Knoxville Man Sentenced to Death in Christian-Newsom Murders to Appear in Court, Asking for Reduced Sentence
WVLT

Knoxville Man Sentenced to Death in Christian-Newsom Murders to Appear in Court, Asking for Reduced Sentence

Posted on June 25, 2025

UPDATE: It’s been 18 years since 21 year-old Channon Christian and 23 year-old Christopher Newsom were murdered in Knoxville after police say they were kidnapped after a carjacking.

Lemaricus Davidson was one of the five people convicted of the murders and was given the death penalty.

Davidson appeared yesterday (Wednesday) morning in Knox County court asking for a reduced sentence.

His hearing for relief took just over an hour, with the presiding judge saying he’d have a decision within 60 days.

Original Story: It’s been 18 years since 21 year-old Channon Christian and 23 year-old Christopher Newsom were murdered in Knoxville after police say they were kidnapped after a carjacking.

Lemaricus Davidson was one of the five people convicted of the murders and was given the death penalty. He will appear in Knox County court today (Wednesday) , he’s asking for a reduced sentence. Davidson will appear in Knox County court today (Wednesday) at 9 a.m.

“It’s supposed to be through, done. Give him a date,” said Channon’s dad, Gary Christian.

Christian said that spending day after day in court weighed heavily on this family in the midst of grieving.

“I wanted to kill all of them. Period. Didn’t care how, didn’t care when, just wanted to do it,” said Christian.

While Christian said the last 18 years have been a struggle, he’s gained peace by focusing on his wife, son and grandchildren. He’s working to remember the good times he had with his daughter, as he continues to fight for justice for both Channon and Christopher.

“I’ve already won. They’re never going to hurt you; they’re never going to hurt your children; they’re never going to hurt her children, my grandchildren. They’re never going to hurt anybody else,” said Christian.

Chris Newsom and Channon Christian
Knoxville City Council Approves Proposed Sales Tax Increase Sending it to the Election Ballot in November

Knoxville City Council Approves Proposed Sales Tax Increase Sending it to the Election Ballot in November

Posted on June 25, 2025

Knoxville City Council approves the second reading of Mayor Indya Kincannon’s proposed sales tax increase.

Kincannon’s proposal is for a half-percent increase to the Local Option Sales Tax, which is a tax that allows local municipalities, like cities, to charge their own sales tax on top of the 7% that Tennessee already charges statewide.

The increase would put the city’s rate at 2.75% and Kincannon says this would generate an additional $47 million a year for quality-of-life amenities to all neighborhoods and relieve the strain on public infrastructure.

It would go towards the Five-Year Neighborhood Investment Plan, which prioritizes the following:

  • Sidewalks within one-mile of schools (Parental Responsibility Zones, or PRZ), impacting neighborhoods surrounding nearly half the schools in the city
  • Repairs to existing greenways, facilities and parks
  • Increasing road paving
  • 1,000 affordable housing units

During last (Tuesday) night’s meeting, members voted in favor of putting the Local Option Sales Tax referendum, exempt the retail sale of food and food ingredients, on the ballot this November.

POSSIBLE DROWNING INCIDENT AT AUGUSTA QUARRY SEARCH UPDATE
City of Knoxville

POSSIBLE DROWNING INCIDENT AT AUGUSTA QUARRY SEARCH UPDATE

Posted on June 25, 2025

KNOXVILLE, TN – After more than 80 hours of searching for a reported drowning victim in South Knoxville, the Knoxville Fire Department is scaling back recovery efforts.

The search was launched Saturday, June 14, at approximately 8:54 p.m., when emergency crews responded to reports of a possible drowning at Augusta Quarry, located within Fort Dickerson Park.

Since that time, the Knoxville Fire Department has led a comprehensive and coordinated search effort in collaboration with the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Blount County Rescue Squad. Over the course of more than 80 hours, teams have used a combination of advanced underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), surface boats, sonar technology, and shoreline sweeps in an effort to locate the missing individual.

Despite these exhaustive efforts, no victim has been located.

The Knoxville Police Department has also been actively involved, conducting an ongoing investigation into the reported incident and working closely with fire and rescue personnel to support all facets of the operation.

“We remain dedicated to doing everything we can to bring resolution to this situation,” said Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks. “We’re extremely grateful to our partner agencies and especially to the Knoxville Police Department for their continued investigative efforts. The collaboration among all teams involved has been critical during this challenging operation.”

