Tennessee

East Tennessee farmer helps donate campers to flood victims

Published

11 months ago

December 5, 2024

East Tennessee farmer helps donate campers to flood victims

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – While people across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina await financial assistance from the federal government, some are finding help from an unlikely source.

Brian Minton, a farmer in Dandridge, has already been making trips to North Carolina over the last few months helping flood victims and assisting in any way he can. Since he started making trips to badly impacted areas, he’s gotten help from others on social media.

“Hands on the ground, boots on the ground, that’s what we’re about,” said Minton.

Minton crossed paths with Sandy Pearl on Facebook, who is a farmer from Indiana who has also been posting pictures and videos from the aftermath of the storm. Her account has garnered a lot of attention, and others have reached out to help.

Minton and Pearl have had eight people reach out and donate their RVs and campers to go to people in North Carolina who are still without a home.

“I’d much rather have them in this RV because when it’s snowing, that tent can collapse,” said Minton.

These campers and RVs have been donated from Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Alabama, so far. Although they typically would sell for about $30,000 a piece, they were all donated for free from people who heard about Minton and Pearl helping and wanted to join.

“We joke around about being the cowboy crusaders because that’s what we are. We’re just good old folks who live on a farm and know how to help these people. We just don’t have the resources that our government does,” said Pearl.

Minton and Pearl plan to deliver a camper to Burnsville, North Carolina Thursday morning.

According to Pearl, all of the RVs and campers will go to people who aren’t eligible for FEMA relief.

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Tennessee

What to know about the blast at a Tennessee explosives plant that killed 16 people

Published

4 hours ago

October 24, 2025

Press Room

What to know about the blast at a Tennessee explosives plant that killed 16 people

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities plan to give an update Friday on the massive blast in Tennessee that killed 16 people earlier this month at an explosives plant, where a painstaking, ongoing investigation has not yet determined the cause of the explosion.

The explosion on Oct. 10 at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant claimed the lives of people ages 21 to 60 years old. Authorities have said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has positively identified 14 of the 16 victims using “rapid DNA” technology.

There has not yet been an announcement about what specific materials exploded, or what ignited the blast. The investigation involves delicate searches for both victims’ remains and for any dangerous materials that need to be disarmed.

Bridgette Mason, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said Friday’s news conference will include “discussion regarding the work that has been done thus far and some information regarding the investigation moving forward.”

The cause has not been determined, Mason said.

Already, the family of one victim has sued over their loved one’s death, and some law firms have posted online resources for relatives of those who died.

What happened at Accurate Energetic Systems

The initial blast was felt for more than 20 miles (32 kilometers), leaving a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metal and burned-out vehicles at the plant. Authorities said there were no survivors and some evidence may be spread out over miles.

People attend a candlelight vigil at the Humphreys County Courthouse honoring the victims of a blast at an explosives plant, Accurate Energetic Systems, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Waverly, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV

The company’s 1,300-acre (526-hectare) complex in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee is made up of eight different specialized production buildings and a lab. It straddles the Hickman and Humphreys county line in unincorporated Bucksnort, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville.

The company’s customers include the aerospace, defense, demolition and mining industries.

It has been awarded numerous military contracts, largely by the U.S. Army and Navy, to supply different types of munitions and explosives, according to public records. The products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C4.

The longtime, well-known company in the area employs some 150 people, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. It is based in nearby McEwen.

People console each other during a candlelight vigil honoring the... — People console each other during a candlelight vigil honoring the victims of a blast at an explosives plant, Accurate Energetic Systems, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Waverly, Tenn. Credit: AP/George Walker IV

Accurate Energetic Systems CEO Wendell Stinson said in a statement on the company’s website that it is “assisting investigators in every way possible” and that its officials “maintain high industry standards and have regular reviews by state and federal regulators.”

The company has started a fund with a local community foundation to help solicit donations for affected families.

Lawsuit filed over Tennessee explosion

Last week, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of the 9-year-old daughter of Jeremy Moore, who was killed in the explosion.

The legal challenge was filed against AAC Investments, LLC, which is a company closely tied to Accurate Energetic Systems. The lawsuit claims AAC was the owner, operator and manager of the factory and that the explosion happened because AAC did not maintain a “reasonably safe factory” for the explosives work.

Moore, 37, cherished spending time with and supporting his daughter at cheerleading, softball or any adventure she wanted to do, his obituary says.

Lee Coleman, the attorney for Moore’s family, said the complaint could be amended once more details are available, and additional defendants could be added.

A spokesperson for Accurate Energetic Systems declined to comment on the pending lawsuit.

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Tennessee

What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit

Published

22 hours ago

October 23, 2025

Press Room

What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit

Danny White is searching for the next Tennessee baseball coach at an uncommon time of year and in an unusual situation.

