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Memphis dog-walker makes haunting discovery: Bones of 3 children

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:38:31 -0400

A dog-walker in Tennessee helped lead investigators to the discovery of unidentified remains of three young children in a case that Memphis’ police chief is calling "disturbing."

The Memphis Police Department revealed Wednesday that an investigation has been ongoing since March 8 after the remains of the children, believed to be between the ages of 3 and 7 years old, were found in an area near a church and elementary school.

"Someone knows of missing children that we have discovered in this area," Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said. "This is heartbreaking, it’s disturbing and at this time we have numerous resources to help us to identify these young people and bring closure to this investigation."

Davis added that authorities suspect the bones, which were found in a "heavily vegetated area," have been there for a few years and there "is no indication of any active threat to our public."

SKELETAL REMAINS FOUND BY HIKERS IN WASHINGTON STATE WOODS IDENTIFIED AS WOMAN MISSING SINCE 2024

The Memphis Police Department released photos of investigators searching through the woods.

"The operation involves approximately 170 personnel and is being carried out in collaboration with the Shelby County Medical Examiner’s Office, with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, federal partners, and the Memphis Fire Department," the department said in a statement. "Investigators are conducting a systematic and methodical search of a defined area between Ridgeway Road and Winchester Road in an effort to locate additional evidence."

Police say the investigation began on March 8 after an anonymous caller "reported a possible human skull near a wooded area" and "responding officers located what appeared to be a human skull at the edge of the woods."

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AFTER HUNDREDS OF CREMATED HUMAN REMAINS DISCOVERED, RECOVERED FROM NEVADA DESERT

A few days later, "cadaver K9 units alerted to a nearby drainage pipe, indicating the possible presence of additional human remains," police said.

On April 1, investigators found what "appeared to be an additional skull" inside the drainage system, and the following day, "search teams conducted another coordinated canvass, resulting in the recovery of fourteen additional bones consistent with human remains," Memphis police also said.

"Identification is ongoing, and investigators are working to determine both the identities of the individuals and the circumstances surrounding their deaths," police added.

Laquita Singleterry, a local parent, told FOX 13 Memphis that the discovery is "really heartbreaking."

"And I really hope they find out who they belong to," she said.

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"I feel sorry for those children," added parent Tonya Richmond. "It’s really sad that it happened in the community right across from a school… someone would dump children."

Blue city's staggering 40% violent crime drop a 'blueprint for other cities,' law enforcement expert says

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:39 -0400

A law enforcement expert says Memphis' dramatic drop in violent crime is a "blueprint for other cities" across the nation.

Data from the Memphis Police Department shows violent crime is down over 40% so far in 2026 compared to the same period last year, following President Donald Trump's establishment of the Memphis Safe Task Force — a coalition of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the Tennessee National Guard.

See how much Memphis crime has dropped in 2026 vs. 2025:

Overall violent crime: -40.52%
Aggravated assault: -28.14%
Arson: -33.33%
Burglary: -28.06%
Homicide: -36%
Larceny: -39.07%
Motor vehicle theft: -63.98%
Robbery: -44.96%
Sexual assault: -27.43%

"Memphis is absolutely a blueprint for other cities around the nation," National Police Association spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith told Fox News Digital. "When you look at the level of cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement, and you combine that with prosecutors who were involved and judges who were willing to follow along, that is something that every large crime-ridden city in the nation should take a look at."

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While Smith said Memphis has long been known as "one of the most dangerous cities in this nation," she said that has begun to change.

Since the Memphis Safe Task Force was formed, over 7,400 arrests tied to homicides, sexual offenses, gang violence and drug trafficking have been made, according to the White House. Authorities have also seized 1,219 illegal weapons and located 150 missing children.

Federal agents first arrived in Memphis in September as part of the task force.

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"The results are undeniable — proof that strong leadership, tough enforcement, and zero tolerance for criminals deliver real public safety and transform communities," the White House said in a press release.

Residents are feeling the improvement as well.

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Bobby Hardin, a Memphis resident, told Action 5 News that crime in the city isn't as bad as it was before.

"I can say it’s gotten better now with comparison. I’ve never seen it as bad as it was two years ago," Hardin said.

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For the first time since 2019, fewer than 200 murders were recorded in 2025, according to the Memphis Police Department.

Smith said she thinks the show of force by law enforcement is contributing to the decline in crime.

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"People in uniform showing themselves making arrests, taking people to jail is one of the biggest deterrents that you can have when it comes to crime," Smith said. "And then if those people arrested are prosecuted, are sent to jail, and the word gets out that if you get arrested, you're going to go to jail. You're going to not be back in the neighborhood in six hours, committing the same crimes."

She also drew a direct parallel between the success seen in Memphis to what is being seen in Washington, D.C., saying the two are "similar."

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According to the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime in Washington, D.C. is down by 5% in 2026 compared to 2025, but saw a 29% drop in 2025 compared to 2024. President Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., in August.

Homicides are down by 53% in 2026 compared to 2025, according to the data.

Hidden danger at popular US national park forces trail closures as bear sightings climb

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:10:12 -0400

One of the most visited national parks in the U.S. is closing parts of its hiking trails as officials deal with a spike in bear activity.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee has temporarily shut down several trails and backcountry areas due to increased sightings of black bears, according to the National Park Service.

Officials said closures are put in place when bears frequent specific areas or show signs of unpredictable behavior, posing a risk to both visitors and wildlife.

HIDDEN HAZARD AT POPULAR NATIONAL PARK SPARKS URGENT SAFETY WARNING FOR SPRING BREAKERS

The park draws more than 12 million visitors each year, meaning even a small increase in bear encounters with visitors can escalate quickly.

The Smokies are home to roughly 1,900 black bears, one of the densest populations in the country, the National Park Service said.

Bear activity tends to increase in the spring and summer months as the animals emerge from hibernation and search for food, often bringing them closer to hiking trails, campsites and roadways.

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Park officials say human behavior is also contributing to the problem.

When bears access food left out by visitors or are intentionally fed, they can start to associate humans with food, the National Park Service said.

Officials warn this can lead to more aggressive behavior and increase the likelihood of dangerous encounters, and, in some cases, lead to bears being euthanized.

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Last week, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a new law addressing the feeding of black bears in certain areas, set to take effect in July, FOX 17 reported.

The measure makes it a Class B misdemeanor to knowingly feed bears where warning signs are posted, with violators facing fines of at least $250.

Park officials are also urging visitors to know how to respond if they encounter a bear.

The National Park Service advises keeping a safe distance of at least 50 yards and never approaching or allowing a bear to come closer.

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If a bear notices you and changes its behavior, such as stopping or moving toward you, officials say you are too close and should slowly back away while facing the animal.

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Fox News Digital reached out to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for further comment.

