Black Wednesday focus of Inside TN

Schmid, Harmon, Barker

Black Wednesday.

Say the words to anyone who follows local government and they’ll know just exactly what you’re talking about.

It was a special called meeting of the Knox County Commission that took place on Jan. 31, 2007. At the time, the board was tasked with filling 12 term-limited offices.

The meeting was riddled with accusations of vote-trading and marked by numerous restroom breaks as officials sneaked off to cut deals. At one point a newly appointed commissioner was even secretly sworn-in, so he could help cast a deciding vote for another officeholder and hook up a political friend.

In the end, the board was found guilty of violating the state’s sunshine law.

However, there also was some good that came out of that meeting.   

   

This Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News focuses on Black Wednesday and its aftermath.

The guests are Knoxville News Sentinel editorial page editor Scott Barker and former county commissioners Mark Harmon and John Schmid.

The 30-minute political and public affairs program, which was taped Thursday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR.

Panelists include WBIR reporter Mike Donila, attorney Don Bosch and governmental relations specialist Susan Williams.

WBIR reporter Michael Crowe serves as the show’s moderator.

Senators talk $925M surplus 'myth'

State lawmakers keep talking about a so-called $1 billion surplus, but two key members of the local Legislative delegation say the number is more a myth than a reality.

As it stands, the state might have roughly $925 million in extra money this year, but much of it has already been allocated.

The topic is part of this Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News.

The guests are Knoxville Republican state senators Becky Duncan Massey and Richard Briggs.

The discussion comes as the General Assembly convened on Jan. 10.
 
Briggs said Gov. Bill Haslam’s finance team met with state lawmakers recently to talk about the surplus.

Briggs and Massey didn’t want to get into too much detail, but both agreed that there is roughly “$100 million to $150 million” that hasn’t been allocated.

“I call (it) a little bit the myth of the myth of the one billion dollars,” Briggs said. “At this point, there’s going to be about $200 million – I don’t want to go into some of the details – that’s going into education. We have some of the built-in increases that happen every year due to the TN Care increase and we forget that with this affordable care act, we had about 60,000 or 70,000 people that were in the woodwork who are eligible for TN Care that never signed up for it. They’re forced to do that now or they’ll take a penalty.”

He said money also will go to “completely fund our retirement fund” and paying “back the other half that we borrowed back earlier in the 2000s when we had some deficits from the road fund.”

“We did half of that last year – we’re going to do the other half this year. That’s no secret. That’s about a 120 or $130 million . . . and then we have the investments we need to make on building maintenance that’s been delayed over the years,” Briggs added. “One other thing when we talk about all of this money that’s important – we do have some cash in hand but much of those are projections and we really don’t know what’s going to happen to the economy. If it projects out then we will have more money but it’s all not discretionary that we can spend.”

Massey said the surplus came from a “combination of fiscal responsibility” and revenues from business growth.

“Part of the surplus is in recurring dollars which there is a number of pots that almost take it before we even get to look at it . . . and then about half of it is non-recurring, which can be used more for short-term projects,” she said. “But I can guarantee you there’s a lot of people who have some wonderful ideas and significant needs and we’ll have to look at what’s the best return on the investment.”

The 30-minute political and public affairs program, which was taped Thursday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR.

Panelists include WBIR reporter Mike Donila, attorney Don Bosch and governmental relations specialist Susan Williams.

WBIR Anchor John Becker serves as the show’s moderator.

Inside TN: State rep. says organized retail crime a problem in Knoxville

From left: becker, Zachary, Daniel

Organized retail crime, a possible gas tax increase and matters tied to higher education.

Those are just a handful of the issues to be addressed during Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News.

The guests are 14^th District state Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, and 18^th District state Rep. Martin Daniel, R-Knoxville.

The discussion comes as the General Assembly plans to convene again on Jan. 10.

At the top of the list for Zachary is passing an “organized retail crime” bill, something he’s crafted with local law enforcement, Home Depot and other lawmakers.

