KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The SEC released Monday afternoon the results of the preseason voting by its select panel of league and national media members.
University of Tennessee senior guard Zakai Zeigler collected Preseason First Team All-SEC status, one of five players to do so. The others who made the cut are Auburn’s Johni Broome, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., Alabama’s Mark Sears and Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor IV.
Sears earned SEC Preseason Player of the Year plaudits, while Zeigler was one of four others to receive votes, alongside Broome, Taylor and Georgia’s Asa Newell.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Zeigler is coming off a superb 2023-24 campaign in which he posted 11.8 points, 6.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting 34.4 percent beyond the arc. He earned First Team All-SEC and SEC Defensive Player of the Year plaudits from the league’s coaches last year, plus was named one of 10 semifinalists for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row.
This is the third consecutive year Zeigler is a Preseason All-SEC choice by the media, after garnering second-team status in advance of both the 2023-24 and 2022-23 campaigns. He is the fourth three-time honoree in program history, joining Allan Houston (first team in each of 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93), Tony Harris (first team in each 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-01) and Tyler Smith (second team in 2007-08, first team in both 2008-09 and 2009-10).
In addition, Tennessee finished third in the SEC preseason poll, trailing only first-place Alabama and second-place Auburn.
This is the third straight year the Volunteers took a top-three position in the preseason media poll, the only school that can make such a claim. Tennessee held the top spot in 2023-24 and indeed went on to win the league title. In 2022-23, head coach Rick Barnes‘ team took third-place in the voting.
Tennessee has claimed a top-five spot in the preseason media poll seven consecutive years, dating back to the 2018-19 edition.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
Preseason First Team All-SEC Johni Broome – Auburn Walter Clayton Jr. – Florida Mark Sears – Alabama Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M Zakai Zeigler – Tennessee
Preseason Second Team All-SEC Jonas Aidoo – Arkansas Johnell Davis – Arkansas Josh Hubbard – Mississippi State Matthew Murrell – Ole Miss Grant Nelson – Alabama
Third Team All-SEC Chad Baker-Mazara – Auburn Alex Condon – Florida Tramon Mark – Texas Collin Murray-Boyles – South Carolina Jaxson Robinson – Kentucky
Preseason SEC Player of the Year Mark Sears – Alabama
Predicted Order of Finish 1. Alabama 2. Auburn 3. Tennessee 4. Arkansas 5. Texas A&M 6. Florida 7. Texas 8. Kentucky 9. Ole Miss 10. Mississippi State 11. South Carolina 12. Georgia 13. Missouri 14. LSU 15. Oklahoma 16. Vanderbilt
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team checks in at No. 12 nationally in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
This is the 60th consecutive week Tennessee is ranked in the AP Poll, a streak that now spans four seasons. It is 23 weeks longer than the prior top streak in program history (37 from March 1999 to Feb. 2001) and is the third-longest active mark in the nation, trailing only Houston (86) and Kansas (65). Only one other school, Arizona (58), is at even 45-plus.
Tennessee is in the AP top 15 for the 34th time in the last 37 poll releases, a span that dates back to Nov. 28, 2022.
The No. 12 position is tied with 2020-21 for the ninth-highest preseason AP Poll position in program history. This is also the fifth consecutive year Tennessee is featured in the preseason AP Poll, tying its longest mark ever, set 2006-07 to 2010-11. All five seasons have featured a top-20 placement, with four in the top 12.
In total, this is the 114th AP top-25 ranking Tennessee has earned under 10th-year head coach Rick Barnes, all since the 2017-18 campaign. For Barnes, it is the 330th AP top-25 spot his career, which is entering its 38th season.
The Volunteers collected 775 points in the balloting, good for 38 more than Texas A&M, which came in at No. 13.