The Knoxville Fire Department will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate the appropriate next steps in coordination with all responding agencies. Further updates will be shared as they become available.

Missing 19-Year-Old from Monroe County Found in Georgia, Sheriff Says

Missing 19-Year-Old from Monroe County Found in Georgia, Sheriff Says

Posted on June 24, 2025

Monroe County, TN (WOKI) The young man at the center of a weeks-long missing person search out of Monroe County has now been found.

Officials with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office say 19-year-old Caden Long was found safe and sound Monday in Georgia.

Long was last seen on Saturday, June 7. Law enforcement had expressed concern for his safety as Long has Autism and may have required assistance to get home.

Caden Long, 19 (Courtesy: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)
Knoxville Man Beats Man with Plunger, Covers Him in Bleach and Kidnaps Child, Police Report Says

Knoxville Man Beats Man with Plunger, Covers Him in Bleach and Kidnaps Child, Police Report Says

Posted on June 24, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man is facing a slew of charges after police say he beat a man, stripped him naked, covered him in bleach, then kidnapped the man’s child.

According to charging documents, 19-year-old Charles Coffman is charged with aggravated kidnapping, attempted second degree murder, tampering with evidence and theft in connection to Sunday’s incident at 1200 Mercer Street.

A detective conducting a wellness check reportedly found the victim in the bathroom, naked and with serious head injuries and determined that a 3-year-old child and a Ford Expedition were both gone.

Both Coffman and the child were later found inside the car in Sevierville.

Charging documents indicate that when police interviewed Coffman, he told them he had been asked by the child’s mother to take an Uber to the home and pick her up.

“Once there, [Coffman said] he got into a physical fight with the victim,” the report said. “[Coffman said] he slammed the victim into the ground, struck him in the face multiple times with his fists, struck [the victim] with a toilet plunger and stuffed this plunger into the victim’s mouth. [Coffman] also admitted to dragging the victim into the bathroom, stripping him naked, and pouring bleach on the victim’s wounds.”

Police also got ahold of the child’s mother, who said she had never spoken to Coffman, the report said. Police said she told them she’d never allow Coffman to take custody of the child.

The man Coffman was accused of beating was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Charles Dakota Coffman, 19 (Courtesy: JIMS)

TVA Asks KUB Customers to Reduce Power Use

TVA Asks KUB Customers to Reduce Power Use

Posted on June 24, 2025

Power supplies are tightening as conditions create greater energy demand

Knoxville, TN – The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has alerted KUB that its power supply is experiencing an increased demand caused by extremely high temperatures. TVA has alerted KUB and other local power companies that increased conservation efforts are necessary to extend the available power supply and avoid service interruptions.

“We appreciate our customers joining us in these steps to reduce the strain on TVA’s grid,” Gabriel J. Bolas, president and CEO of KUB, said. “While this is a precautionary measure, it can have a big impact as we work to meet the demand for electricity.”

KUB customers are asked to take the following measures:

  • Raise your thermostat as safely and comfortably as possible.
  • Postpone using large electrical appliances such as dishwashers, dryers, and cooking equipment. If you do need to use large appliances, use them early in the morning or late at night when electricity demand is lower.
  • Businesses should minimize lighting and turn off all office equipment that is not in use or necessary.
  • Eliminate all non-essential use of electricity, such as decorative indoor and outdoor lighting used for hallways, walkways, and home patios.

Customers are encouraged to visit KUB’s website at www.kub.org for updates and tips to conserve energy.

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KUB provides more than 501,000 customers in Knoxville and parts of seven surrounding counties with safe and reliable electric, fiber, natural gas, wastewater treatment, and water services.

Monroe County Officer Fired and Arrested after Hiding Contraband in Bible to Give to Inmates, Three Inmates also Arrested
WVLT

Monroe County Officer Fired and Arrested after Hiding Contraband in Bible to Give to Inmates, Three Inmates also Arrested

Posted on June 24, 2025

A corrections officer in Monroe County is fired and arrested after Sheriff Tommy Jones says he hid contraband in a Bible to give to several inmates in the jail.

On Saturday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office transition coordinator told Jones about a Bible that had been given to him to take to a specific inmate and some type of illicit drugs were concealed within the book,” which resulted in an investigation being launched. The drug found inside the Bible was Suboxone. 