The totality of the situation following Tony Vitello vacating the post to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants has White taking a comprehensive look at the search.

“I’m going into this with open eyes,” White said.

White has made six hires at Tennessee, including for two of the most prominent programs. He’s now looking to fill one of the other most prominent positions on campus and replacing arguably the most popular Vols coach.

He has appointed pitching coach Frank Anderson as the interim coach and asked associate head coach Josh Elander to be a candidate for the position.

As he enters the search, White said he has “nothing specific” he is looking for in a candidate. He wants his first “data point” to come from talking to the leaders of the baseball team.

“I still want to hear their perspective, learn from that and then go into the process, but I don’t have anything particular in mind,” White said.

White’s search differs from his previous ones at Tennessee and is unique in its circumstances. Vitello’s departure is the first time an MLB franchise has hired a college baseball coach with no prior MLB experience. It also comes less than 18 months after the Vols won the national title, whereas his other coaching hires all followed necessary change.

Heupel’s six hires are football coach Josh Heupel, Lady Vols basketball coach Kim Caldwell, women’s soccer coach Joe Kirt, rowing coach Kim Cupini, cross country coach Justin Duncan and track and field coach Duane Ross.

The most consistent pattern in White’s hires stems from the choices of Heupel, Caldwell, Cupini and Ross. All four were winners lower levels and proved they could build high-level programs as head coaches.

Heupel was White’s first hire. He previously hired Heupel to coach at UCF then brought him to Tennessee shortly after he was named the athletics director. Heupel brought a big offense and questions about recruiting, but put the latter to rest at Tennessee.

Caldwell is White’s most notable choice since Heupel. White moved on from former coach Kellie Harper in April 2024 then quickly hired Caldwell. Caldwell had only one year of head coaching experience at the Division I level, but had won a national title at the Division II level and has been a high-level winner in her whole career. She brought an elite offensive system with her.

Kirt’s hiring perhaps most similar mirrors the baseball situation. He was an internal candidate after Brian Pensky dashed to Florida State. White went through the process but ultimately chose to appoint Kirt the coach instead of an outside hire.

Cupini was a proven program-builder. She built a successful program at San Diego then was a winner at SMU, where she was before she was hired at Tennessee. She won three AAC titles at SMU and the Mustangs to three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.

Ross has a similar background, having led North Carolina A&T from 2012-22 and creating the program into a winner. He brought head coaching experience.

Duncan was a pivotal assistant at Oklahoma State, which fielded one of the nations best distance programs.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

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Tennessee

Will Calvin Ridley play vs Colts? Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans injury report Week 8

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Will Calvin Ridley play vs Colts? Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans injury report Week 8

The Indianapolis Colts (6-1) host the Tennessee Titans (1-6) in NFL Week 8 action on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.

The Colts hope receivers Josh Downs (concussion) and Ashton Dulin (chest) — who is also a special teams ace — can return, as well as pass rusher Tyquan Lewis (groin), who exited Week 7 action mid-game.

Tennessee interim coach Mike McCoy says key defensive players Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will likely miss some time. Receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who didn’t play last weekend, was one of eight Titans who did not practice because of injury on Wednesday.

Indianapolis Colts injury report vs. Tennessee Titans for NFL Week 8, Oct. 26

Colts who did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22: DE Samson Ebukam (knee), T Braden Smith (rest), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles); limited participation: CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), WR Josh Downs (concussion); full participation WR Ashton Dulin (chest), RB Tyler Goodson (groin).

Tennessee Titans injury report vs. Indianapolis Colts for NFL Week 8, Oct. 26

Titans who did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22: DL Jeffery Simmons (hamstring), CB L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps), WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring), RB Tony Pollard (rest), OL Kevin Zeitler (rest), P Johnny Hekker (illness), LB Arden Key (quadricep), DE James Lynch (shoulder), LB Jihad Ward (rest), OL Blake Hance (shoulder/back), WR Bryce Oliver (knee); limited participation: DE Sebastian Joseph-Day (calf), S Xavier Woods (ankle).

Colts 2025 regular season schedule

Week 1: Indianapolis Colts 33, Miami Dolphins 8, box score, stats
Week 2: Colts 29, Denver Broncos 28, box score, stats
Week 3: Colts 41, Tennessee Titans 20, box score, stats
Week 4: Los Angeles Rams 27, Colts 20, box score, stats
Week 5: Colts 40, Las Vegas Raiders 6, box score, stats
Week 6: Colts 31, Arizona Cardinals 27, box score, stats
Week 7: Colts 38, Los Angeles Chargers 24, box score, stats
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, vs. Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Week 16: Monday, Dec. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Fox
Week 18: Date TBD, at Houston Texans, time TBD, TBD