Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon makes a major announcement Wednesday: the Gay Street Bridge will never again open to regular traffic.
The Knoxville icon has been closed since last summer, and the city’s latest update has confirmed only pedestrians and cyclists will make the trip over the bridge in the future.
“We are now aware that the bridge will never be able to resume everyday traffic. We are, however, glad to announce that we will be able to open it to pedestrians and cyclists.”
The Tennessee Department of Transportation ordered the 127 year-old bridge closed after 2024’s regular inspection, citing a problem with critical load-bearing infrastructure.
The bridge’s anticipated lifespan was only 70 or 80 years.
Rough numbers provided by the city on Wednesday put the pedestrian-only repairs at $2 million, versus opening it fully, which would cost upwards of $50 million.
Gay Street Bridge’s conversion to a pedestrian-only crossing will not, however, affect the city’s other big bridge project: a new pedestrian bridge on the University of Tennessee’s campus. Much of the funding for that project came from federal dollars, which Kincannon said has tied the city’s hands a bit.
“When you get federal and state dollars for a project, you don’t get to pick and choose how you spend it,” she said.
As for a timeline, Kincannon said the city hopes to reopen the bridge to pedestrians by the end of 2025 or in early 2026.
The Knoxville icon has been closed since last summer, and the city’s latest update has confirmed only pedestrians and cyclists will make the trip over the bridge in the future. (Courtesy: WVLT)
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Trailing No. 15/18 Kentucky by nine in the final minute of the first half and by seven with under 14 minutes to play, the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team roared back to take a three-point lead, but could not hold on down the stretch in a 75-64 setback.
Senior guard Zakai Zeigler, who entered the top 25 on the school’s all-time scoring list and the top six on the SEC’s career assists leaderboard, had game highs in points (17) and assists (six) for No. 5/4 Tennessee (20-5, 7-5 SEC) at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky (17-7, 6-5 SEC) scored on its first three possessions to take a 6-0 lead after just 112 seconds. However, the Volunteers allowed just two points over the next 5:44, a span during which they took a 9-8 lead with 12:49 on the timer.
The Wildcats quickly answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to go in front by five, 14-9, just 90 ticks later. Tennessee, amidst a 7-of-8 stretch from the floor after a 2-of-12 start, leveled the score at 21 with 5:39 to play in the stanza.
Kentucky soon thereafter went on a 9-1 run, with three consecutive makes from deep, over 1:52 to take a then-game-best nine-point lead, 33-24, with 1:59 left before the break. The Volunteers scored the last two points of the half to make it 33-26 through 20 minutes. Their 8-of-9 free-throw clip helped counteract a 0-of-5 ledger from 3-point range compared to the Wildcats’ 7-of-14 count.
Tennessee sliced the margin to four, 35-31, just 86 seconds into the second half. It then did so again, 45-41, with 14:59 to go, but home team continued its 3-point barrage and just 26 seconds later and went back up by seven, stretching its long-range mark to 10-of-18.
The Volunteers held Kentucky without a point for 3:28 and during that period cut the deficit to three, 50-47, with 12:45 to play. They then got within two, 54-52, with 9:14 to go on the third made 3-pointer—on as many attempts—of the half by senior forward Igor Miličić Jr.
Just 40 seconds later, Tennessee tied the score at 54 on a pair of fee throws by sophomore forward Cade Phillips. Senior guard Jordan Gainey put the visitors ahead, 56-55, with 7:30 remaining and Zeigler made it 58-55 just 58 ticks later, as Kentucky went 3:34 without a field goal.
The Wildcats then sandwiched an old-fashioned three-point play and a 3-pointer around another Zeigler layup, regaining an advantage, 61-60, with 4:21 on the clock they would not relinquish. Kentucky extended the run to 15-4 in 4:40 and made five consecutive field goals, as it built a 70-62 edge with 1:20 to go. The surge included two 3-pointers by graduate guard Koby Brea, after his team missed its prior four from deep.
Kentucky’s final margin of 11 points, buoyed by a game-ending 20-6 run over the last six minutes, was its largest lead of the evening.
Zeigler’s game-leading point total came on a 7-of-11 clip from the field and included 11 second-half points on 5-of-7 shooting. Miličić scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a 3-of-4 figure from long range, and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. The Rovinj, Croatia, native had 13 points after the break on a 5-of-6 field-goal ledger. Fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier added 10 points and six rebounds, one shy of his season best, in the defeat.
Four Wildcats tallied between 11 and 13 points in a balanced scoring attack. Senior forward Ansley Almonor had 13, shooting 4-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 at the line, as did junior guard Otega Oweh. Brea and freshman guard Trent Noah had 11 apiece for Kentucky, with the former 3-of-6 on 3-pointers and the former 3-of-4 from the floor.
