Four Republicans have spent $33 million-plus in Tennessee’s primary for governor, unleashing about $33 million of personal wealth. Reports through June show ex-state economic development commissioner Randy Boyd has added $14.2 million in personal cash and spent $15.7 million since the race began. Congresswoman Diane Black has added $10.3 million and spent $10.3 million. Businessman Bill Lee has contributed $5.3 million, spending $4.7 million. House Speaker Beth Harwell has loaned $3.1 million, spending $2.6 million. Aside from personal money, they have raised $12.9 million. Each has $2.6 million to $3.6 million left. For Democrats, ex-Nashville Mayor Karl Dean has...

Unsafe, unsightly and unsanitary garbage is piling up along Tennessee’s interstates, and the problem is costing taxpayers millions of dollars. TDOT reportedly spends $15 million each year on litter prevention and pickup. Now, TDOT and THP are looking to crack-down on these incidental litterbugs. According to TDOT, most of the littering is not done on purpose but blows out the back of pickup trucks or trailers hauling loads of garbage to the dump. According to TDOT Beautification office manager Shawn Bible, research shows about 70-percent of roadside litter problems stem from uncovered loads and unintentional littering. Each year, TDOT...

Smoking will no longer be allowed inside public housing nationwide starting on July 31. The ban from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development department was announced back in November 2016 but gave Public Housing Agencies until July 31, 2018 to comply. HUD explained that the smoke-free rule will reduce damage and maintenance costs tied to smoking, cutback on secondhand smoke and lower the risk of accidental fires. As part of the policy, no smoking will be allowed inside any public housing buildings or within 25 feet of those buildings. Each housing agency can also create additional smoke-free areas if...

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation senior lineman Dean Batey, of the Coffee County and Manchester area, died from injuries sustained in a fall as he tried to escape a bucket truck fire on July 9. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire and the actions that led to Batey’s death. Batey was repairing a security light for a DREMC member in Beech Grove, TN, at approximately 3:30 p.m. when the incident occurred. Homeowners, who were outside during the time of the incident, reported that Batey had begun working on the light when a fire...

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is currently working on removing the last of the X-Lite guardrails in Tennessee. TDOT is making the replacement due to safety concerns. TDOT spokesperson says there are still 36 guardrails left in the state. None of the guardrails are left in Coffee County. The nearest one is located in Cumberland County. The Tennessee Department of Transportation estimates the cost of removing and replacing the guardrails to be around $3.4 million. The deadline for removal is July 31,...

One of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed on Tuesday for repairs. The Clingmans Dome Observation Tower on the North Carolina-Tennessee state line is about 6,600 feet (2010 meters) above sea level, and the highest point in the Smoky Mountains. Park spokeswoman Dana Soehn says the tower will be is closed through July 27. Visitors will not be able to climb the tower while an overlay is installed on the lower ramp. But the Clingmans Dome parking overlook is open and offers scenic mountaintop views. Also, open are the visitor contact station and...