Tennessee
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promotes health initiatives in Tennessee amid medical community concerns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the Tennessee State Capitol as part of a nationwide tour promoting the Trump administration’s health initiatives, drawing both support and criticism from lawmakers and medical professionals.
Kennedy addressed an invite-only audience, focusing heavily on dietary recommendations and healthcare transparency measures. He outlined several key policy proposals, including prescription drug pricing reforms. “Whatever the lowest price they’re selling anywhere in the world, we will get that price or lower,” Kennedy said promoting the Trump RX program.
Kennedy also emphasized the administration’s push for transparent healthcare pricing. “Every hospital in the country is now going to have to publish their prices,” Kennedy said.
Much of Kennedy’s remarks centered on nutrition and food choices, encouraging Americans to focus on whole foods while maintaining personal freedom. “We’re asking people now — eat real food. Eat protein,” Kennedy said.”If you want to drink a Coca-Cola or eat a Krispy Kreme doughnut, you live in America, you ought to be able to do that. But we’re going to tell you what the cost is.”
When asked about vaccines, Kennedy said he wasn’t directly involved with state-level efforts to end vaccine requirements for school-aged children but voiced support for parental and personal choices in vaccination decisions.
“If people want to get a vaccine, they can get them and they can get insurance for them. I think that’s a personal choice that people should make with our physicians and they should make with their families,” Kennedy said.
The visit drew protests from healthcare advocates concerned about Kennedy’s positions on vaccines and public health policy. Dr. Katrina Green, a Nashville emergency room physician and healthcare advocate with Protect My Care, protested Kennedy’s appearance and expressed concerns about potential increases in vaccine-preventable diseases. “It’s gone from the fringe to the places of power that are making decisions,” Green said.
Green warned about the potential consequences of reduced vaccination rates. “I’m an emergency physician, I have yet to diagnose a case of measles in my ER but it’s coming and that terrifies me,” Green said.
The secretary’s office controlled the question-and-answer session, limiting which reporters could ask questions. NewsChannel 5 was not one of the outlets selected to ask a question.
After the event, Kennedy appeared to have plenty of time to take photos with lawmakers and lobbyists inside the Governor’s office.
Tennessee lawmakers expressed mixed reactions to Kennedy’s visit. State Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, voiced concerns about the secretary’s positions after listening to his presentation. “A lot of things I heard were very alarming and are a danger to our public health,” Jones said.
Healthcare initiatives in the legislature
The visit comes as several healthcare related initiatives are expected to come up this year in the Tennessee General Assembly. House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, shared some of his ideas before session began this year. “Capping the costs of insulin, and those types of drugs are certainly within the jurisdiction of the state,” Clemmons said.
State Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis, outlined her priorities for improving maternal health services. “I want to pass legislation that is addressing maternal health around still birth, Doula care, getting TennCare to cover more services,” Lamar said.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, has previously indicated interest in creating basic healthcare plan options from private insurance companies, similar to minimum car insurance coverage. “You hear a lot of time from people I shouldn’t be bankrupt from my health plan. That’s correct, but we don’t really offer those types of plans, or market those plans or say that’s a basic plan,” Sexton said.
Other legislative priorities include reducing healthcare regulations and expanding rural healthcare access. State Sen. Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, discussed potential reforms to Certificate of Need requirements and efforts to encourage healthcare providers to serve rural communities. “We want to make sure those who are capable and willing, and it’s an economically viable model for them to go into a rural area to provide healthcare are able to do so,” Johnson said.
Tennessee will also be the recipient of $200 million in grants each year for the next five years from the Trump administration to bolster rural healthcare.
Kennedy’s visit comes as the Trump administration works to implement its healthcare agenda across the country, with state-level cooperation playing a crucial role in many proposed reforms.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Chris.Davis@NewsChannel5.com.
Repaying your federal student loans may be different in 2026 and beyond
The news surrounding student loan repayment has been ever-changing over the last few years. When it comes to your money, confusion is never a good thing. Thankfully, Robb Coles helps us sort out the path forward. Check out his story for some practical tips and insight behind the latest changes.