1 million bees swarm highway after crash shuts down interstate ramp for hours

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:49:08 -0400

A swarm of 1 million bees shut down part of a highway for hours as authorities quickly moved to address the situation.

Around 11 a.m. Friday, a pickup truck transporting the bees crashed on Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tennessee, heading toward the Henley Street exit and unleashing the bees, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

Authorities did not say how many hives were being transported, but large-scale bee shipments are commonly used by commercial beekeepers to support agriculture and pollination efforts across the country.

Drivers stuck near the crash were told to stay inside their cars as bees filled the air around the highway ramp. Beekeepers in protective suits worked alongside crews to regain control of the swarm, which had clustered around the wreckage and nearby roadway.

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Mark Nagi, a spokesperson for TDOT, provided a series of updates on X.

"The ramp from I-40 East to Henley Street is currently closed," his first post began. "A truck carrying a load of bees crashed, and now the bees have escaped and are swarming the area."

The affected part of the highway later reopened as the truck driver and beekeepers worked to contain the swarm.

HIGHWAY SHUT DOWN AFTER WASTE TRUCK CARRYING DEAD BIRD FLU DUCKS CRASHES IN NORTHERN INDIANA

"The ramp from I-40 East to Henley Street is back open, but the truck is destroyed, and the bees are … well … buzzing," one of Nagi's follow-up posts said.

"Unless you are dressed in this outfit please stay in your vehicles in this area," Nagi added alongside a photo of man in a beekeeper's outfit.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Nagi confirmed there were no injuries reported as a result of the crash.

"Fortunately, there were no injuries. The truck was removed, and the bees were safely moved out of the area," he wrote.

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Similar incidents involving escaped bees have occurred in the past, including a crash involving a semitrailer that released millions of bees onto an interstate in Utah, underscoring the risks tied to transporting large numbers of hives.

Officials did not say what caused the crash but said the bees were eventually contained and removed, bringing an unusual highway shutdown to an end.

Tennessee governor signs nuclear family month resolution as critics push back on exclusions

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:20:03 -0400

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a resolution declaring June Nuclear Family Month as an alternative to the usual LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Lee, a Republican, signed House Joint Resolution 182 April 9 after it passed the House in April 2025 and the Senate last month.

The legislation highlights the importance of celebrating the traditional family unit, described as "consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children."

"The nuclear family is under attack in our beloved State and nation, and it is our responsibility to uplift, protect, and support values that help Tennessee prosper," the resolution adds.

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A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have begun to speak out against the resolution, and a representative for GLAAD gave Fox News Digital its opinion on the bill.

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"The strongest families are grounded in love, not legislative definitions. It is disturbing to see lawmakers use their platform to intentionally exclude their own constituents," the organization wrote in a statement.

"Instead of drafting resolutions that aim to divide Tennessee families, Gov. Lee should be focused on building a state where every family is treated fairly, and every child has the opportunity to succeed."

The news of the legislation comes a few days after the pride flag at Stonewall National Monument’s federal flagpole in New York City, a well-known symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, was restored after a two-month legal battle and settlement with the Trump administration.

"This is a victory for the LGBTQ+ community and for our entire city," Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote in an X post Monday. "It’s a reminder that New Yorkers won’t let our history be rewritten.

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"Our administration will keep working to ensure LGBTQ+ New Yorkers can live safely and with dignity in our city."

Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.

Tennessee school board member censured after calling student ‘hot’ at meeting

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:00:05 -0400

A school board member in Tennessee has been censured after telling a high school student she was "hot" at a public board meeting last week.

During the April 2 livestreamed meeting, Washington County Board of Education member Keith Ervin told a female student, "God, you’re hot."

The board in northeastern Tennessee passed the censure Wednesday during an emergency meeting after calls to remove Ervin and Superintendent Jerry Boyd.

The student, who is a student representative of the board, had just finished inquiring about career and technical education when Ervin hugged her from the side and made the remark, NBC News reported.

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"God, you’re hot. Do you know that? Damn. Where do you go to school at?" he said as the meeting continued.

Ervin defended his remarks on Wednesday and said his "hot" comment was taken out of context.

"Obviously, I’ve seen the clip. Look, I get it, if that’s all you’re seeing, I understand why people are reacting the way they are," he said. "But that’s not the full conversation, not even close. Last week at the board meeting I wanted to congratulate a student who did a great job sharing thoughts with all that was in the room.

"When I mentioned she was hot, I meant she was on a roll. It was nothing to do with her appearance. As a lifetime supporter of David Crockett High School, I was especially surprised to learn that’s where she went to school."

He also added that the clip of his comments that went viral was only a few seconds out of the two-hour meeting and that the entire video would provide the full context.

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"There was no disrespect meant, and I apologize to her and her family for my comment reacting in the public for the incredible job she did as a student board member," Ervin said.

He apologized that his remark had "overshadowed what would have been a bright moment for one of our students."

NBC News reported that as Ervin was finishing his remarks, a man yelled, "I watched it; you’re a liar!"

"I’d just like folks to take a look at it before jumping to conclusions. The video speaks for itself," Ervin said, finishing his speech.

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"It sure does!" a woman in the room replied.

Fox News Digital reached out to Superintendent Boyd and Ervin for additional comment.

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Nashville public school excuses Muslim students for daily prayer time during Ramadan

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:00:49 -0400

A Nashville public school allows Muslim students to leave class to pray in a reserved space on campus during the school day, offering the accommodation daily during Ramadan and once a month during the rest of the year, according to local reports.

According to a report published Tuesday in the Nashville Banner, John Overton High School in South Nashville also supports Muslim students during Ramadan by offering food-free classrooms during lunch for students who are fasting.

In the afternoon, students who signed up received electronic hall passes allowing them to leave class for 15 minutes to pray in a reserved space on campus. More than 80 students signed up, according to the Banner.

Ten teachers also volunteered to make their classrooms a food-free space for Muslim students during the lunch hour during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast daily from dawn to dusk.

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Al-Nadir Muhammad, a member of the school's support staff, oversees the student prayer period and is responsible for assuring students are following the rules. He also offers support to Muslim students on campus, the Banner reported.

The report noted how students met in a foyer, laid paper towels down for makeshift prayer mats and put a divider between girls and boys before one student led a prayer and recited verses from the Quran.

The outlet previously reported that outside of the month of Ramadan, Muslim students are permitted to leave class to pray on campus once a month.

Muslim teacher Revas Barwari told the Banner the school’s treatment of Muslim students was a stark contrast to her own experience growing up in Nashville public schools, where she felt she had to hide that she was fasting.

"What school do you know that actually changes their whole bell schedule to work around students being able to go pray?" she asked the outlet. "I don’t think the kids really even understand how important that is or see that like, ‘Wow, my school’s doing this for me.’"

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The report noted that the school has worked to refine the prayer system after students and staff suggested to the administration several years ago that they provide a daily time and space for prayer.

