Author: WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff

Job listing for TN ready test causes controversy

JACKSON, Tenn.-A job advertisement from the company that oversees the troubled TN Ready test is raising eyebrows. The Tennessee Education Association said Measurement Inc. posted a job listing on…

Police: Drug dealer’s attempt to intimidate officer fails

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Nashville police say a suspected drug dealer's attempt to intimidate two Gang Unit detectives, by firing his gun repeatedly in the air, has landed the man in Jail. Police say the two detectives were conducting surveillance…

Police: 2 wounded, officer hurt in shooting in Tennessee

RIPLEY, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into an officer-involved shooting in Ripley, where two people were wounded by police and an officer was injured. The TBI says a preliminary investigation shows the shootings took place,…

Jack Daniel’s Distillery announces $140 million expansion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The historic Jack Daniel's Distillery is planning a $140 million expansion project to help meet global demand for prized Tennessee Whiskey. The investment announced by Gov. Bill Haslam on Wednesday will be used to construct two…

Former Memphis sergeant charged with road rage

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A Memphis police sergeant accused in a road rage incident has been indicted on aggravated assault charges. The Shelby County District Attorney says David Meskenas is accused of pointing a gun at a motorist and flashing…

Tuition freeze for public colleges advances in Senate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A bid to freeze tuition at public colleges and universities and colleges in Tennessee is advancing in the state Senate. The Senate Education Committee voted 9-0 in favor of the measure sponsored by Sen. Dolores Gresham…

Ash Wednesday services mark start of Lent

JACKSON, Tenn. -- With Mardi Gras over, Christians around the world are observing Lent. Worshipers attended services Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church to begin the Lent season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, beginning on Ash Wednesday. For Christians, Lent is a time…

Active Weather to Start Next Week

[gtxvideo vid="Wh9ENZ56" playlist="" pid="wMQlYtLM" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/Wh9ENZ56-120.jpg?cachebust=1455167113322" vtitle="Weathercast 10pm.flv"] Weather Update - 11:00 p.m. Wednesday Temperatures are below freezing again for almost all of West Tennessee. Jackson has spent less than an hour above freezing over the last 48 hours. Clearing skies…

Early voting now under way in Tenn. primary

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Voters are already making their choices in Tennessee's March 1 presidential primary as early voting kicked off Wednesday. Administrator of Elections Kim Buckley is reporting 174 voters cast ballots Wednesday. Of those, 118 were cast in the Republican…

Deputies searching for fugitive in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Deputies are searching for a fugitive they believe may be in the area. James Shull is described as a white male with brown hair standing about five feet ten inches tall and…

Weather Update

Arctic air remains in place across the Mid-South.  An upper level disturbance will move through the region today bringing some light snow showers for the afternoon and this evening.  Temperatures will remain well below normal for mid February.  Temperatures will…

Education Vision Committee meets, talks money

JACKSON, Tenn.-The Education Vision Committee met Tuesday night to talk money. Much of the gathering at the school board meeting revolved around a new e-rate fund. It helps schools afford technology and online tools at a more economical rate. According…

Former executives of Haslam-owned chain face fraud charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The former president of a Tennessee company owned by Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam is charged along with seven others with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Mark Hazelwood…

Memphis boy, 12, charged with fatally stabbing brother, 15

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Police say a 12-year-old boy has been arrested in the fatal stabbing of his 15-year-old brother. Memphis police spokesman Louis Brownlee said Tuesday that the boys' mother flagged down officers on Sunday and said her son…

Officials warn of dangers of hoverboards after fires

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Firefighters and state officials are warning citizens against the dangers of hoverboards after the two-wheeled motorized scooters are being blamed as the cause of two recent fires, including one that destroyed a $1 million home in…

Health officials confirm first Zika virus case in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State Health Department officials say they have a confirmed case of the Zika virus in Tennessee, the first recorded case in the state. According to the Department, the person had just recently traveled to South America…

