Monroe County, TN (WOKI) The case against a Monroe County murder suspect at the center of a nationwide manhunt last year has been bound over to a grand jury.
Nicholas Wayne Hamlett appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing where an arraignment in criminal court was scheduled for September 15.
Hamlett is accused of killing 34-year-old Steven Douglas Lloyd last October in Tellico Plains. Police determined Hamlett planted the stolen ID of one Brandon Kristopher Andrade on Lloyd’s body after placing a 911 call posing as an injured hiker by that name as part of an elaborate plan to evade police capture.
Police found Lloyd’s body near the Charles Hall Bridge on the Cherohala Skyway.
A manhunt ensued for nearly a month before Hamlett was taken into custody in Columbia, South Carolina in early November.
Nicholas Wayne Hamlett is accused of killing Steven Lloyd in Tellico Plains last October. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville, TN (WVLT) Several news media companies from across the U.S. have sued the State of Tennessee over a new law they say makes it harder to report the news. Included in the lawsuit are Gray Media, WVLT’s parent company, and the companies who own other Knoxville outlets like WBIR, WATE and the Knoxville News Sentinel.
The law in question went into effect on July 1 this year after being enacted in May. It makes it a misdemeanor to get within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer “engaged in the execution of official duties.”
It applies across a wide variety of responses, whether that be a traffic stop, an active investigation or even just when they are engaged in “an ongoing immediate threat to public safety.”
The law prevents reporters, or members of the public, from approaching an officer who is actively working, even if they have no intention of getting involved with or preventing the policing act. The vague wording of the law, the suit says, creates another barrier for journalists trying to report on law enforcement activities.
“The Act grants officers standardless discretion to prevent journalists from approaching near enough to document the way officers perform their duties in public places,” the lawsuit says. “In other words, it provides for ‘government by the moment-to-moment opinions of a policeman on his beat.’”
The act has a lot of implications for news gatherers in the Volunteer State. The vaguely-outlined actions of an officer could apply to high-stakes criminal investigations, but could just as easily apply to more common events like rallies, general arrests or public events like UT football games.
“[T]he Act provides no exceptions for circumstances where 25 feet is too far—as it will often be too far—for the press or public to document newsworthy activity, including officers’ own performance of their official responsibilities,” the lawsuit says.
The complaint, obtained by WVLT News, specifically calls out the state safety and homeland security department’s commissioner, Jeff Long, Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk and John Drake, the chief of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Along with Gray, Knoxville-operating companies Gannett (the Knoxville News Sentinel and Oak Ridger), Nexstar Media Group (WATE) and TEGNA (WBIR) filed the lawsuit. They’re asking that the court declare the law unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Click here to read more on the specifics of the lawsuit.
Knoxville news media owners sue over Tennessee law limiting reporting. (Credit: Frankly Media)
White Pine, TN (WOKI) Multiple dogs and puppies are removed from a White Pine home and two people are taken into custody.
Animal control and White Pine Police rescued four dogs and eight puppies from an abusive home at 1310 Tabitha Street Monday, July 28.
Officers responded to the home for a possible code violation and looked inside and saw dogs with no access to food or water.
The home itself did not have electricity or running water at the time.
The animals’ owners, 21-year-old Brooklyn Noonkesser and 25-year-old Makenzie Blake, were contacted and charged with cruelty to animals.
The animals were taken to animal shelters.
The animals’ owners — 21-year-old Brooklyn Noonkesser and 25-year-old Makenzie Blake — were contacted and charged with cruelty to animals, police said. (Courtesy: White Pine Police Department)
DALLAS – Tennessee defensive standout Jermod McCoy was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list on Tuesday.
The junior cornerback was one of 60 players included on the award’s preseason watch list, which identifies the top defensive players in college football as contenders for the national defensive player of the year.