The Volunteers, who had a commanding 15-3 cushion in second-chance points, finished 3-of-18 (16.7 percent) from 3-point range, with Miličić posting all three makes. Kentucky, meanwhile, shot 12-of-24 (50.0 percent) against the Volunteers for the second time in 15 days.
Tennessee now returns to Knoxville, Tenn., for its lone home outing in a five-game, 23-day span, as it will host Vanderbilt in a Saturday matinee at Food City Center, live on SEC Network at 1 p.m.
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.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS POSTGAME NOTES • Tuesday marked the fourth straight AP top-25 showdown—both teams were in the top 15 for all four—between Tennessee and Kentucky. • Tennessee fell to 11-12 versus Kentucky under head coach Rick Barnes, still good for five more wins than any other school in that time period (2015-25), as Auburn and Kansas each have six. • Barnes has led the Volunteers to a 10-8 mark against AP top-25 Kentucky teams in his tenure, still good for four more victories than any other program during that time, as Kansas has five such wins. • Tuesday’s setback snapped a four-game winning streak for the Volunteers away from home—two were on the road, two were at neutral sites—versus AP top-15 Kentucky teams, a ledger that went from March 16, 2019, to Feb. 3, 2024. • Under Barnes, Tennessee is now 7-5 in AP top-25 matchups against Kentucky, including 4-4 with both in the top 15. • Tennessee now owns a 4-4 record at Rupp Arena over the last eight years (2017-2025), including a 3-3 mark in the past six, after it was 2-36 over the prior 38 seasons (1979-2017). • In the Barnes era, Tennessee is now 6-7 away from home versus Kentucky, including 4-6 in true road games. • Barnes, who has two more wins over the Wildcats than any other active head coach (10 by Bruce Pearl), fell to 12-14 against Kentucky in his head coaching career, still tied with Kevin Stallings for the seventh-most wins all-time by any coach. • Tuesday marked the sixth consecutive series meetings—two apiece over the last three years—with Tennessee ranked above Kentucky. • Over the past eight seasons (2017-25), all under Barnes, Tennessee is now 27-9 (.750) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series. • Tuesday marked the sixth time in the last seven games the Volunteers have faced an AP top-15 foe, posting a 3-3 record in that time. • The Volunteers fell to 34-26 (.567) in AP top-25 matchups in Barnes’ tenure, including 6-4 (.600) in 2024-25. • The above overall mark includes a 22-13 (.629) record since Feb. 26, 2022, and a 13-6 (.684) tally since Dec. 9, 2023. • Tennessee’s record in AP top-15 showdowns dropped to 17-13 (.567) in Barnes’ 10 seasons at the helm. • The Volunteers are now 40-41 (.494) versus AP top-25 foes under Barnes, including 24-14 (.632) since Jan. 22, 2022. • Tennessee fell to 26-26 (.500) against AP top-15 opponents in the Barnes era, including 19-9 (.679) since Dec. 22, 2021. • The Wildcats shot 7-of-13 from 3-point range through the first 18:01 of action, while Tennessee did not make a shot from deep until its first possession of the second half. • The Volunteers connected on eight of their first nine second-half field goals, while the Wildcats hit seven of their first eight at the other end. • Tennessee has conceded 35 or fewer first-half points in 23 of its 25 contests thus far, including 29 or fewer on 14 occasions and 22 or fewer seven times. • Zeigler’s six assists upped his career total to 651, moving him past LSU’s Kenny Higgs (645 1974-78) and Kentucky’s Dirk Minniefield (646 from 1979-83) for sixth place in SEC history. • Zeigler also pushed his 2024-25 assist total to 179, eclipsing Bill Hann (173 in 1968-69) for sole possession of seventh place on Tennessee’s single-season leaderboard. • The 17 points by Zeigler pushed his career total to 1,365, tying him with Jordan Bowden (2016-20) for the No. 25 spot on the program’s all-time scoring list. • Zeigler’s seven made field goals matched the season high he recorded Nov. 9, 2024, at Louisville and Nov. 17, 2024, versus Austin Peay. • Miličić has pulled down at least nine rebounds in 13 of his 24 appearances at Tennessee, including thrice in the past four outings. • Lanier has now scored in double figures in 23 of his 25 contests as a Volunteer, including in 20 of the past 21 games. • Junior forward Felix Okpara, who scored eight points, posted a perfect 4-of-4 free-throw clip, tying a career best in makes and doing so without a miss for the first time.
(Nashville – WVLT/WOKI) The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the indictment of eight Venezuelan nationals allegedly connected to a human trafficking operation.
