Triple A projects over 119 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home over the year-end holiday period which runs from December 21st to January 1st.
Triple A expects an additional 3 million travelers this holiday season compared to last year and is we are expected to be the record set in 2019.
It is forecast that 107 million people or 90% of travelers driving to their destination while almost 8 million will fly.
If you’re driving, the worst traffic delays will be the weekends before Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Knoxville Police say a 17-year-old is taken into custody after firing shots following an argument.
Officers responding to a shots fired call in the area of Walker Boulevard and Underwood Place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.
Witnesses reported that the suspect walked away from the scene after the shooting but Officers found him within minutes on Valley View Drive and took him into custody.
KPD says the suspect admitted to firing the gun into the air multiple times following a domestic argument.
The suspect was charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A season-opener versus Syracuse in Atlanta followed by Southeastern Conference home games against Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt highlight the 2025 Tennessee football schedule.
The league office unveiled the full slate of 2025 dates on the SEC Network Wednesday evening. Conference opponents are identical to 2024 with the game location flipped from what was played this season.
All four of the Volunteers’ non-conference games were previously announced. Tennessee opens the season in the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 30 against Syracuse in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A Sept. 6 home opener versus East Tennessee State precedes the Vols’ SEC opener against Georgia on Sept. 13 in Neyland Stadium. It will be the earliest meeting between the two teams in 30 years since UT won 30-27 in Knoxville on Sept. 9, 1995.
A third straight home game against non-conference foe UAB on Sept. 20 is followed by Tennessee’s first road appearance of the year, a Sept. 27 matchup at Mississippi State. UT will make just its second appearance in Starkville since 2008 and first since Oct. 13, 2012.
The Vols return home to host Arkansas on Oct. 11, representing the Razorbacks’ first trip to Knoxville since 2015. Tennessee then plays back-to-back road games with its Alabama rivalry renewed in Tuscaloosa on the traditional Third Saturday in October (Oct. 18) followed by a Oct. 25 game against Kentucky in Lexington.
Three of the Vols’ four games during the month of November will be played in Neyland Stadium. For the first time since the double-overtime thriller on Sept. 12, 2015, Oklahoma visits Knoxville on Nov. 1. Tennessee’s final non-conference game is Nov. 15 against New Mexico State in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The Vols then travel to Gainesville to take on Florida on Nov. 22 in what will be the latest meeting between the two teams in the Swamp since the infamous Dec. 1, 2001, UT win. That contest was rescheduled after the events of 9/11.
Tennessee closes the regular season at home versus Vanderbilt on Nov. 29.
The 2025 schedule once again features two open dates. Tennessee will be idle on Oct. 4 and Nov. 8.
Fans can renew their 2025 season tickets at AllVols.com. Fans interested in joining the 2025 season ticket waiting list can fill out the season ticket interest form at UTsports.com/seasontickets.
The Volunteers carry 20 consecutive home sellouts into the 2025 campaign. Tennessee drew a combined 713,405 fans in Neyland Stadium in 2024, which ranked sixth in the FBS and third in the SEC.
2025 Tennessee Football Schedule Date, Opponent, Location Aug. 30, vs. Syracuse, Atlanta, Ga. (Aflac Kickoff Game) Sept. 6, EAST TENNESSEE STATE, KNOXVILLE Sept. 13, GEORGIA*, KNOXVILLE Sept. 20, UAB, KNOXVILLE Sept. 27, at Mississippi State*, Starkville, Miss. Oct. 11, ARKANSAS*, KNOXVILLE Oct. 18, at Alabama*, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Oct. 25, at Kentucky*, Lexington, Ky. Nov. 1, OKLAHOMA*, KNOXVILLE Nov. 15, NEW MEXICO STATE, KNOXVILLE Nov. 22, at Florida*, Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 29, VANDERBILT*, KNOXVILLE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Wednesday afternoon that Tennessee junior running back Dylan Sampson was selected by the league’s head coaches as the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native received the same recognition from the Associated Press, becoming the second Vol in three years to sweep the awards as selected by the coaches and the AP.
Sampson becomes the sixth running back in conference history to be named the coaches’ SEC Offensive Player of the Year since the award’s inception in 2003. He joins Darren McFadden (2006-07), Trent Richardson (2011), Tre Mason (2013), Derrick Henry (2015) and Kerryon Johnson (2017) as the only running backs to receive the honor.
During the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), Tennessee has garnered three player of the year honors from the league’s head coaches. In addition to Sampson, Velus Jones Jr. was recognized as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021 while Hendon Hooker was selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Hooker was also tabbed the AP SEC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts during the 2022 campaign.