The American Muslim Advisory Council also reportedly sent a letter to Metro Nashville Public Schools asking educators to support Muslim students during Ramadan by giving students a reserved space for lunch and to skip heavy physical activities during the fasting period.

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"It is a Muslim’s right to fast and receive reasonable accommodations at school or work," the letter stated, according to the report.

The U.S. Department of Education says public schools must permit constitutionally protected student prayer and religious expression, including private prayer during the school day, but may not sponsor, organize, coerce or favor religious activity.

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In February, the agency released guidance on prayer in public schools, saying schools should allow members of the school community to "act and speak according to their faith" as long as others’ rights are respected, the school itself is not engaging in religion, and the school does not favor one faith over another.

John Overton High School Principal Kelby Garner did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Tennessee Senate passes bill criminalizing migrants who defy deportation orders

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:02:18 -0400

Tennessee Republicans are moving to criminalize immigration violations at the state level with a bill that would make it a crime for migrants to remain in the Volunteer State after a final deportation order.

The measure, which passed the Republican-controlled Senate on a 26-6 vote, would require illegal immigrants with a removal order to leave Tennessee within 90 days or face a Class A misdemeanor. The House previously passed the measure 73-22.

Violators would face up to 11 months and 29 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The bill also creates a separate Class A misdemeanor offense for migrants who re-enter or attempt to enter the state after being deported.

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Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth, the bill’s sponsor, framed the proposal as a direct challenge to long-standing limits on state immigration enforcement.

"When someone has exhausted all their options and they’ve been told to leave the country, it is illegal for them to stay, both under federal law, and if this bill passes, it would be a misdemeanor for them to enter in, or remain in, the state of Tennessee," Lamberth said during a state House Judiciary Committee hearing, according to Newsweek.

The measure is part of a broader push by Tennessee Republicans to take a stricter approach to illegal immigration, including restricting public benefits and expanding state involvement in enforcement.

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Supporters, including Republican lawmakers backing the bill, argued it would strengthen enforcement and deter violations.

Critics, including immigration advocates and some legal experts, warned it could conflict with federal law, which generally governs immigration enforcement, and could burden state courts, according to the Tennessee Lookout.

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The proposal raises questions about whether states can impose additional penalties tied to federal deportation orders.

It is unclear whether Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, will sign the measure if it reaches his desk.

The bill could set up a Supreme Court challenge over federal authority and position Tennessee as a test case for a broader GOP effort to expand state-level immigration enforcement nationwide.

Tennessee library director fired for refusing to move LGBTQ books out of kids' section

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:43 -0400

The Rutherford County Library Board in Tennessee fired library system Director Dr. Luanne James after she refused to relocate over 100 books from the children's sections after critics accused them of pushing "gender confusion."

The board previously decided on March 16 to relocate approximately 132 books from the children's section of the library to the adult section after an "age-appropriateness review" last year. Days after the decision, James sent a message to the board saying that she would refuse to move the books out of solidarity with the First Amendment.

"I will not comply with the Board’s decision to relocate these books," James wrote. "Doing so would violate the First Amendment right of all citizens of Rutherford County and myself. Consequently, I would compromise my professional obligation to oppose government-mandated viewpoint discrimination."

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In an 8-3 vote on Monday, the board voted to remove James from her position for her refusal amid a large group of protesters who came to support her.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Rutherford County Library Board for comment.

According to comments made by Rutherford County Library Board Chairman Cody York during a meeting earlier in March, there were concerns over LGBTQ and other social justice themes in the books and the desire to "protect children's innocence."

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"I would argue that gender confusion [is] the idea of telling someone that boys aren’t really boys, they can be girls, and girls aren’t really girls, they can be boys, and that you should advocate for [or] encourage the dismembering of healthy sex organs," York said. "I don’t think that that’s appropriate for children."

York pushed the idea to remove James in a comment last week.

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"When a director refuses to carry out a duly adopted Board decision, it undermines the governance of the institution and cannot be ignored," York said.

In a statement to the Nashville Scene, James described feeling "disappointed" at the decision.

"I lost it for doing exactly what librarians are supposed to do — protect the rights of all community members to access books and information. Public libraries are community forums serving the entire community, not just those who share the loudest voice or the most restrictive views. Librarians should not be used as a filter for political agendas. I stood up for the right to read, standing for the citizens of Rutherford County. I believe my firing is unlawful, an act of viewpoint discrimination," the statement read.

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The decision to remove inappropriate books from children's sections of libraries followed Tennessee passing the Dismantling DEI Departments Act last year. The law was in response to President Donald Trump's "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" executive order shortly after his inauguration.

Woman dies after falling from 60-foot cliff along popular Smoky Mountains trail

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:47:32 -0400

A 65-year-old woman reportedly died after falling from a cliff at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday, according to park rangers on Monday.

The cliff, located in Tennessee, was roughly 60 feet high and sat along the popular Alum Cave Trail, local outlet WJHL reported.

Rangers responded Saturday after receiving reports that a woman had fallen, but officials with the park said they were unable to resuscitate her, according to the outlet.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the country, spanning remote, rugged, and mountainous terrain along the North Carolina–Tennessee border.

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As one of the park’s most popular routes, the Alum Cave Trail offers a 4.6-mile round trip hike that winds past the Alum Cave Bluffs and through Arch Rock.

The National Park Service’s website warns that the path becomes very steep and leads to Mount LeConte, one of the highest peaks in the Smokies, which draws millions of visitors each year.

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Just a day earlier, on Friday, two park visitors were hospitalized after massive boulders slammed into their vehicle during a sudden rockslide, the Charlotte Observer reported, citing the National Park Service.

The enormous slabs reportedly tumbled past a blind curve along a winding road and heavily damaged the front end of the vehicle.

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Despite sustaining serious injuries, both victims are expected to survive, the outlet said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more information.

At least 2 students killed, several injured in school bus crash in Tennessee: 'A parent's worst nightmare'

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:16:05 -0400

At least two students were killed and at least seven other people were injured Friday after a school bus was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in West Tennessee.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Maj. Travis Plotzer said during a news conference Friday the crash happened on Highway 70 in Carroll County and involved a state Department of Transportation dump truck, a Chevrolet Trailblazer and the school bus.

Plotzer called the incident "a parent’s worst nightmare."

Officials are investigating the cause of the crash but said it appeared the transportation department dump truck did not contribute to the incident.

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Authorities said 25 students and five adults were on the bus.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System said in a statement that the bus was transporting students and employees from Kenwood Middle School to Jackson, Tennessee, for a field trip. The district added that all families of those on the bus had been contacted.

"Our hearts go out to our Kenwood community, students, staff, faculty, friends and neighbors. Please join us in praying for all involved," the school system said.

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At least seven other people were taken to hospitals in Tennessee, officials said. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

Four people were transported to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville and were in stable condition, a Vanderbilt Health spokesperson told The Associated Press.