Tennessee is one of nine SEC schools in the top 25, six of which are in the top 20. The Volunteers are joined by second-ranked Alabama, No. 11 Auburn, No. 13 Texas A&M, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 19 Texas, No. 21 Florida, No. 23 Kentucky and No. 24 Ole Miss.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 11/10 Tennessee got back in the win column last weekend with a gritty overtime victory over Florida in front of a raucous Neyland Stadium crowd and will look to keep things moving in the right direction this Saturday with another heated rivalry game on deck against No. 7/7 Alabama at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
“Another huge contest here for us,” head coach Josh Heupel said in his Monday press conference. “It’s a rivalry game and college football as good as it gets here with these two teams playing, so looking forward to seeing our fans on Saturday.
“We need a great week of practice and preparation. Really good football team that we’re playing, talented as everybody knows.”
Last Saturday’s win over the Gators featured another stout performance form the Volunteers’ stingy defense, which has been once of the nation’s best halfway through the season, allowing just 10.7 points per game, a mark that ranks fourth in the FBS. The Big Orange rank second in the country in total defense, as well, giving up only 249.8 yards per contest.
UT will need to continue its stellar defensive play this week despite the loss of one of its veteran leaders at linebacker in Keenan Pili, who left the Florida game early with a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season, it was announced on Monday.
“Keenan — I said it after the (Florida) game — there’s nobody that represents Tennessee better than him,” Heupel said. “He’s a great leader and will continue to be that inside of our building. Just heartbroken for him and his family. A guy that does absolutely everything right, a special player but special person too. He’s got a great future.”
The Vols’ young linebackers proved more than up for the challenge against the Gators and will look to keep improving throughout the second half of the year.
“We’ve played some of those guys throughout the course of (the season) and have rotated there,” Heupel said about the linebacker position. “Feel good about all of those guys that you’ve seen in action already. (Kalib Perry) and (Jalen Smith), those guys will continue to play.”
Tennessee’s defense will be tasked with the difficult challenge of containing Alabama’s explosive attack that ranks fourth nationally in plays of 30-plus yard (22) and is led by Heisman contender Jalen Milroe at quarterback.
“He’s been extremely accurate with the football. He’s been a pretty sound decision-maker,” Heupel said. “While you’re trying to apply pressure to him, so these guys don’t have all day to run around on the second and third level, you have to be mindful and not let him escape. His athleticism, when he does escape, is special.”
Quotes from Monday’s availability with Heupel and select players can be seen below.
Opening statement… “Another huge contest here for us. It’s a rivalry game and college football as good as it gets here with these two teams playing, so looking forward to seeing our fans on Saturday. We need a great week of practice and preparation. Really good football team that we’re playing, talented as everybody knows. (They have) the ability to make explosive plays on the offensive side of the football. It starts with their quarterback, him being part of the run game and playmakers out on the outside. Defensively, personnel wise, they look like they always do. Big and strong up front, the second level can run, and the third level is extremely athletic. Huge test for us. We have to continue to get better and get ready to go play really good football.”
On his assessment of the offensive film from the Florida game… “Certainly, there are big plays out there they we’re a little bit off on. But even just the run game, some of our pass game that’s not vertically down the football field, we’re close on things. Eleven guys have to fully operate as one. The good thing is, we have guys that can do it and guys that have already done it before. We have to prepare the right way, practice really well and take some steps, but we’re fully capable of being more efficient than we were.”
On Keenan Pili’s status… “Keenan had an ACL injury and will be done for the season. Keenan — I said it after the (Florida) game — there’s nobody that represents Tennessee better than him. He’s a great leader and will continue to be that inside of our building. Just heartbroken for him and his family. A guy that does absolutely everything right, a special player but special person too. He’s got a great future.”
On the keys to having success in the run game earlier in the football game… “Execution, winning on blocks when they’re isolated, communication and targeting the right thing. We have to settle into the football game a little bit better, early in the football game. Again, that’s something that we’re fully capable of.”
On missed deep ball opportunities and how to correct those moving forward… “A little bit off on the throw. (Squirrel White) was really close. Make him bend outside a little bit off of it. The safety was a little bit tighter to it than anticipated. All in all, wide receivers and quarterback, we have to make it right. We have to hit some of those plays.”
