Knox County Schools Bans 65 More Books from Libraries Under State Law

Knox County Schools Bans 65 More Books from Libraries Under State Law

Posted on May 22, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WVLT – WOKI) More than 100 books are now prohibited from library shelves in Knox County Schools.

Last July, Knox County’s board of education passed a policy to remove “explicit” books from everyday student access in response to Tennessee’s new Age-Appropriate Materials Act. Specifically, KCS’s policy bans books that “contain nudity or descriptions or depictions of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence or sadomasochistic abuse.”

At the time, state legislators said removing the books is all about keeping parents’ voices heard across state school districts, giving them more power to opt their children out of instruction that isn’t in line with their values.

A list of books banned from school libraries obtained by WVLT News shows a total of 113 books that are banned. That includes the 48 books which were banned back in December.

School districts statewide are updating their libraries to comply with the new law. The number of books removed has greatly varied with some removing hundreds of book and others only removing a select few.

These are the 65 books KCS has removed from library shelves:

  • This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron Aceves
  • Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • The Haters by Jesse Andrews
  • Damsel by Elana Arnold
  • Red Hood by Elana Arnold
  • What Girls Are Made Of by Elana Arnold
  • The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood
  • Forever by Judy Blume
  • A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
  • This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender
  • Solo Leveling Vol. 1 by Chugong
  • The Little Black Book for Girlz by St. Stephen’s Community House
  • Flamer by Mike Curato
  • Life Is Funny by E.R. Frank
  • The Handsome Girl and Her Beautiful Boy by B.T. Gottfried
  • The Nerdy and the Dirty by B.T. Gottfried
  • Boys I Know by Anna Gracia
  • Welcome to St. Hell by Lewis Hancox
  • Crank by Ellen Hopkins
  • People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins
  • Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
  • Rumble by Ellen Hopkins
  • Smoke by Ellen Hopkins
  • The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins
  • Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
  • I Never by Laura Hopper
  • We Are The Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
  • The Weight of Blood by Tiffany Jackson
  • The Almost Moon by Alice Jebold
  • All Boys Aren’t Blue by George Johnson
  • milk and honey by Rupi Kaur
  • the sun and her flowers by Rupi Kaur
  • Naruto Vol. 1 by Masashi Kishimoto
  • Blood Lad, Vol. 1 by Yuuki Kodama
  • The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
  • A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo
  • A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  • A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
  • House of Sky & Breath by Sarah J. Maas
  • Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
  • The League of Super Feminists by Minon Malle
  • The Dark Knight Strikes Again by Frank Miller
  • Exit Here by Jason Myers
  • Shine by Lauren Myracle
  • Like A Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
  • Breathless by Jennifer Niven
  • Olympians: Artemis – Wild Goddess of the Hunt by George O’Connor
  • Asking For It by Louise O’Neill
  • Eyewitness Books: Mammals by Steve Parker
  • Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera
  • Normal People by Sally Rooney
  • Cherry by Lindsey Rosin
  • Push by Sapphire
  • Lucky by Alice Sebold
  • Jesus Land by Julia Shears
  • Inu-Yasha Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahasi
  • Dragon Ball Vols. 1-2-3 by Akira Toriyama
  • Dragon Ball Vols. 4-5-6 by Akira Toriyama
  • Dragon Ball Vols. 7-8-9 by Akira Toriyama
  • The Merciless by Danielle Vega
  • Hell Followed With Us by Andrew White
  • Dr. Xargle’s Book of Earthlets by Jeanne Willis

Earlier this school year, KCS removed the following books:

  • Me, Earl & The Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie 
  • Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
  • Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony 
  • 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher 
  • Girls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller 
  • There’s Going to Be a Baby by John Burningham 
  • Draw Me A Star by Eric Carle 
  • Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
  • A Stolen Life by Jaycee Duggar 
  • The Carnival of Bray by JessieAnn Foley 
  • In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gimwitz
  • Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green 
  • Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
  • Locke and Key: Alpha and Omega by Joe Hill
  • Locke and Key: Clockworks by Joe Hill 
  • Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill
  • Identical by Ellen Hopkins 
  • Tricks by Ellen Hopkins 
  • The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 
  • Attack on Titan Vol. 2 by Hajime Isayama 
  • Grown by Tiffany Jackson 
  • DUFF by Kody Keplinger 
  • The Walking Dead: Book Ten by Robert Kirkman
  • Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe 
  • Monstress Vol. 2: the Blood by Marjorie Liu 
  • Late Night at the Telegraph Club by Malina Lo 
  • Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas 
  • Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
  • The Way We Work by David Macaulay
  • Wicked by Gregory Maguire 
  • Sold by Patricia Morrison
  • The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 
  • Skin by DonnaJo Napoli 
  • Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
  • Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick 
  • Beautiful by Amy Reed
  • Mrs. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – Graphic Novel by Ransom Riggs
  • You: The Owner’s Manual for Teens by Michael Roizen
  • I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez 
  • In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak 
  • A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein 
  • The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater 
  • Blankets by Craig Thompson
  • Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall 
  • Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut 
  • Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT

