KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball’s Sophia Nugent and Karlyn Pickens have been named 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic Second Team All-Americans, the organization announced Tuesday.
It marks the first career Academic All-America honor for both players and extends a milestone streak for the Lady Vols. Tennessee has now produced multiple CSC Academic All-Americans in four consecutive seasons—setting a new program record and surpassing previous three-year runs in 2022–24, 2012–14 and 2007–09.
Nugent, a senior catcher from Seal Beach, California, enjoyed a career-best season at the plate in 2025. She posted a .298 batting average with 51 hits, 25 runs scored, nine doubles, 18 home runs and 61 RBIs. Nugent graduated in May with a degree in sociology, concentrating in criminology and criminal justice.
Pickens continued to dominate in the circle during her junior campaign. The right-hander went 25-11 with a 1.17 ERA and totaled a career-high 306 strikeouts over 226.2 innings pitched. A consensus first-team All-American for the second straight year, she was also named SEC Pitcher of the Year and Softball America’s National Pitcher of the Year. Pickens is currently pursuing a degree in sport management with a minor in business administration.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee’s SEC opponents for the upcoming season have been revealed, as the conference office announced Tuesday each school’s foes for the 2025-26 campaign.
As part of the 16-game SEC schedule awaiting second-year UT head coach Kim Caldwell, the Lady Vols play host to Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.
On the road, UT will battle Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
The SEC schedule consists of a single round robin of home or away (14 games) with one rotating opponent that will be played at home and away (two games). Each team will compete in eight home games and eight away games. The rotating opponent changes annually, and that foe for Tennessee this season is MSU.
This marks the 17th season of the 16-game schedule for SEC women’s basketball and the second with 16 teams after Oklahoma and Texas made their debuts in the league in 2024-25. Times, dates and television information for the 2025-26 SEC schedule will be released at a later date, as will the remainder of the Lady Vol non-conference slate. Season tickets are available at AllVols.com.
Six of the league opponents UT will face are ranked among ESPN’s “Way-Too-Early Top 25,” including defending NCAA runner-up and No. 1-ranked South Carolina, No. 4 Texas, No. 5 LSU, No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 11 Vanderbilt and No. 13 Ole Miss.
UT also previously released a trio of non-conference games away from Knoxville, including its season opener vs. No. 9 NC State in Greensboro, N.C., on Nov. 4, a Dec. 3 ACC/SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge contest at perennial-power Stanford on Dec. 3 and a match-up with No. 17 Louisville at the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Dec. 20.
Tennessee returns three of its top four scorers and rebounders, including junior guard and All-SEC Second Team/SEC All-Defensive Team performer Talaysia Cooper (16.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 3.2 apg., 3.1 spg.), senior forward Zee Spearman (11.7 ppg., 6.0 rpg.) and senior guard Ruby Whitehorn (11.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 1.7 apg.). Additionally, it welcomes back key 2024-25 contributors in junior forward Alyssa Latham (3.9 ppg., 3.7 rpg.) and redshirt sophomore guard Kaniya Boyd (4.0 ppg., 1.3 apg., 1.3 spg.).
Also expected to return to the court is redshirt senior guard Kaiya Wynn, who missed all of last season due to injury but averaged 4.4 ppg. and 2.6 rpg. in 2023-24 and has appeared in 94 contests for the Big Orange during her career.
Caldwell and her staff also have recruited extremely well, adding a transfer portal class rated No. 1 by ESPN’s Charlie Creme and a high school signing group rated No. 1 or No. 2 in the nation by most analysts. The transfer class includes 6-foot-4 forward and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Janiah Barker of UCLA (7.4 ppg., 6.0 rpg., 1.4 apg.), 5-7 guard and All-ACC Second Team selection Nya Robertson of SMU (18.5 ppg., 62 3FGs, 111 FTs) and 6-5 forward Jersey Wolfenbarger of LSU (4.6 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 63% FG). The stellar prep class includes McDonald’s All-Americans Mia Pauldo, Deniya Prawl and Jaida Civil, as well as Mia’s twin sister, Mya, and Lauren Hurst, all of whom rank among ESPN’s top 60 recruits in the class of 2025.
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WVLT) – One of Hamblen County’s largest employers, Howmet Aerospace Inc., is expanding, bringing more than 200 jobs to the area.