– Carrie Sharp
Tennessee
Former Tennessee Football Position Coach Beats Out Vols For Commitment of Elite Recruit | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee football made the final cut for one of the top linebackers in the class of 2027, Roman Igwebuike, but couldn’t seal the deal. Instead, he’s taking his talents to Notre Dame as he announced his commitment to the Irish on Saturday evening.
It was a former Josh Heupel Era UT position coach who led the charge for Igwebuike, as well. Brian Jean-Mary, the Vols’ linebackers coach from 2021-23, now leads the linebacker room at Notre Dame and was the primary recruiter for Igwebuike.
Jean-Mary left Tennessee for a position at Michigan as defensive run game coordinator/linebackers coach. However, with the coaching change in Ann Arbor this offseason, he landed on his feet and joined the Irish’s staff as Marcus Freeman’s run game coordinator/linebackers coach.
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Igwebuike is one of the top linebackers in the class of 2027. On 247 Composite, he ranks as the No. 123 player in the country, No. 9 linebacker and No. 8 player from the state of Illinois. He is from Chicago, where he plays for Mount Carmel.
“Well-rounded linebacker that has a chance to be a linchpin in the middle for a College Football Playoff hopeful after a productive prep career outside of Chicago,” 247 director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote. “Looks the part with a muscular 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame. Sees it well from the shelf as he reads his keys and flows to the football. Navigates busy intersections at a higher level and can slip underneath blocks. Comfortable dropping into space and is rather effective as a spy…”
Igwebuike’s primary recruiter at Tennessee was linebackers coach William Inge. He has made trips to Knoxville to see the Vols, including the Orange and White Game this past April, but never announced an official visit to UT.
Tennessee currently holds 16 commitments in the 2027 class, which ranks 43rd in the country on 247. This features two linebackers, both legacies, in four-star Kenneth Simon II and three-star JP Peace.
Tennessee freshman forward Chris Washington Jr met with the local media earlier this week in his first press conference after committing and signing with the Vols back in the spring.
Washington discussed why he chose Tennessee, what position he has mostly been working at this summer and much more. Here’s everything Washington said.
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On what led to him de-committing from Alabama, eventually committing to Tennessee
“Honestly, I just felt like that for me and my family, that was just the best decision for me. And I found my right school, I feel like.”
On his first impressions of the team
“Like I said, me and the guys, we came a long way just from this first month, you know, getting help from DeWayne, and the team, it’s just been a blessing.”
On what the first month has been like for him personally
“Honestly, just getting better day by day. Coach Barnes, he’s coaching me hard. So honestly, just stacking days, just getting better day by day.”
On what Rick Barnes is harping on with him right now
“My defense. The whole country know I can score the ball, so just me, just working on my rotations, being right in the gaps. Defense.”
On what position he is working at.
“Right now, they got me playing four.”
On if they sold development based on his film or Tennessee’s track record
“I mean, honestly, just the track record of like guys he did put in the league, you know what I’m saying? I want to be pro, so like I said, I came to Tennessee, I felt like they’re gonna get me there, he’s gonna get me there.”
On who have been the verbal leaders on the team
“My boy DeWayne and my boy Kenbell (Duncan Campball), them two. They’ve been kind of really helping me.”
On how Tennessee sophomore forward DeWayne Brown has helped the newcomers understand what it’s like to play for the Vols
“I be in practice sometimes, I’ll get lost and he’ll kind of just help me a little bit. I mean, honestly, him just guiding us when we mess up.”
On his relationship with the rest of his freshman class: Manny Green, Ralph Scott and Marquis Clark; if he knew about them on the AAU circuit
“It’s been a great relationship. I didn’t play those guys on the circuit, so for us to be all on the same team, it’s a good thing.”
On playing AAU basketball in Knoxville; if that helped his decision
“It’s great, you know? It’s just amazing, honestly. I’m just glad to be here.”
On how he is liking the new Adidas uniforms
“I’m loving it. We’re in Adidas gear. I’m liking it, I’m loving it.”