On Kalen DeBoer’s visit to him in Oklahoma and their prior relationship… “Yeah, Kalen is … Not a lot of us from South Dakota. Anyways, I knew of him when I was younger, and through his coaching career, he’s just somebody I have stayed in contact with at times. I have great respect for him and what he has done throughout his career and how he handles himself.”
On if DeBoer’s offense ran similar to his years ago… “I think everybody has continued to evolve from when he first visited us.”
On concerns for Nico Iamaleava and his confidence… “I think for every player, not just the quarterback, you have to play the next play independently and the next week independently, too. We started extremely fast, had the turnover and got behind the chains a couple of times there. The first quarter and early second quarter had penalties, some self-inflicted wounds and things that we can control and be smarter in. I thought for a second, offensively, that we weren’t playing with the same aggressiveness that we came out early in the football game with. For us settling in, we have a bunch of guys that have played at a high level and made plays. Nico has played well. He hasn’t played his best football the last couple of weeks. Just go prepare in practice and go play the next game, the next play with an aggressive mentality. There are a lot of things that he did well in the football game too, so just have to continue to grow.”
On if he has concerns about Nico Iamaleava pressing… “I don’t have concerns about him pressing. He’s prideful, and it matters to him. He wants to perform well — not for himself, but for the guys around him. Let’s go have a great week and be ready to go play really good football. When you play quarterback, it’s not going to be perfect. Everybody wants it to be, but it wasn’t for Hendon Hooker or any of the guys that we have had. Being resilient, coming back and playing with great confidence and poise, which he will, will lead you to the plays that are going to present themselves.”
On Nico Iamaleava’s pocket presence… “Some of them, he is absolutely right on. For some of them, he has an opportunity to deliver the ball. Can the pocket be cleaner while he’s trying to deliver it? Yeah. In offensive football, 11 guys have to operate together. There are times when the o-line is doing a really good job, and we are not doing a really good job at running back, or vice versa. For Nico, being calm, poised and being in a great platform to be able to deliver the football on time is important, but a part of his game and a part of what we need is when it is not right down the football field, is to be able to scramble and make plays.”
On the first year facing Alabama without Nick Saban… “This rivalry has been around a long time, before Nick Saban was a part of it or I was a part of it. The magnitude of this rivalry is the historical nature and what it has meant inside of this league.”
On what makes defending Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe so difficult… “He’s been extremely accurate with the football. He’s been a pretty sound decision-maker. While you’re trying to apply pressure to him, so these guys don’t have all day to run around on the second and third level, you have to be mindful and not let him escape. His athleticism, when he does escape, is special. You put all of those pieces together, you have to do a great job of having rush integrity, getting off of blocks and making a play when he tucks it.”
On the confidence in the linebacker room, especially Jeremiah Telander… “He’s played a bunch throughout the course of the season and really the entire football game the other night. Everybody has great confidence in him, but the other guys as well. Defensively, played extremely well with gap integrity. Communication was solid. There were a couple of things that we weren’t right on, and we can clean those things up. All in all, have great confidence in all of those guys.”
On Ethan Davis’ progress… “He’s somebody that we plan on using more. A couple of weeks ago, structural change. Miles (Kitselman) got a majority of it with Holden (Staes). We have great confidence in (Ethan). We’ll continue to play him moving forward.”
On what has been different for James Pearce Jr. the last two weeks… “I wouldn’t say there is anything different in his effort, strain. There have been a few more times where he’s had an opportunity to make the play, and he’s made the play. He’s played really well all year long. A couple of huge plays in the game the other night. Plays that you don’t take for granted but expect him to make. He’s played really well. Within the structure of what we’re doing, assignment sound and playing at a really high level.”
On who will be taking over the in-helmet communication duties on defense… “Haven’t finalized that. It could be (Arion Carter), it could be (Jeremiah Telander) who takes that over.”
On Nathan Robinson possibly expanding his role on the offensive side of the football… “I don’t think we’ll expand him to playing a bunch of tight end. That was something we thought gave us an advantage in short-yardage situations the other night. He and (Jaxson Moi) both performed really well within it.”
On if he saw any growth from his offensive line over the past week… “At times, just not consistent enough. Five guys operating as one. A lot of times, we had four operating as one. That’s how we clean it up and be more efficient in what we’re doing up front.”