The indictment alleges all eight worked together to recruit and bring women from Central and South America to the U.S., specifically to Tennessee and other states, to operate a ‘commercial sex business enterprise.’
Prosecutors allege the defendants targeted ‘young, poor and vulnerable women’ from Venezuela among other countries. The indictment says the women were approached and promised a better life by the defendants, but once they arrived, were told they were to pay their ‘skyrocketing debts’ from travel by having sex with strangers.
“I want to reiterate that human trafficking is a real problem here in our community,” U.S. Attorney Robert Maguire said. “Ignoring it will not make it go away. It cannot live in the shadows; we have to bring it to the light and hold those accountable who would do their crimes in the dark.”
Officials say this was the result of a years-long investigation into this operation with the help of multiple local, state and federal partners. Leaders say the investigation started with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The following people were charged in the indictment:
Yilibeth Del Carmen Rivero-De Caldera (A.K.A. ‘Yibi’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution, Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises, Sex Trafficking Conspiracy
Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero (A.K.A. ‘Kleiber’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution, Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises, Sex Trafficking Conspiracy, and Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien.
Yuribetzi Del Valle Gomez Machuca (A.K.A. ‘La Gorda’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution, Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises and Sex Trafficking Conspiracy
Wilmarys Del Valle Manzano Solorzano (A.K.A. ‘La China’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution and with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises,
Endrik Alexander Morales-Rivero (A.K.A. ‘Endri’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution and with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises,
Ariannys Beatriz Gutierrez-Carrillo (A.K.A. ‘Nani, Nany’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution and with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises,
Frankyanna Del Valle Romero-Rivero (A.K.A. ‘Franya’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution and with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises,
Jesus Enrique Castillo Rodriguez (A.K.A. ‘Chu Chu’): Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate Transportation for Purposes of Prostitution and with Conspiracy to Commit Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprises,
The indictment says the defendants used hotels in the Nashville area to lure buyers to where they would force the victims to be for sexual favors. According to court documents, they would use online advertising as well as messaging services like ‘WhatsApp’ to determine pricing based on certain favors.
Prosecutors allege that ‘Yibi’ and ‘Kleiver’ used their ties to the Venezuelan gang ‘Tren de Aragua’ (TdA) to intimidate the victims into continuing to engage in commercial sex acts.
“We are depending on the community to make a difference in the lives of very vulnerable women and girls who have been taken from their families under false pretenses, and forced into the worst hell imaginable,” Maguire said.
Multiple representatives from various law enforcement agencies spoke out at a press conference Tuesday, condemning human trafficking and urging community members to remain on alert.
“The trafficking of human beings is abhorrent to all of us,’ MNPD Chief John Drake said. “It’s a modern-day form of slavery. I want to be clear; our police department will always make human trafficking investigations a priority at our police department regardless of where a suspect is from.”
Maguire said they were focused on prosecuting the defendants here in Nashville before any talks of deportation were to happen.
“Specifically the message that law enforcement is sending with this indictment is that human trafficking is an abomination,” Maguire added. “That we will find it wherever and whenever it exists. That we will recover the survivors and we will stop it once and for all.”
Maguire says the dozens of victims in this case will receive victim support services, likely with local and state organizations.
All eight defendants are in federal custody awaiting prosecution. They were arrested in multiple states including Tennessee and Texas.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, authorities ask that you call 1 (888) 373-7888. For more information, you can visit this website.
The City of Knoxville is severing ties with Turn Up Knox, a violence prevention organization.
Officials say while the circumstances that led to the decision to terminate the Agreement are unfortunate.
The city’s first contract with Turn Up Knox was for $450,000.
In 2023, during the second contract, Officials became concerned with inner workings of Turn Up Knox after the organization said it adopted a budget that was $100,000 above what the city contract was for.
City officials said it paid its final quarterly payment in May of 2024 following the terms of its contract with Turn Up Knox, but the organizations expenditures exceeded the available funds they had, and the organization ran out of money before the end of the of the contract.
However, the city said despite the spending, Turn Up Knox was meeting the city’s expectations, so it helped the organization apply and obtain two grants from NICJR totaling $85,000.
Despite the spending, the city said it entered into a third contract with Turn Up Knox in October of 2024. City officials said they were encouraged by the work the group was doing and had reassurances from Turn Up Knox that it was addressing management issues.
The city said that after entering into the third contract management issues “took a turn for the worse” and outlined the following as the problems:
Failing to account for taxpayer dollars in a timely and transparent manner
Failing to attend meetings
Delays in submitting required reports
Misrepresenting contract details
Inconsistent communications
According to the release, after months of trying to work with Turn Up Knox to address management issues, the city said it lost faith in the executive leadership and decided to terminate the contract effective Feb. 7, 2025.
