(NEXSTAR) — Saturday will mark the 150th run of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. It also marks the opening leg of the Triple Crown races, which will be followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Every year, 20 horses and their jockeys line up at the starting gate, all vying for the illustrious blanket of red roses — and a major payout.  ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The University of Tennessee Police Department is searching for a 17-year-old student and is asking the public to share any information on his whereabouts. Samuel Chugg, of Knoxville, was last seen at his West Knoxville home on Thursday, May 2. His vehicle, a silver 2017 Toyota Yaris, was last spotted around 7:45 a.m. near the 2200 block of Cumberland Avenue heading towards the UT campus ..read more

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama officials on Thursday approved legislation to ensure President Joe Biden will appear on the state’s November ballot, mirroring accommodations the state made four years ago for then-President Donald Trump. The House of Representatives voted 93-0 for the legislation. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law the same day, a spokeswoman said. Gambling bill to allow lottery and slots remains stalled in the Alabama Senate Trump faced the same issue in Alabama in 2020. The Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature passed legislation to change the certific ..read more

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A proposal to authorize a state lottery and allow casinos with slot machines and video poker, but not table games, at seven sites in the state remains stalled in the Alabama Legislature but could get another vote in the session’s final three days. “I don’t know exactly what the outcome is going to be, other than the membership is working on the issue,” Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed said Thursday when asked about the possibility of another vote. Alabama court authorizes second nitrogen execution Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, the Democratic senator on the c ..read more

UNION SPRINGS, Ala. (WHNT) — An inmate serving a life sentence for escape out of Jackson County died at an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) facility on Friday. ADOC says that Dustin Lee Mount, 44, was found unresponsive on his bed at Bullock Correctional Facility. On May 3, 2024, an inmate death was reported at Bullock Correctional Facility. Medical staff at the facility administered life-saving measures but were unable to resuscitate him, according to ADOC. Mount was pronounced dead by the attending physician. ADOC's Law Enforcement Services Division is investigating Mount's death. Of ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some Tennessee students' grades and attendance have improved after receiving services through a statewide program designed to address mental health issues in schools, according to officials connected with the program. The School-Based Behavioral Health Liaison program has been established in Tennessee for years, but it only recently expanded to every county in the state. In addition, the program received an extra $8 million in Tennessee's budget this year to create another 114 behavioral health liaison positions ..read more

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Members of the Austin City Council voted Thursday afternoon to approve offering some protections to local transgender people seeking gender-affirming care, though it may lead to more pushback by Texas Republican lawmakers. By a vote of 10-1, the council passed a resolution introduced by Council Member Chito Vela, who represents District 4. The measure directs Austin police to make enforcement of Senate Bill 14, which bans certain treatment options for transgender minors in the state, as their lowest priority. Only Mackenzie Kelly of District 6 voted against it, saying she belie ..read more

HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) — Officials with HEMSI say a man is dead after being hit by a vehicle in Huntsville Friday night. HEMSI Spokesperson Don Webster said the pedestrian incident happened at around 9:13 p.m. Friday night. He said the man was hit by a vehicle at 3001 Johnson Road in Huntsville. Webster said the man was pronounced dead at the scene. HEMSI said the Huntsville Police Department is investigating the incident ..read more

Scattered showers and storms are once again set to return this weekend. While there could be a few showers or isolated storms around in the morning, the coverage is expected to increase during the peak heating hours of the day. Saturday night and Sunday morning should see a decrease in rain activity. Sunday afternoon will bring another chance of storms. Have an umbrella if you're heading out. Download our Live Alert 19 to track the storms! Storm impacts will range from heavy rain that could lead to ponding or localized flooding, strong wind gusts, small hail and frequent lightning. Temperatu ..read more

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Orion Spacecraft sustained damage during the Artemis 1 mission. If the problem happens again, it could lead to the loss of a future crew, according to a report released by NASA Thursday. The report from NASA's Office of Inspector General said engineers have found more than 100 places where the heat shield cracked and broke off the Orion Spacecraft during reentry. Man charged in connection to accidental shooting death of Huntsville 4-year-old "I can tell you in Columbia that information was, the foam, was not getting to NASA headquarters," McDaniel said. "It was no ..read more