These Private Schools in East Tennessee are Accepting School Vouchers

These Private Schools in East Tennessee are Accepting School Vouchers

April 29, 2025

Applications for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program launch in less than a month for all families across the state.

According to the state Department of Education, the majority of the 210 schools eligible to participate in the program intend doing so.

Here’s a full list of private schools in East Tennessee that intend to accept Education Freedom Scholarship money for the 2025-26 school year, as of April 24:

Click here http://tn.gov/education/efs.html to view the full list of private schools across Tennessee that intend to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program.

State lawmakers passed the Tennessee Education Freedom Act during Governor Bill Lee’s special-called session in January 2025.

There was a mixed reaction to its passing, with private schools saying it would usher in a new area for education in Tennessee, while others said it will negatively affect public schools.

The governor signed it into law on Feb. 12.

“I’ve long believed we can have the best public schools and give parents a choice in their child’s education, regardless of income or zip code,” Governor Lee said after signing it into law.

The $500 million plan gives 20,000 Tennessee students around $7,000 in public funds to pay for private school tuition.

Applications for the program launch on May 15 at 1 p.m. ET.

Story courtesy of WVLT

Train Hits, Kills Man on Tracks in North Knoxville

April 28, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man died over the weekend after a train hit him in North Knoxville.

Knoxville Police Department officials say officers responded to the train tracks near Radford Place and North Central Street around 11:40 a.m. on Sunday where Norfolk Southern train operators reported they saw a man standing on the tracks.

Operators say despite blowing the train’s horn multiple times, the man did not move out of the way, and the train hit him.

The victim has not yet been identified.

Knoxville police say the train blew its horn multiple times after seeing the man, but he did not move off the tracks. (Courtesy: KPD)
Knoxville Man Facing Charges after Search Finds Drugs, Weapons

Knoxville Man Facing Charges after Search Finds Drugs, Weapons

April 28, 2025

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Multiple firearms as well as suspected meth and heroin are seized following a search warrant that was conducted at a northeast Knoxville home.

Fifty-nine year old David Prins was arrested following a search of his Gillespie Avenue home last Thursday by Knoxville Police who found and seized about 21 grams of suspected meth, over three grams of suspected heroin and fentanyl, two handguns and three rifles.

Suspected stolen property was also found at the home, including a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a trailer.

Prins was arrested and charged with convicted felon in possession of a weapon, manufacture, delivery and sale of meth and theft of property among other charges.

David Prins was being investigated by the department’s organized crime unit leading up to the search, according to Knoxville Police Department officials. (Courtesy: JIMS)
City of Morristown Installs New Cameras to Improve ‘Feeling of Safety Shopping Downtown’

City of Morristown Installs New Cameras to Improve ‘Feeling of Safety Shopping Downtown’

April 28, 2025

Morristown, TN (WOKI) Morristown now has a system of cameras in the downtown area to address residents’ concerns.

The city says it has an annual survey to get feedback from the community on what it’s doing well and what can be improved, and officials recently noticed a decline in the “feeling of safety shopping downtown.”

The Morristown Police Department acquired and installed three new fixed cameras that will help monitor crowds at downtown events.

They hope this will help bring a sense of safety to those living in and visiting the downtown area.

TDOT Reminding Motorists About Lane Closures on I-75 in Campbell County
WVLT

TDOT Reminding Motorists About Lane Closures on I-75 in Campbell County

April 28, 2025

Motorists traveling on I-75 in Campbell County should be aware of bridge repair work that will have a significant impact on traffic.

I-75 is reduced to one lane in each direction at mile marker 133, near Exit 134 for Caryville/Jacksboro/LaFollette.

These lane closures will be in place 24/7 and will allow crews to perform substructure and deck repairs to the bridges over Better Chanee Road and the R.J. Corman Railroad.

All bridge work is expected to be complete on or before May 25th.

Knox County Residents Get a Chance to Visit the Observation Deck in the Sunsphere Free
WVLT drone

Knox County Residents Get a Chance to Visit the Observation Deck in the Sunsphere Free

April 28, 2025

Visit Knoxville says Knox County residents can enjoy free local Sunsphere days from May through October.

Those with a physical copy of their Knox County driver’s license can visit the observation deck on the fourth floor for free on the following dates:

May 2

June 6

August 1

September 5

October 3

Officials with Visit Knoxville say the observation deck allows up to 40 people every 30 minutes, meaning space is limited and admission is on a first come, first serve basis. Because of this, it will be open an hour later, until 6 p.m., for an additional hour of enjoyment.

The Sunsphere was built for the 1982 World’s Fair and offers a stunning 360-degree view of downtown Knoxville, the Great Smoky Mountains, World’s Fair Park, the Tennessee River, and the University of Tennessee.

