Two men indicted in Chelsie Walker murder case
MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Monroe County Grand Jury indicted two men on Wednesday in relation to the death of Chelsie Walker. Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said Gerald Hayden…
California lawmaker wants Peeps to change its ingredients
By HAVEN DALEY and ADAM BEAM Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — This Easter, Americans will devour more than 1 billion Peeps — those radiant marshmallow chicks whose appearance on store shelves each year is as much a herald of…
How your lawmaker voted on expelling Tennessee House members
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - There is harsh reaction Friday to the Tennessee legislature's vote on Thursday to expel two of the three Democrats accused of disrupting the legislature on Monday. They joined protesters who stormed the Tennessee House to call…
Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair comments on Tennessee three.
The Hamilton County Democratic Party Chair, Rachel Campbell, released a statement yesterday about two of the members of the Tennessee three being expelled from the Tennessee…
Tennessee’s House Expels 2 of 3 Democrats Over Guns Protest
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In an extraordinary act of political retaliation, Tennessee Republicans on Thursday expelled two Democratic lawmakers from the state Legislature for their role in a protest calling for more…
Tennessee House declines to expel 2nd Dem for gun protest
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s GOP-dominated House declined to expel the second of three Democratic members for her role in a demonstration in favor of gun control following the Nashville school shooting.…
Official: Pilot killed in small plane crash in rural Georgia
JESUP, Ga. (AP) — A small plane crashed Thursday near an airport in rural southeast Georgia, killing the pilot, according to a local emergency official. The airplane went down in Wayne County, roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of Savannah.…
Tennessee’s House expels first of 3 Democrats for protest
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s GOP-dominated House has expelled the first of three Democratic members who were at risk of being thrown out of the Legislature for their role in a demonstration…
TN Army National Guard rescues hiker in Smoky Mtns.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Army National Guard rescued a hiker from the Appalachian Trail early Wednesday morning. A 27-year-old hiker was in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and was in need of medical help. The Tennessee Military…
Alabama lawmakers approve harsher penalties for fentanyl
By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Thursday approved harsher penalties for trafficking fentanyl — with punishments of up to life imprisonment — as lawmakers try to respond to the deadly overdose crisis. The Alabama…
Alabama bill seeks 1st grade 'readiness' for all kids
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama children would have to attend kindergarten or take a test to show their “readiness” for first grade, under legislation advanced by a state House committee on Wednesday. Rep. Pebblin Warren said the goal of her…
Two dead in apparent murder-suicide at Rome Chick-Fil-A
ROME, Ga. (WDEF) -- An apparent murder-suicide took place at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant in Rome, Georgia on Wednesday. Officers said it was a shooting, which took place at the Truett's Chick-Fil-A on Shorter Avenue. Greg Major, the general manager of…
Hospital: Treatment, discharge of woman who died appropriate
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A woman who died after being discharged from a Tennessee hospital and forced to leave despite her pleas for more help received appropriate medical treatment, the hospital said, but changes were being made to security procedures.…
Predawn Missouri tornado kills at least 5, sows destruction
By JIM SALTER and SCOTT McFETRIDGE Associated Press GLEN ALLEN, Mo. (AP) — A large tornado tore through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, killing at least five people and causing widespread destruction as a broad swath of the Midwest…
Flight data recorders found after deadly Black Hawk crash
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Investigators recovered "black boxes” from two U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters that crashed last week in Kentucky, killing all nine soldiers aboard, the military announced Tuesday. A U.S. Army aviation safety…
Party switch gives GOP veto-proof control in North Carolina
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press Abstract: A Democrat in the North Carolina state House has switched to the Republican Party in a move that gives the GOP veto-proof control of both chambers of the legislature. Wednesday's switch by Rep.…
EPA announces wastewater, stormwater funding in Tennessee
TENNESSEE (WDEF) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $10 million will be going toward the upgrade of wastewater and stormwater systems in Tennessee. A press release states that the $10,897,000 comes "from the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act…
Darius Miles pleads not guilty to capital murder charge
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former University of Alabama basketball player has pleaded not guilty to a capital murder charge filed against him after he was accused of providing the gun used in a fatal shooting near campus. Darius Miles,…
Three TN Representatives may be expelled
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee House filed a resolution to expel three representatives on Monday. Chair member Rachel Campbell of the HCDP confirmed that Gloria Johnson, Justin Pearson and…
Governor Lee Announces School Safety Plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - It’s been a week since six people, including three third graders, were killed in a mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. (more…)
DeSantis signs bill to carry concealed guns without a permit
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Floridians will be able to carry concealed guns without a permit under a bill Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Monday, giving the governor another legislative victory as he prepares a campaign…
Former Chief Justice Mickey Barker dies at the age of 81
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Longtime legal figure Mickey Barker has died. The Judge from Signal Mountain once served as chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Her retired from the court in 2008, capping off a judicial career of more than…
Republicans announce their school shooting plan for Tennessee
NASHVILLE (WDEF) - While protests continued today at the state capitol demanding legislative action on school shootings, Governor Bill Lee announced his revised plan surrounding by state Republican leaders. Democrats and teachers have roasted the administration for a lack of…
Documents reveal Hale planned mass murder for months
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- For months, Audrey Hale had been planning to commit mass murder at the Covenant School, according to Metro Nashville PD. Officials reported that Hale acted totally alone. Officers found documented…