Tennessee

Hints of drama, yet hope for future as new city commission takes reins in Millersville, Tennessee

Published

1 year ago

December 18, 2024

Hints of drama, yet hope for future as new city commission takes reins in Millersville, Tennessee

WTVF

May 20, 2024: Meet Millersville’s conspiracy cop. He imagines sinister plots involving some of the country’s most prominent political figures. Taylor recently landed in Millersville as assistant police chief, promising to root out the corruption he sees there. You can continue reading at this hyperlink.

May 22, 2024: The controversy over Millersville’s conspiracy cop has now become the latest scandal rocking the tiny town just north of Nashville. Now, two city commissioners want a special meeting to figure out how Shawn Taylor landed his job. You can continue reading Part Two at this link.

May 24, 2024:  An attorney for Millersville conspiracy cop Shawn Taylor has told Millersville’s city commission, whom he also represents, that they should not question the assistant police chief’s bizarre theories or psychological fitness. You can read more of this installment at this link.

May 28, 2024: New podcast video, uncovered by NewsChannel 5 Investigates, reveals how Shawn Taylor spread false and dangerous conspiracy theories about last year’s Covenant School shooting that left three students and three staff members dead. You can click here to review that story.

May 28, 2024: Anna Caudill agreed to watch the video of Shawn Taylor knowing there might be only so much she could handle. Among the three children and three adults killed that day was her friend, Katherine Koonce. You can read more of Anna’s story by tapping on this link.

Anna Caudill and Phil Williams.jpeg — “So we’ll start this and then, when you’ve had enough you just stop it”

June 3, 2024: First, he went after Millersville’s former mayor. Now, the town’s assistant police chief says his two critics on the city commission could be next. Shawn Taylor made those comments as he turned to a group of far-right podcasters to defend himself. Tap this link to read from those Taylor’s accused.

June 4, 2024: Millersville officials are standing with their assistant police chief and his bizarre conspiracy theories regarding Nashville’s Covenant School shooting. Read how this meeting played out at this link.

June 5, 2024: Bryant Kroll wears a lot of hats. He’s the attorney representing the embattled City of Millersville. He also represents Mayor Tommy Long, who faces accusations of misconduct in an ouster suit. Plus, he’s the attorney for Bryan Morris and Shawn Taylor. To understand the role he plays, you can read that here.

June 6, 2024: In Shawn Taylor’s world — in the immortal words of Taylor Swift — “I’m the problem, it’s me.” I explain how we got here in this piece,  which you can click on here.

June 18, 2024: Millersville’s conspiracy cop now has his very own conspiracy-minded attorney. Now, our NewsChannel 5 investigation has discovered that Todd Callender’s own theories are sometimes even more far-fetched than Taylor’s twisted view of the world. Click here to read more about Shawn Taylor’s attorney.

July 15, 2024:  What happens when you give people with bizarre conspiracy theories a gun and a badge? Secret recordings from inside the troubled Millersville Police Department provide a sobering answer to that question. Read more on this investigation by tapping here.

Team Mongoose Group Pic.jpg — Team pic shared by Shawn Taylor

July 22, 2024: In an explosive new development that could bring new trouble for the already-troubled Millersville Police Department, a key player in a child-predator sting says the lead detective on that operation lied under oath. You can read more about that by clicking here.

July 23, 2024: District Attorney General Robert Nash has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into the Millersville Police Department’s handling of a child predator sting, including possible perjury by the lead detective. You can read more about that by tapping here.

July 29, 2024:  The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has expanded its probe of the embattled Millersville Police Department, now looking into allegations that officials may have used sensitive law enforcement data to investigate their political enemies. Read more about that by clicking here.

August 5, 2024: With the Millersville Police Department now the focus of a TBI investigation, NewsChannel 5 Investigates has uncovered new questions about the stories that conspiracy cop Shawn Taylor tells about himself. You can catch up on the investigation by tapping here.

August 12, 2024: In a perplexing pair of podcast interviews, the Millersville chief of police says the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has begun limiting his department’s access to certain sensitive law enforcement data. Read more about this latest development here.

