Morley, TN Municipal and More

Knox County employees: The system that determines your pay raises may change

Knox County commissioners might vote to strip the mayor's ability to dictate county employee pay raises and instead tie them to state standards. That would mean the raises employees receive in the future would be the same ones the state calculates for county elected officials. In one view, the change would take politics out of the pay raise equation. In another, it would take away local flexibility in lean budget years. Knox County Commission Chair Terry Hill, a Hardin Valley Republican, is sponsoring the proposal with Brandon Huckaby, a Cedar Bluff Democrat. They argue the state typically awards elected officials a bigger cost of living increase each year than the county, and the county should prioritize its workers by matching the state. If the ordinance passes, commissioners and school board members, elected officials including the mayor and sheriff, and general county employees such as engineers and sheriff's deputies will be required to get at least the same raises each year as determined by the state. If the ordinance fails, the mayor will continue to be able to set county employees' pay raises each year and the commission will vote whether to approve it. "The truth of the matter is, we

Knox County, TN · 3d

Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Tennessee is required to fund public schools, not private | Letter

According to recent articles, due to a decision by the Knox County Commission to redirect approximately $4 million of tax revenues to other expenses and an additional reduction of state funding by approximately $3.8 million, for the 2026-27 school year there is a $7.8 million budget shortfall for Knox County Schools. Current proposals to address the shortfall include closing some smaller schools , changing bus routes and changing when schools start and end each day, each of which could adversely affect students and their families For the 2026-27 school year, the state of Tennessee has provided funding of over $150 million for approximately 20,000 students to attend private schools. Dollars per scholar: How much it costs to educate each KCS student, sorted by school The Constitution of the state of Tennessee requires the state to "provide for the maintenance, support and eligibility standards of a system of free public schools." On the other hand, the choice to fund private schools is not mandated by the Constitution; instead it was a political decision by a majority of the legislature and the governor. In a state that already has an average spending per student that is the eighth lowest in the U.S.,

Knox County, TN · 3d

takingthekids.com

partner publisher · 18.9K followers

This Overlooked Tennessee Mountain Is The Highest Point In Knox County And The Views Are Incredible

A mountain about 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville tops out at roughly 2,100 feet. That makes it the highest point in its entire county. On a clear day, the Great Smoky Mountains show up to the south. Clinch Mountain stretches north toward Virginia, and the Knoxville skyline peeks out too.

Knox County, TN · 18h

Chalkbeat

Christian school wins Tennessee court case challenging religious charter ban

Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. Knox County Schools cannot block a Christian charter school application on religious grounds despite a Tennessee law banning religious charter schools, according to a federal court ruling on Friday. The narrow decision applies only to Knox County Schools and the Wilberforce Academy of Knoxville, which sued the school district last year over its application of the state law. It does not strike down Tennessee’s religious charter school ban or guarantee that Wilberforce’s application will be approved. The ruling comes amid a growing national conservative push to greenlight taxpayer-funded religious schools . Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti declined to defend the 2002 law earlier this year after publicly calling it “likely” unconstitutional , leaving Knox County Schools to face a lawsuit challenging a state law it was required to enforce. Tennessee lawmakers also loosened the state’s restrictions on religious charter schools this year, allowing religious organizations to operate charter schools as long as the schools themselves remain nonreligious. Wilberforce, however, aims to open an explicitly

partner publisher · 67.2K followers

The Financial Wire

Homeowners in North Dakota, Georgia, Tennessee, New Hampshire and Delaware face spring property tax deadlines, starting with a $1,600 credit due April 1

North Dakota homeowners can apply online for a property tax credit of up to $1,600 between Jan. 1 and April 1, and four other states have their own spring cutoffs for older homeowners. Georgia’s Forsyth County runs to April 1, Knox County in Tennessee to April 5, Concord in New Hampshire to April 15 and... The post Homeowners in North Dakota, Georgia, Tennessee, New Hampshire and Delaware face spring property tax deadlines, starting with a $1,600 credit due April 1 appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Georgia · 5d

wvlt.tv

Knoxville-area warming centers to offer about 700 beds amid suspected hypothermia death

The Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability says partners will make around 700 beds available at warming centers this season, with talks ongoing to secure even more. The news comes as the Knox County Regional Forensic Center reports a suspected hypothermia death. For Context. Neither the county nor the city...

Knoxville, TN · 1d

wvlt.tv

partner publisher · 3.4K followers

Anderson County honors veterans with breakfast, 19th annual parade in Clinton

CLINTON, Tenn. (WVLT) - Anderson County honored its veterans Saturday with a community breakfast and the 19th annual Veterans Day Parade in Clinton. The event brought together veterans, their families and community members to recognize those who served. Breakfast at Clinton Community Center. The morning began at the Clinton Community...

