Author: WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff

Bills aimed at reducing gun deaths fail in TN Senate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two Tennessee Senate bills aimed at reducing gun deaths failed on Monday. Sen. London Lamar, of Memphis, proposed a bill that would have revoked permit-less carry in Shelby and Davidson County, and another bill that would have…

Lady Chargers win second state championship

MARTIN, Tenn. -- After a win to remember, one team competed to do it again. The Westview High School Girls basketball team, the Lady Chargers, went to Middle Tennessee State University to take…

Local university to host Maribeth McGuire Lecture

MCKENZIE, Tenn. -- A local university is hosting the Maribeth McGuire Lecture. Bethel says the inaugural lecture will feature a poetry reading by Dr. James Scruton, who will present selections from his two most recent collections, "Crossing the Days," "The…

M. D. Anderson Planetarium’s April of 2023 schedule

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The University of Memphis Lambuth has shared their planetarium's April of 2023 schedule. The weekly schedule for the M. D. Anderson Planetarium includes: Tuesday, April 4, 5:30 p.m. – “Black Holes: the other side of infinity” Friday, April…

Third women’s self-defense class to be held March 25

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A third women's self-defense class is being held on March 25. A news release says this will be third free class aimed at preparing citizens to protect themselves, and promote prevention and situational awareness. “We want to…

Local group to host breakfast fundraiser March 25

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The East Madison County Community Association is preparing for their annual fundraiser. The association will present a pancake/waffle breakfast on Saturday, March 25. The menu will include pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon/turkey bacon, ham, sausage, and coffee/juice/water. Plates…

‘Misfits Market Expo’ to be held in Jackson Saturday

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Residents are invited to shop the Misfits Market Expo this weekend in Jackson. The first-of-its-kind event is described as a pop-up shop with unique vendors and artists, also offering tattoo and piercing opportunities. Organizers say they have…

TBI investigates officer-involved shooting in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- At the request of District Attorney General Jody Pickens, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting in Jackson. According to the TBI, Jackson Police Department officers responded to a report of shots fired…

Madison County Democratic Party to elect new leaders at convention

JACKSON, Tenn. -- All Madison County Democrats are welcome to attend a convention later this month. The Madison County Democratic Party plans to elect new leaders at a Reorganization Convention on Saturday, March 25. During the event, local Democrats will…

UTM Spring College Rodeo to be held in April

MARTIN, Tenn. -- The 55th Annual University of Tennessee at Martin Spring College Rodeo is kicking off next month. Tickets are available now for the three-day event, which will take place from April 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Considered one…

City of Jackson opens applications for Mayor’s Youth Council

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Applications for the 2024-2025 Mayor's Youth Council are now being accepted by the City of Jackson. High school students who are entering their junior year in the 2024-2025 academic school year are eligible, with a new process…

Meet the new Miss Teen Volunteer America

JACKSON, Tenn. ---The newly crowned Miss Teen Volunteer America speaks with us on her big win. Wood wins out of 40 talented girls who traveled from all over the country…

New space opens to help homeless in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn.---A new space opens to help the homeless. The Room at the Inn, located at First United Methodist Church in downtown Jackson, has dedicated their mission center space for the…

Local resident announces mayoral candidacy

JACKSON, Tenn.--A local woman announces her run for mayor. On Sunday, Lisa Williams-Lyons announced her candidacy for Jackson City Mayor at Forest Hills Park. Many people were in attendance to show…

JPD responds to pedestrian struck by SUV

JACKSON, Tenn. --- A pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. According to Jackson Police Department, a pedestrian was walking on Carriage House Drive and was struck by an SUV. According…

King’s First Queen event returns

A special event was held for mothers and sons. On Saturday, North Parkway Middle School hosted the King's First Queen event. This is an event where mothers and their sons can…

Miss Teen Volunteer Pageant: Final Night

JACKSON, Tenn. ---Teens compete for the crown in the final day of the Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant. On Saturday, it was a day of emotions, glitz, and glam as the…

Winning artists recognized

JACKSON, Tenn. ---An annual event comes back to the Hub City. On Saturday, the winners of the Colors of Music contest were celebrated at The Ned Performing Arts Center. Now…

Closet event gives young ladies their night to shine

HUMBOLDT, Tenn.---The Junior Auxiliary of Humboldt held their annual, The Prom Closet, for young women in the community. The closet is held to offer young women here in West Tennessee free prom…

