Author: Associated Press

Tennessee lawmakers OK education bills in special session

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers have finished tackling education issues that have surfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Republicans on Friday still fumed that some districts still are not back in classrooms but declined to act on their proposal…

Videos of 60 females on camera found in changing room

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee gym has fired an employee who owned a camera found inside a girls changing room. Police told news outlets that the camera found at Premier Athletics in Franklin last week contained videos of 60…

2,600 arrested at protests demanding Navalny’s release

MOSCOW (AP) — A group that counts political detentions says Russian police have arrested more than 2,600 protesters who took to the streets across the country in temperatures as low as minus-50 C (minus-58 F) to demand the release of…

Magistrate judge allows release of man in Capitol riot

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A magistrate judge will allow the release of a Tennessee man who carried flexible plastic handcuffs around the U.S. Capitol during the recent raid by Trump supporters. The Tennessean reports that Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Frensley determined…

Tennessee adds vaccine groups; no promised extra doses yet

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is making moves to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for people in households with medically frail children and workers at jails and prisons. State Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said Friday that those 70 and older are also…

Hank Aaron, baseball’s one-time home run king, dies at 86

ATLANTA (AP) — Former home run king Hank Aaron has died. The Baseball Hall of Famer passed away in his sleep at age 86. Aaron endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth, breaking the career…

Tennessee clinic closed for weekend after shots fired

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Planned Parenthood clinic in Tennessee has closed for the weekend after someone fired a shotgun at its doors. Media outlets report the Knoxville clinic was unoccupied at the time of the shooting and no one…

Larry King, broadcasting giant for half-century, dies at 87

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry King has died at age 87 after a half-century in broadcasting that included interviews with presidents, movie stars and ordinary Joes. His production company tweeted that he died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los…

Guard in DC forced to sleep in garages, sparking outcry

WASHINGTON (AP) — Images of National Guard soldiers camped in a cold parking garage after being sent to protect Washington are sparking new calls for investigations of the U.S. Capitol Police, now facing allegations that the agency evicted troops sent…

Testimony: Road rage likely prompted Nashville nurse shooting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Court testimony has pointed to a possible motive in the fatal shooting of a Tennessee nurse along Interstate 440 in Nashville. It suggests 26-year-old Caitlyn Kaufman may have been a victim of road rage in December.…

Trump impeachment moving forward despite transition of power

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will send the article of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement on Friday. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell wants to postpone the…

Biden signs burst of virus orders, vows ‘Help is on the way’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is putting into play his national COVID-19 strategy to ramp up vaccinations and testing, reopen schools and businesses and increase the use of masks. [field59_video account="WBBJ" key="e699d46621433187e9adfba7f17c206f70ecaa63" vtitle="Biden signs burst of virus orders, vows…

Man shot by Memphis police to receive $200k settlement

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A man who survived a shooting by police after a fleeing a traffic stop has settled his lawsuit against the city of Memphis, Tennessee. The Commercial Appeal reports Martavious Banks will receive a $200,000 settlement after…

Biden to sign 10 virus-related executive orders Thursday

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is putting into play his national COVID-19 strategy to ramp up vaccinations and testing, reopen schools and businesses and increase the use of masks — including a requirement that Americans mask up for travel.…

At least 4 Tennessee men receive presidential pardons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — At least four Tennessee men are among the 73 people pardoned by President Donald Trump during the final hours of his term. Nashville resident Robert Sherrill founded a mentoring program for at-risk youth and a group…

TN senator charged in new case after recent theft allegations

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee state senator who was already facing allegations of stealing more than $600,000 from a health care school has been charged in a new case. Democrat Katrina Robinson and two other people have been charged…

Tennessee will receive $458M for housing rent relief

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee housing officials say the state will receive about $458 million in federal COVID-19 money for rent relief. The Tennessee Housing Development Agency says it is setting up a web portal, call center and preparing staff…

US soldier arrested in plot to blow up NYC 9/11 Memorial

NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities say a U.S. Army soldier has been arrested in Georgia on terrorism charges after he spoke online about plotting to blow up the 9/11 Memorial in New York City and attack U.S. soldiers in the…

Garth Brooks joins lineup of entertainers at Biden inaugural

NEW YORK (AP) — Add Garth Brooks to the lineup of entertainers at the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Brooks joins Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez among others and performed during the inaugural celebration of President Barack Obama in 2009.…

Tennessee fires Coach Pruitt, 9 others for ‘serious’ NCAA issues

(AP) -- Tennessee has fired football coach Jeremy Pruitt, two assistants and seven members of the Volunteers’ recruiting and support staff for cause after an internal investigation found what the university chancellor called “serious violations of NCAA rules.” Chancellor Donde…

Gov. Lee facing widespread criticism for approach to virus

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — As Tennessee has fueled one of the nation’s worst COVID-19 surges for weeks, Gov. Bill Lee’s approach hasn’t strayed much from how he and several fellow Republican governors battling similar spikes have long approached the virus.…

Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit reaches space on 2nd try

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit has reached space eight months after the first demonstration flight of its air-launched rocket system failed. The company says a 70-foot-long LauncherOne rocket released from beneath the wing of a Boeing 747…

History-making woman kicker invited to Biden inauguration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sarah Fuller, the first woman to score in a Power Five conference football game, says she’s been invited to attend President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Fuller posted on social media that she was honored to be invited…

Protests start small, peacefully at fortified US statehouses

(AP) ---Police and National Guard troops are standing sentry at newly fortified statehouses ahead of demonstrations planned for the lead-up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The increased security comes as authorities worked to deter a repeat of the recent riot…

Another Tennessee man charged with breaching US Capitol

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal authorities say another Tennessee man has been charged with participating in the raid at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month. FBI agents on Sunday arrested 35-year-old Blake Austin Reed of Nashville. He's charged with knowingly…

Springsteen, Miranda set for inaugural gala

WASHINGTON (AP) —Actor-playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda and rockers Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are among the stars who will highlight a prime-time virtual celebration televised Wednesday night after Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th president. Biden’s inaugural committee announced…

Tennessee OKs Medicaid block grant; fate unclear under Biden

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Legislature has approved a contentious plan for a drastic overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program. On Friday, the House followed the Senate's vote a day before in hopes of making it difficult for the…

Baby giraffe dies shortly after birth at Nashville Zoo

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Nashville Zoo says a giraffe died shortly after it was born over the weekend. Complications developed when the calf’s mother went into labor on Saturday and medical intervention was required. The zoo says its veterinary…

Boy charged with murder in stabbing of fellow 12-year-old

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Police say a 12-year-old Tennessee boy has been charged with murder in the stabbing of a 12-year-old girl. Police said in a statement that officers responded early Thursday to a Chattanooga home and found the girl…

Vice President-elect Harris to resign her Senate seat Monday

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will resign her Senate seat on Monday, two days before she and President-elect Joe Biden are inaugurated. Aides to the California Democrat confirm the timing and say Gov. Gavin Newsom is aware…

Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81. California state prison officials said he…

Guard troops pour into Washington as states answer the call

WASHINGTON (AP) — By the busload and planeload, National Guard troops are pouring into the nation’s capital as governors answer the urgent pleas of U.S. defense officials for more troops to safeguard Washington, even as they keep anxious eyes on…

Another Tennesseean charged with taking part in Capitol raid

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal authorities say another Tennessee man has been charged with taking part in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors say Jack Jesse Griffith, known online as Juan Bibiano, was arrested Saturday in Gallatin…

Biden fills out State Department team with Obama veterans

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is filling out his State Department team with a group of former career diplomats and veterans of the Obama administration. The nominations and appointments announced Saturday signal Biden's desire to return to a more…

Pandemic interrupts longtime Isle Royale wolf, moose study

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — One of the world’s longest-running wildlife field studies has fallen prey to the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1959, a research team has spent most of the winter observing the interplay between wolves and moose at Isle…

Elvis Presley’s Graceland starting virtual tours

(AP)-- Elvis Presley's Graceland is now offering online tours for fans around the world, including those who can't travel to the Tennessee tourist attraction during the coronavirus pandemic. Graceland said the two-hour guided tours will…

Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it ‘vote of conscience’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is likely to begin after Joe Biden’s inauguration next week. This as the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, is telling senators their decision on whether or not to convict Trump over the Capitol…

Dorothy Schmidt Cole, oldest living Marine, dies at 107

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina woman recognized as the oldest living U.S. Marine has died at age 107. Fair Winds and Following Seas Join us in saying goodbye to Sgt. Dorothy (Schmidt) Cole who passed away last…

NRA declares bankruptcy, plans to incorporate in Texas

NEW YORK (AP) — The National Rifle Association says the nation’s most powerful gun-rights organization has filed for bankruptcy and will seek to incorporate the nation’s most politically influential gun-rights group in Texas instead of New York. The announcement Friday…

Memphis man charged in U.S. Capitol raid

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Federal authorities say a Tennessee man has been arrested and charged with taking part in the raid at the U.S. Capitol last week. A U.S. Justice…

Biden unveils $1.9T plan to stem COVID-19 and steady economy

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden has unveiled a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan to end “a crisis of deep human suffering” by speeding up vaccines and pumping out financial help to those struggling with the pandemic’s prolonged economic fallout.…

RIP: Mars digger bites the dust after 2 years on red planet

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is giving up trying to drill deep into Mars to take the red planet’s temperature. Scientists in Germany spent two years trying to get their heat probe deep into the Martian crust. [caption id="attachment_458210"…

21,000 National Guard troops approved for DC

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has approved bringing in 21,000 National Guard members to Washington, D.C., to assist with security surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Photo Courtesy: NJ National Guard…

Police arrest woman in connection to fatal shooting of nurse

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities in Tennessee have arrested a third person in connection to the fatal shooting of a nurse on Interstate 440 last month. News outlets cited a statement from Metro Nashville Police that says 21-year-old Dimeneshia Carter…