“Most people don’t realize that Knoxville is the No. 1 city in the nation for gift card theft and abuse,” he said. “It’s truly organized retail crime. You’ll have two people go to a Home Depot. One person goes in and steals a blower and comes out, and the other person goes in and returns it. So, the state loses tax dollars.”

The person who returns the item will get a gift card from the store which can be sold on the secondary market.

Zachary noted that arrests authorities made the week before Christmas netted roughly $50,000 in stolen merchandise.

He said most of the retail crime happens in West Knox County, particularly the Turkey Creek shopping complex because of its easy access to the interstate. 

The National Retail Federation notes that such crimes usually include a criminal enterprise employing individuals to steal large quantities of merchandise from a number of stores, and then a fencing operations coverts the items into cash. The items also can be sold online, at flea markets or even to other retailers.

Zachary and Daniel also said keeping an eye on the state’s $925 million budgetary surplus and whether to raise the state’s gas tax also will be two key issues this year.

“Everything depends on the details but the people of the district are telling me transportation is so important for business, tourism and safety . . . and they’re telling me they’re OK for up to a 10 cent per gallon tax increase,” said Daniel, adding that cars that use diesel fuel, batteries and hybrids “need to be brought in to pay their fair share.”

Zachary added that he recently polled his district and that 55 percent of the residents were opposed to an increase.

The tax increase, proposed by Gov. Bill Haslam, would help pay for some $6 billion in transportation infrastructure backlog.

In addition, Martin said he wants to reduce regulations “that impact individuals and businesses,” and he wants to call for an “efficiency audit” for higher education across the state.

The 30-minute political and public affairs program, which was taped Thursday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR.

Panelists include attorney Don Bosch, governmental relations expert Susan Williams and Theotis Robinson Jr., retired vice president of equity and diversity of the University of Tennessee system.

WBIR Anchor John Becker serves as the show’s moderator.

Looking at 2016 Inside Tenn. picks

So, here's some fun insight from Inside Tennessee, our Sunday morning political talk show. At the very end of 2015, the panelists were asked to predict their 2016 winners and losers. Dennis Francis, Billy Star, Mike Cohen, Mike Donila, Susan Williams and Don Bosch participated.

Below are the results. None of us, quite frankly, did all that well. I highlighted the spots were the prediction worked out.

I'll post our 2017 predictions later.

Local Winners

Dennis: Passed

Billy: University of Tennessee football

Cohen: Congressman Duncan and Tim Burchett

Mike D: Republican party (predicted clean Republican sweep in local races)

Susan: Tony Norman

Don: Randy Nichols and Sheriff Jones (predicted getting safety center off the ground)

Local Losers

Dennis: Knox County citizens if we do not open the safety center

Billy: Knox County BOE (based on all the sniping)

Cohen: Didn’t really answer. Talked about Tony Norman and dissatisfaction with past administration

Mike D: Jim McIntyre (based on board’s balance of power shift and the budget-limiting MOU he signed)

Susan: Jim McIntyre (based on Norman’s election)

Don: Jeff Ownby

Quick thoughts: Hard to give Cohen credit for Duncan and Burchett. Tim had little movement and Duncan easily won a race. There were way bigger winners than Duncan in the grand scheme. Also hard to give Dennis credit on his pick for loser. The county failed to open the safety center but citizens weren’t a clear loser.

State Winners

Dennis: Ron Ramsey

Billy: Sen. Randy McNally

Cohen: Randy Boyd

Mike D: Butch Jones (predicted player scandal that Butch would smooth out and 8-4 season and bowl win)

Susan: Randy Boyd

Don: Justice Jeff Bivens (predicted he would be chief justice of Supreme Court, said do all sorts of bad things)

State Losers

Dennis: All of us

Billy: Derrick Schofield, Department of Correction Commissioner

Cohen: Democratic party (state)

Mike D: Rest of the top brass at UT is going to have a bad year (reason I picked Butch)