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Nineteen other s were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County and were evaluated and later released, a spokesperson for the hospital said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Serial offender out on parole accused of killing 23-year-old woman in stolen truck chase: police

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:29 -0400

A serial offender in Tennessee is accused of stealing a pickup truck and leading police on a chase that ended with him smashing into a car and killing its driver, identified as a 23-year-old woman.

Ray Eugene Padgett, 52, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and vehicular homicide by recklessness in connection with the death of Oluwalayomi Fadero, 23, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department announced.

Padgett has also been charged with felony reckless endangerment, attempted criminal homicide, and driving on a revoked license.

The 52-year-old, police said, was out on parole and had "at least 20 criminal convictions in five Tennessee counties" before the crash.

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Padgett, police say, is suspected of stealing the pickup truck from a Nashville car lot on Friday, March 20.

The owner of the lot was able to track the truck to an alley off St. Louis Street in North Nashville, police said. Authorities say that the owner of the lot followed Padgett and spotted the stolen F-250.

Padgett allegedly put the truck in reverse and rammed the vehicle the owner was in before fleeing. Charges related to those occurrences are anticipated, police noted.

Padgett kept driving in the stolen vehicle and, according to WSMV, a second ramming occurred as police began tracking the stolen truck via helicopter.

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"The intention at that point is to keep an eye on the truck until it finally stops, have ground units move in, and take the man into custody," MNPD Public Information Officer Don Aaron told the local outlet.

Police said that the driver spotted an unmarked police car in the median and rammed it before leading authorities on an approximately 5-minute car chase.

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The chase ended around 2:30 p.m. when Padgett crossed into oncoming traffic and Oluwalayomi Fadero's white Hyundai Elantra, pushing them about 100 yards into a ditch, police said.

Fadero was pronounced dead at the scene.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's College of Nursing remembered Fadero as "a valued member of the August 2026 cohort" who was in the college's accelerated nursing school.

"She brought light to those around her through her kindness, generosity, beautiful smile, and genuine passion for helping others," they said.

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A GoFundMe for Fadero says she was turning onto the road where she lived when she was killed.

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"She was simply on her way home, and her dog Nala was with her in the car," the fundraiser said, adding that "miraculously, Nala survived the crash and was reunited with Oluwalayomi's loved ones."

"The loss of Oluwalayomi has left a deep void in the hearts of everyone who knew her," it said.

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Fadero was set to complete a nursing degree at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in August.

Overturning an outlandish Supreme Court ruling is the only way to fix education

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:00:31 -0400

Tennessee lawmakers have taken a bold stand against the misuse of taxpayer dollars in public education. On March 10, House Bill 793 advanced out of a full committee with a 15-9 vote, divided mostly along party lines, with Republicans in favor and all seven Democrats opposed. The proposal is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on March 16.

The measure now requires public and charter school officials to verify students' immigration status at enrollment and report the aggregate results to the state. The proposal originally empowered school officials to deny enrollment to students who could not prove lawful presence in the United States or to charge their families tuition. That provision remains in the Senate's version – which already passed that chamber 19 to 13 – but opponents to the measure later stripped it out of the House proposal.

This proposal represents the bare minimum in addressing a long-standing injustice, yet it falls far short of what is truly needed. Requiring verification and reporting data sheds light on the number of illegal immigrants in public schools, but it does nothing to stop the flow of taxpayer dollars subsidizing their education.

In Tennessee, as in many states, per-student allocations drive budgets, meaning districts gain financially from admitting more students, regardless of immigration status. Lawmakers must go further by prohibiting public schools from using any tax dollars to educate those unlawfully present. Such a ban would redirect resources exclusively to lawful residents and citizens, allowing per-student funding to surge for eligible children without necessitating tax increases.

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The relief would extend beyond school budgets. Property taxes, which predominantly finance public education systems, exert constant upward pressure on homeowners. By excluding illegal immigrants from taxpayer-funded schooling, state policymakers could alleviate this strain, stabilizing or even reducing property tax rates while enhancing educational quality for legal enrollees.

At the heart of this issue lies the 1982 Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe, which compels state officials to provide free public education to children of illegal immigrants. That ruling, decided 5-4 by a less conservative court than today, imposes an unwarranted federal obligation on states to divert scarce resources toward entitlements for those without legal status.

Education policy, particularly the allocation of limited funds, belongs in the hands of state legislatures, not dictated by unelected judges. States possess the sovereign right to prioritize their citizens and legal residents, especially when federal immigration enforcement failed spectacularly under the previous presidential administration.

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Today's Supreme Court has an opportunity to rectify this overreach. Conservatives in Tennessee and elsewhere should welcome legal challenges to HB 793, particularly from teachers’ unions eager to preserve the status quo. These unions profit doubly from illegal immigrant enrollment: first, through inflated per-student funding tied to higher headcounts, and second, via supplemental allocations for English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.

Union leaders would likely hesitate to escalate a fight to the Supreme Court, recognizing the risk. A victory for Tennessee could dismantle Plyler nationwide, inspiring a cascade of similar reforms. The precedent would empower legislatures to reclaim control over education spending, removing the incentives that exacerbate illegal immigration. Rather than fearing litigation, policymakers should provoke it, confident that the current court would affirm states' authority to manage their own affairs.

Public sentiment aligns firmly against the current policy. Phi Delta Kappa International/Gallup poll found that 55% of Americans oppose using taxpayer dollars to educate children of illegal immigrants, with 81% of Republicans agreeing.

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These numbers reflect a commonsense view: American taxpayers should not shoulder the costs of federal border failures. Education represents a significant investment in the nation's future, and diluting that investment by extending it to those outside the legal framework undermines equity for citizens.

Momentum builds beyond Tennessee. Since early 2025, legislators in Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, Indiana and New Jersey have pursued measures to contest Plyler v. Doe, ranging from data collection on immigration status to outright tuition requirements. These initiatives signal a growing recognition that unchecked illegal immigration burdens public systems, from schools to hospitals.

In Texas, where Plyler originated, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has long advocated revisiting the decision, citing the unsustainable fiscal strain on local districts. Oklahoma's proposals mandate proof of status for enrollment, while Idaho and Indiana saw bills advance through committees before stalling. Even in blue-leaning New Jersey, lawmakers introduced the "PLYLER Act" to impose tuition on undocumented students.

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Critics of these efforts often invoke compassion, arguing that denying education harms innocent children. Yet the real harm stems from policies that encourage illegal entry by promising free services, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and straining resources meant for legal residents.

States like Tennessee invest billions in education to foster opportunity, but that promise erodes when funds are spread thinner to accommodate those who bypassed the system. Overturning Plyler would restore fairness, allowing states to focus on their own communities without apology.

The fiscal implications demand attention. Nationwide, educating illegal immigrant students costs billions annually, with estimates varying by state but consistently revealing a disproportionate load on taxpayers.