Symposium returns to encourage local youth

JACKSON, Tenn.----The Nu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho invite youth from the community to their annual Youth Symposium. The 26th annual Youth Symposium was held at T.R. White Sportsplex. The event…

Pet of the Week: Charlee

This week's Pet of the Week from Hero West Rescue is Charlee! Meet Charlee! She is a small lady (weighing just under 30 lbs.) She has the biggest and goofiest personality.…

Miss Teen Volunteer Pageant: Night 2

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Forty hopefuls are vying for the crown of Miss Teen Volunteer America. It was a night of glitz and glam as the teens participated in the…

Bill aims to rename state’s handgun carry permit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A bill proposed by state legislators aims to rename the handgun carry permit. House Bill 1005 would change "handgun" to "firearm" in Tennessee Code. "Basically three different things, by changing our language, not creating any new crimes…

Comic Convention begins in West Tennessee

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. -- A local town kicked off an event that's a big first for their community. Brownsville kicked of their Haywood Comic Convention Friday at the College Hill Complex to…

Wingstop reopens in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A flavor-filled celebration took place in the Hub City. Early on Friday, Wingstop hosted its grand reopening. The day was celebrated with sauced-and-tossed signature flavors and spin…

Second Jackson school faces potential threat

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Another local school experienced a possible threat on Friday. According to Greg Hammond, from the Jackson-Madison County School System, after school hours, the Jackson Police Department saw what could…

Alleged leader of local meth operation sentenced to prison

JACKSON, Tenn. -- The alleged leader of a large methamphetamine trafficking operation has been sentenced to prison. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 36-year-old Preston Antwan McNeal, of Jackson, was found guilty on four counts of a seven-count indictment…

Headliners announced for 2023 TN River Jam

PARIS, Tenn. -- Headliners for the 2023 Tennessee River Jam have been announced. The annual four-day music festival will take place from Thursday, June 1 through Sunday, June 4. Headliners this year include Chris Janson, Drake White, Jason D. Williams,…

Educator of the Week: Karen Massengill

LEXINGTON, Tenn. -- It's time to recognize this week's Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery. Karen Massengill is a kindergarten teacher at Caywood Elementary School in…

GALLERY: Shooting in north Jackson under investigation

UPDATE: JACKSON, Tenn. -- The Jackson Police Department shared an update on Friday regarding a shooting in north Jackson. The department says one person was injured, and as of Friday, tips are needed to find the person responsible. The department…

Public gets peek inside new jail expansion

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Madison County Sheriff Julian Wiser held an open-house on Thursday. The Madison County Jail has been close to being ready to open since before he took office in…

Miss Teen Volunteer Pageant: Night 1

JACKSON, Tenn. -- It's officially pageant time in the Hub City! Jackson welcomed 40 contestants from across the United States to the Carl Perkins Civic Center to compete in…

Attorney general visits the Hub City

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti made a stop in the Hub City to hear from those in our community. The attorney general held a town hall meeting Thursday…

Expert shares the challenges kidneys face

JACKSON, Tenn. -- It's World Kidney Day! An expert shared what challenges our kidneys face and how you can tell if you, or a loved one, are at risk. Experts say more…

Calico Critters animal figures recalled

One company is recalling all of it's figures and sets sold with specific accessories. Epoch Everlasting Play has announced a recall for all of it' Calico Critters animal figures and sets that come with bottle and pacifier accessories. The bottle…

Career Day held for elementary students

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A school is preparing students to lead, learn and live. Jackson Christian School hosted Career Day, where elementary students were given the chance to learn about STREAM careers…

Life-saving tech to be placed around Hub City

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A first-of-its-kind life-saving technology will be stationed in several areas across the Hub City. Friends of Heart, the City of Jackson, Jackson Fire Department, West Tennessee Healthcare,…

Heart-related lab to reopen at local hospital

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- A heart-related service is returning to a local hospital. According to a news release, the Dyersburg Hospital will be reopening its cardiac catheterization lab. “We are very excited to re-initiate these services in Dyersburg because we believe…

‘Footloose’ auditions to open in Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Everybody cut loose! The Ned is hosting auditions for their upcoming production of "Footloose: The Musical." The show, which revolves around a city boy who moves to a small town…