Joshua Duncan, who was on duty, was terminated and arrested and charged with conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility.

Three inmates at the jail were also charged with conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal facility: Timothy Albert Fields, Gregory Ray Cathey and Steven Stone Costner, Jr.

Additional charges are pending for all involved.

Ordinance Approved for Knox County Sheriff’s Office to Take Over Juvenile Detention Center
WVLT

Ordinance Approved for Knox County Sheriff’s Office to Take Over Juvenile Detention Center

Posted on June 24, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of our news partner WVLT) – Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs touched on the county’s juvenile detention center last week, outlining his hopes for immediate next steps in the county’s takeover.

The latest shakeup at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center came to light at the end of May, when Jacobs said he’d learned the center’s director, Richard L. Bean, had fired two employees who had tried to report problems to the state.

“Obviously this is a very serious matter, compounded by the fact that one of the employees is the center’s only nurse,” Jacobs said.


The mayor has been campaigning for a county takeover at the juvenile center, specifically putting it in the hands of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. In Friday’s update, Jacobs said he had proposed an emergency ordinance for the Knox County Commission to discuss.

That ordinance would dissolve the current leadership at the center and replace it with a committee made up of four commissioners and one juvenile court appointee. That would be a temporary system, the mayor said, while the sheriff’s office prepares to take over permanently.

On Monday night, the Knox County Commission passed Jacobs’ proposal that now transfers tasks KCSO with running the center. KCSO will take over in January 2026, while the center transitions in leadership. This agreement is set to expire in August 2026, with the possibility of deputies still being in charge of the facility.

Commissioners Damon Rawls, Shane Jackson, Larsen Jay, and Terry Hill will be on the board that helps oversee the center.

“I would like to thank Mr. Bean for his decades of service to Knox County youth,” Jacobs said. “Despite recent issues, he laid a solid foundation from which to build. We should remember that this is a tough space. Compared to similar facilities around the state, ours is one of the better ones. Also, thank you to Sheriff Tom Spangler for taking on this challenge. The sheriff is under no constitutional obligation to do this. He’s doing it for the good of our community, and I appreciate that more than I can say.”

“Today’s vote is a meaningful step forward. I want to thank Commission for recognizing the importance of a thoughtful transition that prioritizes stability for both the youth and the staff,” said Mayor Jacobs. “I’m grateful to the sheriff’s office and the folks on my team who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Now, the real work begins,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs in response to Monday night’s vote.

Previous Coverage: Tennessee representative: Knox County Sheriff’s Office shouldn’t run Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center

That being said, some have been outspoken against the sheriff’s office takeover. Specifically, state lawmakers who spoke to WVLT like Rep. Gloria Johnson.

West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in Knox County; Spraying Scheduled
Pexels

West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquitoes in Knox County; Spraying Scheduled

Posted on June 24, 2025

Knoxville, Tenn. –The Knox County Health Department has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquitoes during routine surveillance of the Milligan Street area of East Knoxville.

In response, KCHD will spray the area on Wednesday (June 25) from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., weather permitting, to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of WNV spreading to humans. Residents are encouraged to stay inside during this time with pets brought inside or kept in the backyard.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people do not develop symptoms, but some may experience fever, headache, body aches, or rash. Severe illness is rare but can occur, especially in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.

To reduce the risk of contracting WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases, KCHD recommends:

  • Drain standing water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. Remove water from kid toys, flowerpots, gutters, buckets, etc.
  • Use insect repellent: Apply EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus when outdoors.  
  • Dress to protect: Wear long sleeves and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Roads to be treated:

N Cherry St, Summit Ave, Turner St, Nichols Ave, Mundy St, Washington Ave, Jefferson Ave, N Harrison St, Rutherford Ave, Woodbine Ave, E Fifth Ave, N Hembree St, Milligan St, N Elmwood St, N Castle St, N Mary St, Manor Dr, N Beaman St, Ace Miller Way, Crawford Ave, Lakeside St, Kirkwood St, Hampton Ave, and Knoxville Zoo Dr. A map of this area is attached.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If someone doesn’t want their yard to be sprayed, what can they do?

For those who request that KCHD not spray their yard, we can put “No Spray” signs in these yards. To opt out, please call KCHD’s environmental health program at (865) 215-5200.

* If you are a beekeeper and do not want your area sprayed, please call (865) 215-5200.

After KCHD sprays this area, what is the next step?

