‘Operation Autumn Shield’ Leads to 10 Arrests

Ten people are facing felony charges, and more than a dozen victims have been identified following a large-scale operation targeting online child exploitation and sextortion in Tennessee.

From October to December, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) conducted “Operation Autumn Shield.”

The initiative aimed to locate and assist children victimized by sextortion and online sexual exploitation while identifying and apprehending people seeking to harm children online.

As a result of the operation, 19 child victims of online sexual exploitation and sextortion were identified and located.

GloRilla Makes Big Donation to Memphis Library

Rapper GloRilla is being honored with a library named after her at a Memphis high school following her $25,000 donation to improve educational resources.

The chart-topping rapper contributed the funds to Melrose High School in the Orange Mound neighborhood on Wednesday. The donation will support the construction of a new library aimed at promoting literacy both at Melrose and throughout the Orange Mound community.

In recognition of her generosity, the school’s library will be renamed the Gloria H. Woods Media Center.

GloRilla previously donated $25,000 to Martin Luther King College Prep in Frayser in 2022, and in 2023, she provided $20,000 to Westside Middle School.

Vol Nation’s Big Travel Plans for Football Playoff

Fans of the University of Tennessee football team are set to dominate this weekend as the Vols take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff, ticket sales data reveals.

The Volunteers will face the Buckeyes in one of the opening-round playoff games on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m.

StubHub data indicates that Tennessee residents have purchased the majority of resale tickets, accounting for 37% of sales. In contrast, Ohio residents, despite the game being hosted in their state, make up 34% of sales.

The matchup between UT and Ohio State has generated the highest ticket sales of all four first-round playoff games, surpassing the second-highest seller, Southern Methodist University versus Pennsylvania State University, by 35%.

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➤ Chattanooga: Erlanger’s Life Force Air Medical has just been named the 2024 Flight Program of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services. (More)

➤ Mountain City: The section of US 421 between Mountain City and the Tennessee-North Carolina line reopened Wednesday afternoon following months of closure after Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Knoxville: Sara “Lillian” Garrett Bean, a former Knox County Circuit, General Sessions and Juvenile Court clerk, passed away on Dec. 11 at the age of 81. (More)

➤ Nashville: Metro Council approved more than $1 million to improve safety along downtown Nashville’s riverfront as part of the Capital Spending Plan. (More)

➤ Trousdale County: The sheriff’s department said emergency services are investigating a crash involving a church bus and a semi-trailer Wednesday night. Five people were taken to area hospitals with injuries. (More)

➤ Cookeville: Tennessee Tech was named to the 2025 Best Places to Work in Tennessee list by Best Companies Group and the Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management. (More)

➤ How much will UT head football coach Josh Heupel make for winning a playoff game? He’ll make at least $200,000 for appearing in Saturday’s game, with significantly more on the line if they win. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt University quarterback Diego Pavia won a federal court case on Wednesday, granting him one additional year of eligibility. (More)

➤ ETSU football standout Luke Smith was recognized for his performance on the offensive line during the 2024 season, earning him a Second Team All-American honor. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ State Senators Brent Taylor and Jack Johnson were in Memphis on Tuesday, taking a tour of Elon Musk’s xAI facility. (Watch Video)

➤ The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Tennessee Manufacturers Association announced the appointment of Josh Brown as their new president and CEO. (More)

➤ Performance Food Group Company (PFG) is investing $33.2 million in Morristown, allowing them to create 37 new jobs. (More)

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➤ Only in Your State has released a new list of 15 incredible natural wonders in our state that are described as defying explanation, including the Tennessee River Gorge and Ruby Falls. (See List)

➤ The owner of a dog rescued from a ravine in Dickson County by the Tennessee Highway Patrol using a homemade stretcher has been found. (Watch Report)

➤ A Gatlinburg black bear wanted some fudge from a local shop, startling local holiday shoppers. (Watch Video)

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Do you plan to watch a movie at a theater during the holiday? 

1. Yes
2. No

Tuesday’s Results:

Would you rather travel for the holidays or stay home?

1. Travel: 23%
2. Stay at home: 77%                

Who was the city of Knoxville named after?

Show me the answer