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The influx strains classrooms, necessitates more ESL teachers and inflates administrative costs. By contrast, excluding these students from taxpayer funding would free up resources for class size reductions, teacher salary increases and program enhancements for lawful enrollees. Property owners, weary of annual tax hikes to cover expanding enrollments, would finally see relief.

Plyler exacerbates illegal immigration by mandating education as an entitlement, regardless of status. The Supreme Court could end this mandate, returning power to the states where it belongs.

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Tennessee's HB 793, though imperfect, ignites a necessary debate. Lawmakers should strengthen it by banning tax-funded education for illegal immigrants outright, then defend it vigorously in court. The proposal would not only safeguard taxpayer dollars but also deter future illegal entries by removing a key pull factor.

Americans have waited too long for relief from policies that prioritize outsiders over citizens. The time has come for the Supreme Court to overturn Plyler v. Doe and let states chart their own course.

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‘Unclaimed’ Navy veteran given full military honors as community refuses to let him be buried alone

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:56:53 -0400

Community members and fellow veterans gathered Tuesday morning at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery to lay Lonnie D. Wayman, a U.S. Navy veteran with no known family, to rest with full military honors, FOX 17 Nashville reported.

In a country that promises to honor those who serve, the turnout made clear that "unclaimed" does not mean forgotten.

Wayman had been listed as an "unclaimed" veteran, officials said, after no relatives came forward to claim his remains. Organizers invited members of the public and veterans groups to attend the 9 a.m. burial at the Nashville cemetery so he would not be laid to rest alone.

A Veterans Affairs (VA) representative told those gathered that the word "unclaimed" did not fit what was unfolding before them.

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"When the paperwork for Lonnie Wayman came across my desk, it was marked as an unclaimed veteran," the representative said. "But I say that's incorrect. I say that's a misnomer, that thanks to the support from the United States military, the good folks at Gupton Mortuary, and all the support I see here today, we are able to claim our honorable veterans and provide them the dignity and honor that they have earned."

Rows of veterans, community members and military personnel stood in quiet tribute as prayers were offered and honors rendered in recognition of Wayman’s service in the Navy.

Video from the service shows attendees filling the sanctuary, with others standing at the back and outside the church as the ceremony began.

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"My friends, our true home is in heaven. Christ Jesus gave us the road map," a priest said during the service.

He later prayed, "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him."

The ceremony concluded with the release of doves near the cemetery’s flagpoles as Wayman was laid to rest. Officials said cemetery staff would need approximately 30 to 40 minutes to prepare the gravesite for visitors following the service.

In the end, the representative returned to the point that had framed the morning.

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"We are able to claim our honorable veterans," he said, "and provide them the dignity and honor that they have earned."

FOX 17 Nashville's Ashley Griffin contributed to this report.

Ex-Jets linebacker, charged with first-degree murder, allegedly consulted ChatGPT about cover-up

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:30:35 -0400

Darron Lee, the New York Jets’ former first-round pick, allegedly consulted ChatGPT about how to "cover up" the murder of his ex-partner, who he allegedly stabbed to death last month.

Prosecutors said Lee, 31, allegedly tried to use AI to help carry out the brutal murder of Gabriella Carvalho Perpétuo, who was found dead in a home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, during a preliminary hearing on Monday, per WCTV.

Prosecutors read aloud the prompt that Lee allegedly sent to ChatGPT.

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"Don’t know what to do right now," he allegedly wrote to the chat bots. "Fiancée did her crazy thing again and now she’s messed up, I wake up and she has two swollen eyes (I didn’t do anything, self inflicted) she stabbed herself, slit her eye? Idk but she isn’t waking up or responding, what do I do?"

The chat bot responded, saying, "Got it. Here’s exactly what [redacted] is the safest way to handle it without framing it as ‘police trouble,’" according to WDEF.

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Lee continued the conversation with ChatGPT, asking if someone who has slipped and fallen could suffer "puncture wounds."

"Yeah – it can happen**, but there’s [redacted] to make," the bot responded. "Can a slip-and-fall cause puncture wounds? Yes, but usually only under specific conditions?"

District Attorney Coty Wamp said to the court that Lee was using ChatGPT as a "legal advisor," having "dozens of conversations" over a two-day span where he detailed what he allegedly did.

"He asks how to cover it up. He asks what to say to 911," Wamp added.

Judges ordered Lee be held without bond last month, as he faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with or fabricating evidence.

Wamp made it clear last month that there was no final decision concerning the pursuit of the death penalty, but he did cite factors that could result in the case becoming eligible for capital punishment.

"Mr. Lee was in a home with a female (who) was, for lack of a better term, beaten to death," Wamp said in court last month, arguing for the judge to withhold bond. "And the explanation that he gave doesn't make any sense whatsoever."

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Lockhart detailed the home they found Perpétuo in.

"A lot of stuff in the living room. The deceased was in the floor lying on her back. There was blood going up the staircase. On the hand railing there was blood. On the walls, there was blood. On the floor in the living room there was blood. On the floor in the hallway and the stairs."

The detective added that he was present during the autopsy, which found the potential cause of death was blunt force trauma homicide.

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Authorities carrying out a search warrant found multiple types of trauma to the woman's body, including a stab wound to her abdomen, an apparent human bite mark on her shoulder, a large bruise on her head, black eyes with heavy swelling, and dried blood on her face and neck, according to the affidavit.

Lee, who was taken in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jets, played three seasons at linebacker following his time at Ohio State. He would later play with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

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From Nashville to Chicago's South Side, fatherlessness haunts America

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:00:10 -0400

On my long walk across America, I took a weekend detour and found myself in Music City, Nashville. Tennessee is my home state, and I’ve always loved coming to Nashville. The neon lights of Broadway, the music pouring out from bars, voices rising spontaneously in song and, of course, those stumbling with too much whiskey in them.

Yet, for some reason, as I talked to folks I met — from musicians and churchgoers to families and the young — I could sense a certain tension and uncertainty in their voices about the present and the future. Nashville is at a moral crossroads.

The markers of faith are everywhere in Nashville. I passed by countless churches, the crosses standing tall in the sky. Many artists sing of redemption and finding grace. There is still the local, traditional culture that has fueled Nashville for so long. But there is a change, a shift of sorts, happening — the pressure that comes from the larger national culture, influenced by nontraditional and postmodern forces.

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You can hear it in the songs: pop crossovers, party anthems that glorify hookup culture and its excesses, lyrics that chase trends over timeless truths. When I hear, "It’s just a room key / You ain’t gotta lie to me / Can’t you just use me like I’m using you," it leaves sadness and emptiness in its wake.

I’m not trying to be old-fashioned. Believe me, I’ve heard worse come out of O-Block in Chicago, which is home to drill rap and my church. I get the same feeling of emptiness and soullessness from both pieces of music. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen the consequences for those who live a hookup-culture lifestyle, which never ends well and usually results in an unwanted baby or two. And they then come knocking on my door seeking salvation through Jesus Christ.