On his strengths on offense
“I’d say getting to the rim, getting to my spots, and my (ability) to catch and shoot.”
On where his spots are
“Really just getting to the mid-range, getting down hill.”
On watching last year’s Vols get drafted
“Coach Barnes, him getting those guys there, I know my time’s gonna come.”
On his freshman class
“Oh, we got the best class, I feel like, honestly. We got a good class.”
Why he feels Tennessee has the best freshman class
“Shoot, we all can score, honestly. (Barnes) recruited a lot of scores this year. Even our freshman class, we can all get a bucket.”
Tennessee
Where Tennessee Baseball Players, Commits Land In Final MLB Mock Drafts, Rankings | Rocky Top Insider
The 2026 MLB Draft gets underway on Saturday afternoon to jump start MLB All-Star game festivities in Philadelphia. The two-day, 20-round draft is a highly important once for Tennessee baseball. While there are fewer current Vols projected to be selected, there will be no shortage of Tennessee prep signees and transfer commits who are draft risks.
We’ve compiled a number of both mock drafts and overall draft prospect rankings from a multitude of outlets that give us a look at where Tennessee players, transfers and commits could go. There’s a handful of Tennessee transfer commits who are not listed but are also draft risks including Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan, Baylor shortstop Travis Sanders, FIU infielder Mario Trivella and Clemson right-handed pitcher Hayden Simmerson.
Taking a look at the mock drafts and draft rankings here.
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Current Tennessee player. Tennessee transfer commit. Tennessee high school signee
Mock Drafts
ESPN Two-Round Mock Draft
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 11 to Kansas City
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 14 to Miami
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 34 to Pittsburgh
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 51 to Pittsburgh
The Athletic One-Round Mock Draft
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 11 to Baltimore
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 24 to Seattle
CBS One-Round Mock Draft
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 18 to Cincinnati
Prospect Rankings
MLB Pipeline Top 250
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 13
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 16
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 25
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 61
- RHP/SS Cole Koeninger — No. 99
- SS Jack Dugan — No. 106
- C Sean Dunlap — No. 124
- RHP Shawn Sullivan — No. 132
- RHP Tyler Putnam — No. 139
- RHP Gary Morse — No. 141
- 3B/OF Henry Ford — No. 148
- LHP Jake McCoy — No. 152
- C/OF Garrett Wright — No. 190
- RHP Cannon Grant — No. 212
- RHP Bo Rhudy — No. 219
- LHP Ricky Ojeda — No. 243
ESPN Top 250
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 11
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 16
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 32
- C Sean Dunlap — No. 49
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 52
- RHP Gary Morse — No. 98
- RHP/SS Cole Koeninger — No. 107
- SS Jack Dugan — No. 109
- RHP Tyler Putnam — No. 112
- RHP Cannon Grant — No. 125
- 1B Cody Boshell — No. 142
- LHP Jake McCoy — No. 156
- C/OF Garrett Wright — No. 162
- 3B/OF Henry Ford — No. 183
- RHP Bo Rhudy — No. 201
Perfect Game Top 400
- LHP/OF Jared Grindlinger — No. 16
- OF Trevor Condon — No. 29
- RHP Tegan Kuhns — No. 50
- RHP Kaiden McCarthy — No. 51
- RHP/SS Cole Koeninger — No. 62
- C Sean Dunlap — No. 68
- 3B/OF Henry Ford — No. 134
- 1B/OF AJ Curry — No. 153
- RHP Cannon Grant — No. 176
- RHP Tyler Putnam — No. 190
- SS Jack Dugan — No. 201
- LHP Jake McCoy — No. 227
- RHP Shawn Sullivan — No. 231
- RHP Gary Morse — No. 241
- LHP Ricky Ojeda — No. 251
- RHP Bo Rhudy 255
- SS Jaxson Wood — No. 262
- C/OF Garrett Wright — No. 269
- LHP Brandon Arvidson — No. 274
- SS Manny Marin — No. 375
- OF Reese Chapman — No. 386
- LHP Drew Christine — No. 387
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