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Drought effects East Tennessee community food and jobs

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Drought effects East Tennessee community food and jobs


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Tennessee is facing its worst drought in years and the Beardsley Community Farm is feeling the impact.

“It feels like things just get crispier and crispier every week,” farm manager Lia Bevins said.

But the heat is now hurting their output by about 95%.

“This week last year, we were harvesting around 1,000 pounds of tomatoes every week,” Bevins said. “But this year, at least this week, its been less than about 50 pounds.”

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The farm supplies produce to food pantries in the area and they have not been able to with the drought.

“A lot of the numbers are lower than they would have been, and so each of those pantries are depending on that produce and it’s just not able to make it out to those communities in as high of numbers as it would have in the past,” she said.

However, food is not the only thing taking a hit. Owner of St. John Lawn Care said that mowing is 60% of his revenue, and now the money is drying up.

The grass is not growing, causing a dip in business.

“Normally every week it needs to be cut but this time, you show up and it’s the exact same height as it was last Friday,” he said.

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But the company has plans to combat the issue.

“We’re having to switch the kinds of services we’re offering,” St. John said. “Pulling out bushes, trimming bushes, pulling out weeds, mulch, its a great time of year to do that.”

Join us on the WVLT First Alert Weather app for iPhone or Android to stay informed on the go and between newscasts. We share custom videos, and you can receive our messages on the latest conditions and forecasts.



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2026 Tennessee Football Position Preview: Running Backs | Rocky Top Insider

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2026 Tennessee Football Position Preview: Running Backs | Rocky Top Insider


tennessee football running back
Tennessee RB DeSean Bishop. Photo via Ryan Sylvia | RTI.

A position group that has stability at the top but questions behind the starter is running back. DeSean Bishop returns as the unquestioned starter after a dominant redshirt-sophomore year, but both the pieces behind him a year ago that split the load have departed.

Now, it’ll be a battle for reps between young returners Daune Morris and Justin Baker and Tulane transfer Javin Gordon. Tennessee has rotated up to three backs a game, as well, making a chance for two to be in a game-by-game position to contribute.

Bishop, the star of the room, has expectations that he could play his way into an NFL draft pick this upcoming year. This past season, he took 182 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. That was good for a really strong average of 5.9 yards per tote.

More From RTI: Tennessee Left Off Eight-Team List of SEC College Football Playoff Contenders

Gordon, the Tulane transfer, joins after his true freshman year with the Green Wave. While it wasn’t at the SEC level, he was very productive, posting 128 carries, 516 yards and five touchdowns.

Morris and Baker return after limited roles. Morris was the fourth back, meaning he got more run than Baker when injuries did occur. He finished his freshman year with 35 carries, 133 yards and a touchdown while also returning punts. Baker took 14 carries for 43 yards.

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“It’s huge because you look at the production, you got a guy that understands what he’s walking into in terms of seeing it week in and week out in terms of the caliber of teams that we’re going against,” Tennessee running backs coach DeRail Sims said in the spring about Bishop returning. “His understanding of what it’s like when the game’s on the line and having to go out there and make plays in all three facets of the game, in running the ball, the protection piece, and the passing game. So it’s huge having Bish back.”

The other pieces of the running back room are three-star freshman Will Rajecki and redshirt-senior Hunter Barnes.



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I-24 traffic to be impacted as Middle Tennessee Electric conducts electrical line work

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I-24 traffic to be impacted as Middle Tennessee Electric conducts electrical line work


MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) – Traffic on Interstate 24 will be impacted Sunday as Middle Tennessee Electric crews conduct electrical line work.

MTE said crews will be performing electrical line work across I-24 near Exit 76 in Murfreesboro Sunday, June 28.

“The project will require one full interstate traffic stoppage and multiple rolling roadblocks beginning at sunrise,” MTE said. “The work is expected to take approximately five to six hours to complete.”

MTE said Guardian Traffic Control will assist with traffic management.

The work could be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Copyright 2026 WSMV. All rights reserved.

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Big Truck Day held at Bristol Tennessee City Hall

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Big Truck Day held at Bristol Tennessee City Hall


Kids in Bristol got the chance to climb in some of their favorite trucks on Saturday.

Bristol Parks and Recreation hosted “Big Truck Day” at Bristol Tennessee City Hall.

The event included some of the kids’ favorite big trucks, a Bristol Motor Speedway pace car, face paint, and free popsicles.

Organizers say it’s great for kids to be able to see who’s behind those big trucks.

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Parks and recreation officials say you can keep updated with their events on their Facebook page by clicking here.



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