Tennessee
Tennessee baseball made World Series history. How a Knox News photographer captured it all
The world was watching June 24 as Tennessee defeated Texas A&M to capture its first national title in the baseball program’s history. Behind the scenes and on the field, Knox News was tirelessly working to capture the biggest moments throughout the Vols’ quest for gold.
Brianna Paciorka, visual journalist at Knox News and producer of “The Scruffy Stuff” podcast, was in the middle of the action throughout the championship weekend. Her job: photograph history. The tireless work paid off with incredible shots that illustrate the excitement and emotions surrounding the Tennessee win.
Paciorka recently joined host Ryan Wilusz on “The Scruffy Stuff” to discuss how she approached this historical assignment, what was going through her head as the final game was winding down, and why seeing the confetti fall was also a career highlight for her.
Below, you’ll find an edited transcript of their discussion on “The Scruffy Stuff,” an award-winning podcast about downtown Knoxville with new episodes each Tuesday.
This episode is available in its entirety through the podcast player, below.
Keep up with “The Scruffy Stuff”: Apple | Spotify | iHeart
How Knox News captured Tennessee’s win at College World Series
Ryan Wilusz: What did you have to do to prepare for something like this?
Brianna Paciorka: I actually (hadn’t) been to Omaha before. But as I’ve said on other episodes, I’m from Louisiana. I graduated from LSU. LSU actually won the College World Series last year, so I totally understand how special Omaha is and the College World Series. … It was a wild trip. I didn’t find out that I was going until after they won the second game that first Sunday. So, it was like a mad dash to figure out what my travel plans were, packing up everything. … Of course, you don’t know how long you’re going to be there. You could be there for two games. I was there for five games. Having to pack enough clothes and all the items and then all of your camera equipment, which is very stressful − it was a lot.
Ryan: What was it like getting to be part of it in a way that other people don’t get to?
Brianna: They had where (the teams enter) into the stadium and the locker rooms kind of close to where the photo room was where we were editing photos. If we weren’t out there taking photos of them arriving on the buses, we could hear the teams arriving. They’d come in with a boombox, they’re playing loud hip-hop music. You could hear them getting all pumped up for the games. … There was a practice on Friday before the finals where both teams got some time on the actual field to practice. And it’s kind of fun to sit there and listen to the the type of music that they have playing during batting practice and seeing them laugh and have fun as they’re fielding balls and swinging their bats in the batting cage.
Ryan: What about any insights being around Tony Vitello?
Brianna: I noticed that a lot of the times that I photographed him the most were times where there were fans nearby, like him getting off of the bus or him after Game 3 and everything. And what really struck me is that he really did take time to acknowledge fans. He got off the bus, he threw up some fingers acknowledging the fans. He did go out of his way to try to fist-bump fans on the way into the stadium. After the (final game) … he walked out kind of close to the Tennessee bullpen. Some fans were yelling out to him, and some actually convinced him to take their cellphone and do some selfies and stuff.
Ryan: Baseball is a slow-paced game overall but fast-paced in the moment when a play is actually happening. I’m wondering, through your eyes, what you’re looking for … when you’re shooting a game like this, and anything that was going through your head when you’re taking these shots − with also the mindset that this is your job to document history. I don’t know if you think about that actively when you’re doing it. But how did you approach this?
Brianna: Leading up to the games, I get messages from various people above me who are like, “We need you to get certain kinds of photos because we’re planning on doing poster prints.” … There were things I knew I had to get. I’m also, admittedly, a very anxious person. So the whole time, at least on Monday, it was just trying to tell myself this is just like another game because otherwise I was going to psyche myself up, which was probably a good thing. Because if you watched that last inning of the game on (June 24), going into that last inning it was like, “Yeah, they’re gonna win, they’re gonna win.” And then all of a sudden it was like, “Uhh maybe not.” So it was a lot of just like, “Oh my gosh, do I have to change my plan and everything?”
Having some knowledge for baseball helps to get the actual game photos. But also, Tennessee is a very emotional team. They show a lot of emotion. So, it’s a lot of not only just sitting there and taking photos of the action, but just keep taking photos as things happen because they are going to celebrate in some way in doing that. And that’s where the best photos are.
Ryan: What was your favorite moment you were able to capture while you were out there?
Brianna: Three come to mind immediately if I could give three. The first one, it was actually our front-page photo on (June 24). It’s the photo of Christian Moore hugging Dylan Dreiling at home plate after Dreiling hit that two-run home run that basically secured the win on (June 23). That was probably one of them. I knew going into the game that I needed to get a front-page, poster print, vertical photo. And as soon as … I got that photo and I realized it was in focus − there were no ESPN cameras in my way or anything … I immediately texted Saul Young, who was catching my photos here in Knoxville, and I was like: “This is our poster photo. This is what’s going on the front page.”
Ryan: Not only did I see the excitement of that moment, but I also saw the exhaustion.
