Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1949, the first museum dedicated to atomic energy opened in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, serving as a key institution for educating visitors about the achievements of the Manhattan Project and atomic energy.

People are calling a Nashville police officer the “emu whisperer.” Read our story below to find out why.

If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, be sure to check out today’s sponsor, Brad’s Deals, to take advantage of special deals with Prime you may not be aware of.

Senate Passes Resolution to Deny Bond

The Tennessee Senate voted 23-6 in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 25 allowing judges to deny bond for over 60 serious crimes.

The resolution now moves to the House, and if passed, it will begin the process of amending the state constitution and be placed on a statewide ballot.

The measure would give judges the power to deny bail when dealing with violent crimes such as capital offenses, acts of terrorism, second-degree murder, and others.

Supporters of the resolution have emphasized that the goal is to “keep violent criminals behind bars.”

Property Tax Ban Moves Ahead in Legislature

The Tennessee state legislature is moving forward with a proposed constitutional amendment that would permanently ban a state property tax after clearing key legislative hurdles.

Senate Joint Resolution 1, introduced last November, proposes adding language to the state constitution to prohibit the General Assembly from levying or permitting a state property tax. Both the Tennessee House and Senate passed a joint resolution to initiate the amendment process.

Supporters argue the measure would prevent lawmakers from imposing additional tax burdens, while opponents say it will limit the state’s ability to generate revenue. The Resolution is now headed for a full Senate vote.

Cocke County Fire 35% Contained

Fire crews continued to battle the 165-acre Cocke County fire Tuesday, with officials reporting the blaze is now 35% contained.

The fire reportedly began on Saturday morning in the Cherokee National Forest, three miles east of Interstate 40, as a brush fire.

Several agencies have joined forces, with 37 firefighters creating new fire lines and reinforcing existing ones to enhance control.

At this time, there is no threat to structures in the area.

10 Amazon Prime Perks You Need to Be Using

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things. Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed.

Then, one day, Amazon came out of the heavens. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to pay $14.99 per month for Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are 10 of those perks.

➤ Knoxville: Police are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate Knox County officials, falsely claiming they have missed a court summons and demanding payment to cancel a bench warrant. (More)

➤ Nashville: Vanderbilt University is among 45 colleges under investigation by the Trump administration for alleged “race-exclusionary practices” linked to a Ph.D. support program that limited eligibility based on race. (More)

➤ Memphis: The Road, a new music competition series, will film at Minglewood Hall next week, featuring a performance by country superstar Keith Urban. (More)

➤ Davidson County: Local authorities are searching for a suspect linked to a store clerk shooting in 2024 and a string of armed robberies across Davidson County, including commercial robberies in Brentwood. (More)

➤ Johnson County: The owner of a Mountain City assisted living facility was indicted Tuesday on multiple felony charges, including identity theft and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult (More)

➤ Murfreesboro: The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department is offering a free Citizens CPR class on May 31 at the Airport Business Center, open to all community members seeking lifesaving skills. (More)

➤ The Chattanooga Mocs advanced to the second round of the NIT Tournament Tuesday night, outlasting in-state rival Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 109-103 in a triple-overtime thriller. (More)

➤ The Nashville Predators will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of the NHL’s Global Series on Nov. 14 and 16 at Avicii Arena, marking their first international games since 2022. (More)

➤ Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has tutored Japanese teammate Yuki Kawamura with basketball and English this season, with Kawamura calling Morant his “big brother” who “teaches me bad slang.” (More)

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➤ A bill allowing interest rates to increase to 36% at money lending places is headed to the governor’s desk, despite opposition from House GOP. (More)

➤ Tennessee tourism officials remained confident after Flair Airlines canceled service to the state, stating the state’s assets will overcome the loss, adding, “Do you really want to miss getting to go to Graceland?” (More)

➤ The East Ridge Council’s 2025 Business Expo is scheduled for April 3, inviting local businesses to use it to foster relationships, enhance brand visibility, and explore new opportunities. (More)

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Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks?

Free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer. Make sure you’re not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 10 Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ A Nashville police officer acted quickly to wrangle an escaped emu, luring the “sassy” flightless bird with snacks, earning the nickname “emu whisperer.” (See Emu)

➤ Tennessee ranked among the worst states for car thefts, despite a 26% decrease from last year, with the Nissan Maxima being the most frequently stolen vehicle. (See List)

➤ A bracket to determine the best pizza in Memphis is underway, featuring 32 local restaurants; Round 1 voting closes this Thursday at noon. (More)

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