Clinton, TN · 17h

The Connection

Hydrilla detected in Tellico Lake

LOUDON — An invasive aquatic plant capable of choking waterways and disrupting recreational activities has returned to Tellico Lake, prompting concerns about its spread and efforts to control it. Dozens of Tellico Village residents gathered Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Yacht Club to learn about hydrilla, a fast-growing aquatic plant that can form dense mats of vegetation in lakes and other waterways. Native to parts of Asia, Africa and Australia, hydrilla can crowd out native vegetation, block sunlight and reduce oxygen levels, disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Its dense growth also can interfere with swimming, boating and fishing. David Flanagan, president of the Watershed Association of the Tellico Reservoir (WATeR), showed residents photographs of hydrilla growing in different areas of Tellico Lake. He said geese have been observed feeding on the plant. Flanagan said hydrilla was first detected in the lake in 2023 and has remained a recurring concern. “The first time we saw it was in 2023,” Flanagan said. “It was not as bad last year as it was in the years before when we first spotted it.” Flanagan said he has been in contact with the Tennessee Valley Authority about the problem. Managing the spread Speakers emphasized that managing hydrilla,

Tellico Village, TN · 2d

Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

See what's replacing McClung Warehouses before Knoxville shares full vision

A modern, multistory building is planned for the McClung Warehouses site in downtown Knoxville, and the city plans to unveil the full vision by the end of the month. The city and its redevelopment arm, Knoxville's Community Development Corporation , have released a mock-up of what's being planned for the property near the railroad tracks between Gay Street and North Broadway. Across the street at The Standard, local officials will share additional renderings and project plans Nov. 30 after more than a decade of the site sitting empty. The McClung Warehouses, which sold and shipped wholesale goods, were destroyed by a pair of fires in 2007 and 2014. What's being built at the McClung Warehouses site? The rendering shows at least one building with large windows on the ground level, as well as a pathway alongside the building and what appears to be a rooftop social area. We don't know how many buildings are planned for the site or who is developing the property. KCDC in September said it had selected a developer to reimagine the 3.4-acre site, which right now includes a public parking lot at 401 W. Jackson Ave., the vacant McClung Warehouses site next to it and

takingthekids.com

9 Huge Secondhand Stores In East Tennessee Where Bargain Hunters Love To Shop

One antique mall on this list spreads across three floors and roughly 36,000 square feet. That is a lot of room for old lamps, dishes, and furniture with a past. I have to admit, that number made me curious right away. Another stop sells nostalgic candy alongside its antiques. A...

Tennessee · 1d

Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

When are Christmas parades around Knoxville and Gatlinburg? Your 2026 guide

If seeing seeing Santa wave at you while a marching band plays is what really gets you in the Christmas spirit, you'll have opportunities galore at parades around Knoxville and beyond. Here's when local community parades will happen, starting in early December. Knoxville Christmas Parade Downtown Knoxville Christmas parade , 7 p.m. Dec. 4. The parade will go along Gay Street to Jackson Avenue, ending past Covenant Health Park. Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade , 7:30-9 p.m. Dec. 4. Hosted by Grand Ole Opry member Mark Wills and TV host Nan Kelley, this year's parade along the Parkway starts at Baskins Creek Bypass and East Parkway and ends at Traffic Light No. 10 near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For those who'd like a seated view from a prime spot, grandstand VIP seating is available for $50 a person. Fountain City Christmas Parade Fountain City Christmas Parade , 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 5. The scenic parade route starts at Gresham Middle School, crosses Broadway and finishes at Central High School. Karns Christmas Parade Karns Christmas Parade , 9 a.m. Dec. 5. The parade route will go from Ingles Market along Oak

fastfoodclub.com

Retirees Trade Traffic For Quiet Lake Mornings In Kingston, Tennessee On Watts Bar Lake

Some people spend their working years stuck behind brake lights, counting the minutes until they can finally slow down. Then retirement arrives, and the big question shows up: where do you go when the rush is over?. A growing number of folks are answering with a small town in East...

Kingston, TN · 2d

jeffersoncountypost.com

PUBLIC NOTICE – Jefferson County Schools Announces Its Policy For Free And Reduced-Price Meals

Jefferson County Schools today announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. For School Year [2026-2027] Jefferson County Schools will continue participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). No further action is required of you. This USDA provision allows your child(ren) to participate in the school meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit a meal application.

Jefferson County, TN · 4d

livability.com

partner publisher · 77.7K followers

Blount County Women Entrepreneurs Serve Up Sweet Success

Meet two women entrepreneurs behind Blount County bakeries Wildflour Bakery and Kooky Cookies, and discover their sweet success stories. Beneath the Smoky Mountain skies, Blount County is teeming with women-owned businesses sharing smiles and sweets. Their journeys look different, but they all followed their callings, leaving their community far better (and far tastier) for it.

Blount County, TN · 4d

WATE

Knoxville state senator focusing on kitchen table issues in new leadership role

State Senator Becky Massey is taking on a new role. In the 115th General Assembly, Massey has been elected as the Senate Republican Caucus Chair.

knoxtntoday.com

Riella at Oakwood brings 170 affordable homes to historic St. Mary’s site

A historic Knoxville landmark is getting a new purpose as construction begins on Riella at Oakwood, a $70 million affordable housing development that will bring 170 homes to the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus in North Knoxville. Community leaders and development partners celebrated the groundbreaking Nov. 4 at 1880...

wivk.com