Traps will continue to be set out throughout the county and monitored. If this location or another location identifies another WNV positive mosquito, then we will spray again.

What special precautions need to be made?

No special precautions are necessary, but KCHD encourages the community to continue with best practices of mosquito prevention, listed above.

Is the spray that KCHD uses toxic?

The spray is non-toxic to children and pets. KCHD also sprays at night to minimize the harm to pollinators.

To learn more about West Nile Virus, please go to https://www.cdc.gov/west-nile-virus/index.html

Lady Vols In The WNBA Update
Courtesy / UT Athletics

Lady Vols In The WNBA Update

Posted on June 24, 2025

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 2025 WNBA season is a quarter of the way through, and currently there are four Lady Vols on active rosters and another sitting out the year due to injury.
 
Forward Rickea Jackson (at UT 2022-24) leads the professional group of LVFLs, bouncing back from an early-season setback to play a significant role with the Los Angeles Sparks. Center Mercedes Russell (2013-18) is Jackson’s teammate during her first season in L.A., while forward Isabelle Harrison (2011-15) is a first-year member of the New York Liberty.
 
Guard/forward Rae Burrell (2018-22), a teammate with Jackson and Russell on the Sparks, is recovering from an injury and expected back this season, while guard Jordan Horston (2019-23) of the Seattle Storm is missing the entire 2025 campaign due to an injury but is expected back for 2026. 

Rickea Jackson

6’2 | F | Los Angeles Sparks | 2nd Season

  • Averaging 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game over 29.6 minutes per contest.
  • Has started eight of nine games after missing time early in the season due to injury.
  • Is LA’s fourth-leading scorer and one of five players averaging double figures.
  • Has scored 10 points or more on five occasions.
  • Fired in a career-high 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting at Las Vegas on June 11, including 4-of-8 marksmanship beyond the arc.
  • Scored in doubles figures over three straight games from June 11-17.
  • Has hit 90 percent of her free throws thus far.

Next Game: June 24 at Chicago (8 p.m. ET / WNBA League Pass) 

Isabelle Harrison

6’3 | F | New York Liberty | 8th Season

  • Averaging 2.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 7.9 minutes per contest as a reserve.
  • Has appeared in 12 of 13 games in her first season with the defending champion Liberty.
  • Contributed to New York crafting an Eastern Conference-leading 10-3 record.
  • Has scored points in seven games and pulled down boards in 10 contests.
  • Carded season bests of nine points, six rebounds, three steals and 17 minutes vs. Connecticut on June 1.
  • Chipped in seven points, five rebounds and two steals at Washington on June 5.

Next Game: June 25 at Golden State (10 p.m. ET / WNBA League Pass) 

Mercedes Russell

6’6 | C | Los Angeles Sparks | 8th Season

  • Has appeared in 14 games in reserve during her first season with the Sparks.
  • Averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds while seeing 8.4 minutes of duty per game.
  • Contributed points in eight contests and snagged at least one rebound in 11 games.
  • Best scoring efforts came in three consecutive games when she tossed in four points vs. Las Vegas, Phoenix and Dallas from May 30 to June 6.
  • Pulled down a season-most three rebounds in that June 6 contest vs. Dallas.
  • Blocked a 2025-best two shots vs. Phoenix on June 1.

Next Game: June 24 at Chicago (8 p.m. ET / WNBA League Pass) 

Rae Burrell

6’2 | G-F | Los Angeles Sparks | 4th Season

  • Has played in one game this season, logging a minute vs. Golden State before suffering a right leg injury.
  • The team announced on May 17 she would miss six to eight weeks with the injury.
  • Burrell is in her fourth season with Los Angeles and has averaged 4.7 points per outing in 70 WNBA games played over that span.
  • She is coming off a 2024 campaign that saw her average career bests of 5.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 15.6 minutes per contest.

Next Game: June 24 at Chicago (8 p.m. ET / WNBA League Pass) 

Jordan Horston

6’2 | F | Seattle Storm | 3rd Season

  • Is out for the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL while playing in the Athletes Unlimited league.
  • She was placed on the suspended list, which enables Seattle to retain rights to Horston, but she doesn’t count against the team’s roster limit and salary cap.
  • Horston averaged 6.9 ppg. and 4.7 rpg. while starting 31 of 75 games over her first two professional seasons.
  • She was a member of the WNBA’s All-Rookie Team in 2023.

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