McCoy had a breakout sophomore season in 2024 and played a major part for one of the nation’s top defensive units, helping lead UT to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
The Whitehouse, Texas, native, enters the year widely regarded as one of the nation’s top corners after earning first team All-SEC recognition as well as second team All-America honors from the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated last season. McCoy finished third on the team with 44 total tackles and led the team with 13 passes defended, which ranked fourth in the conference. He also tied for the team lead with four interceptions in 2024, two of which occurred in the end zone and prevented touchdowns.
Entering this season, McCoy had already been recognized as a first-team preseason All-American by multiple outlets and was named an All-SEC preseason first-team selection by the media after being tabbed a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2024.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on December 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The full Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list can be found HERE.
UPDATE (7/29/25): Stephen Goins is in custody after getting into a gunfight with a McMinn County Sheriff’s Office deputy in Riceville, according to Sheriff Joe Guy.
It happened around 8:30 p.m. Monday, Guy said, when Corporal Nathan Stiles responded to a “shots fired” call he was told about while at the Dollar General store. Guy said that when Stiles arrived on the scene, a home on Highway 11, the suspect began firing at him.
“Corporal Stiles announced several times that he was with the sheriff’s office, but nevertheless, Goins pointed a silver revolver at him and fired at my officer. Corporal Stiles then retreated and fired back at Goins in self-defense as Goins fled into the residence,” Guy said. “Luckily, neither the suspect nor our deputy was struck. Additional officers arrived at the scene as the suspect was taken into custody and the suspect is now at the McMinn County Jail.”
The 44-year-old suspect was charged with attempted first degree murder, resisting arrest and weapons charges.
The shooting is under investigation, Guy said.
Original Story: An investigation is underway and a suspect is in custody after getting into a gunfight with a McMinn County Sheriff’s Office deputy in Riceville.
Sheriff Joe Guy says it happened last night (monday) when the deputy responded to a “shots fired” call. Guy says that when the deputy arrived on the scene, the suspect began firing at them with the deputy returning fire as the suspect retreated into a residence.
Neither the suspect or the deputy were struck.
Additional officers arrived at the scene as the suspect was taken into custody.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statements after their bipartisan bill to provide relief for impacted taxpayers in states that have issued state-level disaster declarations was signed into law by President Trump. The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Actallows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to postpone filing deadlines for taxpayers affected by state-declared natural disasters, instead of only presidentially-declared federal disasters. This law ensures that those impacted by fires, floods, and storms get the tax relief they need.
“The last thing Tennesseans should have to worry about when a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene strikes is meeting a tax-filing deadline,” said Senator Blackburn. “Now that President Trump has signed our bipartisan Tax Relief for Natural Disasters Act into law, Americans impacted by natural disasters will have the flexibility to focus on recovery, not tax paperwork.”
“When a natural disaster strikes, hard-hit families looking for tax relief shouldn’t have to wait for the federal government to act,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This commonsense bill will ensure that taxpayers who have been through state emergencies can get the flexibility from the IRS that they deserve while recovering.”
This legislation was co-sponsored by
Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statements after theirbipartisan bill to provide relief for impacted taxpayers in states that have issued state-level disaster declarations was signed into law by President Trump. The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Actallows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to postpone filing deadlines for taxpayers affected by state-declared natural disasters, instead of only presidentially-declared federal disasters. This law ensures that those impacted by fires, floods, and storms get the tax relief they need.
“The last thing Tennesseans should have to worry about when a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene strikes is meeting a tax-filing deadline,” said Senator Blackburn. “Now that President Trump has signed our bipartisan Tax Relief for Natural Disasters Act into law, Americans impacted by natural disasters will have the flexibility to focus on recovery, not tax paperwork.”
“When a natural disaster strikes, hard-hit families looking for tax relief shouldn’t have to wait for the federal government to act,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This commonsense bill will ensure that taxpayers who have been through state emergencies can get the flexibility from the IRS that they deserve while recovering.”
