WBIR - Local

East Tennessean caught in the Israel-Iran conflict overseas

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:48:30 GMT

Jeanne Kidd from Knoxville and has been in Tel Aviv for the last three weeks. She said she has seen numerous missiles flying and intercepted outside her window.

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East TN government relations strategist breaks down US role in Iran-Israel conflict

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 23:14:42 GMT

Michael Grider worked alongside Congressman Tim Burchett for nearly 15 years. He says the US is on an offensive footing now in this conflict.

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Knoxville native revives Burlington storefronts, attracting businesses after 20-year restoration

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:42:20 GMT

In Burlington, Knoxville native Terri Cade-Hill is transforming neglected historic storefronts, driven by memories of a bustling past.

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'It's an amazing, amazing thing' | Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee CEO reflects on decades-long career

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:38:49 GMT

Elaine Streno is retiring. She's been with Second Harvest since the early 1990s.

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Andy Smalls, known to many in East TN as 'Marshal Andy,' dies at 96

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:30:27 GMT

Smalls was best known for his 1980s TV show, "Riders of the Silver Screen." He died Sunday at his home in Loudon.

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Veteran journalist sees hope amid divisive times in the US

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:22:05 GMT

Judy Woodruff is speaking Tuesday afternoon at the invitation of the Baker School at the Student Union on the University of Tennessee campus.

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Grainger County School Board member charged with 2 counts of statutory rape

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:29:47 GMT

Steve Blanken, a Grainger County school board member, is under investigation for sexual contact with an underage girl.

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20-year-old charged after firing handgun during road rage incident in Cumberland County

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:15:09 GMT

Jon Kadan Johnson was charged with aggravated assault, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. No one was hurt.

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Crews respond to Friendsville house fire

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:02:48 GMT

Crews are tackling an early morning house fire in Friendsville, with deputies aiding on Bales Hollow Road.

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Women accused of providing fentanyl that killed Roane Co. man in 2025

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:50:27 GMT

A Roane County grand jury returned the indictment Feb. 9.

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East Tennessean to be awarded the Medal of Honor

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:37:02 GMT

WWII Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

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McKay's building purchased for $4.2M by hospitality group

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:23:45 GMT

Turkey Creek Hospitality's acquisition of McKay's in Knoxville marks a strategic property alignment in a key area.

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Customers shocked by high electric bills, utility companies blame cold weather

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 23:23:14 GMT

Neighbors in West Knoxville say their bills are more than $100 more than expected this month.

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SCSO: Human remains found by hunter on Saturday, officials working to identify person

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 22:59:42 GMT

Human remains were discovered by a hunter in the Pioneer area, prompting a Scott County Sheriff’s investigation to identify the individual and notify family members.

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Carson-Newman students safe but stranded in Jerusalem amid Middle East airstrikes

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:31:24 GMT

Carson-Newman students on an archaeological trip in Israel have been relocated to Jerusalem amid airstrikes. Officials say they are "safe and in good spirits."

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Former UT professor in Epstein Files: How AI projects are linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:38:57 GMT

The release of the Epstein Files has revealed links between former UT professor Itamar Arel and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

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Mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles tonight; A few showers early Tuesday, the variably cloudy and milder

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:28:26 GMT

Temperatures will warm to near 80 degrees by the end of the week with some record highs in jeopardy. Rain chances also rise into the weekend.

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Traffic Alert: I-75 South between Norris and Rocky Top back open after fatal crash

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:54:05 GMT

A fatal crash involving an 18-wheeler closed all southbound lanes on I-75 near Peach Orchard Road, causing miles of traffic backup.

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TDOT: Gas leak closes Alcoa Highway southbound right lane in Knoxville near Woodson Drive

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:50:07 GMT

A gas leak has closed the southbound lane on Alcoa Highway in Knoxville, causing traffic delays. Repairs are underway, and drivers should seek alternate routes.

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Morgan, Cocke County Sheriff's Office warn of scams in the area

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:04:35 GMT

The Morgan and Cocke County Sheriff's Offices warn residents of escalating scam calls, including impersonation of law enforcement.