Joe McHale to be Sworn in as Knoxville Police Deputy Deputy Chief
KPD

Joe McHale to be Sworn in as Knoxville Police Deputy Deputy Chief

Posted on May 22, 2025

The Knoxville Police Department will host the swearing-in ceremony for Deputy Chief Joe McHale on Thursday, May 22. The ceremony will be held at the Sevier Heights North Campus, located at 3446 Lake Crossing Lane, at 4 p.m. Deputy Chief McHale joins the KPD with over 30 years of law enforcement experience and will serve as the Chief of the Investigations Bureau. 

Former Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Major and Marion, Iowa Chief of Police Joe McHale is set to join the KPD as a Deputy Chief.

On Monday, Chief Paul Noel announced that McHale will join the department to fill the upcoming vacancy left by Deputy Chief Tony Willis, who announced his intentions to retire effective June 1, 2025.

Deputy Chief Willis has been with the Knoxville Police Department for 29 years, serving in a variety of capacities over the time. He was promoted to Deputy Chief in January 2023, overseeing the Field Operations Bureau and Investigations Bureau at various junctures during his tenure as Deputy Chief. Prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief, Willis served in numerous command roles, including as the East District Commander, West District Commander and as a Captain within the Investigations Bureau, where he served as the Tennessee ICAC Task Force Commander.

“Tony has unmatched passion for the job and has remained committed to getting the most violent and dangerous individuals off of the street throughout his career,” Chief Paul Noel said. “I am extremely grateful to him for his nearly three decades of service to our department and community. He was a valued member of our leadership team, and we will greatly miss his presence, experience, and insights.”

McHale will step into the Deputy Chief role with the KPD after spending the past six years as a Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR). IIR provides training, technical assistance and subject-matter expert guidance for law enforcement agencies all across the country. In his role at IIR, McHale specialized in violence reduction strategies. In November 2024, McHale was awarded the Chairman of the Board’s Award for Excellence, the highest recognition given to one IIR employee annually.

Prior to joining IIR, McHale served as the Chief of Police in Marion, Iowa from 2016-19. He was appointed to that position after a 25-year career with the Kansas City Police Department, where he retired as a Major and the Commander of the East Patrol Division.

“You rarely have the opportunity to hire someone with Chief McHale’s depth of experience and expertise,” said Chief Noel. “His executive leadership background, along with his recent work assisting departments across the country in implementing best practices to reduce crime and build community trust, will be invaluable and immediately elevate our department.”

During his time in Kansas City, McHale helped spearhead KCPD’s violence reduction and focused deterrence efforts, which in 2014 contributed to the largest reduction of homicides and the lowest total number of homicides since 1972.

“I am deeply honored and excited to join the Knoxville Police Department as Deputy Chief,” McHale said. “I am eager to serve the Knoxville community and work alongside the dedicated men and women of the KPD. My initial priority will be to engage directly with citizens and civic leaders to understand their public safety priorities. While I bring 29 years of prior law enforcement experience to the role, I recognize I am joining one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the Southeast. I am confident that together, we can build upon the KPD’s already exceptional reputation and further enhance the safety and well-being of all Knoxville residents.”

Tentatively, McHale is expected to officially start with KPD in late April. He will be assigned as the Deputy Chief over the Investigations Bureau, overseeing all of the investigative functions of the department.

“Although there are many highly qualified internal candidates, this was a rare opportunity to bring in someone with Chief McHale’s exceptional background, experience, and skill set,” said Chief Noel. “Chief McHale understands our mission and vision for the future, and I am confident he will be an outstanding addition to our agency.”