On the younger players in the linebacker room… “We’ve played some of those guys throughout the course of (the season) and have rotated there. Feel good about all of those guys that you’ve seen in action already. (Kalib Perry) and (Jalen Smith), those guys will continue to play.”
On what stands out about Alabama’s defense and its defensive line… “The first thing you look at is the God-given talent. Size, athleticism, the violence they can play with based off those things. That’s the first thing that steps out. You know what Alabama is going to be each year. You put on the film but you know what is going to be on it.”
On blocking for Dylan Sampson… “He makes it a lot easier on you. A guy that is super athletic and can make people miss and make you right when you’re a little bit wrong. That’s all you can really ask out of a back. I think just him being really diligent in the offseason and remaining healthy during the year has done a lot of good for him. Everybody gets older and a little bit better and I think he has done a good job at that.”
On how much the Third Saturday in October means to him being a Tennessee kid… “I think we’re all excited for it. I think maybe I might be a little more excited because I am local, but I think we all know what the challenge means and what it means to this fanbase and this program. I think everybody is ready for it.”
On how the communication changed without Keenan Pili… “Yeah, I think that is kind of the beauty of the way we play defense, you know we have a lot of guys in there. So, we have the opportunity to communicate with every level of defense and everyone that comes in. I think when we lost Keenan we didn’t know the severity of the injury or what happened but we all have that next man up mentality. We take communication and executing at a very high level and it’s very imperative on our minds. We already have that heightened sense of communication on the field, but I guess with him being out it’s just time to ramp it up a little bit more for sure.”
On the matchup with Alabama and what challenges its offense poses… “Playing Alabama every year is very exciting and it’s an opportunity to show what you are made of. Their offense, we have seen it all season long. Explosive plays whether it’s running or passing. They have a very talented wide receiver group and running back and a talented quarterback in Jalen (Milroe). We can’t take any aspect of their game for granted and got to approach it with a mindset of communicating at a high level and allowing ourselves to believe what we see.”
On Boo Carter’s play against Florida… “I thought he was playing super fast. He is continuing to learn every single week. Continually getting better throughout the week in his preparation. I saw it through the week in practice and it translated to the game. He had a great game.”
On watching Ricky Gibson III and Jermod McCoy make big plays in crucial moments… “It’s great to see them make plays. I see every day how hard they work. They come in, they work, they prepare, they do things the right way so it’s great to see it pay off on Saturdays and make big plays.”
On Jalen Milroe being able to keep plays alive with his feet… “It definitely makes it a lot harder, just knowing that at any given moment he can escape the pocket and extend a play. So, just making sure we can stay in coverage longer and keep our eyes on our man until the play ends. But yeah, just adds another element to their offense.”
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After another strong showing by the Tennessee defense this past weekend, the Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that a pair of Volunteers were recognized with weekly league honors. Junior edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, while rookie defensive back Boo Carter earned SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors.
Pearce is now a three-time SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week recipient after earning the honor twice last season, while Carter was tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week for the first time in his career. Additionally, the Reese’s Senior Bowl named Pearce its Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday morning.
Pearce was dominant once again in Tennessee’s 23-17 overtime win over Florida, registering seven tackles, 0.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The preseason first-team All-American provided the biggest defensive play of the game and one of the most memorable in recent Vols’ history. With Florida at the Tennessee 1-yard line looking to extend its lead to double digits in the first half, Pearce forced Florida quarterback Graham Mertz to fumble at the goal line, and then Pearce recovered that fumble to keep the Gators out of the end zone.
Pearce finished with two QB pressures according to PFF, and his sack came on a critical third down in the fourth quarter with the Gators driving.
Carter produced the best game of his young career, finishing with seven tackles, one sack for a loss of 10 yards, 1.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards and one QB hurry in Saturday’s victory. The true freshman from Chattanooga finished with season highs in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss as the Vols held their sixth straight opponent under 20 points this season.
