Local News
A former Clarksville school nurse is spending decades behind bars on child pornography charges. A federal judge has sentenced 42-year-old Leon Hensley to more than 24 years in prison. Authorities launched an investigation into Hensley in May of 2021 after he reportedly sent a nude photo of an adult woman to a female minor in the Clarksville area, asking her to pose in photos for him. Investigators say they uncovered inappropriate images of minors on his phone while looking into the case. Officials say those minors were later determined to be female students from Northeast High School, where Hensley previously worked.
Governor Bill Lee is asking for help from the federal government. Lee has requested federal emergency assistance for ten counties recently impacted by severe weather and tornadoes, which left at least 15 Tennesseans dead. President Joe Biden has already approved a similar request from Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Biden’s approval for the Volunteer State would give eligible Tennesseans help with disaster-related costs and expenses.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton supports the expulsion of three of his Democratic colleagues. Representatives Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson could be expelled from their seats after recently joining protestors calling for stricter gun laws at the Capitol in Nashville. Sexton yesterday said he supports their expulsion, claiming they were trying to “incite violence.” He then rephrased his comments, instead saying “they were trying to jazz people up.” Their expulsions would leave around 200-thousand Tennesseans without representation in the House.
Volkswagen is recalling more than 143-thousand Atlas SUVs over a airbag-related issue. According to the automaker, the wiring in some of the vehicles’ front passenger detection system could be faulty, causing in the airbag not deploying in a crash. The recall affects the 2018 through 2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. Volkswagen warned owners not to allow anyone in the front passenger seat until a free repair is done.