KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) -- Five students at the University of Tennessee are raising money for a nonprofit organization that gives service dogs to veterans. “It just feels nice to know that we helped impact their lives and made their lives better,” said the Chief Director of Paws 4 Patriots, and UT student, Jake Castello. As part of a public writing class, he and four of his classmates were tasked with finding and fundraising for a nonprofit. “We were just searching all over, there are so many fantastic nonprofits, but Smoky Mountain Service Dogs really stuck out to us,” he said. VFL Candace Pa ..read more

(AP) — Three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Candace Parker announced Sunday she's retiring after 16 seasons. “The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time,” Parker wrote in a social media post. "My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.” Parker, 38, had told The Associated Press in November she wanted to play another season if she could get healthy from a foot injury that kept her off the court last season. But she cautioned that she didn't want to “cheat the game,” or herself, and expressed the same in ..read more

Candace Parker always said she'd know when it would be time to retire. That day came Sunday. The three-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist announced on social media that her career was over after 16 seasons. “The competitor in me always wants 1 more, but it’s time,” Parker wrote in an Instagram post. "My HEART & body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.” Parker, 38, had told The Associated Press in November she wanted to play another season if she could get healthy from a foot injury that kept her off the court last season. But she cautioned that she did ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — An investigation is underway after a woman was shot in the foot at McFee Park in Farragut. The Knox County Sheriff's Office shared that the incident is believed to be accidental at this time. KCSO shared that units were dispatched to call at McFee Park around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday about a woman who had been shot in the foot. The sheriff's office said that it is unknown where the bullet came from as the park is near a wooded area. KCSO and the Loudon County Sheriff's Office are searching the area. Man dead after officer-involved shooting in Knoxville The victim was take ..read more

When you hear the phrase "amusement park," chances are the first thing that comes to your mind is Disney; however, in 2023, nearly 600 businesses described themselves as amusement parks in the United States. There are places to enjoy thrill rides, view animal shows, swim, and play in nearly every state across the country, and one that might be near and dear to your heart may be unfamiliar to someone else, depending on where you live. For instance, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, holds the title of America's oldest amusement park. It's been in continuous operation since first opening to ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As part of the creation of the Fair Housing Equity Plan, the City of Knoxville Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development held a public meeting to gain feedback from the community. “You want to come up with solutions that are actually going to make a difference, but then can also actually be implemented,” said Community Solutions Collaborative, Rob Breymaier. Man dead after officer-involved shooting in Knoxville To have a better understanding of what housing equity looks like in Knoxville, the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Development hired Breymaier to resea ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — So far, only two VFLs have been selected during the 2024 NFL draft. Here's which teams Tennessee's star athletes will be playing for. Jaylen Wright Running Back Jaylen Wright was the first VFL to hear his name called during the draft. Selected by the Miami Dolphins during the fourth round, Wright was the 120th pick overall. According to the NFL, the Dolphins traded up to select Wright in the fourth round of the draft. In exchange, the Dolphins gave the Philadelphia Eagles its third-round pick during next year's draft. Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (20) reacts ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) -- Taken in the fourth round as the 120th overall pick, VFL Jaylen Wright was the first former Vol to hear his named called in the 2024 NFL Draft. As pick number 20 in the fourth round of the draft, Wright was selected by the Maimi Dolphins Wright spent his entire collegiate career with Tennessee before declaring for the draft following his junior season. He led the Vols in rushing in each of the last two seasons. In 2023 he was the quickest Vol in program history to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a single season. Titans select Texas DT T’Vondre Sweat at No. 38 During la ..read more

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A man is dead and a woman is injured after a shooting involving Knoxville Police officers Saturday morning. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting. According to the Knoxville Police, the shooting happened after officers responded to a home in the 4700 block of Santala Drive for a reported domestic situation involving a man with a gun around 7:40 a.m. Maryville chef accused of shoplifting meat in pants for restaurant KPD released that when officers arrived at the scene around 7:50 a.m., the man fired at least one shot and officers fired in ..read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- The Tennessee Titans drafted Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sweat won the Outland Trophy, given to the best college football interior lineman. He was also a unanimous first-team All-American. Defensive playmakers go quickly on day 2 of NFL Draft Last season at Texas, Sweat played in all 14 games with eight starts and finished with a career high with 45 tackles, 18 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups and one blocked kick. He also had a 2-yard touchdown reception.  ..read more