Susan: Anthony Haynes (lobbyist for UT)

Don: 250,000 people who did not get healthcare (said Gov. won’t get it back or won’t get passed)

Thoughts: I blew the Butch Jones pick but when I made my prediction on how the team would go (8-4) everyone on the panel said they would do much better. Eat crow, people. (The bowl game doesn't count.) Ha. But, I killed it on predicting the rest of the UT brass being losers – see ya later, Cheek! See ya later, Hart! I can’t give credit for the Randy Boyd picks – not after the embarrassment of the Smokies baseball team and the behind the scene secrecy of the Regal deal that wasn’t popular with a lot of the public. Billy nailed it on McNally and Schofield.

National winners:

Dennis: Hillary Clinton

Billy: Hillary Clinton

Cohen: Hillary Clinton

Mike D: Hillary Clinton

Susan: All of you media folks (24-7 news is having a field day)

Don: Whoever Hillary Clinton pics as her vice presidential candidate (“Someone’s about to get a ticket to the big show.”)

National losers:

Dennis: National Republican Party

Billy: National Republican Party

Cohen: Donald Trump (“He won’t be elected president of the United States.”)

Mike D: National Republican Party

Susan: Donald Trump

Don: National Republican Party

Thoughts: We all blew it on the winners. Going to disagree with Susan. It was a tough time for the media with Trump, his crazies and the knuckleheads who change “fake news” for everything they disagree with.” We also all blew it on the losers.

Politician of the Year for 2016

Dennis: Hillary Clinton

Billy: Hillary Clinton

Cohen: Hillary Clinton

Mike D: Hillary Clinton

Susan: Whoever the Republican nominee is

Don: Hillary Clinton

Biggest surprise

Dennis: Nothing comes to mind

Billy: One-in-three chance of a third candidate running for president

Cohen: Whoever wins the 4^th District commission Republican seat

Mike D: One of those commissioners will do something silly and might not be around

Susan: Bring the Lady Vols logo and name back

Don: Jimmy Duncan chooses to retire from Congress

Final thoughts: Dennis was the big winner the previous year when we made his predictions. He didn’t do as well this time around. In fact, he scored a goose egg. Mike D and Susan won with three points.  Don and Billy got two points and Cohen got one. Personally, I think we all sucked. Ha. We blew it on the national picks and politician of the year (except for Susan) and none of possibly surprises rang true.

From the Inside Tennessee crew :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the crew of Inside Tennessee. From left: Don Bosch, Susan Williams, Mike Donila, John Becker, Billy Stair, Dennis Francis and Mike Cohen. (Hats supplied by Susan. Dennis' got lost in all that hair. Heh.)

ORNL is focus of 'Inside Tennessee'

Thom Mason

Climate change, super computers and 3-D printing.

Those are just a handful of the issues addressed during Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the focus as Director Thom Mason discusses energy research, national security and science, all connected to an operation that employs more than 4,500 and costs $1.5 billion annually to operate.

“That’s why you have national labs – to tackle things where you need sophisticated equipment, large teams of people with different sorts of expertise you can mobilize,” said Mason, director since mid-2007. “We’re an instrument of national policy. The federal government sets the priorities and in cases where it’s science and technology that’s underneath the problem you’re trying to solve you can mobilize the resources of the lab to go out and tackle those problems.”

Mason also addresses the incoming presidential administration and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who was tapped to lead the Department of Energy. (Back in 2012, Perry said the country didn’t need a DOE.)

The 30-minute political and public affairs program, which was taped Thursday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR.

Panelists include 10News reporter Mike Donila and governmental relations expert Susan Williams. WBIR Anchor John Becker serves as the show’s moderator.

Three essentials: healthcare, food and education focus of 'Inside Tn'

Stan Brock

It’s typically a political and public affairs program, but this Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” focuses on three charities in East Tennessee and three basics of life: healthcare, food, and education.

WBIR 10News anchor and the show’s moderator, John Becker, calls it perhaps the “most revealing” edition of “Inside Tennessee” this year.

