Local News

Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation say they are looking into the Blue Alert system.  Some Nashville-area residents reported receiving multiple notifications about the two alert messages on Tuesday.  The system uses existing Amber Alert infrastructure to make residents aware of potentially violent or dangerous situations involving law enforcement.  The two alerts were issued after officers were shot by different suspects in Madison and in Houston County

The Better Business Bureau is warning people about a new scam involving puppies.  Middle Tennessee BBB President Robyn Householder says fraudulent ads to sell the dogs are being posted in the area.  Scammers are using random local addresses to list puppies and then asking for payment in gift cards or wire transfers for animals that don’t exist.  Householder advises those who want to purchase a pet to meet the dog in person before exchanging any payments.

The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees has once again approved an across-the-board, zero percent tuition increase for its campuses across the state. This marks the second time in the past three years that UT students and families will experience no increase in tuition.  They also approved a measure that will classify military-affiliated students as Tennessee residents in order get the in-state tuition rate. Earlier in the spring, legislation authorizing public university boards to classify veterans and military-affiliated individuals as in-state residents was approved by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee. This new benefit will be extended to students starting in Fall 2022.

July 5th is the deadline to register to vote in the August 4th federal primary election and the state and county general election.  Registration can be done online or by mail.  Early voting for the election begins on July 15th.

The Oak Ridge Boys will headline at the City of Springfield’s Freedom Fest, slated July 3 at the Robertson County Fairgrounds.  Gates will open at 3 p.m. for the free event, featuring carnival rides, inflatables for the kids, plus around 20 vendors, as well as food options.  L ive music, sponsored by Grace Baptist Church, will kick off soon after gates open — with opening acts the High Road, a Grammy award nominated gospel group, and local artists Stephen Hogan, the Wyatt Wood Band, Justin Tucker and the Devon Williams Band.