Posted: Feb 9, 2021 / 08:27 AM ESTUpdated: Feb 9, 2021 / 08:27 AM ESTKNOXVILLE, Tenn.­­ (WATE) – Solar power is on the rise in the Tennessee Valley.The Tennessee Valley Authority has increased its solar capacity by 60% in the last five months and has plans of doubling its solar energy usage by 2040.“Carbon reduction is at the center of TVA’s sustainability strategy, and TVA is investing in clean, cost-effective and reliable solar energy to revitalize communities,” TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said. “Our renewables programs push green power to the local level to create...…Posted: Feb 9, 2021 / 08:27 AM ESTUpdated: Feb 9, 2021 / 08:27 AM ESTKNOXVILLE, Tenn.­­ (WATE) – Solar power is on the rise in the Tennessee Valley.The Tennessee Valley Authority has increased its solar capacity by 60% in the last five months and has plans of doubling its solar energy usage by 2040.“Carbon reduction is at the center of TVA’s sustainability strategy, and TVA is investing in clean, cost-effective and reliable solar energy to revitalize communities,” TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said. “Our renewables programs push green power to the local level to create...WW…

Posted: Dec 9, 2020 / 04:42 PM ESTUpdated: Dec 9, 2020 / 06:48 PM ESTBRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — An anonymous person donated nearly $65,000 to pay off all layaway items at the Walmart in Bristol, Tennessee.Walmart says the $64,995.51 donation that was made on Monday was enough to cover the store’s entire layaway balance.:I got a notification on my email that my layaway had been paid for,” said shopper Lloyd Leonard. “And I thought ‘well that’s kind of weird.”Leonard was informed by management that the anonymous donation had covered his layaway fees.“She said yeah somebody came in this morning...…Posted: Dec 9, 2020 / 04:42 PM ESTUpdated: Dec 9, 2020 / 06:48 PM ESTBRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — An anonymous person donated nearly $65,000 to pay off all layaway items at the Walmart in Bristol, Tennessee.Walmart says the $64,995.51 donation that was made on Monday was enough to cover the store’s entire layaway balance.:I got a notification on my email that my layaway had been paid for,” said shopper Lloyd Leonard. “And I thought ‘well that’s kind of weird.”Leonard was informed by management that the anonymous donation had covered his layaway fees.“She said yeah somebody came in this morning...WW…

Posted: Apr 2, 2021 / 08:02 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 2, 2021 / 08:21 PM EDTJOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — East Tennessee State University President Brian Noland addressed the controversy surrounding the resignation of men’s basketball coach Jason Shay in a letter Friday night.Noland’s letter to ETSU students, faculty, and staff marks his first time commenting publicly on Shay’s resignation, three days after the .Dear Members of the ETSU Community,I hope that on this holiday weekend you are enjoying time with loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the feelings that many are...…Posted: Apr 2, 2021 / 08:02 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 2, 2021 / 08:21 PM EDTJOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — East Tennessee State University President Brian Noland addressed the controversy surrounding the resignation of men’s basketball coach Jason Shay in a letter Friday night.Noland’s letter to ETSU students, faculty, and staff marks his first time commenting publicly on Shay’s resignation, three days after the .Dear Members of the ETSU Community,I hope that on this holiday weekend you are enjoying time with loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the feelings that many are...WW…

Posted: Apr 8, 2021 / 09:19 AM EDTUpdated: Apr 8, 2021 / 09:19 AM EDTRALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With with legalizing marijuana, some Democrats in North Carolina are pushing for North Carolina to be next.A filed this week in the Senate would legalize it for medical purposes, while would fully legalize it, including recreationally.“Medical use of marijuana should be the top priority, but it was important for me to also look at beginning the conversations around legalizing the recreational use of marijuana because so many other states are moving on this,” said Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake), one of...…Posted: Apr 8, 2021 / 09:19 AM EDTUpdated: Apr 8, 2021 / 09:19 AM EDTRALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With with legalizing marijuana, some Democrats in North Carolina are pushing for North Carolina to be next.A filed this week in the Senate would legalize it for medical purposes, while would fully legalize it, including recreationally.“Medical use of marijuana should be the top priority, but it was important for me to also look at beginning the conversations around legalizing the recreational use of marijuana because so many other states are moving on this,” said Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake), one of...WW…

Posted: Feb 25, 2021 / 06:16 AM ESTUpdated: Mar 1, 2021 / 05:28 AM ESTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – A proposed bill in Tennessee aims to stop thieves from stealing catalytic converters.would require businesses that buy or sell used car parts to keep permanent records of transactions involving unattached catalytic converters.Some of those businesses would have to register with local police, according to the bill’s summary.Other used auto parts will require records as well.“Any person, firm, corporation, or entity engaged in the business of buying or selling used automobile parts shall keep...…Posted: Feb 25, 2021 / 06:16 AM ESTUpdated: Mar 1, 2021 / 05:28 AM ESTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – A proposed bill in Tennessee aims to stop thieves from stealing catalytic converters.would require businesses that buy or sell used car parts to keep permanent records of transactions involving unattached catalytic converters.Some of those businesses would have to register with local police, according to the bill’s summary.Other used auto parts will require records as well.“Any person, firm, corporation, or entity engaged in the business of buying or selling used automobile parts shall keep...WW…