It also has a timeline, gallery, memorabilia, a newly painted mural, and technology related to the World’s Fair.

A Former Jail Nurse is Indicted and Charged with Official Misconduct and Theft
tbi

A Former Jail Nurse is Indicted and Charged with Official Misconduct and Theft

April 28, 2025

SCOTT COUNTY – An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment of a former Scott County Jail nurse.

In October, at the request of 8th Judicial District Attorney General Jared Effler, TBI agents began investigating allegations of misconduct involving Tonja York Draughn (DOB: 12/21/64). During the course of the investigation, agents discovered that Draughn, while employed as a nurse by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, used her position to bring contraband items into the facility to sell to inmates. Further investigation revealed that Draughn also stole prescription medication from the facility.  

On Thursday, the Scott County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Draughn with one count of Official Misconduct and one count of Theft. Today, she turned herself in and was booked into the Scott County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU
Courtesy / LSU Athletics

#4/6 Vols Drop Series Finale at #3/7 LSU

April 28, 2025

BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 4/6 Tennessee fell to No. 3/7 LSU, 12-2, in Sunday afternoon’s series finale at Alex Box Stadium.

The Volunteers (35-9, 13-8 SEC) looked poised for a big day at the plate after plating two runs on four hits in the top of the first inning, but Tigers’ starter Casan Evans rebounded from his rough opening frame to shut down the UT attack for the remainder of his outing.

Evans earned the win to improve to 3-0 after striking out six and walking none over six innings of work. Fellow righty Zac Cowan pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit.

LSU (36-9, 14-7 SEC) had its best offensive performance of the series, scoring 12 unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0. The Tigers finished with 13 hits, led by a monster day from leadoff hitter Derek Curiel, who was 4-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, a homer and five RBIs.

A sacrifice fly by Hunter Ensley and a double from Dalton Bargo produced the Vols’ only two runs of the day. Dean Curley and Andrew Fischer led Tennessee at the dish with a pair of hits and a run scored each. Fischer kept his on-base streak going, as well, with a single in the first inning and a double in the eighth.

The junior first baseman is the only player in the SEC to have reached base in every game this year and has now reached safely in 47 consecutive games dating back to last season.

After making his 2025 SEC debut last weekend with a scoreless relief appearance against Kentucky, AJ Russell made his first start in league play on Sunday. The junior righthander allowed two runs on three hits while striking out two batters in 1.2 innings.

UT’s bullpen didn’t fare much better, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits as LSU continued to add to its lead throughout the game.

Up Next

The Vols open a nine-game homestand on Tuesday night against Northern Kentucky at 6 p.m. before hosting Auburn over the weekend at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss
Courtesy / UT Athletics

#1/4 Tennessee Clinches Series Win Over #16 Ole Miss

April 28, 2025

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 1/4 Tennessee secured its sixth SEC series victory of the season with a 7-1 win over No. 16 Ole Miss on Sunday at Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
 
The Lady Vols (39-11, 14-7 SEC) have now claimed 22 of their last 24 conference series, a dominant stretch that dates to the end of the 2022 season.
 
Ole Miss (34-14, 10-11) jumped out to a quick lead with a run in the first inning after a leadoff walk and an RBI double. Tennessee starter Sage Mardjetko worked out of further trouble, limiting the Rebels to just the one run.
 
Tennessee took control in the third when Taylor Pannell launched a three-run home run—her 15th of the season—after a pair of walks set the table. The redshirt sophomore extended her reached-base streak to a career-high 21 games.
 
The Lady Vols added insurance in the fifth with another three-run frame. McKenna Gibson and Sophia Nugent opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and a sacrifice bunt moved pinch runners Katie Taylor and Zoie Shuler into scoring position. Saviya Morgan drove in Taylor with an RBI single to right, and a double steal brought home Shuler to make it 5-1. Laura Mealer followed with a run-scoring single to center, plating Morgan.
 
Tennessee tacked on one more in the seventh when Emma Clarke drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the Lady Vols’ seventh run.
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Mardjetko tossed three innings in the start, allowing one run on one hit and three walks while striking out three. Erin Nuwer and Peyton Tanner provided middle relief, with Tanner working out of a two-on, one-out jam in the fourth.
 
Karlyn Pickens sealed the win with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, striking out four and allowing just two hits. She improved to 20-6 on the year.
 
CHECK THE STATS
Pannell extended her reached base streak to a career-high 21 games on Sunday. She surpassed her previous career-best of 20 games set earlier this season.
 
With Sunday’s win, Tennessee improved to 10-1 in SEC rubber matches since the beginning of the 2023 season.
 
DUE UP
The Lady Vols will wrap up the regular season next weekend with a Thursday through Saturday series at home against Texas A&M. Tennessee will honor its five seniors before Game 3 on Saturday.

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