Local News

The figure keeps going up: Now the National Weather Service says 24 tornadoes touched down across the state between December 10th and 11th.  The severe weather caused the death of five people.

Tennessee’s unemployment rate is at its lowest since before the COVID-19 shutdowns.  The unemployment rate fell to four percent last month.  That’s the same rate it was at before the coronavirus outbreak.  The state recorded its highest unemployment rate ever at nearly 16 percent in April of 2020.

An Iowa-based grocery store brand is expanding into Tennessee.  Hy-Vee announced its plans to expand in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Indiana earlier this month.  Hy-Vee plans to open two stores in the Nashville area and one each in Knoxville and Memphis in 2023.  Its distribution facility is also expected to be built in Tennessee.  

Tennesseans hoping for a white Christmas will have to head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration shows the best chance for snow this Christmas is in Mt. Le Conte.  The Sevier County town has a nearly 49-percent chance of snowfall on Christmas.  Crossville has the next best chance at just over 12 percent. 

The Air Force Junior ROTC program at Springfield High School has earned an assessment score of “Exceeds Standards” during their evaluation in November. That’s the highest rating offered. The evaluation went on to praise the instructors and said they provided outstanding leadership in administering the cadet-centered citizenship program.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says they have recovered a missing two-month-old Clarksville boy unharmed.  On Sunday, the TBI confirmed that Yessiah Finch was located safe at a residence in Champaign County, Illinois.  The child was reported missing over the weekend, and officials say they are looking for Quantez Finch on a charge of kidnapping.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Quantez Finch is asked to contact the authorities immediately.