Most of the conversation this week centered on Tennessee’s loss at Florida and how the Vols can get back on track.
Thursday’s Josh and Swain went in a different direction during the first segment in our third hour.
A listener stopped by while we were at SmartBank in Alcoa.
She asked if we could mention her papaw, a long-time Tennessee fan and listener of The Sports Animal.
We were happy to do it, which led to a longer discussion about the connection between Tennessee football and its fanbase.
Jayson Swain provided a great perspective on his experience as a player at UT and what he’s learned about the importance of Tennessee football since his playing career ended.
“I get a chance to experience and hear all these stories and how much Tennessee means to fans,” Swain said. “It’s really powerful.”
Check out the full segment below. I think you’ll enjoy it.
On Thursday, parents suing Oak Ridge Schools claimed that the softball teams are not treated equally to the baseball teams.
The lawsuit claims the softball teams do not receive equal funding, equipment, travel, game schedules, practice times, locker rooms, facilities for practice and competition or publicity.
Oak Ridge Schools officials allow more funds to go to boys’ sports compared the girls’ sports, according to the suit.
Parents of softball team members also must purchase the necessary supplies, including uniforms. The lawsuit claims that the baseball program receives more and higher quality pitching screens, fielding screens and a ball cart.
The baseball team also has two mobile batting practice cages while the plaintiffs claimed the softball team has none.
The lawsuit stated that the softball team also does not receive equal funding as the girls must provide their own transportation and pre-game meals.
“The imbalance in the treatment of female and male athletes at Oak Ridge Schools… demonstrates Oak Ridge Schools’ intention and conscious failure to comply with Title IX,” the lawsuit said, referring to the federal requirement that schools do not discriminate against students based on gender.
The parents asked for Oak Ridge Schools to acknowledge the unequal treatment in violation of Title IX and provide girls’ sports programs with equal treatment.
A landfill fire in Andersonville is under control.
Multiple fire agencies called to the scene of that fire on Fleenor Mill Road early this (Friday) morning.
The Andersonville Volunteer Fire Department say about half an acre of trash was burning at the Chestnut Ridge Landfill and there was no threat of it spreading to areas outside of the landfill.
A Weigel’s employee is in arrested and charged after reportedly pulling a gun on a customer at a South Knoxville store.
It happened yesterday (Thursday) at 3939 Chapman Highway and police say 47 year-old Hector Ramirez got into an argument with a customer and reportedly pulled out a gun.
About 15 other customers fled the store once Ramirez pulled the gun and reports say that customer, his estranged wife’s boyfriend, provoked him.
Madisonville, TN (WOKI) One person was injured Thursday afternoon following an accidental shooting inside a Madisonville Hardee’s.
Madisonville Police Department officials say the incident took place around 1:30 p.m. inside the Hardee’s on New Highway 68.
They say a man dropped his gun; it discharged, and the bullet grazed him. No other injuries were reported in the incident.
Monroe County EMS took the man to a local hospital for treatment. Police adding that the man’s injuries were minor, and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
Food City settles Tennessee opioid misconduct case for $44.5 million (Courtesy: WVLT/City of Huntsville)
Nashville, TN (WOKI) Grocery giant Food City has agreed to pay nearly $45 million to settle the company’s opioid misconduct case.
The announcement coming Thursday from the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office which had filed a lawsuit in February 2021 accusing Food City of unlawfully selling opioids.
“Every entity that contributed to the opioid crisis must be held accountable. Our Consumer Protection Division remains relentless in the pursuit of justice and I am proud of their aggressive enforcement in this case,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. “By paying a hefty price to resolve past misconduct, Food City provides critical resources to save lives and protect families and can now get back to the business of serving its customers and supporting Tennessee communities.”
The AG’s office says the $44.5 million Food City will pay will go towards Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement Fund, primarily, which supports local efforts in addressing the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, Food City agreed to up-training for pharmacy staff, updating their prescription validation process, and reporting more data to the state.
Food City released a statement following Skrmetti’s announcement, saying the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, but the company is hoping to contribute to opioid-related programs.
“The agreement states that it is not an admission or evidence of any liability or wrongdoing,” Food City said, adding that the company “will contribute to the opioid-related programs that are being established as a result of the previous settlements with national retailers and distributors.”
The settlement also includes an agreement for Food City to provide employment opportunities for Tennesseans recovering from opioid addiction.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs says there is an ambulance shortage in the county and they are working to be sure that everyone who needs help won’t have to wait.
American Medical Response, the company that currently holds the contract for ambulance service in Knox County, has been fined by the county, who has waived most of those, for taking too long to respond to calls as part of their contract with the county which may not be renewed as the county is looking at other providers. Just last week, the county opened an emergency operations center after a shortage of ambulances and an overwhelming amount of calls in a short amount of time.
WVLT reporting bodies laid on the side of the road for more than six hours. Firefighters and police officers were forced to transport some patients to hospitals themselves because an ambulance wasn’t available. Mayor Glenn Jacobs says that just because an ambulance might take longer to respond to an emergency call, that does not mean patients aren’t receiving care. He says paramedics are usually on scene providing care until an Ambulance arrives and they are administering care to the patient.
County Commission will review the new contract at a meeting which is expected in late October.
A Tazewell man is charged with multiple crimes against children while awaiting trial for another 100 counts of crimes against children.
32-year-old Daniel Goins indicted on five counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child and one count of aggravated rape by a Claiborne County grand jury.
The investigation determined there were multiple victims in different locations.
Goins was extradited from Indiana and returned to Claiborne County for his arraignment.
The Sweetwater High School head football coach is suspended.
Caleb Slover has been temporarily suspended from all coaching duties pending the outcome of a complete and thorough investigation which WVLT is reporting no malicious or heinous act was committed and no child or student was involved.
With Christmas just three months away, Amazon is gearing up for an increased workload by offering thousands of jobs across the country.
Nearly 1,000 jobs are now available in East Tennessee between the Knoxville and Blount County Amazon facilities, which will average at around $20 an hour for pay.
“Starting pay starts around $17 but can go up to $28 an hour at times,” said Divina Mims with Amazon.
While Amazon said there are no concrete plans or timeline for the Knoxville facility where the old East Towne Mall used to be, the facility in Blount County is already seeing work being done.
“The facility is actually undergoing a soft open so we’re ramping up, and jobs are posted, and we’re looking to fulfill those roles right now,” said Mims.
The facility in Blount County is looking for more than 900 people to fill jobs right away, while the facility in Knoxville is looking for around 40 additional people to join their staff.
According to Mims, for the last few weeks, the facility in Rockford has been accepting packages and storing them but has not shipped any out at this time.
These jobs are posted here on the Amazon website, and there will be a hiring event on Friday, September 22nd from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hilton Knoxville Airport which is located at 2001 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa.