MISSISSIPPI'S SCHOOL MIRACLE SHAMES FAILING CHICAGO LEADERS ON EDUCATION

On one of the corners, I fell into conversation with a local songwriter who had recognized me from Fox. He told me the industry is about "what sells." It has always been that way, but it is more entrenched now due to corporate executives who chase money and clicks over art.

The songwriter’s friend, a local pastor, said the same thing was happening to families. He told me how his kids, as well as the kids from his church, were being bombarded with ideological messages about their skin color, their gender identity and even about their parents. He felt that their education was being compromised.

Both men were in their mid-20s, and what surprised me was that they had both grown up without fathers. Yep, those warnings we heard about 30 or so years ago are now realities before my eyes. The Black community has long dealt with fatherlessness and has borne that stigma for decades. But it is no secret that fatherlessness has been rising across all races and ethnicities at alarming rates.

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On the South Side of Chicago, far too many kids grow up without dads to guide them and without strong models of manhood rooted in responsibility and faith. The streets fill the void with gangs, revenge and music that glorifies all the wrong things in life — lyrics that I can’t even print here.

I know the consequences of fatherlessness all too well, and that’s why I’ve been walking across America to raise funds for a community center designed to promote family values: education, jobs, courtship, marriage, child-rearing and responsible finances.

But when you peel back the layers, you will easily see that the causes of fatherlessness are the same everywhere: the breakdown of values and faith. Instant gratification before discipline.

In Nashville, the decline may be subtler than on the South Side, but there is the same emptiness where purpose should be, the same moral confusion instead of clarity and the same lostness of soul instead of the vivacity of life.

This isn’t just Nashville or Chicago. America is at a crossroads. There are still many Americans living the principled life, as I’ve mentioned in other Rooftop Revelations, but there is still an underbelly, and this problem of fatherlessness isn’t going away anytime soon.

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The good news? Redemption is possible. Those two young men I met — the songwriter and the pastor — found Christ and rebuilt their damaged families on the shared values of God, family and opportunity.

Nashville can reclaim its soul by doubling down on its faith heritage, letting songs of truth rise above the noise. Chicago can rise by rebuilding fathers, restoring merit and inviting God’s presence back into broken places. And America? We can turn the tide one step, one prayer, one restored life at a time.

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Federal prosecutor admits 'extraordinary' timing in Abrego Garcia smuggling case charges

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:14:25 -0500

A federal prosecutor acknowledged Thursday that the decision to charge Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia two years after a routine traffic stop was "extraordinary" while defending the human smuggling case as legally justified.

Abrego Garcia, 31, has become a flash point in the national immigration debate since last March, when he was deported to El Salvador in violation of a 2019 court order in what Trump administration officials acknowledged was an "administrative error."

The Supreme Court later ruled that the administration had to work to bring him back to the U.S.

After returning in June, Abrego Garcia was taken into federal custody in Nashville and detained on human smuggling charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.

He has pleaded not guilty and is seeking dismissal of the charges on the grounds of vindictive and selective prosecution.

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A 2019 court order prevents Abrego Garcia from being deported to El Salvador after an immigration judge determined he faced danger from a gang that had threatened his family. He immigrated to the U.S. illegally as a teenager and has been under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Abrego Garcia was accused in court records of repeated domestic violence against his wife, who alleged multiple incidents of physical abuse in protective order filings. She later withdrew the protective order request and has defended her husband publicly.

The Department of Homeland Security has also said he was living in the U.S. illegally and has alleged ties to MS-13, disputing portrayals of him as simply a "Maryland man." His attorneys have denied the gang allegations.

Tennessee Highway Patrol body camera footage from when Abrego Garcia was pulled over for speeding shows a calm exchange with officers. While officers discussed suspicions of smuggling among themselves — noting there were nine passengers in the vehicle — Abrego Garcia was issued only a warning.

TENNESSEE BODYCAM OF ‘MARYLAND MAN’ TRAFFIC STOP SHOWS TROOPERS' HANDS TIED DESPITE SMUGGLING CLUES

First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Rob McGuire, who was acting U.S. attorney in April 2025, testified Thursday that his decision to charge Abrego Garcia was based on the evidence.

"I had previously prosecuted several human smuggling cases," McGuire said, noting that after seeing video of the traffic stop, "I was immediately struck by how similar what was being depicted in the body cam was to those investigations."

McGuire said Abrego Garcia's vehicle belonged to someone with "a human smuggling background" and added that the route was "suspicious."

"It was a large number of individuals traveling in one SUV with a driver who spoke for the group. No one had luggage… the car had Texas plates… the route was suspicious," McGuire said.

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During cross-examination, McGuire acknowledged that the timing of the charges, coming so long after the traffic stop, was "extraordinary."

He said he had not previously been aware of the traffic stop but reiterated that nobody in the Trump administration, including the White House or the Department of Justice, pressured him to seek the indictment.

When asked about whether he might have felt pressure to prosecute the case, McGuire said, "I'm not going to do something that is wrong to keep my job."

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McGuire also said timing factored into charging Abrego Garcia since he was being held in El Salvador, and he did not want the indictment to go public before all senior officials were briefed on the matter.

"I knew from the get-go that this was going to be a controversial matter," McGuire said.

U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw did not make a ruling Thursday and said he would wait to receive post-hearing briefs from attorneys by March 5 before determining whether another hearing is necessary.

Crenshaw previously found some evidence that the prosecution "may be vindictive" and that prior statements by Trump administration officials "raise cause for concern."

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Thursday's court appearance came after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from re-arresting Abrego Garcia into federal immigration custody on Feb. 17.

Fox News Digital's Breanne Deppisch, Jake Gibson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rep. Steve Cohen tells Pam Bondi that 'worst of the worst' are native-born Americans, not immigrants

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:13:55 -0500

A House Democratic lawmaker told Attorney General Pam Bondi that the "worst of the worst" targeted by the Trump administration are actually native-born Americans, not illegal immigrant criminals.

Rep. Steve Cohen, of Tennessee, was speaking to Bondi during a combative congressional hearing over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein when he made his remarks.

"We need people working on the front lines and local law enforcement to protect our citizens from the worst of the worst," Cohen said. "The worst of the worst are not the immigrants. The worst are the worst, records show, are native-born Americans, and they are committing crimes that hurt our citizens and our cities."

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"And you're working against it," he added. "And thank you for that, but by trying to get our local law enforcement, where we have an undercount of officers in Memphis, to leave Memphis and go to work for ICE to deport people is a wrong priority."

The Trump administration has said that around 70% of the illegal immigrants targeted by federal immigration authorities have criminal records, including for violent offenses.

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Many Democrats maintain that most illegal immigrants have not broken any laws aside from entering the United States illegally.