White Named Athletic Director of the Year by Sports Business Journal
Courtesy / UT Athletics

White Named Athletic Director of the Year by Sports Business Journal

Posted on May 22, 2025

First UT AD to be named SBJ’s AD of the Year

Danny White, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at the University of Tennessee, was named Athletic Director of the Year by Sports Business Journal. The award was presented to him at the Sports Business Awards in New York City on Wednesday evening.

White is the first Athletics Director at the University of Tennessee to receive this prestigious accolade.

“Danny’s impact on our campus and in the changing world of intercollegiate athletics has been transformational, and I am thrilled for his leadership to be recognized as the SBJ Athletic Director of the Year,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “Danny sets the tone with his competitive drive, strategic approach and problem-solving mindset, and has built an incredible team of athletics administrators committed to supporting student-athletes and winning with integrity. The culture he has built at Tennessee is truly special.”

White and his father, Kevin, are the first father-son duo to win the SBJ Athletic Director of the Year award. Kevin received this honor in 2014 during his tenure at Duke.

Since arriving at Rocky Top in 2021, White has revitalized Tennessee Athletics, bringing it back to national prominence.

The momentum at Rocky Top reached a historic high in 2023-24, as Tennessee Athletics achieved its best year ever. It became one of only two Power Five schools to qualify all its teams for postseason play, marking the first time in UT history that this has occurred.

The across-the-board success helped Tennessee earn a third-place finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings, its best mark ever, and its third straight SEC All-Sports Trophy. Tennessee became the second school to win three consecutive SEC All-Sports titles.

Before White’s arrival, Tennessee had never won the SEC All-Sports Trophy or finished in the top five of the Directors’ Cup.

Eleven sports finished in the top 10, with six in the top five in 2023-24. The banner year concluded with the baseball team winning its first national championship, the 24th team crown in Tennessee history, and the first since 2009.

In 2024, Tennessee became the only school in the nation to appear in the College Football Playoff, Elite 8, and College World Series.

During the 2024-25 academic year, Tennessee is the only university with its football program competing in the College Football Playoff, while both its men’s and women’s basketball teams advanced to the Sweet 16. Additionally, Tennessee’s men’s basketball team reached the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season, marking the first time in school history that the team has made back-to-back appearances in the Elite Eight.

Tennessee is well-positioned to have all 20 of its sports teams reach the postseason for the second consecutive year. If successful, it would be the only Power Four school in the nation to achieve this feat for two straight seasons.

Since arriving on Rocky Top, White has spearheaded an unprecedented budget growth of nearly $100 million off the field.

For fiscal year 2024, Tennessee Athletics had $234,058,790 in total operating revenue. This new high watermark in UT Athletics history, eclipsing last year’s record total of just over $202 million, was $234 million.

The historic total was due to impressive levels of self-generated income for Tennessee Athletics. Ticket sales increased over 16 percent from $39.7 million in FY 2023 to $46.6 million in FY 2024. It marked the best year of ticket revenue in Tennessee Athletics history. The top two years of ticket revenue on Rocky Top have occurred over the last two fiscal years.

Contributions soared to new levels for the third straight year, with $72.7 million coming in FY 2024. It marks a staggering increase of 233 percent since FY 2021. 

White has made substantial investments in Tennessee’s athletics facilities, including the modernization of two iconic venues: Neyland Stadium and Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The budget for Phase 1 of the Neyland Stadium renovation is $337 million, while the total budget for the Lindsey Nelson Stadium project exceeds $100 million.

White and his leadership team partnered with Pilot, designating it as the presenting partner of the $337 million Neyland Stadium renovation project, which commenced in 2022. Additionally, Pilot became the official travel stop for Tennessee athletics. In 2023, Tennessee secured a 10-year naming rights deal worth $20 million with Food City, which resulted in rebranding the school’s long-standing basketball home to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.

UT is undertaking major renovations and additions to six venues: Neyland Stadium, Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, Anderson Training Center, Food City Center, and the Neyland Entertainment District.