Tennessee has earned eight SEC Weekly honors this season and 37 during the Josh Heupel era (2021-present) — including eight Defensive Lineman of the Week awards and seven Freshman of the Week accolades.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 7
Offensive Player of the Week Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Co-Defensive Player of the Week Whit Weeks, LB, LSU Anthony Hill, LB, Texas
Special Teams Player of the Week Brock Taylor, PK, Vanderbilt
Offensive Lineman of the Week Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee Bradyn Swinson, DE, LSU
Co-Freshman of the Week Michael Van Buren, QB, Mississippi State Boo Carter, DB, Tennessee
Tennessee Football – 2024 SEC Weekly Honors
Special Teams Player of the Week (1) Max Gilbert (at Oklahoma, 9/21)
Offensive Lineman of the Week (1) Cooper Mays (vs. NC State, 9/7)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The reigning SEC champion Tennessee Volunteers continue to prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 men’s basketball campaign, traveling south to Birmingham’s Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook for the annual SEC Men’s Basketball Media Day Tuesday morning.
The pair of veteran guards combine for 200 career games played for the Big Orange and over 4,100 minutes of action over the previous three seasons.
SEC Network will have full coverage throughout the day. Barnes will be at the main stage at 11 a.m. ET, followed by Zeigler and Mashack at 11:20 a.m. ET. The UT trio will be on the SEC Network set at 11:45 a.m. ET.
For Zeigler, the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a 2024-25 Preseason First Team All-SEC selection, it marks his second consecutive SEC Media Day appearance. A year ago, as a junior, Zeigler finished the year with the third-most assists (218) in a season in program history. He led the Vols in assists, steals and minutes, posting averages of 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.7 steals in 31.6 minutes per game.
In addition, he shot 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Long Island, N.Y., native led the SEC in assists per game for the second consecutive season, the 10th person ever to do so, and also paced the league in total assists.
Mashack, having been voted chair of the 2024-25 SEC Men’s Basketball Leadership Council—his third straight year as Tennessee’s representative in the group—was also appointed, for the second year in a row, to represent the SEC on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee’s (MBOC) Student-Athlete Engagement Group this year.
The Fontana, Calif., native shot 44.8 percent from the floor a year ago, adding 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 17.9 minutes per contest. He Led or co-led Tennessee in steals seven times, as well as in blocks six times. His next game played will be No. 100 for him in the orange and white.
Tennessee is coming off arguably the finest season in program history in 2023-24, having earned its sixth-ever outright SEC regular season title (11th total), second Elite Eight appearance and best finish in the AP and Coaches Polls (fifth).
The 27 victories last season tied for the fourth-most ever by the Volunteers, as did the 14 league triumphs, while the team’s seven AP top-25 wins tied a program record. For the third straight year, Tennessee spent the entire season ranked in the AP top 25, extending the program record to 59 straight weeks, good for the third-longest active streak in the country.
Beginning October 15, a free burn permit from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is required prior to burning leaves or natural vegetation, including debris generated by Hurricane Helene.
“Due to the vast amount of woody debris from Hurricane Helene and other recent storms across the state, we expect more outdoor burning than usual this year,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “Since escaped debris burns are the leading cause of wildfires, it is important that Tennesseans take fire safety seriously. Burn permits are required by law and the tool by which we help citizens understand when and how to burn.”
Permits are only issued when it is safe to burn. When conditions are unsafe due to hazardous conditions like high winds or extreme drought, TDF temporarily pauses the issuance of burn permits and resumes once conditions improve.
Burn permits are free and can be obtained at www.BurnSafeTN.org or by using the MyTN mobile app. Online permits are issued 7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. in Eastern or Central time zones, depending on your location. Always obtain a permit on the day you intend to burn any size leaf, brush, or debris pile or conduct a prescribed fire. Each fire should be completely extinguished by the permit expiration and no fire should be left unattended at any time. Burning without a permit is a prosecutable Class C misdemeanor.
Although online applications are encouraged, residents with limited internet access may call 877-350-BURN (2876) to request a permit Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central.
If you live inside city limits, check with your municipality for additional restrictions before you burn.