Sampson produced the most prolific rushing campaign in Tennessee history during the 2024 regular season, breaking school records for rushing yards (1,485), rushing touchdowns (22), points scored (132), total touchdowns scored (22) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). Sampson led the conference in 11 different categories, including 123.8 rushing yards per game and 22 rushing touchdowns — tied for the fifth-most rushing scores in SEC single-season history.
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 11
QB Nico Iamaleava Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award Finalist
OL Cooper Mays Rimington Trophy Finalist All-SEC First Team (Coaches) All-SEC Second Team (AP)
WR Bru McCoy Witten Award Semifinalist Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist SEC Community Service Team
DB Jermod McCoy Thorpe Award Semifinalist All-SEC First Team (AP) All-SEC Second Team (Coaches)
DE James Pearce Jr. Bednarik Award Semifinalist Lombardi Award Semifinalist Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist All-SEC First Team (Coaches) All-SEC Second Team (AP)
RB Dylan Sampson SEC Offensive Player of the Year (AP, Coaches) USA Today SEC Player of the Year Maxwell Award Semifinalist Doak Walker Award Semifinalist All-SEC First Team (AP, Coaches)
The Pageant returns: Saturday, December 14 at 3p.m.; Sunday, December, 15 at 3p.m. and Monday, December, 16 at 7p.m. Location: Knoxville Civic Coliseum, 500 Howard Baker Avenue Price: No Charge for admission. $5 parking. Phone: 865-209-8705 Website: KnoxvilleNativity.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: Nativity Pageant of Knoxville Instagram: @nativitypageant Join us as we celebrate the 56th year of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville with a presentation of the traditional Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Plan to bring your entire family to witness the portrayal of Christ’s birth story with realistic sets, live animals, a full orchestra, a 150 member cast, and 150 voice choir. No tickets necessary; the doors will open 1 hour prior to showtime. Special music and photo opportunities will be offered one hour prior to showtime. All performances will offer accommodations for deaf & hearing impaired and Spanish translations. While there is NO charge for admission, parking fees are determined by the Coliseum and set at $5. Visit http://KnoxvilleNativity.com for more information.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) New details revealed in court Wednesday in the murder of an 18-year-old in Knoxville.
Juan Carlos Diaz Perez is charged in the murder of his girlfriend Suceli Perez back in July. Her body was found in a truck bed in Oak Ridge, a day after KPD received a report of a potential deadly assault.
Disturbing information from the autopsy report was released in court Wednesday detailing multiple chopping wounds and fragments of bone and teeth found in the victim’s hair. The report also indicated Suceli Perez was strangled.
The case was turned over to the grand jury. The suspect’s bond set at $250,000.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police investigating a “suspicious death” Tuesday in South Knoxville have now charged a man with murder.
KPD says officers were dispatched around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to an apartment in the 1500 block of Daylily Drive where a woman was found dead on the front porch.
One person, later identified as 60-year-old Charles Hornberger, was detained for questioning; he is charged with first-degree murder after admitting to shooting the victim who was identified as his wife.
During the investigation, police say detectives learned from witnesses that Hornberger was heard yelling and causing a disturbance earlier in the day.
Additional information, including the woman’s identity, has not been released.
ORIGINAL STORY: Knoxville Police detectives and forensics staff are investigating a “suspicious death” in South Knoxville.
KPD says a woman was found dead at an apartment in the 1500 block of Daylily Drive, and one person was detained for questioning.
The woman’s identity, has not been released.
Police say 60-year-old Charles Hornberger was charged with first-degree murder after Knoxville Police Department officers responded to an apparent suspicious death. (Courtesy: KCSO)
HONOLULU — Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been named a finalist for the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday.
Selected from a watch list of nearly 100 players, Iamaleava is one of eight finalists for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry who epitomizes great ability and integrity.
Iamaleava has had a strong first season as Tennessee’s starting signal caller, throwing for 2,512 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has also been effective on the ground, rushing for just over 300 yards and one touchdown. The Long Beach, California, native is the first UT quarterback to win 10 regular-season games since 2003.
A four-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree, Iamaleava closed the season with back-to-back games of four or more touchdown passes, becoming the first Vol to do so since 2012. His four SEC Freshman of the Week selections are a Tennessee single-season record, as well.
Iamaleava has guided the Vols to their first College Football Playoff berth in program history and will lead the team into Columbus to face No. 6 Ohio State at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 21.
The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 19, 2024.
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Dec. 11
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Preparation for No. 7 Tennessee’s first College Football Playoff game is fully underway as the Volunteers get ready for their trip up north to take on No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET.
UT players met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since Sunday’s CFP selection show and voiced their excitement for the opportunity that awaits with their upcoming trip to Columbus.
“It’s amazing. We are in the playoffs. We get another game. Another opportunity, a fun opportunity to go out there and have fun,” senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas said. “Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”
While the matchup pits two of the nation’s top teams against one another, it will also showcase two of the most recognizable brands in all of college football on full display in primetime on ABC/ESPN.