“We cut to the core of the need across our community for the very basics of survival,” he said. “It is hard to overstate the influence these three charities have had on improving the lives of people across East Tennessee. I think our viewers will appreciate the challenges ahead and will be interested in the role Washington politics may play in shaping their future.”

The guests include Stan Brock, the founder of Remote Area Medical; Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank; and Emmette Thompson, the executive director for Mission of Hope.

“(We) want to offer a glimpse into the lives of people on the frontline of topics that often take a political turn,” Becker said. “We spend some time talking about the influence of the November election and what they’re expecting in the coming Trump administration.”

For example, Becker noted, Brock offers his take on the one change lawmakers in Washington, D.C. could make the would open up more people to dental and vision care across the country.

Sunday’s guests will answer the question: Are we better off now than we were a decade ago when it comes to meeting the basic needs of people in healthcare, food, and education.

They’ll also talk about their biggest challenges ahead.

“We hope viewers learn a bit more about these homegrown operations, the influence they have on our community, and why they do what they do,” Becker said.

The 30-minute program, which was taped Wednesday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR 10News.

'Inside Tennessee' to focus on presidential race aftermath

A super panel of local Democrats and Republicans on Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News will touch on election night 2016 and the aftermath of the presidential race.

The group includes Democrats Dennis Francis,Don Bosch and Billy Stair, and Republicans Susan Williams, Elaine Davis and Lance Baker.

The subject? Breaking down an election in which Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to become the nation’s 45^th president.

Panelists note that all but three counties in Tennessee went to Trump with some 2.3 million citizens statewide voting. Knox County had a record turnout with 184,000 residents casting ballots.

The 30-minute political and public affairs program, which was taped Wednesday, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday on WBIR.

Anchor John Becker serves as the show’s moderator.

Kane, Hensley to discuss House seat

Kane, right and Hensley, left

The two candidates running for the 89^th District state House seat are the guests on this Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News.

Incumbent and Republican Roger Kane and Democrat challenger Heather Hensley touch on a number of topics during the 30-minute political and public affairs program that kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

The show, which was taped on Wednesday, features a panel comprised of Don Bosch, an attorney and Democrat, Susan Williams, a Republican and public relations specialist, and 10News reporter Mike Donila.

WBIR anchor John Becker serves as the show’s moderator.

Kane, an insurance agent who has held the seat since 2012, and Hensley, a registered nurse, discuss a range of matters the General Assembly expects to act on when the body meets again in January.

Issues include: health care and Insure Tennessee, the state’s failed version of the Affordable Healthcare Act; desperately needed road repairs; whether a gas tax increase is warranted; and just how much oversight the General Assembly should have over the University of Tennessee.

The 89th District is sandwiched between Oak Ridge at the north and I-40 at the south and includes roughly 65,000 residents.

Early voting has already started for the Nov. 8 general election.

TN House candidates Smith, Johnson face off on 'Inside Tennessee'

Gloria Johnson, left, and Eddie Smith, right

The two candidates again facing off in the battle for the 13th District state House seat are the focus of this Sunday’s edition of “Inside Tennessee” on WBIR 10News.

Incumbent and Republican Eddie Smith and Democrat challenger Gloria Johnson will sit down with reporters during the 30-minute political and public affairs program that kicks off at 9:30 a.m.

Smith and Johnson will discuss a number of issues including: health care, education, the state of the roads in Tennessee, and whether a gas tax increase is warranted.

The 13th District encompasses parts of north and south Knoxville and includes more than 62,000 residents.

Early voting has already started for the Nov. 8 general election.

Johnson won the seat in 2012, succeeding Democrat Harry Tindell, who held the seat for 22 years. Smith defeated her in 2014 by just under 200 votes.

Local politicos expect this race to be the closest of all the state House races in the Knox County area.

Sunday’s panel features moderator John Becker, WBIR reporters Mike Donila, John North and Mary Scott.

