Author: Kyle Peppers

Early voting begins May 24 for Jackson’s runoff election

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Madison County Election Commission is sharing details on early voting ahead of the runoff election. While the Election Commission confirms their office has moved to a new location at 1981 Hollywood Drive, early voting for this…

TDOT to halt lane closures for Memorial Day weekend

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Memorial Day weekend travelers will not be delayed by road construction on interstates and state routes. The Tennessee Department of Transportation announces all construction related lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, May 26 through…

Jessica Davis announces departure from WBBJ

Reporter/anchor Jessica Davis is announcing her departure from WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News. A Memphis native, Jessica joined the WBBJ team as a multimedia journalist in May 2021, helping bring some of West Tennessee's top stories to the community over…

TennCare, Medicaid recipients may need to re-enroll

JACKSON, Tenn. -- West Tennessee Healthcare is sharing important information for TennCare recipients. According to a press release, the federal government has decided to end the federal Public Health Emergency period in 2023, which may effect some Tennesseans. The release…

Empire Theaters offering Free Summer Movie Series

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Do you have a free trip to the cinema in your summer plans? Empire Theaters in Jackson is once again offering the Free Summer Movie Series. Between May 30 and August 3, you can enjoy free admission…

Exit 56 Blues Fest returns Memorial Day weekend

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. -- Get ready for a weekend filled with great food and music! The Exit 56 Blues Fest is returning to Brownsville for Memorial Day weekend. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, the…

Plate lunches, sweets & more: New cafe opens in Henderson

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- A new eatery has opened its doors in the Chester County community. Stoll's Cafe, located at 1212 Highway 45 North in Henderson, celebrated their grand opening this week. The cafe serves sandwiches, plate lunches, casseroles, and…

New bill gives teachers ‘largest pay raise in state history’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A historic bill will bring changes to teachers' pay in the State of Tennessee. On Thursday, Governor Bill Lee signed the Teacher Paycheck Protection Act. A news release states the landmark bill "will give teachers the largest…

2 West TN students found dead at school, 1 transported for treatment

SOMERVILLE, Tenn. -- An investigation is underway after two West Tennessee students were found dead in a school's parking lot. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office says on Tuesday, two deceased juveniles were discovered at Fayette-Ware High School in Somerville. A…

NFL greats to join FHU Annual Benefit Dinner

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- A local university's annual fundraiser will welcome two greats from the NFL. Players-turned-commentators Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms are set to join Freed-Hardeman University's Annual Benefit Dinner on Friday, December 1. According to a news release, the…

Brownsville native competes in national singing competition

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A Brownsville native is taking part in a national competition. Clifton Smith recently attended the third season of Hallelujah Auditions in Burlington, Iowa. The competition consists of worship leaders from all over the United States, with each…

Report ranks each Tennessee county in child well-being

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth released the 2023 County Profiles in Child Well-Being on Tuesday. The annual report ranks each county in the state in important areas affecting child development, such as economic well-being, education,…

Events this week in West Tennessee: May 15-21

Don’t miss any of the fun in the 731! Check out our list of events happening this week in West Tennessee. Click here for a list of LIFELINE Blood Services’ mobile blood drives. Monday, May 15 Cornhole & Card Playing…

Group seeks to honor women veterans at upcoming event

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Women veterans will be honored at an upcoming event by the Jackson-Madison Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The group is currently seeking women veterans to honor at their annual Women Veterans Day commemoration. This year's…

Jackson Fire Department announces promotion of LaTrell Billingsley

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson Fire Department announces the promotion of LaTrell Billingsley to Division Chief/Fire Marshal of the Fire Prevention Bureau. A press release states that since joining JFD, Billingsley has made significant contributions to the organization, including serving…

TWRA confirms boating death in Benton County

BENTON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Local authorities are investigating a death on the water. A press release from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency states their officers are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred on Saturday, May 13. The release says…

Deceased male discovered in Dyersburg, police seek ID

UPDATE (5/15/23): Dyersburg police confirm the body has been identified and says the family has been notified. DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- The Dyersburg Police Department is seeking help in identifying a body. Dyersburg police say around 9:30 a.m. on Friday, officers…