It marks the company’s second expansion in less than a year. In July of 2024, Howmet announced a 50-position expansion. Now, another 217 jobs will be coming to Morristown.
Howett is a Pittsburg, Pennsylvania-headquartered company that manufactures components for jet engines and other aerospace technologies.
“Howmet Aerospace’s Morristown operations play a critical role in enabling the next generation of quieter, cleaner, more efficient engines and power generation,” President of Engine Products Merrick Murphy said. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue to grow in East Tennessee with the assistance of our tremendous state, local and regional partners.”
Currently, Howett employs more than 1,000 people in Hamblen County.
Morristown, TN (WOKI/Hamblen Co. Sheriff’s Office): {for release 6/16/25} The Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office and the Johnson City Office of the FBI recently conducted a joint sting which halted an international criminal enterprise targeting elderly Hamblen County residents.
According to Sheriff Chad Mullins, local residents have been bilked out of more than a million dollars under the guise of being winners of the Publisher’s Clearing House.
“There were multiple subjects targeted in this year-long scam and only after one man finally reached out to law enforcement were we notified of what was happening,” Mullins stated.
“The victim is contacted by phone that they are the contest winner, but in order to receive their prize it is necessary to pay taxes on the winnings in advance and in cash,” Mullins said. “The victim is instructed to make cash withdrawals, take a photo of the cash and then put it in an envelope or small box. At that point, someone who identifies as a representative of Publisher’s Clearing House will go to the victim’s home and retrieve the money.”
Samuel Bobby Campbell, age 48, was the so-called PCH representative who attempted to retrieve $75,000 from a local resident late last week. Instead of being met with the cash, he was met by the HCSO and the FBI.
Campbell, who hails from another country, flew from a northern state to Tennessee to make the transaction. He is now being housed in the Hamblen County Jail and is under investigation for other multi-million dollar scams around the country.
“The people involved in these international criminal enterprises aren’t playing around,” Mullins said. “The fact they would actually fly someone in from another state and go directly to the victim’s home shows they mean business.”
Sheriff Mullins noted there are a lot of people who need to be recognized and thanked for their efforts in apprehending Campbell.
“This was a joint effort between the HCSO and the Johnson City Office of the FBI and I truly appreciate the work they put in to the investigation,” Mullins stated. “The TBI also played a big role with the use of their plane and I want to thank them for their assistance.”
Mullins went on to acknowledge the work by lead investigator Det. Sgt. Trevor Snowden and the assistance of HCSO patrol.
“When it comes to safeguarding our citizens, we’ll pull out all the stops to make it happen,” he added. “I’m very appreciative of the working relationship we have with other law enforcement agencies who have the same goal we do.”
Educating the public on the types and levels of scams is something the HCSO, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies strive to do, but according to Mullins, when people are told they are the winners of a substantial amount of money, common sense often goes out the window.
“If you or a family member is notified that you’ve won any amount of money, I encourage you to do your research,” Mullins added. “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
A Knoxville man is arrested after he allegedly fired a gun during a confrontation with an Amazon delivery driver.
According to court records, an Amazon delivery driver was at a home in the 7800 block of Norris Freeway to deliver a package early Saturday morning when a man, identified as 56-year-old Michael Ensor, went outside and yelled at the driver before firing a shot into a flower bed.
Ensor also pointed the gun at the delivery driver’s lower body, resulting in the driver leaving the home and calling law enforcement.
Ensor later told authorities he thought his home was being broken into and went outside with the gun, according to court records. Ensor also showed police video doorbell camera footage, during which he “would periodically point the handgun in [the delivery driver]’s direction.”
Ensor was taken into custody without incident and charged with aggravated assault.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man gets a life sentence Monday for a 2023 double murder.
The sentencing — life in prison without parole — came after Jair Romario Martin pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count each of criminal impersonation and evading arrest in the shooting deaths of 22-year-old Madison Johnson and 21-year-old Heidi Johnson at a South Knoxville home in May of 2023.
A news release from District Attorney General Charme Allen said one of the victims had called her mother over FaceTime and was still on the phone with her when Martin said “I am going to murder you,” then shot both women. He also stabbed one in the head with a carving fork, Allen’s release said.
“The lengthy sentence in this case ensures this defendant will never be able to harm another member of our community,” said Allen.
Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on the remaining charges on August 22.
The case centers on 22-year-old Madison Johnson and 21-year-old Heidi Johnson, who were found dead inside a home on the 400 block of Woodlawn Pike in May of 2023. (Courtesy: TBI)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville police identify the motorcycle driver killed Thursday, June 12 following a head-on collision in West Knoxville.
KPD says the crash happened on N. Gallaher View Road between Broome Road and Walker Springs Road. They report a truck was turning left out of an apartment complex when a motorcycle, driven by 39-year-old William Fine, hit the truck and then struck another vehicle head on.
Fine was transported to UT Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
No other injuries were reported.
The crash remains under investigation.
The crash happened on N. Gallaher View Road between Broome Road and Walker Springs Road, according to KPD officials. (Courtesy: KPD)
MEDIC Regional Blood Center Offering E-Gift Card to All Donors
WHO: MEDIC Donors
WHAT: $20 E-Gift Card for Whole Blood
$25 E-Gift Card for ALYX Donors
$45 E-Gift Card for Platelet Donors
WHEN: June 18 – 20
WHERE: All donor centers and mobile drives
WHY: Donations have been slow, and demand has been high this month. MEDIC is rewarding donors for their time by offering the Tango e-gift card for various donation procedures this week.
All whole blood will receive a $20 e-gift card, and ALYX donors will receive a $25 e-gift card. All platelet donors will receive a $45 e-gift card. The promotion dates are Wednesday through Thursday (6/18-6/20). Donors must have a valid email address on file to receive the e-gift card. Donors will also receive a MEDIC beach towel and a Texas Roadhouse coupon. Appointments can be made online at www.medicblood.org, via the MEDIC app, or by calling 865-524-3074. Walk-ins are welcome.
MEDIC is the primary blood product provider for 25 hospitals and air medical transport services across 23 counties. MEDIC services Blount Memorial,
Covenant Health System, East TN Children’s Hospital, Tennova Healthcare, and UT Medical Center.
As a reminder, the blood, platelets, and plasma products on the shelves now are what would be used in a trauma event. Donated blood takes at least three days to be processed and ready for distribution.
MEDIC is an independent, nonprofit organization. Products donated through MEDIC help community members in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky. Products donated through any other collection activity/organization do not stay in East Tennessee or Southeastern Kentucky. They are shipped out of the area and nationally.
Knoxville, TN – On the evening of Saturday, June 14, at approximately 8:54 PM, emergency crews responded to reports of a possible drowning at Augusta Quarry, located in the Fort Dickerson Park area. The Knoxville Fire Department, in coordination with the Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Blount County Rescue Squad, is currently conducting an exhaustive and coordinated search for a missing individual.
Emergency responders were first dispatched after a 911 call reported that a male swimmer in the quarry had gone underwater and did not resurface. Crews from KFD responded quickly to the park. KFD and all responding agencies combed the area but could not immediately locate the missing swimmer.
This morning, KFD and our partners continue a search for the missing adult male.
The Knoxville Police Department is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
At the time of the incident, Augusta Quarry was officially closed to the public due to ongoing renovations. The City of Knoxville has announced that the quarry is scheduled to reopen by the end of the month. The public is reminded that entering closed public spaces is both illegal and dangerous. Quarries can present significant hazards, especially where water depth, visibility, and underwater terrain are unpredictable.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office could take over the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center as soon as January 1st next year, according to a letter from the county’s COO.
Dwight Van de Vate has presented a letter to the Knox County Commission which outlines a timeline for the center’s transition, which was prompted by allegations that the center’s namesake director, Richard L. Bean, had fired two employees for filing complaints with the state about how the center was run.
The timeline proposes the county commission approve an emergency ordinance aimed at putting Sheriff Tom Spangler at the head of the juvenile detention center this month, then appointing an interim superintendent on July 1st.
The proposal would also dissolve the current leadership at the center, its board of trustees, on June 30 and appointing a five-member board of directors. That board would be made up of four commissioners and one member, appointed by the acting juvenile court judge.
The letter also directly references concerns from the county commission about rushing into a new leadership model too quickly. The letter claims any agreement with KCSO be temporary, lasting 18 months between January 1st next year and June 30, 2027, with an option to extend.