Randy Boyd: Smokies baseball team to stay in Kodak until at least 2025

Local businessman and Tennessee Smokies owner Randy Boyd doesn’t plan to bring the baseball team back to Knoxville until 2025 at the earliest – and even that’s not a guarantee.

In fact, he might sign another contract at that point and keep the team in nearby Kodak for another decade.

Boyd, who bought the Chicago Cubs’ Class AA affiliate in June 2013, said he talked with Sevierville and Sevier County officials about recruiting another team there to replace the Smokies “but (officials) weren’t interested in that and if they’re not interested in that and see it as a win-win then we’re going to stay where we’re at.”

Boyd also ruled out taking over another franchise from the Chicago Cubs although he said he had discussions with team owners about it. He called such a purchase "complicated" and said he wasn't interested.

Further, Boyd told WBIR 10News on Friday that he doesn’t have the authority to move the Johnson City Cardinals, another team he oversees, to Knoxville.

The Rookie League team, Boyd said, is actually owned by the St. Louis Cardinals and he only
manages it.

“It’s not up to us to move them. And besides, even if I had the control of it which I don’t, the St. Louis Cardinals have been there for 50 years and they have such a tradition,” said Boyd, who is also the state's economic and community development commissioner. “We just got through investing $300,000 into the stadium and investing another $250,000 over the offseason to fix up the infield and turn it into artificial turf, so the high school can use the stadium. So, we’re very invested in the stadium and love that team.”

Boyd earlier this year signed a 10-year lease to manage the Cardinals’ affiliate.

WBIR's Inside Tennessee panel meets with Randy Boyd

The baseball discussion, which took place during a taping of WBIR’s political and public affairs program "Inside Tennessee," came in the wake of Boyd recently purchasing one of the Knox Rail Salvage properties and a nearby parcel in Knoxville’s Old City for $6 million in September.

In all, Boyd’s footprint in that area of the Old City now extends to more than 11 acres. He says he's had his eyes on that property for some time.

Prior to the purchase, Boyd had discussions with East Tennessee leaders about potentially bringing the Smokies back to Knoxville.

The team left for Sevier County after the 1999 season.

Boyd’s contract with Sevier County and Sevierville, which co-own the stadium, runs out in 2025.

At that point, the team could agree to another lease or leave.
The city and county issued $19.4 million in bonds to pay for the stadium, which opened in 2000.

Guidelines were built into the lease that would require the team to pay off whatever debt service, which would include interest on the initial bonds, is left if the team were to leave prior to 2025.

For example, if the team were to leave today, that could cost as much as $10 million, according to the contract.

Boyd said the amount “is more than I can afford.”

“(I’m not leaving) for two reasons,” he said. “One because the check wouldn’t clear and two because the people in Sevierville and Sevier County – it wouldn’t be a win-win for them.”

In the meantime, Boyd said he doesn’t plan to do anything with the Knox Rail Salvage property for at least a year. He’ll let the company continue to operate and transition into a new building.

Then, he said, he’ll flatten the building and rehabilitate the area.

“It’s a family passion to fix that area up,” he said. “In the end I think we can make that something in Knoxville that we can be proud of.”

He said he has envisioned a baseball stadium there but “between now and 10 years from now there’s so many things that can happen.”

Remembering our friend Randy Stephens

Randy Stephens was a good guy. You can watch a video WBIR 10News put together HERE. The following is a story Tonja Burke wrote:

It's a difficult time at WBIR.

We are mourning the loss of our co-worker and friend, Randy Stephens, the man literally responsible for keeping WBIR on the air, but so much more.

Randy, who was 49, died suddenly over the weekend of an apparent heart attack, leaving his family and friends in shock and a giant hole in all of our hearts.

Randy came to WBIR from WATE in 2001 as our newsroom operations manager. In that role, he was in charge of keeping everything from computers to cell phones in working order. You probably saw

Randy over the years, at the wheel of WBIR's satellite truck as he traveled to cover breaking news, special events, or Live at Five at Four road shows.