Starlink technology implemented at Henderson County Community Hospital

LEXINGTON, Tenn. -- A West Tennessee hospital is implementing a new transformative technology. BradenHealth announces that SpaceX's revolutionary Starlink technology is being introduced to its network of healthcare facilities, with the inaugural installation successfully completed at the Henderson County Community…

Crime Stoppers seek IDs in theft at Old Hickory Mall

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Authorities are seeking the identities of multiple suspects in a local theft. According to Crime Stoppers, three individuals were involved in the theft of merchandise from Spencer's Gifts, located inside Old Hickory Mall in Jackson. Crime Stoppers…

Milan event to offer mental health resources to community

MILAN, Tenn. -- An upcoming event in Milan will bring awareness to mental health. On Saturday, May 13, a Mental Health Awareness Fair will be held at the Milan First United Methodist Church. Sponsored by the Gibson County Affiliate of…

Jackson Madison Co. Health & Safety Fair coming May 20

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson Madison County Health and Safety Fair is coming up on Saturday, May 20. The community is invited to the free event, which will offer education and outreach by local agencies that provide our community with…

Jackson boy missing since March 10

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Authorities are searching for a 14-year-old boy missing from Jackson. According to Saving Lost Kids, a Memphis-based nonprofit organization, Ka'Mari Champion has been missing from the Jackson area since March 10, 2023. Ka'Mari has black hair and…

Annual Tea Party by FHU Associates coming May 20

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- The Victorian Tea Party for student scholarships, presented by the Freed-Hardeman University Associates, is returning to Henderson. The 21st annual event will take place from noon until 4 p.m. on…

Events this week in West Tennessee: May 8-14

Don’t miss any of the fun in the 731! Check out our list of events happening this week in West Tennessee. Click here for a list of LIFELINE Blood Services’ mobile blood drives. Monday, May 8 Special Olympics Torch Run…

Police respond to incident at north Jackson Wendy’s

UPDATE: JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson Police Department says around 11:45 a.m., officers headed to the 800 block of Vann Drive for a person wanted on felony warrants from Selmer. JPD says that when officers arrived, they attempted to make…

Bethel’s Dr. Johnson, Dr. Lancaster announce retirement

MCKENZIE, Tenn. -- Retirements have been announced for two longtime faculty members at Bethel University. A news release states during the May 4 faculty meeting, Dr. Roger Johnson and Dr. David Lancaster confirmed…

Fundraiser to support food insecurity in Henry County

PARIS, Tenn. -- One organization is hosting a fundraiser to help feed those in need ahead of World Hunger Day on May 28. The Little Pantries of Henry County is selling t-shirts to support the little pantries located throughout the…

Poll of the Day: Police Transparency

While many citizens believe transparency in policing is important, how well do authorities in West Tennessee handle it? We want to hear from you in our Poll of the Day. SEE ALSO: Police Chief, Sheriff share…

Milan attempted murder suspect captured in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The suspect in a shooting in Milan was arrested in Jackson on Thursday. According to a press release, 20-year-old Brenden Lubbock was captured by the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent…

RV fire halts traffic on Interstate 40

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A fire on Interstate 40 halted traffic in Madison County Friday morning. Near mile marker 85, a RV could be seen fully engulfed in flames on the shoulder of the westbound lane, along with a vehicle…

Community Baby Shower to be held downtown Jackson Saturday

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Hub City is gearing up for a community-wide baby shower this weekend. JKSN and Hub City Doula will be hosting the Community Baby Shower on Saturday, May 6. The Community Baby Shower is described as a…

School bus wrecks in Carroll County

CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. -- First responders were on the scene of a school bus wreck Thursday morning. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred around 7:42 a.m. on Highway 70,…

Poll of the Day: Best Star Wars Trilogy

May the 4th be with you! As Thursday marks "Star Wars Day," an informal recognition of the beloved franchise by fans worldwide, we want to hear from you in our Poll of the Day. Click here to…

Milan police confirm death of Detective Lieutenant Kelvin Whitney

MILAN, Tenn. -- The Milan Police Department confirms the death of one of their lieutenants. The department shared a social media post Thursday responding to the death of Detective Lieutenant Kelvin Whitney. According to the post, Whitney died Wednesday after…