August 26, 2024: He has helped to fuel some of the wild conspiracy theories inside the troubled Millersville Police Department. He is a self-proclaimed pedophile hunter who believes America is controlled by what he calls “a satanic cult masquerading as Jews.” Read more about Craig Sawyer by clicking here.

Craig Sawyer on InfoWars.jpeg — Craig Sawyer announces the formation of Veterans for Child Rescue on Alex Jones’ show on InfoWars.

August 27, 2024: Craig Sawyer’s response to my investigation illustrates how conspiracy theorists frequently use wild accusations and blustery language to avoid giving real answers about their bizarre beliefs. Tap here to watch as we dissect his 90-minute diatribe.

September 4, 2024: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents raided the Millersville Police Department and Shawn Taylor’s home, executing a pair of search warrants as the criminal investigation into the troubled agency enters a dramatic new phase. Read more about this new twist in the Millersville investigation.

TBI removes boxes from Millersville PD.jpeg — TBI agents load up boxes of evidence seized from the Millersville Police Department on Sept. 4, 2024.

September 10, 2024: “No, a TBI agent didn’t pee in Shawn Taylor’s tub, agency says in response to Taylor’s latest claim.” The headline says it all. Click here.

September 19, 2024: QAnon-aligned voices of the far right are threatening retaliation against a judge, a district attorney and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents for their roles in the recent Millersville raids. Details posted here.

October 7, 2024: A well-known Arizona election denier says his group — working through Millersville’s conspiracy-minded assistant police chief — gained access to a highly confidential federal database that tracks Americans’ banking transactions and other financial data. Read the exclusive story here.

October 22, 2024: Two key GOP lawmakers – the chairman and a member of the state House committee that oversees the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – recently warned the agency that it could face “unnecessary political fallout” if it does not end its criminal probe into the troubled Millersville Police Department. You can read the letter here.

October 24, 2024: A letter from two GOP lawmakers, which appeared to threaten the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for its probe of the Millersville Police Department, was the “wrong way to go,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton said. But there is more to the speaker’s reaction.

December 9, 2024: Shawn Taylor, the conspiracy-minded cop now at the center of a criminal investigation, has resigned from his position as assistant chief for the Millersville Police Department after less than a year on the job. Read more here.

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Tennessee

Storm debris piles raise flooding concerns ahead of rain in Middle Tennessee

Published

43 seconds ago

March 12, 2026

Press Room

Storm debris piles raise flooding concerns ahead of rain in Middle Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — With heavy rain expected tonight, some Nashville residents are raising concerns about large debris piles still sitting in neighborhoods across Metro Nashville — and whether those piles could make flooding worse.

Piles of trees, branches, and other woody material left after cleanup efforts can become a problem if heavy rain washes them into nearby storm drains, culverts, or creeks. Metro Water Services says those blockages can quickly lead to flooding and even damage critical infrastructure like bridges and drainage systems.

To get ahead of the storm, crews ran what officials call “rain routes” earlier this week — checking and clearing storm drains in areas that have historically had flooding problems or where debris could create an issue. Metro Water Services also responds to reports of trees or debris blocking bridges or culverts, which can restrict water flow during storms.

Nashville Department of Transportation crews have been working 12-hour shifts every day since early February, actively monitoring conditions to stay ahead of potential issues.

With heavy rain possible tonight, the city says crews will be on call overnight to respond to any reports of isolated or flash flooding.

City leaders are reminding residents that how debris is placed can make a difference. Vegetation debris should be placed at the curb — or in the alley if that is where pickup normally happens — but should never block storm drains, drainage ditches, culverts, sidewalks, or roadways. Officials also stress that yard debris should never be placed directly in a ditch, because that can quickly block water flow when storms move through.

If you see flooding on a roadway, you are asked to report it to Metro’s non-emergency line.

Officials also encourage residents to understand their property’s flood risk and stay aware of changing conditions during storms. For information on flood risk in your area, visit Nashville.gov.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Tenn. mom invites son’s organ recipients to do his favorite activity, dance

Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.