In 2015, Randy was named WBIR's Director of Technology and Operations, using his expertise to ensure that the station's technology, building, and equipment was in working order.

Randy loved his work at WBIR, and everyone that ever worked with Randy loved him. He was always ready with a smile, a joke, or a silly story. Even in the midst of an often stressful job, he was the calm in the storm that steadied those around him. He worked long hours, often spending the night in the satellite truck or on the floor of his office at the station. There were many times he was called in the middle of the night to get us back on the air if there was a technical issue. You could count on him for anything, and one of the most common phrases you heard at the station was "Ask Randy."

We will miss him.

Outside of work, Randy was devoted to his family--- his wife, stepsons, mother, siblings, nieces and nephews. He and the love of his life, Tanvia, enjoyed camping, going to bluegrass festivals, and spoiling their dogs.

Randy did more than listen to bluegrass. He was an accomplished bass player, and you could always find him playing with other musicians at various events in East Tennessee. He was also on the board of directors for his favorite radio station, WDVX.

He loved the Great Smoky Mountains, and spent weeks every year camping in Cades Cove, fixing up delicious meals for friends or anyone who happened by. We were particularly fond of his peach cobbler, which he served up on more than one occasion on a Live at Five at Four camping trip.

He and Tanvia were avid dog lovers. They had three very spoiled pups--- Hank, Argos, and Willie G.
But their furry brood was often added to by foster dogs, who they would love and care for until a permanent home could be found.

Randy was the epitome of Straight from the Heart.

WBIR-TV General Manager Jeff Lee said, “Randy kept the trains running on time. He was a steady man. Someone you could always count on to advance ideas into realities. Randy was a dependable leader and friend. He will be greatly missed.”

His Facebook page was filled with pictures and stories from friends and family all over the country.
You could see the impact he had on so many lives, both personally and professionally. We can't believe he's gone, but know the legacy he left will live on in all of us.

We send our love and our continued prayers to Tanvia and the rest of Randy's family.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Smith Trinity Chapel in Maryville. The funeral service will immediately follow, with Bill Williams officiating. The graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at Grandview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to WDVX (wdvx.com/support or 301 S. Gay Street, Knoxville, TN 37902) or SOS Beagles (sosbeagles.org or 814 Judith Lane, Atco, NJ 08004), or Recycled Best Friends (www.facebook.com/recycledbestfriends/ or 4040 Forest Glen Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919).

Staples, Gallman on Inside Tenn.

Staples, left, Gallman, on right

Candidates running for the East Knoxville district formerly represented by ex-longtime state House member Joe Armstrong are the focus of this Sunday’s edition of Inside Tennessee on WBIR 10news.

The 30-minute political show kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and features two of the three challengers vying for the 15^th District seat.

Guests include Rick Staples and write-in candidate Rhonda “Mousie” Gallman, both Democrats.
Independent challenger Pete Drew did not show up for the discussion.

Armstrong officially retired in September in the wake of his federal felony tax evasion conviction and just days before the Tennessee General Assembly met for a special session.

A jury in August found the long-time East Knoxville Democrat guilty of filing a false and fraudulent tax return, but declined to convict him on two other charges - conspiracy to defraud the United States, and attempting to evade and defeat taxes.

His sentencing is set for Nov. 30.

Armstrong has since appealed and is seeking a new trial.

However, he can no longer represent the 15^th District in the state House or hold any other public office because of the conviction.

As a result, the Knox County Democratic Party picked Staples to replace him in the Nov. 8 general election. He faces Gallman and Drew.

Staples and Gallman on Inside Tennessee will talk about a number of issues, including what they liked that Armstrong did; how they would improve upon some of the issues he spearheaded; and what they would do about a potential gas tax, something Gov. Bill Haslam has pushed.

The panel features moderator John Becker, WBIR reporter Mike Donila, public relations expect Susan Williams, a Republican, and attorney Don Bosch, a Democrat.