Brianna: Christian Moore looks very relieved and very just like, “Oh my gosh, we did it.” …
Another one I really loved, I took a photo − it’s a wider shot. It has the players at the bottom, and you see the confetti at the top. And right in the middle, you see Drew Beam, and he’s looking up and his hand is up in the sky like he’s trying to catch confetti. And then you just see all these smiling faces. And I really love that photo.
And then I guess my third one would probably be, and it was in our special section … you open it up, and it’s a double-page photo. And it’s of the team sitting on the ground. You see the confetti on the ground. They’re all watching highlights playing on the scoreboard. And you see the stadium, it says, “Charles Schwab Field Omaha.” You see some of the names of the fellow Omaha teams, and everyone’s smiling and they’re holding their individual trophies. It’s not like a showy piece, but you can see … it’s like that first moment that they’ve really got to just sit down as a team and get to actually see the highlights of their trip in Omaha. … It looks beautiful blown up.
Ryan: Anything else you can do to pull back the curtain for behind-the-scenes highlights from your trip?
Brianna: If you are a baseball fan and you have the chance to go to Omaha, you have to go. It’s a beautiful stadium. One of the highlights, best parts − and honestly a career highlight for me − was during Game 1 of the final series. I know it was a loss, but there was the most beautiful sunset for that game. Skies were just like a beautiful shade of blue and pink, and the lights were on the field. They always talk about how baseball is just like the most beautiful sport. That night was just like unbelievably magical in that moment. …
The whole city embraces the College World Series. There was a coffee shop that Mike (Wilson) and I went to almost every single day. And once the finals came around and it was Tennessee and Texas A&M, their tip jar was like, “Who do you think is going to win?” with the logos of both teams. Anywhere we went, people were talking about the College World Series. They were selling special items for it. I bought a shirt that says, “The best baseball is in Omaha.”
Ryan: We cover a lot of things (as journalists). And sometimes, things that seem very exciting to the average person may seem a little bit more routine to us just because you’ve shot games before, you’ve written stories before, gone behind the scenes before. Did you feel anything different inside of you?
Brianna: It kind of felt like an out-of-body experience. Because I’m in that work mode … but also realizing that Rick Barnes was on the field and Josh Heupel was there and Peyton Manning was there, and they’re all excited. And you see all the players are excited. The fans are going crazy. In the moment, I was definitely aware that it was a big deal. There’s a picture of me where I just have confetti all over my legs from kneeling on the ground and taking photos.
But afterward when you’re sitting in that photo room editing photos and you just realize: “Wow. We’re going to have front pages that are going to be sold out. People are going to want this.” And then just getting random comments from people saying how great the photos are. And just kind of realizing that yeah it’s sports, but at the same time this is a big moment in Tennessee sports history and for Knoxville. …
Just seeing the response from people and realizing how much people enjoy my photos and realizing that, yes I did do a really good job − that feels really good. I’m getting a little emotional thinking about it. I’m not a Tennessee fan. So, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really mean as much to me as other people. But knowing that fans think I did a really good job means a lot, more so than my own bosses saying stuff.
Ryan Wilusz is a downtown growth and development reporter. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
Tennessee
‘Chud the Builder’ Tennessee shooting case headed to grand jury, bond slightly lowered
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The attempted murder case against Tennessee livestreamer Dalton Eatherly, known online as “Chud the Builder,” has now been bound over to the grand jury following a court hearing on Wednesday in Montgomery County.
According to court officials, Eatherly’s case was moved out of General Sessions Court and will now proceed in Circuit Court. His previously scheduled May 26 hearing has been canceled.
Eatherly’s bond was also lowered from $1.25 million to $1 million, according to updated court information on Wednesday.
WATCH: Here’s all we know so far about the controversial, arrested streamer known as “Chud the Builder”
The 28-year-old faces multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, after investigators said he shot another man during a confrontation outside the Montgomery County Courthouse on May 13.
Authorities previously said the shooting happened in broad daylight outside the courthouse complex after an altercation between two men escalated into gunfire. Both Eatherly and the other man suffered gunshot wounds.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to Eatherly’s controversial online presence. Known online as “Chud the Builder,” Eatherly built a following through confrontational livestreams filmed across Tennessee, including in Nashville and Clarksville.
Before the courthouse shooting, Eatherly had also recently been arrested in Nashville after police said he refused to pay a more than $370 bill at a steakhouse following a disturbance inside the restaurant.
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Eatherly remains jailed in Montgomery County as the criminal case moves forward in Circuit Court.