Contact your local government to check for alternatives to burning for safe disposal of natural disaster debris and use those options whenever possible.
Information about burning debris from natural disasters, as well as a list of materials that are not allowed to be burned, can be found online at www.tn.gov/environment/air/open-burning.html
The following tips should be followed when it is safe to conduct a debris burn:
• Notify your local fire department and neighbors of your intent to burn. • Do not burn on windy days. • Choose a location away from flammable materials and buildings. • Keep fire containment equipment on hand (e.g. rake, shovel, water). • Stay with the fire until it is completely out
Visit www.BurnSafeTN.org for additional tips to burn safely and to protect your community.
To get updates on wildfire news and fire risk in Tennessee, follow @TNWildlandFire on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.
The Division of Forestry protects Tennessee’s forests by fighting wildfires, coordinating hazard emergency response, providing prescribed fire guidance and contract services, as well as wildland fire training. Additionally, the Division promotes the responsible use of forest resources by assisting landowners, providing quality seedlings, monitoring insects and diseases, improving urban forests, managing state forests, protecting water quality, and collecting forest inventory data. The Division also works to promote primary and secondary forest industries to stimulate the state’s economy. Visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests for more information.
A Norfolk Southern railway network connecting East Tennessee to Asheville and other parts of North Carolina is expected to be closed for months after railroad tracks and bridges suffered flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
Norfolk Southern says it was able to open all core routes within 72 hours of Helene making landfall after crews cleared over 15,000 trees and repaired multiple washouts and over 50 damaged slide fences.
However, portions of the railway along Norfolk Southern’s AS Line that runs from Salisbury, North Carolina to Morristown, Tennessee suffered major damage.
The AS Line, which crosses the Eastern Continental Divide through the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville, had more than 21,500 feet of track washed out, more than 50,000 feet of track damaged by scour, over 15,000 feet of fill failures and slides and multiple bridges damaged.
Within the last week, officials said engineering teams reopened the line between Salisbury and Old Fort in North Carolina and between Newport and Morristown.
Due to the remote nature and mountain topography of the region, Norfolk Southern said teams have had difficulty assessing damage along portions of the line around Asheville and over Black Mountain, where much track has been destroyed.
Initial projections estimate Norfolk Southern’s line between Asheville and Newport will reopen by late January 2025 while evaluations of the track between Asheville and Old Fort are ongoing.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is asking for your help after a woman is found with serious injuries along I-40 in Roane County.
Troopers were dispatched to a person lying in the emergency lane of I-40 East Sunday night at mile marker 341, past the Rockwood Municipal Airport Road exit and found a black woman who was taken to the hospital.
Investigators are asking for any information that helps determine the woman’s identity.
Anyone with information is asked to call the THP Knoxville District Dispatch Center at 865-544-3380, Extension 0.
Nashville, TN (WSMV) Food assistance benefits have been made available for Tennesseans affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Tennessee Department of Human Services announced on Monday.
The state department reports qualifying households who lived or worked in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties that experienced loss as a result of Helene are now able to pre-register for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.
“Additionally, TDHS has secured federal approval for a temporary Hot Foods Waiver in 13 counties including: Carter, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington. This waiver allows both SNAP and D-SNAP recipients to purchase hot and prepared meals at participating USDA-authorized EBT retailers through November 30, 2024,” TDHS said.
D-SNAP benefits are provided through an electronic debit-like card and can be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers who accept electronic benefit transfer (EBT). The state said these cards would be mailed to qualifying households following approval.
“D-SNAP applicants must meet income limits and will receive benefits determined by USDA Food and Nutrition Services guidance. Each applying household’s monthly take-home income and accessible liquid resources during the disaster benefit period minus disaster expenses must not exceed the income limit for the household size. For example, a household of three must meet the limit of $3,068 or less,” TDHS said.
To be eligible, individuals or households must have experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of Helene:
Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business.
Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems.
Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period.
Food loss.
Recipients of Tennessee’s regular SNAP program are not eligible to receive D-SNAP.
