Latest news with #Knoxvillian
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hands Off protest draws hundreds in Knoxville to send a message to Trump, Elon Musk
Streets of downtown Knoxville were flooded with hundreds of people ‒ and drivers honking in support ‒ as part of the nationwide Hands Off rally to protest President Donald Trump's policies. Even in decidedly conservative Knox County, where Trump was elected with 59% of the vote in 2024, voters' participation in the demonstration was strong. Chants and cheers of demonstrators on the afternoon of April 5 were unavoidable to drivers entering downtown via Summit Hill Drive or Henley Street. Demonstrators lined both sides of the street for blocks, carrying signs and American flags. "People are waking up," 21-year-old Lily Dover told Knox News. "I'm happy to have people in my who support (what I believe in) and try to help people." The lifelong Knoxvillian attended the protest with her mother, and both said they had never seen anything like the rally. Indivisible Knoxville, an organizer of the local event, hundreds of thousands of people participated in over 1,000 demonstrations in all 50 states. Washington, D.C., and New York City has especially huge protests. Demonstrators had an array of reasons why they participated and signs protested Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency cuts, warned against Medicare and Social Security cuts and supported the Public Broadcasting Service. Each person cited the same thing: They were impressed with the large turnout. Demonstrators lobbed criticism at Knoxville's Republican congressional representatives, Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, all of whom have supported Trump and Musk. "I'm excited that there's this many people who feel the same way I do," Patrick Hundley, 77, told Knox News. "Our congressman is a coward. He should be standing up to some of Trump's (actions)." The "Hands Off" demonstration stands in contrast to an event held blocks away on March 14 at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk drew hundreds of students and community members to a public debate. Supportive audience members heckled those who disagreed with Kirk, and celebrated the event as a show of support for Trump on campus. Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Hands Off protest in Knoxville draws hundreds to send message to Trump
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Return of Bassmaster Classic highlights growth of Knoxville sports scene
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Bassmaster Classic is making its return to Knoxville in 2026, marking another addition to the Scruffy City's growing sports scene. The competition was previously held in Knoxville in 2019 and 2023. More than 160,000 people traveled to the city for the event two years ago, setting an attendance record. 'They're coming for a lot of reasons,' said Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas. 'They're coming to watch the competition but they're also coming to go to the world's largest fishing expo, that actually has a lot more to shop for than just fishing equipment, so it's super exciting for everyone in Knoxville.' Construction of East Knoxville multiuse stadium enters final phase The 2023 classic made an impact on more than just Knoxville's fishing community. 'In 2023, the economic impact was over $35 million. That's people staying in hotels, eating at restaurants, shopping, enjoying all the city has to offer. Over 29,000 hotel rooms were purchased over the stay of visitors for the 2023 classic,' B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson said. Professional Angler Robert Gee grew up in Knoxville and graduated from Christian Academy of Knoxville and University of Tennessee. He's competing at his first ever Bassmaster Classic this year in Fort Worth, Texas, but is hoping to qualify for the 2026 competition in his hometown. 'That's going to be my number one goal, is to make this classic, because I grew up fishing up on Fort Loudoun and Tellico,' he said. 'I mean this has been my home lake growing up so I'm really looking forward to trying to make this tournament.' Price increase for UT Basketball season tickets due to talent fee, arena upgrades The news of the Bassmaster Classic's return comes during an era of growth for the Knoxville sports scene. The Smokies baseball team will soon begin their first season in the new multi-use stadium being built in downtown Knoxville which will also host professional soccer team One Knoxville Sporting Club. As a lifelong Knoxvillian, Gee says right now is the best time to be a Tennessee sports fan. 'It's been the best of my lifetime. I was born in 1999, so I was born like eleven days after we won the 1998 national championship. So this has kind of been the peak of my life of Tennessee sports. I mean we're good at baseball, basketball, football. We're getting the Smokies to come to Knoxville. We're getting the Bassmaster Classic to come to Knoxville. So if you're a sports fan, Knoxville is the perfect place to live in my opinion,' he said. The 2026 Bassmaster Classic will be held March 13-15. Fort Loudoun Lake, Tellico Lake and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center will all serve as venues for the competition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TVA President, CEO to retire after nearly 6 years
