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How East Tennessee has honored and remembered SSG Ryan Knauss since he was killed in Afghanistan

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How East Tennessee has honored and remembered SSG Ryan Knauss since he was killed in Afghanistan


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – It has been three years since Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Knauss, a Corryton native, was one of 13 servicemembers killed in the deadly Kabul airport bombing during the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 26, 2021.

Previous Coverage: 23-year-old Knoxville soldier killed in Kabul airport attack

In the three years since he was killed, East Tennessee has continued to honor and remember Knauss.

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In the months after his death, a pedestrian bridge was planned to be built and named after him at Gibbs High School, his alma mater.

Work was set to begin on the project earlier this year, but Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said it was delayed.

Previous Coverage: Work on pedestrian bridge honoring Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss delayed, mayor’s office says

The bridge, when complete, will go across Tazewell Pike between Gibbs Middle and Gibbs High schools.

The nonprofit Respect and Remember Foundation, also known as R2Factor, has helped honor and remember Knauss with several community events, including raising money for the Gibbs High School JROTC, the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Hike and Ride and the Mountain Man Memorial March.

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The University of Tennessee and Gibbs High School have both honored Knauss with scholarships named after him.

Rep. Tim Burchett also introduced a bill earlier this year in response to Knauss’s death that would require the secretary of state to make three reports to distribute to the necessary congressional committees.

Burchett said part of the reason he introduced the bill was because Knauss died during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying back in June that “We need to make sure our tax dollars don’t go towards terrorists who killed Americans.”

Previous Coverage: Bill in response to SSG Ryan Knauss’ death, defunding terrorists, passes House

The bill passed the House and was introduced in the Senate, where it needs to pass in order to be sent to the president to be signed into law.

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Knauss was also honored on Friday with his name being inscribed on a monument in World’s Fair Park that honors service members from East Tennessee who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Also on Friday, a parking spot at Nine Line Apparel in Pigeon Forge was dedicated to Knauss. It includes a QR Code that can be scanned to learn more about Knauss’s life and his ultimate sacrifice.

Honoring and remembering Knauss has gone beyond East Tennessee, with events that have been held recently in Kentucky and North Carolina.



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Top-5 recruit Oliviyah Edwards requests release from signing to Tennessee

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Top-5 recruit Oliviyah Edwards requests release from signing to Tennessee


Top-5 recruit Oliviyah Edwards has requested a release from her signing to Tennessee, sources told Rivals. Edwards, ranked No. 5 on Rivals, is a 6-3 forward from Washington.

She originally chose the Lady Vols over USC, South Carolina, LSU, Florida and Washington.

“I’d say I’m very versatile,” Edwards previously said of her game. “I think that as a big, I do have good handles. I could also post up the little, tiny ones. I feel like it’s hard to guard when I can shoot, I can get to the basket and I could create my own shot. That’s really hard to guard, especially with my height. I also know how to pass the ball too.”

Edwards previously talked to Rivals about several factors that would play a role in her decision.

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“I would say that family aspect,” Edwards said. “I want to be able to have a home away from home. That’s really the main thing that I’m looking for. Who do I feel closest with? Who do I know that I can build and grow with? Everything else I feel like, for me, will fall into place. I know, anywhere I go, I’m gonna get better. Anywhere I go, they’re gonna have a good facility. They’re gonna have nice things. In that aspect. I’m not really materialistic. I’m just looking at, okay, how do the players get along? How do the coaches coach? What’s the style of play? I really want to fit in here, not just basketball wise. I want them to love me for who I am and everything I’ve got going on. I want to be able to call these girls my sisters – to be able to, even after I’m done, be over at the coach’s houses. These are people I want to have long, deep connections with.”



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Is Taco Bell open on Easter? What’s open and closed in Tennessee

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Is Taco Bell open on Easter? What’s open and closed in Tennessee


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  • Many national chain restaurants and fast-food spots will be open on Easter Sunday for those seeking a convenient holiday meal.
  • It is recommended to call local restaurants or smaller chains to confirm their holiday operating hours.

If Easter Sunday snuck up on you and your fridge is empty, you’re not alone, and many restaurants will be open, providing convenient options for a holiday meal without the stress.

Amidst egg hunts, church services, and family visits, preparing a full Easter meal isn’t always feasible. However, this doesn’t mean the day has to be dull.

Most restaurants choose to stay open on Easter Sunday, but several choose to close instead and let employees enjoy the day. There are also restaurants closed every Sunday, so don’t expect any fresh chicken minis from Chick-fil-A in any Easter baskets.

Here are the restaurants that will be open and closed on Easter Sunday in Tennessee.

When is Easter 2026?

Easter Sunday will fall on April 5 in 2026.

The earliest date Easter can be is March 22, so while it may feel early this year compared to last year’s April 20, the holiday is right on time.

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What restaurants are open for Easter 2026?

Most national chain restaurants will remain open throughout the state. For smaller chain eateries or popular local spots, it is advisable to call in advance to verify their Sunday operating hours.

What fast-food restaurants are open on Easter 2026?

Most national chains will still be open across Tennessee for the holiday. As for smaller chains or local hot spots, it is recommended to call ahead to confirm their hours on Sunday.

Are any restaurants closed on Easter?

While not many chain restaurants and fast food spots close on Easter Sunday, there are still a few you won’t be able to dine at:

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal and Tennessee. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.

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Watch Reese Chapman’s unbelievable catch for Tennessee baseball vs LSU

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Watch Reese Chapman’s unbelievable catch for Tennessee baseball vs LSU


Tennessee baseball right fielder Reese Chapman made one of the most unbelievable catches of the season to rob LSU of a home run.

In the top of the fifth inning, LSU’s Steven Milam smoked a 1-1 pitch from Landon Mack to deep right field. Chapman sprinted toward the wall.

The ball was headed out of the ballpark when Chapman leaped, caught the ball and slammed into the wall. He held on to end the inning, triggering a wild celebration by Mack and the UT dugout.

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It was a critical play for the Vols midway through Game 1 of their LSU series on April 3 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

“I don’t know if we’re going to see a better one than that, boys,” said ESPN analyst Chris Burke, a former Tennessee baseball player. “It’s not just the play that he made.. It’s the complete disregard for your own body.”

Chapman almost single-handedly put Tennessee in the driver’s seat. He not only robbed LSU of a home run in the fifth, he also hit a home run to put the Vols ahead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Blake Grimmer blooped a single to left-center. Then Chapman pulled a 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a two-run homer. It was his third home run of the season, putting Tennessee ahead 3-1.

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Adam Sparks is the Tennessee beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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