Roughly 100 turn out to discuss Knox County Schools' next superintendent

Interim Superintendent Buzz Thomas

Bearden Middle School's small auditorium hosted big ideas about the future of Knox County Tuesday night.

Roughly 100 people turned out as parents, students and teachers shared their thoughts on the search for the next Knox County Schools superintendent.

“I would like to see at least 5 years of actual classroom experience,” one parent said.
"Someone has got to stand up for our children, who are not just test scores,” said another.

A similar meeting was held last week.

The meetings meeting were meant to give the community a voice in the selection process.
Based on community input, Buzz Thomas, the interim superintendent, says there are two important traits they're looking for.

"Knox County residents want somebody with teaching experience, I think that's very important to them, of course somebody with management experience not only with people but with money,” he said.

Thomas said the attendance at Tuesday's meeting is a strong indicator of how much this hire matters to people.

“We won't be able to have the best school district in the South if we don't have a great leader,” said Thomas.

Knox County parent Kim Kredich wants to make sure special needs students are treated with equality.

"We need a superintendent who's going to be engaged in solving these issues,” said Kredich.

The next step comes Oct. 21 as school board members meet for a two-day retreat to iron out a plan to hire a new superintendent. The ideas gathered Tuesday were recorded and will be reviewed at that retreat.

"We will have a little bit of information from what the community would like us to consider as we have our discussions, so it's very helpful,” explained school board member Gloria Deathridge.

If you missed the public input meetings you can send your thoughts to the Knox County School Board here.

Community service plan for indigent defendants launches October 3

Starting Oct. 3, a new pilot program will give local judges the power to offer community service - rather than issue stiff fines and fines - to thousands of poor defendants.

On Monday, Knox County Criminal Court Clerk Mike Hammond joined with three local partners to unveil details regarding the program, described essentially as "hours per pay." It gives those unable to make any payments the option to repay their debts to society by performing community service.

WBIR 10News addressed the problem last summer in its "Fines, Fees and a Flawed System" investigation of Knox County court operations.

The review, in part, found that a handful of homeless, indigent defendants were responsible for court debts of more than $750,000 - a figure that court officials readily admit the men could never pay.

The state legislature approved the plan, which is unique to Knox County, earlier this year. It is set to sunset July 1, 2018.

10News Investigates: Handful of Knox convicts owe hundreds of thousands to court system

At that point, lawmakers will decide if it was successful and whether to implement it statewide.

The legislation allowed Hammond the opportunity to implement a community service program for those defendants who are truly unable to pay their court costs, yet able to do work.

The amount of community service a person would need to work depends on how much they owe. A program chart showed a gradual scale ranging from 8 hours for those facing up to $100 in fines and court costs to 88 hours of required service for those facing $3,000 - $4,000 in costs.

The approved partners include Knox County Engineering and Public Works, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, and Lending Angels.

The program recognizes that many of the offenders unable to pay also receive services from KARM. So a partnership with KARM could benefit the community and offender.

Lending Angels will be looking for individuals with skills and experience to help with home repairs and improvements for those with disabilities or older adults.

But not every defendant can take part. Hammond said there will be background checks on potential participants and those convicted of violent crimes, sexual offenses, and animal abuse won't be eligible.

Additional info and forms for those who are interested will be posted Oct. 3 on the Knox County Criminal Court's website.

Officials: Despite deaths, crashes, school buses safer than cars

(Monday and Tuesday on 10News at 6, why despite school bus safety problems, experts say children are safer on their way to school when riding the bus.)

 Parents of roughly 21,000 Knox County school students rely every day on bus drivers to safely get their children to and from school.

But a recent study commissioned by Knox County Schools found in the last half decade the school district has double the number of crashes it should for a district of its size.

And in the past three years alone, more than 60 bus drivers were to blame for some 120 wrecks.

That includes the three lives lost in the December 2014 accident that killed two elementary students and a teacher’s aide.

As a result, some officials believe, ridership has dropped.