Tennessee
TN Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for May 20, 2026
The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 20 drawing
10-28-30-46-57, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from May 20 drawing
05-14-26-39-46, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from May 20 drawing
Morning: 8-7-7, Wild: 6
Midday: 1-9-4, Wild: 0
Evening: 4-8-1, Wild: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from May 20 drawing
Morning: 9-7-0-2, Wild: 5
Midday: 0-4-7-5, Wild: 1
Evening: 6-5-2-9, Wild: 2
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from May 20 drawing
16-26-27-35-38
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Tennessee Cash numbers from May 20 drawing
07-17-24-26-31, Bonus: 01
Check Tennessee Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 20 drawing
12-27-37-40-66, Powerball: 17
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 20 drawing
14-23-27-44-50, Bonus: 04
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.
Tennessee
Attorneys for Tennessee inmate worry state could use expired drugs for lethal injection
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Attorneys for a Tennessee death row inmate say they are concerned the state may be planning to use expired lethal injection drugs at his execution on Thursday, a growing concern across the country as states work to keep most information about their drugs secret.
Tony Carruthers’ attorneys twice asked the Tennessee Department of Correction last month whether it had secured the appropriate drugs for his execution date and for assurance the drugs had not expired.
Assistant Attorney General John W. Ayers’ response did not directly answer but said the department will comply with its lethal injection protocol — which includes regular inventory of the drugs to monitor expiration dates.
Carruthers, 57, was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the 1994 kidnappings and murders of Marcellos Anderson, his mother Delois Anderson, and Frederick Tucker.
The Tennessee Department of Correction declined to answer on Wednesday when asked by The Associated Press whether the drugs they plan to use to kill Carruthers are expired. Gov. Bill Lee’s office did not immediately respond to a similar inquiry.
Federal Public Defender Amy Harwell said in an email that expiration dates reflect when a drug can no longer be safely relied upon to obtain the desired result.
“In the execution context, this may mean a slow, lingering death without a reliable loss of consciousness, as the body painfully and fitfully shuts down,” Harwell wrote.
Public opposition to executions has made it difficult for prisons to obtain execution drugs, among the lingering issues for those who use lethal injection. Some states have been forced to speed up executions or stop them entirely due to expiration dates on drugs.
In South Carolina, executions were on hold for 12 years while the state struggled to obtain drugs. They were eventually able to get them only after the state passed a shield law that would keep the identity of the supplier secret.
Tennessee has argued in court that its shield extends to revealing expiration dates. Just before the December execution of Harold Nichols, Tennessee Deputy Attorney General Cody Brandon offered instead to provide a declaration “attesting that the chemicals to be used in Mr. Nichols’ execution will not expire before his execution and have not expired,” according to a transcript of the proceedings.
“The fact that TDOC was willing to provide such assurances to Mr. Nichols, but not Mr. Carruthers, raises serious concerns that TDOC is, in fact, intending to use expired drugs,” Harwell wrote in a May 18 follow-up to Ayers’ letter.
Arkansas, Idaho have faced challenges
In 2017, Arkansas’ then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued death warrants for eight prisoners on the state’s death row in an effort to beat the clock on a batch of lethal injection drugs that were set to expire. The state executed four of the men, but four others were granted stays.
Arkansas has not had any executions since then, in part because of the difficulty in obtaining drugs.
A group of Texas inmates in 2023 unsuccessfully tried to stop the state from using drugs they alleged were expired and unsafe. Prison officials denied their claims and said the state’s drug supply was safe.
Attorneys for Idaho’s death row inmates raised similar concerns in 2024, when the state planned to take a second try at executing Thomas Creech after the first attempt was botched.
The Federal Defender Services of Idaho told a federal judge that prison officials apparently failed to even check the expiration date of the execution drugs before obtaining a death warrant for Creech in October 2024. Nine days later, the drugs were returned to the supplier because they were expired, according to court documents. A new Idaho law has changed the state’s primary execution to firing squad in part because of the difficulty of getting lethal injection drugs.
Tennessee has had problems with execution drugs
Tennessee has a history of problems with its execution drugs. In 2022, Oscar Smith came within minutes of being executed before Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a surprise reprieve that revealed the state’s lethal injection drugs were not being properly tested for purity and potency. Executions were on hold for two years to allow for an independent investigation into the problems.
The state attorney general’s office was also forced to concede in court that two of the people most responsible for overseeing Tennessee’s lethal injection drugs at the time “ incorrectly testified ” under oath that officials were testing the chemicals as required.
Tennessee released a new lethal injection process in December 2024, and restarted executions in 2025. Several death row inmates have sued over the new protocols, arguing that the Correction Department did not follow the recommendations from the investigation.
Meanwhile, the new process has not been completely smooth. When Byron Black was executed by lethal injection in August, he said he was “ hurting so bad.” Prison officials have offered no explanation for what might have caused the pain.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
101st Airborne veterans get Purple Hearts years after an insider attack
As we honor those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, it is also heartening to see the military right a wrong. Chris Davis brings us the moving story of a Purple Heart ceremony two decades in the making. It’s worth a watch.
A heartfelt thanks to all who bravely serve.
– Carrie Sharp
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