Sports Business Journal Athletic Director of the Year (2000-2025)

2000 — Lew Perkins, University of Connecticut

2001 — Ted Leland, Stanford University

2002 — Bob Bowlsby, University of Iowa

2003 — Andy Geiger, Ohio State University

2004 — Eric Hyman, Texas Christian University

2005 — DeLoss Dodds, University of Texas

2006 — Jeremy Foley, University of Florida

2007 — Tom Jurich, University of Louisville

2008 — Ron Wellman, Wake Forest University

2009 — Joe Castiglione, University of Oklahoma

2010 — Gene Smith, Ohio State University

2011 — DeLoss Dodds, University of Texas

2012 — Mark Hollis, Michigan State University

2013 — Mal Moore, University of Alabama

2014 — Kevin White, Duke University

2015 — Jeff Long, University of Arkansas

2016 — Gene Smith, Ohio State University

2017 — Dan Radakovich, Clemson University

2018 — Jim Phillips, Northwestern University

2019 — Mitch Barnhart, University of Kentucky

2020 — Scott Stricklin, University of Florida

2021 — Mack Rhoades, Baylor University

2022 — Sandy Barbour, Penn State University

2023 — J.D. Wicker, San Diego State University

2024 – Chris Del Conte, University of Texas

2025 – Danny White, University of Tennessee

#14/21 Vols Explode for 15 Runs in SEC Tournament Opening Win vs. #15/23 Alabama
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#14/21 Vols Explode for 15 Runs in SEC Tournament Opening Win vs. #15/23 Alabama

Posted on May 22, 2025

HOOVER, Ala. – No. 14/21 Tennessee put on a hitting clinic during Wednesday’s 15-10 victory over No. 15/23 Alabama in the second round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met.

The Volunteers finished with a season-high 20 hits, 16 of which were singles, as they kept constant pressure on the Crimson Tide throughout the afternoon.

Seven different players finished with multiple hits for UT, including three-hit days from Andrew Fischer, Levi Clark and Cannon Peebles.

Reese Chapman was one of four Vols with two hits and led the team with four RBIs after a two-run single in the sixth inning and a two-run homer in the eighth.

Tennessee (42-15) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with runs in the first and second innings before pulling ahead 5-1 with a three-spot in the bottom of the fourth.

Alabama (41-16) took advantage of a costly error and scored five unearned runs in the top of the fifth to take its only lead of the day at 6-5. That advantage was short lived, however,  as the Big Orange knotted the game back up at six with an RBI single by Peebles in the bottom of the inning before exploding for five runs of their own in the sixth.

UT added four more runs in the eighth to blow the game wide open, including Chapman’s 12th long ball of the year.

Pitching Highlights

The Vols’ fast start was aided by some strong pitching from Marcus Phillips, who retired the first nine batters he faced to cruise through the opening three frames. The junior righthander finished with five strikeouts and allowed just one earned run in four innings of work.

AJ Russell earned his second victory in as many appearances with 3.2 solid innings of relief, allowing two earned runs on four hits while racking up five punchouts.

Hits, Lots of Hits

Tennessee’s 20 hits were tied for its second most ever in an SEC Tournament and the most by any team in the tournament since Georgia had 22 against South Carolina in 2006. The Vols also had 20 hits against Vanderbilt in the 1994 SEC Tournament. The program record is 23 against Mississippi State in 1983.

Up Next

The eighth-seeded Vols will take on top-seed Texas in Thursday’s quarterfinals. First pitch between the Vols and Longhorns is set for 4 p.m. (ET) on the SEC Network.

East Tennessee Saw at Least Two Tornadoes, National Weather Service Says

East Tennessee Saw at Least Two Tornadoes, National Weather Service Says

Posted on May 21, 2025

Oliver Springs, TN (WOKI) East Tennessee saw at least two tornadoes touchdown Tuesday night.

National Weather Service officials Wednesday confirming damage in the Oliver Springs area is consistent with an EF-0 or EF-1 tornado, with wind speeds around 100 mph. They say the twister was around 100 yards wide and tracked along Old Harriman Highway between Blair Road and Whaley Road for about half a mile.

A second tornado, an EF-1 in south Cumberland County, was also confirmed by the NWS; officials say it touched down along Vandever Road and caused downed trees and minor damage to homes. Its path was nearly five miles with wind speeds peaking at around 105 mph.

East Tennessee saw at least two tornadoes Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service. (Courtesy: WVLT)
McGhee Tyson Airport Adding Direct Flights to Memphis, Key West

McGhee Tyson Airport Adding Direct Flights to Memphis, Key West

Posted on May 21, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Visiting Memphis or Key West, Florida from Knoxville just got easy!