Still, local, state and federal leaders also maintain that the bus – not a parent’s car – is the safest route to school.

“They’re bright yellow, they have a known route, a trained driver, you have side wall strength, you have roof strength, there are flashing lights, they are designed to be observed,” said Kris Poland, a senior biomechanical engineer who investigates crashes for the National Transportation Safety Board, including the one in Knoxville. “People know how to act around them in most cases.”

About five children die every year inside a school bus compared to 37,000 deaths inside cars, according to federal reports.

Still, school officials, investigators and those whose family members died on the afternoon of Dec. 2, 2014, say buses can be safer.

For rest of story and video, click HERE.

'Inside Tn' on Sunday to feature commission candidates, 1-hour show

This Sunday, we'll hosting a special one-hour edition of Inside Tennessee (WBIR 10News) that begins at 9 a.m.

The show will include candidates from the Knox County Commission district races. The election is Aug. 4.

All the candidates were invited but District 1 independent Tyrone LaMar Fine was a no-show:

District 1:
Michael Covington (R)
Evelyn Gill (D)


District 6:
Brad Anders (R)
Donna Lucas (D)

District 8:
Dave Wright (R)
Donald Wiser (I)

District 4:
Hugh Nystrom (R)
Marleen Kay Davis (D)

State lawmakers looking to take ‘surprise' out of medical bills

If you have received a surprise medical bill please send an e-mail to 10Listens@wbir.com with details. 

State lawmakers are looking to curb what’s called “balance billing,” a practice that happens when a patient goes to a hospital covered by insurance but later learns the physician who treated him or her is out-of-network.

The unsuspecting patient is then on the hook for the costs that the insurance company refuses to pay. That portion of the bill, dubbed the “balance,” often amounts to thousands of dollars.

It’s all legal.

But lawmakers – who are hearing more and more from their constituents – are fed up with the practice.

“At the very least, people should have notice when their health insurance does not cover the cost and when that is the case, they should be able to get some idea of how much out-of-pock cost they will have to cover,” State Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon, told WBIR 10News. “People should be able to budget. Under the current system, that is impossible.”

State Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, agreed.

“In a perfect world, I would like everyone to know exactly what their bill will be,” Travis said. “I don’t want to be surprised because someone wasn’t in my network. I shouldn’t be out another $10,000 to $20,000 because somebody I didn’t check wasn’t in my network. I think if you’re not in the network, you shouldn’t get paid any more than those in it.”

Travis and Stevens sponsored a move earlier this year to create a task force that will look at what they call “surprise billing” and come up with solutions for the General Assembly to approve.

The 18-member task force is expected to begin work in August. Members have yet to be appointed but it will be comprised of two state senators; two state representatives; a member of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance; an official from the state’s Department of Health; six healthcare providers and six representatives from the insurance industry.

Full story right HERE.

5th District commish, BOE candidates featured on WBIR 'Inside Tennessee'

On Sunday, we had the 5th District candidates running for Knox County Commission (John Schooner, incumbent and Republican, and Sheri Ridgeway, Democrat) and the non-partisan school board (Susan Horn and Buddy Pelot) featured on Inside Tennessee.

You can find the links to the discussions right HERE.

Next Sunday, we'll feature a special hour-long show and include more commission races.

Unwanted medication collection event

Members of the East Tennessee Regional Medication Collection Coalition will be on hand to collect and properly dispose of unwanted medicines Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Food City in Fountain City located at 4805 North Broadway near Adair Drive.

Medicines can only be dropped off at this location during the event. At all other times, Knox County residents can bring old or unused medicines to the Knoxville Police Department Safety Building at 800 Howard Baker Jr. Ave. The Safety Building is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This event is sponsored by: the Knoxville Police Department, Knox County and City of Knoxville Solid Waste Offices, Knox County Health Department, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, UT Academy of Student Pharmacists, KUB, the Metropolitan Drug Commission, WBIR and WUOT.

For more information visit http://www.medicationcollection.org/.