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Zoo Knoxville to host inaugural Red Panda Run 5K

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:47:55 GMT

Zoo Knoxville's inaugural Red Panda Run offers a unique 5K experience through its scenic grounds on May 30.

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ACSO investigating 'possible inappropriate communication' by Anderson County Schools employee

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:06:08 GMT

The employee was sent home and told not return until further notice, ACS said.

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East Tennessee hero Roddie Edmonds posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:11:53 GMT

Pastor Chris Edmonds accepted the Medal of Honor for his late father, Roddie, who bravely defied Nazi orders in WWII, saving nearly 200 troops.

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BCSO: Suspect in custody after Blount County shooting on Tomotley Road

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:25:33 GMT

An ongoing investigation unfolds in Blount County after a man, 62, recovers from a non-life-threatening shooting wound.

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Construction on Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss Pedestrian Bridge could begin this summer

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:00:49 GMT

Knox County plans to start building the Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss Pedestrian Bridge in June, aiming to enhance pedestrian safety.

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Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee CEO to retire later this year

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:00:06 GMT

Elaine Streno is set to retire after 33 years leading Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, having distributed 381 million pounds of food to fight hunger.

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THP: One dead, 3 injured after serious crash on Highway 63 in Claiborne County

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:35:40 GMT

A head-on collision on State Route 63 near the intersection of Ausmus Lane left one dead and three injured. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating.

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Car crashes into Knoxville Panera, causes 'significant damage,' KFD says

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:20:00 GMT

This is the second vehicle to wreck into a local Panera since one crashed into an Alcoa Panera in August.

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TWRA: One man dead after drowning at Watts Bar Reservoir in Crossville

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 04:14:11 GMT

A man drowned at Watts Bar Reservoir on Tuesday, marking the state's first boating-related death of the year.

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Anderson County nonprofit asking for help to keep their doors open

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:00:37 GMT

The Anderson County Community Aid Coalition has served Anderson County for 60 years, but after losing out on a large grant, they're asking for the public's help.

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Grainger County school board member arrested for alleged 'inappropriate relationship' with a child, officials say

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 22:16:21 GMT

A Grainger County School Board member, Steve Blanken, is under investigation for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a child.

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Knoxville company selected to create apparel for San Diego Comic-Con

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:22:32 GMT

All Star Outfitters is the official merchandiser for the 2026 Comic-Con event.

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I-40 reconstruction costs jump $900M on the North Carolina side

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:19:07 GMT

North Carolina transportation officials said that as they found safer, more long-term measures, costs increased.

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UT Board of Trustees approves new student housing project, degree program

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:59:51 GMT

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved plans for expanding student housing, renovations at the veterinary college and a new Bachelor of Science.

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Jefferson County restores early voting for New Market and White Pine polling locations after complaints

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:43:42 GMT

Earlier this month, the election commission cut back the early voting access for the two locations from 14 days to only one day.

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ReLAUNCH races to raise $250K to open seasonal shelter before it gets cold again

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:28:16 GMT

ReLAUNCH, a Knoxville nonprofit, urgently seeks $250,000 to continue its vital work aiding the homeless.

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Lawyers raise pre-trial publicity questions as case advances against 7 in elderly man's confinement, death

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:20:09 GMT

Seven former jailers and contract nursing employees appeared Friday in Monroe County Criminal Court before Judge Andrew Freiberg.

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Exploring your hometown in 'Places We Call Home'

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:19:24 GMT

In this new series, we asked viewers to tell us about the places they're proud to come from. We visit Oneida, Rogersville, Morristown and Greenback.

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South Knoxville's SoKno Rail Trail development begins with art unveiling

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:39:07 GMT

Work begins on Knoxville's Rail Trail and Art Walk, transforming 3.8 miles of rail into a path linking Kerns Food Hall and Ijams Nature Center.

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DA: LaFollette mother found guilty of abusing twin sons

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:52:05 GMT

A jury found 28-year-old Holly Daugherty guilty on three counts of aggravated child abuse involving a child younger than 8.

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