Officials with McGhee Tyson Airport announcing Wednesday that nonstop service to Memphis and Key West is slated to begin in the fall.

Allegiant Airlines will be taking passengers to the two new stops. According to the airline’s website, a ticket to Memphis sits at around $63 and a ticket to Key West hovers around $66.

Flights to Memphis begin September 4 and flights to Key West start October 3.

Airport representatives made the announcement Wednesday, saying nonstop service would head to Memphis and Key West. (McGhee Tyson Airport / Source: Google Earth)
Oak Ridge Police Officer Resigns after Being Charged with Domestic Assault, City Confirms

Oak Ridge Police Officer Resigns after Being Charged with Domestic Assault, City Confirms

Posted on May 21, 2025

Oak Ridge, TN (WOKI) An Oak Ridge Police Department officer resigns after being charged in a domestic assault case involving his estranged wife.

City officials confirming Officer William Cranmore resigned Tuesday following a charge of misdemeanor domestic assault in connection to a May 17 incident at a home on Oak Ridge Highway.

According to charging documents, deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home and found Cranmore, who was in an argument with his wife about their upcoming divorce.

Police say the victim reported that “things got heated and [Cranmore] got aggressive,” adding that she had redness and swelling on her face.

City officials say Cranmore began at the Oak Ridge Police Department as a Public Safety Dispatcher Trainee on July 26, 2021. He first began serving as an officer on Nov. 28, 2024.

Former officer William Cranmore was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault in the incident, officials say. (Courtesy: Anderson County Sheriff’s Office)
City of Knoxville Pools to Open Memorial Day Weekend
City of Knoxville

City of Knoxville Pools to Open Memorial Day Weekend

Posted on May 21, 2025

Knoxville’s two city-run pools are set to open this week as the weather turns warmer, offering everyone a way to cool off over the summer.

The city has two pools: Inskip Pool on Bruhin Road and Ed Cothren Pool on Reynolds Street. Both will open Saturday.

Pool hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission is $5, but the city offers Splash Passes for frequent visits.

As for the pools themselves, Ed Cothren Pool offers a diving board, ramp, baby pool, concession stand and covered areas. Inskip Pool includes a high dive, two low dives, a wading pool, a volleyball court and covered pavilions.

Both pools are surrounded by parks as well.

The city is also looking for lifeguards and water safety instructors; those interested can email [email protected] to learn more.

Pannell, Pickens Earn Softball America All-America Honors
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Pannell, Pickens Earn Softball America All-America Honors

Posted on May 21, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball standouts Karlyn Pickens and Taylor Pannell have been named to the Softball America First Team All-America list, the organization announced Tuesday. Pickens was also selected as Softball America’s 2025 National Pitcher of the Year.
 
Pickens, a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, leads the nation with a 0.90 ERA and holds a 22-8 record in the circle. The right-hander has recorded a career-best 252 strikeouts over 186.1 innings while limiting opposing batters to a .168 average. In 37 appearances—including 27 starts—she has tossed 20 complete games and six shutouts.
 
The Weaverville, North Carolina, native is now a five-time All-American, including a consensus first-team selection in 2024 and D1Softball Freshman All-American honors in 2023. This marks her first national pitcher of the year award.
 
Pannell, a native of Milan, Illinois, enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, setting career highs in nearly every offensive category. She hit .399 with 65 hits, 51 runs scored, 11 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, and 62 RBIs. She also posted a .502 on-base percentage, .767 slugging percentage, 33 walks, and nine stolen bases.
 
A two-time All-SEC First Team honoree, Pannell was named to the NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region First Team for the first time last week. This is her first career All-America honor.
 
The Lady Vols continue postseason play this weekend, hosting Nebraska in the Knoxville Super Regional, May 23-25.

I-40 in Roane County Reopens after Crash Following High Speed Chase with THP
TDOT Smartway Camera

I-40 in Roane County Reopens after Crash Following High Speed Chase with THP

Posted on May 21, 2025

Authorities are investigating after a high-speed at chase on I 40.

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers say they tried to pull a driver over yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) but that driver sped away.

THP says the driver was going more than 130 miles per hour at times attempting to pass traffic on the shoulder.

The driver lost control and rolled over several times eventually ending up on its side.

The driver 29-year-old Elijah Clark had active warrants out of Georgia for possession and felony evading arrest. He was taken into custody. 

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner