Tennessee

Sen. Jack Johnson declares victory for death penalty bill, but innocent people could die

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2024

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Sen. Jack Johnson declares victory for death penalty bill, but innocent people could die

Davis Turner
| Letter to the editor

Re: “Child rapists should be sentenced to death. That’s why I backed this Tennessee Senate bill,” by Sen. Jack Johnson, April 22.

Legislation sponsored by Tennessee Senator Jack Johnson and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly would expand the death penalty system in Tennessee.

The system is already unfairly applied, costs taxpayers millions more than the alternative sentences, and risks the execution of the innocent. Since 1972, in fact, 197 people have been exonerated from death rows across this country after evidence of their innocence was finally considered, including three from Tennessee.

Expanding the death penalty for a non-lethal crime will only expand the number of innocent people sent to death row. The damage of false accusations and imprisonment, let alone execution, can never be undone.

William Arnold Jr. was falsely accused of one of the crimes that would be eligible for the death penalty under this bill. (Re: “District attorney won’t retry child rape case overturned by appeals court,” June 29, 2020).

He spent seven years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. If this legislation was law, he could have received the death penalty and been executed for a crime he didn’t commit. He is just one example.

How many innocent lives are we willing to risk when we already have sentences like life without parole for those who commit this heinous crime, a sentence that costs taxpayers less than the death penalty?

Davis Turner, Nashville 37215

Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.

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Tennessee

Tennessee Highway Patrol holds open house at Jackson district office

Published

10 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee Highway Patrol holds open house at Jackson district office

JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – The Tennessee Highway Patrol held an open house Thursday at the THP Jackson District Office in West Madison County for those interested in becoming a state trooper.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the various operations of the THP and the roles the department offers.

Trooper Tiffanie Williams said the career comes with competitive benefits and a sense of community responsibility.

“What makes us a good career choice is, one, base your retirement plan is pretty good, your benefits are pretty good. Also, just giving back to the community — we kind of hold ourselves to a higher standard,” Williams said.

For more information about the Tennessee Highway Patrol and how to get involved, click here.

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Tennessee

Tennessee State men’s hockey cancels 2026-27 inaugural season for second straight year

Published

20 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee State men’s hockey cancels 2026-27 inaugural season for second straight year

Tennessee State men’s hockey has once again canceled its inaugural season.

The first ever ice hockey team at an historically Black, public university was expected to begin play in 2025-26, but the season was canceled due to a fundraising shortfall. Now, the team has canceled its 2026-27 season according to a source with knowledge of the situation who wished to remain anonymous because the news is not public.

The Tennessean reached out to Tennessee State president Dwayne Tucker, who decline to comment on the situation.

The Tennessee State’s men’s hockey website does not have a schedule, roster, or any team events listed on its website. The site’s most recent update was July 10 of last year, an announcement about the 2025-26 season cancellation. Requests for additional information about the hockey team have gone unanswered.

This delay in the start of the men’s hockey team comes three years after the team’s inception was announced at Bridgestone Arena ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft. The Nashville Predators and NHL were instrumental in bringing a team to Tennessee State, and a representative with the Predators confirmed that support is ongoing.

While the 2025-26 cancellation followed unrest about the school’s financial situation, it’s unclear if this year’s cancellation is for the same reason or if its related to the school’s recent turmoil in the athletic department.

In May, six coaches gave a vote of no confidence for Tennessee State’s athletic director Mikki Allen. A letter to Dwayne Tucker on May 29 expressed concern about the “current direction, leadership, communication, and operational management of the athletic department” under Allen.

Men’s hockey coach Duante Abercrombie was not among the six coaches mentioned in the letter.

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. He never uses artificial intelligence when developing or drafting stories. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

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Tennessee

TN Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for July 8, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at July 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing

12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from July 8 drawing

17-26-31-32-37, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 8 drawing

Morning: 5-0-7, Wild: 6

Midday: 9-0-5, Wild: 8

Evening: 4-7-3, Wild: 3

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 8 drawing

Morning: 1-9-3-7, Wild: 4

Midday: 0-0-0-8, Wild: 3

Evening: 8-0-5-3, Wild: 1

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from July 8 drawing

07-14-15-18-29

Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Tennessee Cash numbers from July 8 drawing

01-02-06-13-27, Bonus: 03

Check Tennessee Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 8 drawing

06-27-33-44-69, Powerball: 23

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing

16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:

Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.

When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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