This legislation was co-sponsored by Senators John Kennedy (R-La.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
THE FILING RELIEF FOR NATURAL DISASTERS ACT
The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act allows the governor of a state or territory to extend a federal tax filing deadline in the event of a state-declared emergency or disaster, which happens automatically for federally-declared disasters. Extending this authority to states gives them the ability to provide relief independent of the federal government’s involvement in an emergency or natural disaster.
This law expands the mandatory federal filing extension from 60 days to 120 days.
Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) led the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
(D-Md.).
THE FILING RELIEF FOR NATURAL DISASTERS ACT
The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act allows the governor of a state or territory to extend a federal tax filing deadline in the event of a state-declared emergency or disaster, which happens automatically for federally-declared disasters. Extending this authority to states gives them the ability to provide relief independent of the federal government’s involvement in an emergency or natural disaster.
This law expands the mandatory federal filing extension from 60 days to 120 days.
Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) led the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
KNOXVILLE, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT) – The Red Sand Project kicked off in Tennessee on July 28. The movement shares the message of no one slipping through the cracks, working to bring awareness to human trafficking.
The Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking works here in East Tennessee to spread education around trafficking as well as provide resources for survivors of human trafficking.
“Trafficking happens when there is a relationship involved, there’s a lot of trust and sometimes there’s a lot of love to it too,” Makinzi Greener with CCAHT said. “So, the biggest misconception is that ‘stranger danger’ and snatch-and-grab somebody off the streets, but we know that trafficking thrives on manipulation and isolation and so really when that relationship is involved, you’re going to see it more often.”
Multiple events across East Tennessee are taking place to pour red sand into sidewalk cracks to show the symbolism of the message.
Grainger County:
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, July 30
Grainger County Courthouse
Blount County:
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, July 30
United Way of Blount County
Claiborne County:
3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30
Walters State Community College
1325 Claiborne Street
Information regarding human trafficking resources can be found here.
Grow Free TN Hotline:(865) 292-0285
Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline:(865)-558-6484
BROOKINGS, S.D. – A new 11-display centerhung system graces Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., as Daktronics has partnered with the University of Tennessee to design, manufacture and install a total of 24 LED displays. When basketball returns to the third-largest on-campus basketball arena for the 2025-26 season, the new system will be in place and ready to inform and entertain fans at every event.
“An essential part of our partnership with Food City is the chance to reinvest in the fan experience, and the upgrades to the video boards are nothing short of impressive,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “We are proud to have the most dedicated fan base in all of sports, and we are unwavering in our commitment to continually elevate their experience.”
Centerhung Display Details Four main video displays each measure nearly 15 feet high by 24.5 feet wide. Four corner wedge displays fit between the main displays for a seamless experience. Each of those displays measures nearly 15 feet high by 5 feet wide. The main displays are each capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or multiple zones of live video, instant replays, statistics, game information, graphics, animations and sponsorship messages.
Below the main displays, a ring display measures more than 3 feet high by 103 feet in circumference. This provides supplemental graphics and information to the main displays. On the underside of the centerhung, two displays are angled toward the sidelines to appeal to those people sitting closer to the court. Each underbelly display measures nearly 6 feet high by 20 feet wide. All centerhung displays feature 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing.
“The University of Tennessee is on the cutting edge of innovative trends in collegiate athletics, so continuing the Daktronics partnership is a natural progression of maximizing the fan experience and providing a massive home court advantage,” Daktronics regional sales manager Josh Francois said.
Additional Display Details Each corner of the arena features a corner board, four in total, to bring additional views of replays, stats and messaging. Each measures nearly 11 feet high by 18 feet wide and features a 5.9-millimeter pixel spacing.
Circling the seating bowl, a 360-degree ribbon display is mounted to the seating fascia. This display measures approximately 2.5 feet high by nearly 880 feet in length and features a 10-millimter pixel spacing. Along the sidelines, 6 scorers tables can be organized in any configuration to meet the needs of the university. Four display measure roughly 2.5 feet high by 10 feet wide while 2 measure 2.5 feet high by 6.5 feet wide. All six feature 3.9-millimeter pixel spacing. These displays deliver additional sponsorship opportunities while also delivering supplemental game information and graphics.