Bondi argued that local and federal law enforcement both need "strong people."

"I've seen some of the worst of the worst, violent criminals, violent criminals who were in this country illegally," she said. "We both know that."

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Cohen also told Bondi that ICE was "running rampant" and that Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were "executed" by federal authorities in Minneapolis as they allegedly impeded law enforcement operations.

"They were executed like (Homeland Security Secretary) Krisit Noem executed her dog, and that was wrong," Cohen said. "And you should investigate those people. And you should investigate anybody that uses a weapon as a federal official or not, for civil rights violations."

More than 200 people evaluated in Tennessee after carbon monoxide leak infiltrates university facility

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 21:35:56 -0500

Hundreds of people have been evaluated and treated at various healthcare facilities after a carbon monoxide leak Wednesday at Milligan University in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Ballad Health said that as of 6 p.m. local time, it was actively caring for more than 200 people across six Ballad Health hospitals.

Crews are continuing to respond to the exposure, though the total number of people affected has not yet been released. It is unclear how many are students and staff members.

Milligan University told Fox News Digital it identified a carbon monoxide leak Wednesday morning in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

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The building was immediately evacuated, and students and employees were transported to receive medical evaluation, school officials said.

The source of the leak was identified, repaired and levels have returned to normal, according to the university.

Milligan officials said the fieldhouse was equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors that did not activate, and maintenance staff is actively investigating why the detectors did not set off alarms.

Additional carbon monoxide detectors have been installed in the building and testing of all carbon monoxide detectors across campus is underway to confirm proper operation.

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"The health and safety of our students and employees remain our highest priority. We are being diligent and deliberate in our communications to ensure that all information shared is accurate," the school wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We are grateful to Ballad Health for their partnership and care, and we appreciate the prayers and support from our community."

Ballad Health released a statement noting all hospitals remain fully prepared to care for patients.

After evaluation, the hospital said patients are provided with the care appropriate for their needs.

Some patients may require more extended observation or treatment, including supplemental oxygen and longer-term monitoring, officials said. For those with significant exposure, treatment includes oxygen therapy and monitoring for 12 to 24 hours.

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Patients with minimal symptoms may require up to six hours of observation.

Ballad Health said in order to manage the "mass event," it activated its Corporate Emergency Operations Center to support system-wide coordination and response efforts.

An emergency medicine physician was also deployed to the Milligan University campus to assist with on-site triage and coordination of care. Milligan is a small, private Christian university located roughly two hours east of Knoxville.

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The university said a mechanical contractor verified the system was safely shut down, and the school's maintenance team will coordinate with the fire department Thursday morning to conduct a thorough final inspection prior to the building reopening.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas that at high levels can cause loss of consciousness and death.

Symptoms of exposure include headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and nausea.

ICE lodges detainer for illegal immigrant accused of sexually assaulting teen

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:49:45 -0500

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer Friday against a criminal illegal alien from Egypt accused of raping a 16-year-old girl on New Year’s Eve while she was asleep in her bed in Tennessee.

Mena Mohsen Farez Nmn Awad, 31, allegedly broke into an apartment in Nashville and began sexually assaulting the victim while she was asleep in her bed next to her nephew, WSMV-TV reported.

The girl allegedly found Awad in her bed with a handgun tucked into his waistband and was sexually assaulted, the outlet reported.

She later broke free, grabbed her nephew and told Awad she would not tell anyone about the incident if he left.

CONVICTED PEDOPHILES, SEX PREDATORS ARRESTED IN MINNESOTA IMMIGRATION SWEEP WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS

According to DHS, Awad has a history of violence since entering the U.S. in 2017 through the Diversity Visa program.

He was previously charged with domestic violence, intimidation, possession of a weapon, violation of a court order and vehicle theft, the agency said.

"Horrendous immigration policies allowed this monster into our country and made victims of children and families," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "This child rapist was allowed into our country by the Diversity Lottery program. Secretary Noem paused the diversity lottery to ensure no more Americans are harmed by this disastrous program."

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McLaughlin added that ICE's arrest detainer would "ensure he is not released onto our streets to victimize more children."

According to DHS, the victim called her sister, who then contacted authorities after Awad left the residence.

Awad was later apprehended by police in Louisville, Kentucky, on Jan. 16, and was extradited to Tennessee the following week.

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He was charged with aggravated rape with a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated burglary, DHS said.

Social media post about Tennessee mayor's children sparks feud with local Democrats

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:00:41 -0500

Hamilton County, Tenn., Mayor Weston Wamp found himself in a heated online exchange with local Democratic officials this week after comments from a community member about Planned Parenthood on his Facebook page sparked sharp criticism and a public political clash.

According to Chattanooga's Local 3 News, the exchange occurred after a commenter weighed in on a post featuring Wamp's family last Christmas, writing, "This is why we need Planned Parenthood, this picture right here."

Wamp, a Republican, took a screenshot of the comment and wrote in a separate post, "Recently, a commenter on my family Christmas post suggested that my children were a reason why we need Planned Parenthood.

"I found that vile comment deeply out of step with the values of Hamilton County," he said.

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Wamp also shared a screenshot of a post from Former Vice Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party Kathy Lennon, which detailed how she had spent the weekend at a "Campaign Crash Course" with Planned Parenthood.

"Now, we also see Democrat activists proudly training with Planned Parenthood for 2026 campaigns. Relying on Planned Parenthood for campaign training is a new low for the local Democratic Party," Wamp continued in the caption, per Local 3 News.

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Wamp, according to local outlet The Chattanoogan, characterized the images as representing two "very different visions for the future of Hamilton County."

The local Democratic Party fired back in a Facebook post, writing, "Hamilton County Democratic Party is disappointed by County Mayor Weston Wamp’s decision to manufacture outrage on social media rather than focus on the real work facing Hamilton County.

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"The County Mayor chose to elevate a vague, drive-by online comment into a political spectacle — framing it as a personal attack and using it to smear political opponents. That approach may generate attention, but it does not solve problems or move our community forward," they added.

The statement continued, pointing out infrastructure problems in the city of Chattanooga, while accusing Wamp of "govern[ing] from the comment section," and "engaging in performative politics rather than delivering results."

Wamp did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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Dozens sickened as potentially deadly fungus spreads in southern state

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:23:51 -0500

A potentially deadly fungus has been spreading throughout Tennessee, health officials have warned.

Over 35 cases of histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, have been confirmed in a three-month period in the Maury and Williamson County area, according to numbers presented on Jan. 12 by the Tennessee Department of Health.

A family has also spoken out with claims that one woman died after contracting histoplasmosis, with a positive test result returned two days after her death, according to a local report.

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However, during a briefing at the Williamson County Board of Commissioners, state epidemiologists said an investigation is underway and that the infection has not yet been confirmed as the direct cause of any fatalities.