The city told WVLT News it paid the organization $957,701.51 over nearly three years.
WVLT News reached out to Denzel Grant, the executive director of Turn Up Knox, and received the following statement:
I want to make it clear that Turn Up Knox has always been committed to this work because we know firsthand what’s been at stake.
In 2021, Knoxville saw some of its highest homicide numbers, with many of the victims being young people and an alarming number of Black and Brown women. That violence is what brought us all to the table in the first place. Our team stepped up with the support from the city because we knew the community needed real solutions. Over the last two years, we’ve shown what’s possible—fewer shootings, fewer homicides, and more young people engaged in positive opportunities. There’s no other group in the city with this level of experience, and we’ve seen the impact firsthand. In 2019, Black and Brown men and women made up 75% of the city’s homicide victims. By 2024, that number had dropped to 39%. That’s not a coincidence—that’s the result of intentional, community-driven violence interruption.
Unfortunately, it seems the Mayor and OCSE have allowed their egos to overshadow the mission. Instead of focusing on solutions, they moved the goalposts and shut us out of conversations and then accused us for the very same thing. These are the same city staff who decided to terminate the contract without City Council’s input. If City Council has the authority to approve the contract and funding, but the mayor and OCSE can unilaterally decide to terminate it, then what does that say about our city’s hierarchy or legislative power.
If the city has had these concerns since 2023. Why are they being brought up now. Why would the Mayor be quoted saying “We have her full confidence on Oct 15 2024. But November 1st once the contract was signed things went sour? Once the contract was signed reporting requirements were changed. Unknown to city council & Turn Up Knox. We expressed that frustration & was told to be silent. While we haven’t been perfect, we’ve made progress without the administrative support from OCSE. If there is any documentation of ineffective. Why just say it, they should release the proof. The community deserves that transparency & as an organization will should be held accountable. But terminating a contract strictly off emotions & not facts is unwarranted. Turn Up Knox will continue to push for change. We know the people who have supported us see the value in what we do, and we believe they will stand with us in demanding accountability.
(Morgan County – WOKI) Morgan County officials are making a disappointing discovery as crews continue to clean up the debris and devastation left behind by a deadly EF-2 tornado.
Officials say for the county to get any federal relief, there would have to be more than $13 million in damages and it’s expected they will fall well short of that threshold.
Despite two deaths and 39 homes damaged or destroyed, FEMA funding likely won’t come so they’re relying on state leaders to help in any way they can.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Think you have what it takes to be a Knoxville firefighter?
The Knoxville Fire Department is looking to add to its staff and is hosting a spring recruitment expo later this month.
The expo is slated for February 26 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Knoxville Expo Center at 5441 Clinton Hwy.
The department will be talking about the hiring process, job expectations, benefits and more. There will also be hands-on activities and firetruck tours for families.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A man is facing several child sex crimes charges in Knox County.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office took 49-year-old Gary Phillips into custody on February 7 at a home on Pellissippi Parkway.
KCSO responded to the home to execute a search warrant after receiving a cyber crimes tip.
According to the report, someone let the office know that Phillips was posting child sex abuse material on Kik, a platform similar to social media websites.
Deputies found evidence confirming that Phillips had filmed and posted video of child sex abuse.
Phillips is charged with several crimes, including rape of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Cumberland County, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway after skeletal remains are found Saturday, February 8 in Cumberland County.
Officials with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office say deputies found the remains near the Westel Road entrance of the Mount Roosevelt Wildlife Management Area.
CCSO officials say the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also responded to the scene, and investigators took the remains for analysis.
“We understand that this news is unsettling for the community, but we are committed to identifying the remains and conducting a thorough investigation into the matter,” Sheriff Casey Cox said.
The remains have not been identified.
Deputies found the remains on Feb. 8 near the Westel Road entrance of the Mount Roosevelt Wildlife Management Area, CCSO said. (Courtesy: CCSO)
Deputies in Monroe County says they have a possible police impersonator that has attempted to pull vehicles over using a flashing light on the dash of a vehicle which is described as a dark colored Cadillac.
Authorities say if an unmarked vehicle is attempting to pull you over, turn on your hazard lights and call the dispatch number in that area to confirm that the traffic stop is legitimate.
Turning on your hazard lights will let the officer know that you are complying with the stop, but in the process of finding a safe pullover location. Try to always pull over in an occupied area and a well lit area if you’re being pulled over at night time.
Once stopped, ask the officer for their department identification if needed to further solidify the legitimacy of the stop.
