Loudon County, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – A Lenoir City man is convicted of child sex crimes and sentenced to decades behind bars. District Attorney General Russell Johnson says the conviction of Emilio Ortiz comes after a multi-agency investigation uncovered years of abuse documented in “disturbing digital evidence.” The case was complicated after the victim,…… MORE
Tennessee (WOKI and WVLT) – Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn announces her run for Governor of Tennessee this (Wednesday) morning on social media. Blackburn said “In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, he’s going to need strong…… MORE
UPDATE: 8/7/25 – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Endangered Child Alert for a Sevier County teen Tuesday night. According to TBI, 16-year-old Kevin James Hood was last seen Tuesday afternoon at his home on Thorn Grove Pike in Strawberry Plains. In an update Wednesday evening, TBI said Hood was found safe. Original Story:…… MORE
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A more than 100-year-old home suffers damage but remains standing after an early morning fire Tuesday in northeast Knox County. Rural Metro Fire officials say crews responded just before 5:30 a.m. to a house fire in the 4800 block of Anderson Road finding the home in flames. Rural Metro says crews, including…… MORE
Newport, TN (WOKI) A member of the Newport Rescue Squad has been indicted and charged with rape. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say 25-year-old John Shropshire turned himself in Tuesday and was booked into the Cocke County Jail on a $7,500 bond following a grand jury indictment on one count of rape. According…… MORE
JACKSON, Tenn. (story courtesy of WSMV by WVLT) – The Jackson Police Department’s search for the man suspected of killing four people and abandoning a baby in Dyer County last week has ended. After a “shelter in place” was ordered for residents along Bridlepath Drive and Saddlebrook Drive on Tuesday morning, Jackson PD announced that 28-year-old Austin…… MORE
KNOXVILLE, TN ( Story courtesy of WVLT) – NAMI Knoxville, or the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses, is canceling their upcoming rally. According to the nonprofit’s president, it’s because of safety concerns. The rally was to be a kickoff for their main fundraiser later this year. “There was threats to the congressman, to our volunteers…… MORE
UPDATE 8/5/25: Richard Carper has been located and is safe. Original Story: A TBI Silver Alert has been issued on behalf of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office for 70 year-old Richard Carper. He was last seen yesterday (Monday) in Sevierville wearing a black shirt, light blue jeans, black tennis shoes, carrying a small black bag.…… MORE
Knox County, TN (story courtesy of WVLT) – Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay wants to get rid of the county’s wheel tax. Jay said it was put into place 20 years ago to help pay for some downtown projects. He feels it’s no longer necessary as the county gets enough in its general fund from…… MORE
The suspect of the quadruple homicide, Austin Drummond is caught on camera. Officials with the Jackson Police Department say he was caught on a citizen’s camera system in the 700 block of Pipkin Road on Sunday night. JPD says Drummond is considered armed and dangerous and urging area residents to use extra caution coming and…… MORE
