Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains Rise telethon streaming on WDEF.com
Watch celebrities perform and talk to ones manning the phone banks
Nashville police officer is 7th shot in the last week in our region
We break down each shooting over the last week
Suspect arrested in shooting of 2 Georgia officers on Monday
The shooting marked the second time Monday that two Georgia officers were hit by gunfire on the job
Plans for $750 million theme park in north Georgia 'on hold'
EMERSON, Ga. (AP) - Just over a year after plans were announced for a huge new theme park north of Atlanta involving Lionsgate Productions and attractions featuring films such as the "Hunger Games," planners say the project is being put on hold
Psychiatrist: Alabama fails to treat mentally ill inmates
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The chief psychiatrist for the Ohio prison system says that Alabama fails to spot mental illness in many inmates and lacks the staff to effectively treat those who are diagnosed.
Rhodes College names Marjorie Hass first female president
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Rhodes College in Memphis has named Marjorie Hass as the school's 20th president. Hass, who is currently president of Austin College in Sherman, Texas, will become the first female president in Rhodes' 168-year history. She succeeds…
Sheriff's deputy pays for hotel for crying woman, son
MACON, Ga. (AP) - A deputy in Macon is helping a woman and her son from becoming homeless. WMAZ-TV reports that sheriff's deputy Johnny Rowe went to perform a wellness check on a woman at a hotel last Wednesday. He found…
Nashville man released 2 years after wife's false allegation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Nashville man has been released from prison, more than two years after his wife lied about him threatening her. The Tennessean reports 33-year-old Robert E. Polk was released from a Tiptonville prison on Nov. 23,…
Singer Joe Ligon of gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy dies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Singer Joe Ligon, the dynamic frontman of the Grammy-winning gospel group Mighty Clouds of Joy, has died. He was 80. His booking agent, Ricky DeRae, said Monday that Ligon died on Sunday in Georgia. Ligon was…
Terminally ill 5-year-old boy dies in Santa's arms
it took him days to recover, but he's continuing to play Santa.
2 Georgia police officers shot while serving warrant
Two officers were taken to a hospital in Macon. Their conditions weren't immediately known.
Hundreds turn out to honor slain Georgia officer
AMERICUS, Ga. (AP) - Hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects to a Georgia police officer shot and killed with his best friend and fellow officer last week.
Teen fatally shot at Memphis party
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Memphis police are investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old male at a party.
Protesters oppose Diamond Pipeline across north Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - About 50 protesters turned out in Fayetteville to oppose a planned oil pipeline across northern Arkansas.
2 arrested in slaying of Memphis music instructor
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Memphis police say two men have been charged in the slaying of a music teacher.
Police say couple stole Cartersville police car; guns inside
CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Police are looking for a couple accused of stealing a Cartersville police car with guns inside.
Fourth-graders give up Christmas gifts to help fire victims
ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - Fourth-grade students at an Alabama school are passing up Christmas gifts to donate supplies to victims of the wildfires in east Tennessee.
2 adults face charges after child tries to sell marijuana
DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) - Two adults face charges after a child tries to sell marijuana at a Dothan elementary school.
Man trying to avoid police jumps off bridge
ATLANTA (AP) - A man trying to escape police during a traffic stop jumped off a bridge and fell down several feet.
Former Major League pitcher becomes police officer
ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) - A former Major League Baseball pitcher has hung up his jersey and become a police officer.
Chapel of Love lost to fire that ravaged city in Smokies
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - The wildfires that killed 14 people and tore through Gatlinburg also stole an iconic venue from this city at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains whose nickname is "the wedding capital of the South."
DNA study measures 1900s deer restocking effort in Southeast
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Scientists are studying deer DNA to gauge the success of restocking efforts a century ago in Southeastern states.
Georgia officials warn teens to avoid e-cigarettes
ATLANTA (AP) - State health officials say they agree with America's top health official that e-cigarettes aren't harmless, particularly for children and teens.
Gov. Bill Haslam Asks For Federal Aid For 5 Counties
Governor Bill Haslam is looking for federal help, after the recent devastating storms and wildfires in Tennessee. Haslam is asking President Obama to issue a disaster declaration for five counties - Polk, McMinn, Sequatchie, Coffee, and Sevier. The governor hopes…