D-SNAP Application Information
Households who meet the qualifications for disaster assistance may apply online at the D-SNAP application page: https://onedhs.tn.gov or by visiting a TDHS County Office or Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Multi-Agency Resource Center (TEMA MARC) location. Applications from households who resided or worked in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties at the time of the disaster will be acceptedbeginning at 8:00 AM EDT on Monday, October 21, 2024 through 4:30 PM EDT on Friday, October 25, 2024.
Households who meet the qualifications for D-SNAP can pre-register for an interview 24 hours a day beginning 8:00 AM EDT on October 14, 2024 through 4:30 PM EDT on Thursday, October 17, 2024 via the One DHS Customer Portal at https://onedhs.tn.gov. The D-SNAP pre-registration form will re-open at 8:00 AM EDT on Monday, October 21, 2024 and close at 4:30 PM on Friday, October 25, 2025.
A flood damaged building and debris left by tropical depression Helene is seen in Newport, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Courtesy: AP Photo/George Walker IV)(George Walker IV | AP)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Six people are injured, and an investigation is underway following a multi-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Park officials say three non-commercial vehicles were involved in the crash around 2:00 p.m. at mile marker 12 on Newfound Gap Road.
They say two people were transported via ambulance to LeConte Medical Center, and the other four reportedly planned to self-transport to hospitals for evaluation.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and US 441/Newfound Gap Road was temporarily closed Sunday during the incident, officials said.
Park rangers responded to the three-car crash on Sunday, officials said. (Courtesy: GSMNP)
Posted on October 15, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The SEC released Monday afternoon the results of the preseason voting by its select panel of league and national media members. University of Tennessee senior guard Zakai Zeigler collected Preseason First Team All-SEC status, one of five players to do so. The others who made the cut are Auburn’s Johni Broome, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr.,…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 15, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team checks in at No. 12 nationally in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll. This is the 60th consecutive week Tennessee is ranked in the AP Poll, a streak that now spans four seasons. It is 23 weeks longer than the prior top streak in program…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 15, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 11/10 Tennessee got back in the win column last weekend with a gritty overtime victory over Florida in front of a raucous Neyland Stadium crowd and will look to keep things moving in the right direction this Saturday with another heated rivalry game on deck against No. 7/7 Alabama at 3:30 p.m.…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 15, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After another strong showing by the Tennessee defense this past weekend, the Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that a pair of Volunteers were recognized with weekly league honors. Junior edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, while rookie defensive back Boo Carter earned SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors. Pearce is now…… Continue Reading
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The reigning SEC champion Tennessee Volunteers continue to prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 men’s basketball campaign, traveling south to Birmingham’s Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook for the annual SEC Men’s Basketball Media Day Tuesday morning. Tennessee will be represented by tenth-year head coach Rick Barnes, along with senior guards Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. The pair of…… Continue Reading
Beginning October 15, a free burn permit from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is required prior to burning leaves or natural vegetation, including debris generated by Hurricane Helene. “Due to the vast amount of woody debris from Hurricane Helene and other recent storms across the state, we expect more outdoor burning…… Continue Reading
A Norfolk Southern railway network connecting East Tennessee to Asheville and other parts of North Carolina is expected to be closed for months after railroad tracks and bridges suffered flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Norfolk Southern says it was able to open all core routes within 72 hours of Helene making landfall after crews…… Continue Reading
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is asking for your help after a woman is found with serious injuries along I-40 in Roane County. Troopers were dispatched to a person lying in the emergency lane of I-40 East Sunday night at mile marker 341, past the Rockwood Municipal Airport Road exit and found a black woman who…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 14, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
(Story courtesy of WVLT News) Nashville, TN (WSMV) Food assistance benefits have been made available for Tennesseans affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Tennessee Department of Human Services announced on Monday. The state department reports qualifying households who lived or worked in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties that experienced loss…… Continue Reading
Posted on October 14, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Six people are injured, and an investigation is underway following a multi-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Park officials say three non-commercial vehicles were involved in the crash around 2:00 p.m. at mile marker 12 on Newfound Gap Road. They say two people were transported via ambulance…… Continue Reading
