Latest news with #SavannahGraceCopelandAct
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Governor Lee signs Savannah Grace Copeland Act aimed at increasing funding for child advocacy
POWELL, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed the Savannah Grace Copeland Act on Wednesday May 21, seeking to increase state funding for child advocacy. The act requires that if the state's general fund grows by at least one percent, the state has to increase the funding for the contracts of child advocacy centers in each judicial district by three percent. Gov. Lee signs 'Savanna's Law,' creating habitual domestic violence offender registry and honoring Robertson Co. deputy It additionally says that the Department of Children's Services has to increase contracts for child advocacy centers to a base rate of $127,855.98 and forensic child interviewer contracts to a base of $85,000 per contracted interviewer. Finally, the bill would require the funds given to the advocacy centers to be used according to a specific formula. The bill is named after a 13-year-old Powell girl who was murdered in October 2024. Her father has encouraged the legislature to work on increasing access to mental health. Tennessee bail bond agents warn of scammers posing as legitimate agents The bill passed the House and Senate earlier this year and is scheduled to go into effect on July 1. 6 News' Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs discussed the bill in April. Copeland's father also spoke to 6 News after his daughter's death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lawyer, VFL Todd Kelly Jr. discuss consequences of breaking NIL contracts
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — In the wake of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava leaving Vols, some may be wondering if litigation could follow the player for breaking his NIL contract. In this week's Ask Isaacs, 6 News' Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs are joined by VFL Todd Kelly Jr. to discuss the potential legal consequences of breaking contracts. The question of what consequences Nico Iamaleava could face comes as University of Arkansas's NIL collective hired an attorney to pursue and enforce the buyout clause in Madden Iamaleava's name image and likeness contract, CBS Sports reported. Lawyer explains current state of NIL after Iamaleava's departure from Tennessee Nico Iamaleava's younger brother reportedly committed to UCLA, where Iamaleava is headed after leaving Tennessee. Madden Iamaleava previously committed to Arkansas and had a $500,000 contract, the Associated Press reported. The outlet said his contract requires him to pay 50% of the remaining contract value for leaving before the contract expires. Nico Iamaleava, on the other hand, had a reported $2.4 million NIL contract that was in place for him to Tennessee but left to seek higher pay elsewhere. According to ESPN, Nico Iamaleava's UCLA agreement is paying him less than what he was earning at Tennessee but more than the $1.5 million that some others have reported. Although NIL contracts differ between schools and sports, there are similar elements that are included for many of these contracts, such as clauses denoting contract length, payment details, and conditions for terminating the agreement or potential fees for breaching the agreement. Lawyer breaks down Savannah Grace Copeland Act as Powell teen murder case continues According to the Isaacs Law Firm, lawsuits regarding NIL agreements will likely include allegations of a breach of contract or fraudulent inducement claims. If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@ To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here. WATE's Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 p.m. Ask Isaacs is also streamed live on WATE6+. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
East TN families receive refunds as cabinet business files for bankruptcy
DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The operator of a kitchen cabinet business in Dandridge has finally returned deposit checks to three customers who never received the cabinets and countertops they ordered a year ago. The refunds were returned 'much to the surprise' of the families, who never expected to see the money. Business owner Michael Bossert said last November that refund checks for cabinets to three of his customers would arrive by December. The kitchen cabinets were ordered at Heartland Cabinet Factory Outlet in Dandridge. Checks amounting to full deposits were finally processed for each family in early March and April. Lawyer breaks down Savannah Grace Copeland Act as Powell teen murder case continues 6 News first talked with Sharon Ruttan, Jeff and Randi Swan, Ed and Allison Murphy in November 2024. The Murphys received their check for more than $10,000 on April 15. 'I told my wife, you ain't going to believe this, Michael Bossert just texted me and said to come pick up the check,' said Ed Murphy. Allison Murphy continued,' I said, we need to get in the car and go now. I was excited.' 'It's been a long time. We put a deposit down on our cabinets on February 20, 2024,' said Ed Murphy. He said when he received Mr. Bossert's text message, he immediately went to the store. 'Finally, after eight months of his promising to give us the money, we finally got it,' said Allison Murphy. Man killed in crash along Norris Freeway on Easter Jeff Swan also received a similar text from Michael Bossert last week. 'He told me that he had a refund check for me and that I could come and pick it up at his store or he would mail it to us. I quickly hopped in the truck and headed down there. I was in disbelief. I honestly never thought we would see it,' he said. There was disbelief because Bossert wrote to the state Attorney General's office saying the Swans would get their deposit by October 4, 2024. 'I never thought that this would happen,' said Randi Swan. 'Because it's been so long. We pretty much had gotten to the point where we were accepting that we are never going to see it.' 