Tennessee
Mother of slain Tennessee deputy pushes for nationwide domestic violence registry
SPRINGFIELD, TENN. (WTVF) — Robertson County Deputy Savanna Puckett was shot and killed in 2022 at just 22 years old — the victim of a man her family says had a violent past that no one could easily see.
Her mother, Kim Dodson, is determined to make sure other families have the tools to protect themselves. That fight led to “Savanna’s Law,” which creates Tennessee’s first public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders. Dodson is now working to spread the idea nationwide.
Dodson says her daughter spent her short life putting others first — whether serving with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, working at Vanderbilt, or volunteering in the community.
“She loved what she did. I know they called her mother hen up there because she was always trying to feed them and take care of them,” Dodson said.
But beneath the man charged in her killing was a record Dodson says even her deputy daughter could not find: four prior domestic violence and stalking charges.
After the murder, Dodson began working with lawmakers to ask a simple question: “Why don’t we have a registry?”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation now oversees the new Domestic Violence Offender Registry, which began Jan. 1, 2026. Under the law:
- Repeat offenders convicted of qualifying domestic violence crimes must register publicly.
- The registry includes names, conviction counties, conviction dates and, in some cases, photographs.
- Those convicted must have at least one prior domestic violence-related conviction.
- Depending on their criminal history, offenders remain on the registry between five and 20 years.
Dodson points out Tennessee already has registries for sex offenders, animal abusers, and elder abuse perpetrators. She says adding domestic violence offenders was long overdue.
Dodson knows the registry cannot prevent every violent crime, but she hopes it can give families access to information her daughter never had.
“If Savanna had this to look up, I don’t believe she would ever have gotten involved with him. If I can save one person — another mother, another grandmother — it’s worth it,” Dodson said.
Advocates from 12 other states have reached out, hoping to replicate the law. Dodson’s ultimate goal is to pass a federal law making the registry nationwide.
Until then, she says she’ll keep pushing — both in the legislature and in the community — through the Deputy Puckett Foundation.
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.
Neighbors transform Antioch Pike after deadly hit-and-run
Here’s a story offering a great example of how a common cause, and a little creativity, can “intersect” to improve quality of life. Our South Nashville reporter Patsy Montesinos shares how some neighbors decided to take action, following the tragic death of a 77-year-old in a hit-and-run along Antioch Pike earlier this year. See how they used “tactical urbanism” to make the area a little safer for all.
– Rhori Johnston
For players who make checking their lottery tickets part of their daily routine, Sunday, June 7, 2026 brings a fresh set of Tennessee Lottery results. From Powerball and Mega Millions to local favorites like Cash 3 and Daily Tennessee Jackpot, all the latest winning numbers and jackpot details are in. Be sure to check your numbers and keep an eye on upcoming draws for your next shot at a prize.
For more Tennessee Lottery updates and the latest winning numbers, check back after each drawing to see if your numbers match up.
Please join our FREE Newsletter
Tennessee
Portion of Clarksville Pike dedicated in honor of trailblazing Sen. Thelma Harper in North Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A portion of Clarksville Pike now bears the name of the late Sen. Thelma Harper, the first Black woman elected to the Tennessee Senate.
A community ceremony was held Saturday at the Bordeaux Library at 4000 Clarksville Pike to dedicate a portion of the highway in Harper’s honor. Sen. Charlane Oliver hosted the event after helping pass legislation for the highway dedication.
Harper represented North Nashville for nearly 3 decades and served 8 years on Nashville’s Metro Council before her time in the state Senate. Clarksville Pike was the road she traveled daily on her way to the Tennessee legislature.
Those who gathered remembered Harper for her signature crown and her proud sorority red — colors that filled the crowd at the ceremony.
“Giant, legend, icon, pioneer, trailblazer, diva, hellraiser.”
“Senator Harper understood that public service is ultimately about showing up for people.”
Harper’s hat collection was also a well-known part of her public identity.
“A lady in hats made the public aware. In a interview, she said, ‘Look, I have hair.’”
Jamie Isabel recalled working alongside Harper from the very beginning of her political career.
“I worked in her first campaign in 1983. She was so special because she saw everyone as her kid.”
Harper’s influence extended beyond her legislative work, serving as a visible example for those who came after her.
“You can’t be what you can’t see… She gave me an opportunity to see where I could possibly be one day,” said Isabel.
Harper’s daughter, Linda Harper, attended the ceremony and said she felt her mother’s presence there.