Posted: Apr 19, 2021 / 05:15 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 19, 2021 / 07:51 PM EDTJOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – 50.4 percent and 40.8 percent. Those figures provided clear examples Monday of the gap between COVID vaccination progress in Tennessee and nationwide — a day after federal officials celebrated the milestone that half of U.S. adults had received at least one dose of COVID vaccine.Where 50.4 percent of American adults have received one dose, Tennessee’s figure is nearly 10 percent lower — placing it 47th out of the 50 states. The data come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...…Posted: Apr 19, 2021 / 05:15 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 19, 2021 / 07:51 PM EDTJOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – 50.4 percent and 40.8 percent. Those figures provided clear examples Monday of the gap between COVID vaccination progress in Tennessee and nationwide — a day after federal officials celebrated the milestone that half of U.S. adults had received at least one dose of COVID vaccine.Where 50.4 percent of American adults have received one dose, Tennessee’s figure is nearly 10 percent lower — placing it 47th out of the 50 states. The data come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and...WW…

Posted: Feb 13, 2021 / 07:53 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 13, 2021 / 10:21 PM ESTTENNESSEE (WJHL) – A local lawmaker proposed legislation that could lead to Tennessee becoming the fifth state to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary state.Tennessee State Representative Scotty Campbell (R-Mountain City) told that he proposed this to protect the gun rights of all Tennesseans against any possible action from the federal government.“I had a number of people reach out to me wanting Tennessee to be a second amendment sanctuary state, some other states across the country have done this, and we’re going to try...…Posted: Feb 13, 2021 / 07:53 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 13, 2021 / 10:21 PM ESTTENNESSEE (WJHL) – A local lawmaker proposed legislation that could lead to Tennessee becoming the fifth state to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary state.Tennessee State Representative Scotty Campbell (R-Mountain City) told that he proposed this to protect the gun rights of all Tennesseans against any possible action from the federal government.“I had a number of people reach out to me wanting Tennessee to be a second amendment sanctuary state, some other states across the country have done this, and we’re going to try...WW…

Posted: Mar 24, 2021 / 09:48 PM EDTUpdated: Mar 24, 2021 / 09:50 PM EDTJONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — A local organization has been awarded a grant to restore a historic railcar.The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum says it will use the $10,000 grant on the restoration of Clinchfield 100, a passenger railcar built in 1911 that once belonged to the Clinchfield Railroad.The Clinchfield 100, was built in 1911 by Pullman and served as the Atlantic Coast Lines 985 coach until 1929 and then served as the dining car “Orlando” until 1951. It was purchased by the Clinchfield...…Posted: Mar 24, 2021 / 09:48 PM EDTUpdated: Mar 24, 2021 / 09:50 PM EDTJONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — A local organization has been awarded a grant to restore a historic railcar.The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum says it will use the $10,000 grant on the restoration of Clinchfield 100, a passenger railcar built in 1911 that once belonged to the Clinchfield Railroad.The Clinchfield 100, was built in 1911 by Pullman and served as the Atlantic Coast Lines 985 coach until 1929 and then served as the dining car “Orlando” until 1951. It was purchased by the Clinchfield...WW…

Posted: Feb 27, 2021 / 04:58 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 27, 2021 / 08:43 PM ESTKINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Sullivan County Imagination Library celebrated gifting its one millionth book Saturday.News Channel 11 spoke with Sullivan County Imagination Library’s Board President Sandra Little, who said that as a former educator, she believes these books are paramount in a child’s development.“It has a huge impact,” Little said. “Even just having books within the home — all the research studies show that books in the home have a huge impact on even whether the children complete high school or if they...…Posted: Feb 27, 2021 / 04:58 PM ESTUpdated: Feb 27, 2021 / 08:43 PM ESTKINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Sullivan County Imagination Library celebrated gifting its one millionth book Saturday.News Channel 11 spoke with Sullivan County Imagination Library’s Board President Sandra Little, who said that as a former educator, she believes these books are paramount in a child’s development.“It has a huge impact,” Little said. “Even just having books within the home — all the research studies show that books in the home have a huge impact on even whether the children complete high school or if they...WW…

Posted: Mar 26, 2021 / 07:17 AM EDTUpdated: Mar 26, 2021 / 07:17 AM EDTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee Senate panel has advanced legislation requiring school districts to alert parents of any instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity, allowing them to opt their student out of such instruction.Supporters of argued on Wednesday it’s needed to strengthen parental rights and rebuffed concerns that it could further alienate already marginalized students.According to the bill, school districts would have 30 days to alert parents or guardians of upcoming instruction on sexual...…Posted: Mar 26, 2021 / 07:17 AM EDTUpdated: Mar 26, 2021 / 07:17 AM EDTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee Senate panel has advanced legislation requiring school districts to alert parents of any instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity, allowing them to opt their student out of such instruction.Supporters of argued on Wednesday it’s needed to strengthen parental rights and rebuffed concerns that it could further alienate already marginalized students.According to the bill, school districts would have 30 days to alert parents or guardians of upcoming instruction on sexual...WW…