Outside the arena, two marquee displays welcome fans and guests. Each measures 9.5 feet high by 25.5 feet wide and features 10-millimeter pixel spacing. These versatile displays can be used to promote upcoming events, show live games, entice fans with classic highlights and provide many other messaging opportunities for the university.
Daktronics has grown with the sports industry from the company’s beginnings in 1968. Today, the company has LED video display installations at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States. For more information on what Daktronics can provide for the collegiate market, visit www.daktronics.com/college.
About University of Tennessee Founded Sept. 10, 1794, in Knoxville, Tenn., as Blount College, the University of Tennessee began playing sports in 1891. Over the last century-plus, Tennessee has developed into one of the nation’s premier athletic departments. Home to the Volunteers and Lady Volunteers, all clad in the University’s distinguished and recognizable Big Orange, UT has produced 24 team national championships, nearly 200 individual national championships and well over 200 conference titles. Tennessee student-athletes excel not only in the competition venue, but also in the classroom and the community.
About Food City Center The prolific Tennessee basketball programs, which own a combined 48 SEC titles, compete in Food City Center. The facility, which opened in 1987, was rebranded in 2023 as part of a multi-year naming-rights agreement with longtime Tennessee Athletics corporate champion Food City. Numerous renovations, including the new state-of-the-art centerhung, were an integral component of the partnership.
About Daktronics Daktronics helps its customers to impact their audiences throughout the world with large-format LED video displays, message displays, scoreboards, digital billboards, audio systems and control systems in sport, business and transportation applications. Founded in 1968 as a USA-based manufacturing company, Daktronics has grown into the world leader in audiovisual systems and implementation with offices around the globe. Discover more at http://www.daktronics.com/.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: An 18-year-old is facing several charges following a head-on collision Sunday in Halls that sent a Knox County deputy to the hospital.
KCSO officials say Deputy Kirchner and his probationary officer were responding to reports of a fight at the Halls Ingles when the cruiser collided with a separate vehicle head-on, around 10:00 p.m. Sunday.
Kirchner was taken to the hospital; his condition has not been released. The probationary officer did not require treatment.
The driver of the other vehicle, 18-year-old Cameron Lee Branson, also sustained injuries in the crash. He has been charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, seat belt violation, underage consumption and two vehicular assaults by DUI.
ORIGINAL STORY: An investigation is underway after a Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy and his Probationary Officer are involved in a serious traffic incident in the Halls area.
The officer’s vehicle was struck head-on last night (Sunday) by another vehicle during the course of their duties when the two were responding to an active fight call in the Ingles in Halls’ parking lot.
The deputy was taken to the hospital and his condition has not been released. The probationary officer did not require treatment.
Sheriff Tom Spangler stated, “Our deputies put their lives on the line daily to keep our communities safe. We are grateful for the swift response from emergency services and will provide all necessary support to our injured deputy and their family during this time.”
The other vehicle involved in the crash was driven by a man who also sustained injuries but his condition has not been released.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Crews with the Knoxville Fire Department Monday stopped what could have turned into a house fire on Sutherland Avenue.
KFD officials say crews responded around 11:30 a.m. to a boarded-up home at 2795 Sutherland Avenue after receiving a call that smoke was coming from the residence.
KFD reports “crews entered the home quickly and found that copper wires were being burned in the front room”, adding that “the wires had been placed in a fireplace, but they extended into the room because of the mass of cables.”
KFD crews were able to extinguish the fire rapidly, and the building sustained only minor damage.
No injuries were reported; however, KFD is asking anyone with information about what happened to call the Fire Investigation Unit at 865-637-1386. Callers can remain anonymous.
Knoxville firefighters stop possible house fire, KFD says. (Courtesy: KFD)