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — After serving as the CEO for the Tennessee Valley Authority for nearly six years, Jeff Lyash has announced he plans to retire from his role as CEO and president by the end of the fiscal year. Lyash was appointed to the position of president and CEO by the TVA's board of directors in April 2019. Under his guidance, the TVA helped create approximately $45.9 billion in capital investment, and created or retained more than 326,000 jobs. TVA asks for public input on impact of Clinch River Nuclear Site Although Lyash is expected to retire by the end of the fiscal year, which ends on October 2, the TVA shared that he will continue to lead the TVA until the Board of Directors selects his successor. 'For the past six years, it's been my privilege to serve with an experienced, talentedteam at TVA,' said Lyash. 'TVA truly is a special place – created more than 90 years ago toimprove the quality of life for more than 10 million people across this region.' Lyash added he could not think of a better place to close out his career than the TVA, serving people just like those in his hometown of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. 'While I'm looking forward to my next chapter, spending more time with family,grandchildren, and friends, I will miss our TVA team and the relationships we've built across thisregion. The true strength of TVA is its people – an experienced and passionate workforce whowork every day to make a difference.' Under Lyash's leadership, the TVA also became the first utility company to obtain approval from the U.S. Nuclear regulatory commission for an early site permit to potentially construct and operate a small modular reactor at the Clinch River Nuclear Site. Since 2023, the TVA has been working with GE Hitachi, Ontario Power Generation and Synthos Green Energy to develop the standard design for the BWRX-300 small modular reactor. 'Nuclear is the most reliable and efficient energy the world has ever known, and TVA is uniquely positioned to help drive this forward. Advanced nuclear technologies will play a critical role in our region and nation's drive towards great energy security,' Lyash said. Decades suffering from autoimmune diseases, Knoxvillian Cindy Siegel Shepler traveled to Europe to end her life Currently, the TVA is leading an application, with 11 nuclear industry partners and the State of Tennessee, for an $800 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to accelerate the construction of the nation's first modular reactor. Before joining the TVA, Lyash worked as the president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation, one of the largest electricity generating companies in Canada with a diverse fleet of nuclear,hydroelectric, gas, biomass, and renewable generating stations Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
TVA asks for public input on impact of Clinch River Nuclear Site
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking the public to share comments and concerns about the potential environmental impact of implementing a small modular reactor at the Clinch River Nuclear Site. On Friday, the TVA shared that it had completed a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS), which assesses the environmental impacts associated with the additional of the proposed implementation of a reactor at the site. The proposed action includes site preparation, construction, operation, and decommissioning a nuclear facility at the site. 'They're hiding behind the anonymous word': Fake deportation sales posted in Roane County Facebook group Earlier this month, the TVA and several of its partners announced that they would begin construction planning for a potential small modular reactor (SMR) at the site. The proposed plan could implement a BWRX-300 SMR, designed by a partnership effort between the TVA, GE Hitachi, Ontario Power Generation and Synthos Green Energy. Efforts have been underway to develop the design for the standard reactor since 2023. The 155-page draft SEIS document explains the potential impacts of the TVA's preferred proposed action on various natural and community resources, as well as several other options. Read the full report below. Clinch-River-Nuclear-Site-SEIS-TVADownload The draft SEIS also explains that the nominal gross electric output of the BWRX-300 SMR would be 300 megawatts of electric capacity. According to the document, the TVA believes the SMR could be ready for commercial deployment within a decade. Decades suffering from autoimmune diseases, Knoxvillian Cindy Siegel Shepler traveled to Europe to end her life The public is invited to learn more and ask questions about the draft SEIS at a public meeting that will take place on Thursday, February 27 between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be taking place at the East Tennessee Economic Council, 1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. A virtual meeting will also be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25. Additional information on the meetings can be found at Public comments can also be submitted online or by email to nepa@ or in writing to to Carol Butler Freeman, NEPA Specialist, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11B, Knoxville, TN 37902 postmarked by March 18, 2025. The TVA previously explained that although they and their partners are collaborating to develop the potential Clinch River SMR's cost estimate and schedule, the TVA's board has not yet voted to approve an SMR at the Clinch River Nuclear site. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
