A hoverboard caught fire in a South Knoxville apartment; fire officials used the incident to warn residents about lithium‑ion battery risks and share safety tips.

White Pine police say Thomas C. Payne, 58, was arrested Wednesday in Greeneville on charges including rape of a child and five counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Sevier County warns callers are spoofing its number and demanding Bitcoin or prepaid cards. Officials say hang up and report suspicious calls.

A petition with hundreds of signatures asks Jellico leaders to review a CleanSpark bitcoin data center after residents reported sharply higher electric bills. City officials and the company say the site is not driving costs up, but neighbors disagree.

Former Vice President Mike Pence will headline the second Undergraduate Civics Symposium in downtown Knoxville, where students will debate patriotism and civic life.

Hamblen County completed a morning transfer of inmates into its new Justice Center, leaving the old detention facility empty. Officials praised staff and outside agencies for the rapid move.

A state report says Newport's library chairman routed roughly $77,000 in flood donations into an outside foundation account. The board says it's fixing the problems and tightening oversight.

Council adopted a new parks master plan, approved youth-service contracts totaling more than $520,000 and voted 8–1 to deny an appeal over a proposed day center.

Two people were arrested and three handguns recovered after a wave of car break-ins at Meadowood Apartments in West Knoxville.

Knox County commissioners will consider a plan to phase out the $36 wheel tax over several years, a move supporters say helps drivers while critics warn of lost revenue.

A University of Tennessee analysis tied to a Safer TN dashboard estimates gun violence cost Tennessee about $3.6 billion in 2023 and recorded roughly 1,622 firearm deaths. The data breaks the toll into homicides, suicides and accidents and highlights stark demographic and geographic patterns.

New DNA testing linked a decades-old John Doe found in East Miller’s Cove to a family match: investigators say the remains are William Thomas Green. The TBI and a Texas lab provided the new lead while the probe continues.

Lil Wayne will play Food City Center in Knoxville on Oct. 23 as part of his 20+ Years of Carter Classics tour. Citi presales start March 18; general sale March 20.