The Vols know they’ll need to be at their best in all phases of the game to meet the challenge that the Buckeyes will present. Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander believes that the team’s confidence is at an all-time high as they prepare for this win or go home matchup inside Ohio Stadium.
“We’re extremely confident,” Telander said. “You earn confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Like you said, we’ve been preparing for this since January and the confidence is out of the roof right now. I just can’t wait to go out there and play with our guys.”
On what is impressive about Ohio State and what will Tennessee focus on for the game… “Yeah, they’re definitely a hard-nosed football team. From their offensive line to the running backs to their tight ends, they’re definitely hard-nosed. They like to run the ball and it’s going to be a great game, a great team that we’re going up against, and I’m just really excited.”
On containing Ohio State quarterback Will Howard… “Yeah, I just think getting reps with a mobile quarterback, you know? You play a couple of games when the quarterback doesn’t run out of the pocket, you can kind of forget about that, and then you get a real fast guy who can scramble out of there. You just got to remember that and play the defense accordingly.”
On the team’s confidence now that they’re in the playoff… “We’re extremely confident. You earn confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Like you said, we’ve been preparing for this since January and the confidence is out of the roof right now. I just can’t wait to go out there and play with our guys. It’s going to be so much fun.”
On his thoughts facing Ohio State in the College Football Playoff… “It’s amazing. We are in the playoffs. We get another game. Another opportunity, a fun opportunity to go out there and have fun. Showcase that we want to be the best team in the country, the best defense in the country and the best offense in the country. We just want to go out there and do that. Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”
On how critical winning the line of scrimmage is against the Buckeyes… “It’s very critical that you have to win the line of scrimmage. You have to win your one-on-ones all over the field, on the line of scrimmage and outside on the perimeter. Ohio State is a great team. They have players all over the field, weapons all over the field. They have a good offensive line, good running backs, quarterback and receivers, so they are definitely a stacked team with elite players. We just have to be on our A-game and win our one-on-ones, so that way we can win the battle.”
On how players stay in rhythm over the next few rest weeks of postseason prep… “I would say our strength and conditioning coaches have done a great job of keeping us still in the same routine, sort of, but taking some off of us. That way when we do get up to this week right here and next week leading up to the game, there’s no real drop off. You still get the same practice periods and same everything. You might have guys that do a little less and get their bodies back right, but it’s still the same amount of periods and the same everything. That way, we still stay in that same routine.”
On the feelings of playing his former team… “I’m just excited. Excited to get back on the field and play one more time with these guys. I’m excited to play that team. I know a lot of guys on that team, so just having that brotherhood and camaraderie from being a freshman there is going to be big in this game and for me personally. It gives you a reason to be excited for this game.”
On the challenge that Ohio State’s receivers present… “Each of them has their own unique qualities in what makes them special. Just understanding that they like to get the ball to those guys, what situations they like to get the ball to those guys and the special things that those guys do differently is going to be a great focal point of the secondary in how we stop and attack those guys.”
On if he’s had conversations with younger players about the stakes of a big postseason game… “You do that as a leader. As a leader, I’ve been blessed to be able to lead and have those conversations with guys. You don’t make it a big conversation or create big pressure, but you tell these guys that they just need to be themselves. They just need to do the ordinary things at a high level as coach Heupel likes to say to us. Those guys understand that as well; they’ve shown up big for us throughout the year in being able to grow up fast in moments that they haven’t seen before being new to college and big moments. I believe all of our guys are prepared for the moment.”
After defeating Florida State and No. 17/20 Iowa in back-to-back games to run its season record to 7-0, the Tennessee women’s basketball team has been named one of two United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Teams of the Week, the organization announced on Tuesday.
With Kim Caldwell in her first season at the helm in Knoxville, the Lady Volunteers outlasted a Seminoles squad receiving votes in the polls, 79-77, at Food City Center on Dec. 4. They then knocked off a Hawkeyes program that has been to the last two NCAA Final Fours, 78-68, in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 7.
Those victories kept the Big Orange undefeated and vaulted UT into the AP Top 25 at No. 19 this week. It marked the program’s first return to that poll since November 2023, with Tennessee among 10 teams nationally still operating without a loss this season.
Caldwell, in her ninth year overall as a head coach, has guided a very entertaining team that ranks No. 3 in the NCAA in scoring offense (92.6); No. 2 in steals per game (16.6), turnovers forced per game (28.29) and turnover margin (13.71); No. 1 in offensive rebounds per contest (22.0) and No. 5 in three pointers made per game (10.6).
Tennessee returns to action with a weekend matinee, as North Carolina Central comes to town for a 2 p.m. ET contest on Saturday. The game will be streamed on SECN+ and broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and worldwide via UTSports.com.