They also noted that the average age of those infected is 50.

The fungus comes from soil that is contaminated with bird or bat droppings, according to state officials. People are exposed when they breathe in the fungal spores. A single common source has not been identified in the Tennessee outbreak.

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In most cases, people don’t get sick, but there is the potential for histoplasmosis to cause respiratory symptoms, ranging from mild to life-threatening, per the CDC.

Symptoms of histoplasmosis — which can include fever, cough, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and chest pain — typically emerge within three to 17 days after exposure to the fungus.

Because these symptoms are similar to the cold and flu, the condition is often missed or misdiagnosed.

Dr. Zaid Fadul, CEO of Bespoke Concierge MD in California, noted that most people aren't at a high risk. "Most of the time, we don't get sick because the amount of spores we breathe in is minimal (assuming we are not working outside all day)," he told Fox News Digital.

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Higher-risk groups include people with weakened immune systems or those with high exposure levels to the spores, according to the doctor. "If the immune system is compromised, histoplasmosis can run amok and cause a life-threatening illness," he warned.

While most people do not require treatment, there are antifungal medications for severe cases. Some of the Tennessee patients have been hospitalized and some are "critically ill," the state officials confirmed during the briefing.

Healthcare providers can confirm the infection by testing blood or urine samples in a lab. Other possible means of testing may include respiratory fluid, X-rays, CT scans or a tissue biopsy.

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To prevent infection, health officials recommend limiting activities where soil is disturbed and to consider wearing masks during "high-risk" outdoor activities.

"It is very healthy to be outside, but if it is dusty or you will be outside for a prolonged time, you should be wearing some kind of mask to limit any spores you might breathe in," Fadul advised.

Before this outbreak, histoplasmosis was a "reportable disease" in only 14 states (Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Washington), according to the CDC.

The infection does not spread between humans and cannot be transmitted from humans to animals.

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Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they have been exposed to the Histoplasma fungus should contact a doctor for testing, especially if antibiotics are not helping.

"With this outbreak, and the new CDC-approved antigen testing, any vague respiratory illness should lead to a quick diagnosis and treatment," Fadul said. "Histopplasmosis can be deadly to certain patients, but it doesn't have to be."

Illegal immigrant allegedly ran from deadly wrong-way DUI crash that killed motorcyclist, records show

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:28:29 -0500

A deadly wrong-way crash on a Tennessee interstate has led to vehicular homicide charges against an illegal immigrant, with jail records showing the suspect is now being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The suspect, 27-year-old Eric Ramon Alcantara-Guevara, is charged with vehicular homicide, DUI and leaving the scene of an accident knowing a death resulted following the crash Sunday night on Interstate 640 West in Knoxville.

According to the Knoxville Police Department, officers responded around 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 18 to reports of a wrong-way crash near the Broadway exit, where a passenger vehicle traveling in the opposite direction collided with a westbound motorcycle.

The man on the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

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Police say the occupants of the passenger vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. A short time later, responding officers located Alcantara-Guevara and took him into custody. Investigators say he ran from the scene but was quickly apprehended.

Court and jail records show multiple warrants were issued against Alcantara-Guevara on Jan. 19, including a $125,000 pre-trial bond for vehicular homicide.

Those same records show a hold for ICE was placed on him that day, indicating federal authorities believe he may be in the United States unlawfully.

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Alcantara-Guevara appeared in court on Jan. 20 for several required 48-hour bond hearings and is scheduled to return to court again on Feb. 26, according to court records.

The Knoxville Police Department said the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

ICE has not yet publicly confirmed Alcantara-Guevara’s immigration status or whether the agency had any prior contact with him before his arrest.

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Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., weighed in on the case, calling for strict punishment and deportation.

"Eric Ramon Alcantara-Guevara should face the full wrath of American justice, and he should be deported," Blackburn said in a statement. "The Knoxville community is safer because law enforcement officers arrested this man and held him on an ICE detainer after he allegedly murdered a motorcyclist and fled the scene of the crime."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Knox County Sheriff's Office and ICE for comment.

Tennessee Highway Patrol debunks viral claims protester was struck by trooper's vehicle

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 18:18:47 -0500

Dashcam video shows a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper navigating around a protester in Memphis, Tennessee, who appeared to play possum in front of a patrol car, leading the agency to swat down viral claims the man was actually hit.

Video posted to social media by the Tennessee Highway Patrol shows the trooper trying to work his way around a group of protesters. A man who appeared to be one of the protesters walked into frame from behind a white SUV.

The man, wearing a bright orange construction vest and holding a handheld radio, raised his hands and stepped in front of the trooper.

The trooper can be heard on camera shouting, "Move! Get out of my way! Get out of my way! Move!"

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Instead, the protester shook his head and raised his index finger as if signaling the trooper to "hold on."

The protester then grabbed the patrol vehicle’s push bars and fell backward, appearing to act as if he had been hit by the trooper’s vehicle.

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He then pulled himself up, raised his index finger at the trooper once more and walked back to his vehicle.

The video circulated on social media with claims the man was hit by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, claims the agency called false.

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"We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully," the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. "That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger.

"In this case, video clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the trooper’s vehicle, lying down, then standing back up afterward and leaving the scene under his own power," the statement continued. "At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media."

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The agency added that its priority is public safety for protesters, motorists and troopers.

"When someone enters the roadway, it creates a serious and immediate risk, and troopers are trained to respond to prevent injuries or worse outcomes," the agency added.

College basketball player gunned down on Nashville freeway, police hunting for suspects

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:58:25 -0500

A Tennessee college basketball player was shot and killed while in a vehicle on a Nashville freeway, police said Monday.

Andre Bell, 20, was a Fisk University sophomore from Jackson, Tennessee. He died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said.

Bell was with two friends heading back to campus on Interstate 65 after attending a gymnastics event. As the trio were in Bell's Nissan Sentra, the friends noticed a black sedan in the left lane beside them, police said.

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"Both said they were distracted by their cellphones when they suddenly heard multiple gunshots and realized Bell had been hit," a police news release states.

The Sentra slowed and spun back into traffic before colliding with a red pickup truck, police said. The dark sedan kept going.

Bell was shot in the head and rushed to the hospital in critical condition before he died.

Investigators said evidence suggests that the car from where the shots were fired likely has windshield damage based on the shattered glass at the scene.

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In a statement, Fisk University said it was mourning the tragic loss of Bell, a business administration major.

Fisk men's basketball head coach Jeremiah Crutcher described Bell as a "gentle young man" who was "unfairly snatched from this world."

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"He was a dominant force on the Fisk University Men’s Basketball team, but he was most remembered for his infectious smile, loving personality, and unique ability to always bring warmth to a room," he said. "We now have a deep absence in our program, but more importantly, we have a deep pain in our hearts. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and unwavering prayers are with his family and the little kids in his family and in Nashville who looked up to him."