UAW adds to unfair labor practices allegations at Volkswagen

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The United Auto Workers alleges that Volkswagen has failed to consult with a newly elected maintenance workers union on a range of issues from vending machine prices to out-of-pocket prescription drug costs despite a union victory…

Lawsuit alleges Tennessee has ‘hostile sexual environment’

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A lawsuit filed by a group of women alleges that the University of Tennessee has violated Title IX policies and created a "hostile sexual environment" through a policy of indifference toward sexual assaults by student-athletes. David…

Tickets on sale now for STAR Center benefit concert

JACKSON, Tenn. -- Tickets are on sale for the STAR Center's benefit concert featuring a Nashville-based musician and author. The show is scheduled for Feb. 20 at Fellowship Bible Church. Headliner Andrew Peterson…

Stuck With Chilly Weather For Now

[gtxvideo vid="CwFZJjWG" playlist="" pid="wMQlYtLM" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/CwFZJjWG-120.jpg?cachebust=1455080139005" vtitle="Weathercast 10pm.flv"] Weather Update - 10:00 p.m. Tuesday There's a lot to watch in this very active forecast for West Tennessee. We may end up going from high temperatures in the 30s to highs in…

Convicted gunman sentenced to life in 2012 murder

JACKSON, Tenn. -- A man convicted of a 2012 murder outside an east Jackson home has been sentenced to life in prison. Craig Taylor, convicted in December in the Nov. 15, 2012, shooting death…

Noranda files for bankruptcy; says Huntingdon plant not affected

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. -- The owner of one of Huntingdon's largest employers filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday. Officials with Noranda, which smelts and refines aluminum and mines bauxite, says it has made the decision due to falling prices for metals and…

WEATHER UPDATE

Arctic air will continue to filter into the Mid-South today with a few snow showers expected across the area.  Temperatures will remain well below normal for the month.  Some moderation of the temps is expected for Thursday and Friday, but…

School Closures for Tuesday, February 9

Due to inclement weather, these are the school systems who have closed schools on Tuesday, February 9. Benton County Schools Carroll Academy Carroll County Schools Decatur County Schools Henry County Schools Obion County Schools Paris Special School DIstrict Perry County…

Deputies seize $14,000 worth of drugs in Weakley Co. home

WEAKLEY CO., Tenn. -- Deputies make multiple arrests in Weakley county after investigators say they found a stolen ATV and drugs in a home. Investigators searched a home on Webb Road, north of Palmersville on Monday. Deputies say they found…

Newbern house set on fire for third time

NEWBERN, Tenn.-Investigators in Newbern said a house already set on fire twice is targeted by arsonists, again. Investigators said a shed near a house was set on fire Friday, making it the…

Dresden man faces aggravated assault charge

WEAKLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- A Dresden man is facing an aggravated assault charge on accusations of beating a 60-year-old man. Deputies arrested Chace Adam Kesterson, 31, on Feb. 3 after they say he…

Early voting starts this week for Presidential Preference Primary

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. -- Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary will begin Wednesday. The days for voting in Madison County will be Wednesday through Feb. 23, according to a release from Kim Buckley, administrator of elections for Madison County.…

Cold Week Ahead!

[gtxvideo vid="uCGJcDNN" playlist="" pid="wMQlYtLM" thumb="http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/uCGJcDNN-120.jpg?cachebust=1454995800075" vtitle="Weathercast 10pm.flv"] Weather Update - 10:00 p.m. Monday This week is going to be cold! We can expect temperatures to start out in the teens Wednesday and possibly even again on Thursday. A little bit…

Peyton Manning to speak at Middle Tennessee Sports Awards ceremony

NASHVILLE -- Tickets are selling fast for one of Peyton Manning's upcoming visits to Tennessee. The five-time MVP will speak at the Middle Tennessee Sports Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 26. Before that, Manning is expected to stop by Neyland Stadium's Orange and White…