective charged with assault, TBI says. (Frankly Media)
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Asking for Public Comment on Proposed Fee Increases

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Asking for Public Comment on Proposed Fee Increases

Middlesboro, KY (WOKI) The National Park Service wants your opinion on possible fee changes at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The park is proposing higher fees for things like guided tours, picnic shelter rentals and camping.

Officials say the money you pay will go toward park improvements and future projects.

The park proposes to implement fee increases incrementally over the next three years, as shown in the table below:

Guided ToursCurrent (2024)202520262027
Gap Cave Tour – Adult$8$12$18$24
Gap Cave Tour – Child (5-12)$4$6$9$12
Gap Cave Tour – Interagency Senior/Access Pass$4$6$9$12
Hensley Tour – Adult$10$20$30$40
Hensley Tour – Child$5$10$15$20
Hensley Tour – Interagency Senior/Access Pass$5$10$15$20
Picnic Shelter RentalsCurrent (2024)202520262027
Old Bartlett Park – half dayN/A$25$30$35
Old Bartlett Park – all day$30$50$60$70
Sugar Run – half dayN/A$24$33$42
Sugar Run – all day$30$48$66$84
Lewis Hollow – half dayN/A$24$33$42
Lewis Hollow – all day$30$28$66$84
Campground O4 – half dayN/A$24$33$42
Campground O4 – all day$30$48$66$84
New Bartlett Park – half dayN/A$30$40$50
New Bartlett Park – all day$30$60$80$100
Civic Park – half dayN/A$30$45$60
Civic Park – all day$30$60$90$120
Wilderness Road CampgroundCurrent (2024)202520262027
Non-electric Campsite$18$24$30$30
Non-electric Campsite – Interagency Senior/Access Pass$9$12$15$15
Electric Campsite$24$30$36$46
Electric Campsite – Interagency Senior/Access Pass$12$15$18$23
Group Campsite$39$48$58$68

The park is accepting public comment on the proposed fee increases now through September 4. Following public engagement and National Park Service approval, officials said new fees up to the amounts outlined above could be implemented as soon as October 2024.

Comments can be submitted by email or by mail to: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park / 91 Bartlett Park Road / Middlesboro, KY 40965 / Re: Fee Increase Comment.

NPS officials said fees for guided tours and shelter rentals have not changed in at least 15 years. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Warning of Telephone Scam

Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Warning of Telephone Scam

Loudon County, Tn (WOKI) Authorities in Loudon County are warning citizens of an ongoing telephone scam plaguing the area.

The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office says it is continuing to field calls from citizens regarding phone calls they are receiving from a man claiming to be employed by the Sheriff’s Office. LCSO says the man is “spoofing” his phone number to appear as if he is calling from their non-emergency dispatch number, telling respondents that they owe money and to meet him or they will be arrested.

Officials say neither the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office nor the Lenoir City Police Department will ever call and ask for money.

If you think you are being scammed, LCSO says simply hangup and call the non-emergency dispatch line at 865-458-9081 and ask to speak to a deputy.

LCSO says an unknown man is claiming to be a high ranking member of the Sheriff’s Office. (Courtesy: LCSO)
Sampson Named to Doak Walker Preseason Watch List
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Sampson Named to Doak Walker Preseason Watch List

DALLAS – Tennessee junior running back Dylan Sampson has been named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List, as announced by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Tuesday afternoon.

The award is presented annually to the top running back in college football and is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native makes his first appearance on the esteemed list after a productive 2023 campaign. Sampson ranked second on the team in rushing, recording 106 carries for 604 yards while scoring a team-high seven rushing touchdowns. The junior averaged 5.7 yards per carry, which ranked second on the team and eighth in the SEC. He ranked third on the team in all-purpose yards with 779, adding 17 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown grab.

Last season, he also totaled two 100-yard rushing games against UTSA and No. 17 Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

Off the field, Sampson is a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and a member of the VOLeaders Academy.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced in November, as well. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.

A complete list of Tennessee’s preseason honors can be found below.

2024 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors

John Campbell Jr., OL, R-Sr.
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Nico Iamaleava, QB, R-Fr.
Maxwell Award Watch List

Lance Heard, OL, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)

Cooper Mays, C, Sr.
First-Team All-American (Walter Camp)
First-Team All-SEC (Media)
Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List
Outland Trophy Watch List

Bru McCoy, WR, R-Sr.
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Sr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)

James Pearce Jr., DE, Jr.
First-Team All-American (Athlon, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
First-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media, Phil Steele, Walter Camp)
Walter Camp Award Watch List
Lott Trophy Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Walter Camp Award Watch List

Keenan Pili, LB, Sr.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Jackson Ross, P, So.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)

Dylan Sampson, RB, Jr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Doak Walker Award Watch List

Javontez Spraggins, OL, Sr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Omari Thomas, DL, Sr.
Fourth-Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List

Squirrel White, WR, Jr.
Third-Team All-SEC (Athlon, Phil Steele)

High Rent Prices, Lack of Homes Contributing to Homelessness in Knoxville-Area
Photo courtesy of WVLT

High Rent Prices, Lack of Homes Contributing to Homelessness in Knoxville-Area

The latest data on homelessness in Knoxville suggests that high rent prices and a low number of housing options are contributing to the problem.

The Knoxville Homeless Management Information System is a partnership between the city, the University of Tennessee and the Knoxville Knox County Homeless Coalition. The group tracks homeless data and recently released 2024′s second-quarter numbers.

According to KnoxHMIS, homelessness in the area is on the rise with a reported increase in homeless people from the beginning of this year into the second quarter up over 100 people.

KnoxHMIS tracks those numbers by counting how many people use their homeless services.  42% of the people in Knoxville who cannot find a place to live say there aren’t enough affordable options available.  Rising rent prices are making the problem worse, in 2022, the National Association of Realtors listed the Knoxville market as number one for rent price increases.  On average, over the last five years, 13% of Knoxville’s homeless population who worked with homeless services returned to homelessness after getting permanent housing.

Overall, the group claimed the problem would not be fixed until more and cheaper options became available in and around Knoxville. 

To view the full report, please go to: https://knoxhmis.sworpswebapp.sworps.utk.edu/dashboard/index.html

Campbell County Man Charged with Murder after Body Found Inside Vehicle
Photo courtesy of WVLT

Campbell County Man Charged with Murder after Body Found Inside Vehicle

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says a Campbell County man is charged with murder after a body was found inside a vehicle alongside a road.

62-year-old Audie Green was found dead in a vehicle along Highway 25 West on July 17th.  The TBI investigation determined 33-year-old Joshua Cox had been a passenger in the vehicle and “was the person responsible for Green’s death.”

TBI agents obtained a warrant for Cox, charging him with one count of second-degree murder. He was already being held at Campbell County Jail on unrelated charges.

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