'He claimed the attorneys were involved, and that's why it took so long,' Jeff Swan added. Sharon Ruttan received her full deposit in early March. She paid 50% down on March 11, 2024, but her cabinets never arrived. When she filed a complaint with the state licensing board against Heartland last month, her deposit was sent within days. On March 31, Bossert filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with federal court. He plans to restructure his debt and lists liabilities between $1 to $10 million, with over 50 creditors he owes money to. His store remains open in Dandridge, allowing him to negotiate with creditors and potentially leading to a repayment plan and a path to financial recovery. 'I think it could have been avoided. I think there were many things Mr. Bossert could have done. I think he could have been more upfront with us,' said Allison Murphy. Sharron Ruttan, the Swans and Murphys said they paid another business to install their cabinets and countertops last year. Knoxville woman faces eviction due to daughter's behavior at apartment complex Together with his attorney, Bossert will next appear in bankruptcy court to outline his plan to restructure his debt. In the meantime, his store remains open for business. The families we've followed since last November are happy to see their money. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Lawyer breaks down Savannah Grace Copeland Act as Powell teen murder case continues
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — It's been six months since Savannah Copeland was found dead along a trail in Powell. In this week's Ask Isaacs, 6 News' Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs discuss the bill passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in Copeland's honor and the criminal case of the teen accused in her death. On Tuesday, the Savannah Grace Copeland Act passed the Tennessee Senate after passing in the state House of Representatives Monday. The bill sought to increase funding for child advocacy. After Copeland's death, her parents have openly advocated for mental health reform and support for children who suffer from trauma. Parents of slain teen advocate for mental health reform as suspect appears in court As this change at the state level develops, the 15-year-old accused of killing 13-year-old Copeland in October 2024 is continuing to move through the justice system. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. In the days following Copeland's body being discovered on a trail in the Broadacres subdivision, Judge Timothy E. Irwin decided to release the name of the suspect, identifying him as Malakiah Lamar Harris. In November 2024, state prosecutors revealed they were seeking to try Harris as an adult. An initial transfer hearing was scheduled for January 14, 2025, but a judge rescheduled the hearing for January 20-23, 2026 at a hearing on April 22, 2025. Harris' lawyers said during the hearing on Tuesday that they are consulting with mental health experts. A status hearing has been scheduled for July 2025. Powell teen murder case: Lawyer explains judge's decision to disclose suspect's name According to the Isaacs Law Firm, a juvenile case may be transferred to criminal court in certain circumstances, based on the age of the juvenile and the crime they are accused of. For first- and second-degree murder, a juvenile case can be transferred for juvenile defendants who are under the age of 14 or between the ages of 14 and 17. If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@ To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here. WATE's Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 p.m. Ask Isaacs is also streamed live on WATE6+. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Parents of slain teen advocate for mental health reform as suspect appears in court
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The teen accused of murdering 13-year-old Savannah Copeland back in October appeared in court Tuesday. Malakiah Harris was charged with second-degree murder after Copeland's body was found along a Powell trail in October. Father of Powell murder victim shares how he learned his daughter was missing He appeared in court for a quick status hearing Tuesday afternoon, in which the judge set the schedule for the next steps in the case. Harris will be in court again on July 23 for another status hearing. His lawyer said in court they are consulting mental health experts. Back in November, prosecutors revealed they want to charge Harris as an adult. On Tuesday, the judge set January 20-23, 2026 for a transfer hearing, in which that decision will be made. Savannah's family was in the courtroom Tuesday. 'We believe in the system that we have and believe in the way that it works. It's frustrating certainly at sometimes but that is what it is,' her dad, Michael, said. Throughout the legal process, the Powell community has rallied around Savannah's family. 'I can't even express the amount of support we've gotten,' her mom, Amanda, said. 'From the blue lights to thoughts and prayers to well wishes, like it has been overwhelming and it's been beautiful.' Her impact has gone beyond her hometown. Also on Tuesday, the Tennessee House and Senate passed the Savannah Grace Copeland Act the same day as the hearing. The bill would increase state funding for child advocacy centers across the state. 'Particularly with children who have suffered traumas of some kind at early ages, we need to get to them at early ages and we need to give their family members support, so these kids hopefully can get the necessary love, support, education and access to mental health that they need so that we don't lose them,' Michael said. Savannah's parents said there's a long way to go with mental health reform in the state, but this first step is the perfect way to honor their daughter. 'She loved life and she lived it so big, so she's very missed by so many,' Amanda said. The Savannah Grace Copeland Act is headed to the governor's desk to be signed. It is set to go into effect on July 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