“I remember seeing my father tell me, ‘Well Linda, it’s going to be okay because your mom is fighting for more than just our family.’”
Linda Harper said she sees the Bordeaux community now and is reminded of what her mother fought for — the people and their way of life. She said preserving the neighborhood’s character remains important.
“We need to keep our existing businesses because most of them are mom-and-pop shops.”
“So to me, I just want to say #ShopBordeaux.”
Oliver, who is running for re-election for District 19 — the same seat held by the late Harper — reflected on what she hopes people take away from the dedication.
“Remember, remember that big smile, that big hat, but most importantly remember a fierce legislator beyond boundaries.”
Oliver previously spoke about what Harper’s legacy means to her:
“When I ran for the Senate District 19 seat, constituents at a forum asked me which leader I admire most. My answer was easy: Senator Thelma Harper.
Having served as the first Black woman in the Tennessee Senate for 28 years, she was a fierce advocate, a trailblazer, and beloved community servant whose legacy I can only hope to continue as her successor. Sen. Harper was a legend who brought joy, hope and real change to North Nashville.
It is my absolute honor to dedicate a portion of Clarksville Highway in her name — a road she traveled every day on the way to the Tennessee legislature to fight for Black Nashville residents. This highway renaming is a permanent testament to her life’s work and a reminder to every person who travels this road of the giant who came before us.”
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.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Amanda.Roberts@NewsChannel5.com
Students help relaunch donation drive for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Young or old, we all love to play board and card games! Those games become even more important when you are indoors and don’t have the ability to get outside, like patients in a hospital. Austin Pollack shares the story of students in a Nashville family who have helped re-launch the Red Wagon project to collect games for patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
– Lelan Statom
Tennessee football defended its home turf by landing Oak Ridge standout Malik Howard, one of the top tight ends in the 2027 class.
Howard announced his commitment to the Vols in an Instagram post during his recruiting visit on June 6. They beat out Alabama, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt among other programs.
Howard, a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder, is a four-star recruit. He is the No. 8 player in the state, ranked the No. 8 tight end and No. 183 prospect overall in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
“Just getting to (play) in an offense that’s really grown to learn how to use the tight ends, and that is really going to be key to my development to playing in the NFL, obviously, and just being around really good people in this program,” Howard told GoVols247. “There’s not a lot of places that are as genuine and hard-working as Tennessee is.”
He received dozens of scholarship offers as a prime target for most of the SEC and other Power Four programs. But Tennessee aggressively pursued him to continue its focus on pass-catching tight ends.
In his 2025 junior season, Howard had 53 receptions for 778 yards and 11 touchdowns, almost doubling his sophomore year production. He was an All-PrepXtra second team selection and helped push Oak Ridge to a 9-2 record in the Wildcats’ first season in Class 6A football.
Tennessee football commitments in 2027 class
The early signing period is Dec. 2-4, 2026.
Howard is the 10th commitment in Tennessee’s 2027 recruiting class.
In-state players top the list. Howard, Brentwood Academy tight end Kesean Bowman and Siegel offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo are four-star prospects. Defensive lineman Kadin Fife (Summerville, Georgia) is also rated four stars.
Cornerback Brandon Leavell (Goodpasture), safety Jaden Butler (Haywood), linebacker JP Peace (Maryville), quarterback Derrick Baker (Alpharetta, Georgia) and cornerback Carter Jamison (Fairburn, Georgia) are three-star prospects. Long snapper Sam McKeown is also committed, but doesn’t have a star rating on 247Sports Compositie. They round out the early commitments.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
-
Los Angeles, Ca8 minutes ago2 children rescued after attempted kidnapping pursuit ends in L.A. County
-
Detroit, MI26 minutes ago2 men dead in unrelated overnight Detroit shootings
-
San Francisco, CA38 minutes agoSan Francisco Burglar Escapes in Driverless Taxi
-
Dallas, TX40 minutes agoOne-two-three punch of Mavs, Stars and Neiman bruises struggling Downtown Dallas
-
Miami, FL46 minutes agoDolphins OC fuels breakout buzz for underused second-year playmaker
-
Boston, MA52 minutes agoAroldis Chapman Trade Rumors Heating Up for Struggling Red Sox
-
Denver, CO55 minutes agoChrist in the Heart of the City: Hundreds Join Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession in Downtown Denver
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoWEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 20 notes, including I-5’s early reopening