Robb Coles highlights a special event organized by Cari Hollis – whose 26-year old son Austin died two years ago. Austin agreed to be an organ donor – and that single gesture saved multiple lives.

Cari reached out to as many recipients she could find – several of whom traveled to Nashville for an emotional celebration in Austin’s honor. One woman – whose life was saved by receiving Austin’s lungs – put it simply: “He’s my angel”.

– Rhori Johnston

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Tennessee

I-24 reopens in Rutherford County after emergency shutdown

Published

12 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

I-24 reopens in Rutherford County after emergency shutdown

Update 2:45 p.m.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol said the emergency situation near I-24 in Rutherford County has been resolved and the interstate is in the process of reopening. Traffic is moving slowly as the scene clears. Drivers needing highway assistance can dial *847 (*THP).

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Authorities have shut down part of westbound I-24 in Rutherford County due to an ongoing emergency situation Wednesday afternoon.

Officials told NewsChannel 5 there is an armed individual who has barricaded themselves inside a home near the 9000 block of Manchester Pike.

No hostages have been reported and officials added that the individual fired their gun into the air, but didn’t target anyone.

Law enforcement is working to negotiate with the individual to surrender and come out safely.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, I-24 westbound is closed from the Coffee County line to South Church Street. Nearby Highway 41 is also closed between Epps Mill Road and Big Springs Road.

The Tennessee SmartWay system reports police activity near mile marker 81, where all westbound lanes and the exit ramp are blocked.

Drivers are being directed to take Exit 97 toward Wartrace and follow U.S. Highway 231 back to I-24 in Murfreesboro as an alternate route.

Authorities have not released additional details about the emergency situation.

Tenn. mom invites son’s organ recipients to do his favorite activity, dance

Here’s a beautiful story of how one mother turned her grief journey into a gathering of gratitude… and organ donation awareness.

– Rhori Johnston

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Tennessee

New synthetic opioid ‘cychlorphine’ linked to 16 overdose deaths across East Tennessee

Published

1 day ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

New synthetic opioid ‘cychlorphine’ linked to 16 overdose deaths across East Tennessee

KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A newly identified synthetic opioid has been linked to at least 16 overdose deaths in East Tennessee, according to preliminary toxicology tests from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center.

Officials say the drug, N-propionitrile chlorphine, also known as cychlorphine, appeared in nine overdose deaths between late October and December. As of mid-January, the substance had been associated with seven additional deaths.

Authorities say the drug has been detected primarily in cases where other substances were present, including methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Chris Thomas, chief administrative officer and director of the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, said the drug has been appearing more frequently in toxicology reports, though officials are still working to understand how widely it has spread.

“It’s showing up at an exponential rate and at this point, we don’t know if it’s a single batch and done with or if it’s the new future,” Thomas said.

Initial cases were identified in Knox County before spreading to several nearby counties, including Roane, McMinn, Campbell, Union, Anderson, Claiborne, and Sevier counties, according to forensic officials.

Dr. Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan, the center’s chief medical examiner, said cychlorphine is not approved for clinical use and has never been authorized for sale on the medical market.

“This isn’t a drug that has been approved for clinical use, and it’s never been clinically approved to be sold on the market,” said Dr. Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan, chief medical examiner at Knox County Regional Forensic Center. “We do know it’s more powerful than fentanyl and that naloxone, or Narcan, does not completely block the effects of the drug and multiple doses may be needed to prevent an overdose.”

She said early findings suggest the substance may be more potent than fentanyl. Mileusnic-Polchan also said naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, may require multiple doses to counteract overdoses involving the drug.

Researchers say cychlorphine is part of a group known as new synthetic opioids, or NSOs, laboratory-made opioids that differ structurally from fentanyl and its analogues.

According to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, the drug may have first appeared in China in 2024 before spreading to Europe, Canada, and the United States by mid-2025.

The Knox County Regional Forensic Center first identified the substance in Tennessee in late November 2025 after it appeared in an overdose death in Roane County. Investigators later determined an earlier case in Knox County dated back to October.

Officials say the findings remain preliminary as investigators continue to study the substance and its role in overdose deaths.

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