If you’re getting ready to plan your summer getaway, chances are you’ll turn to a travel site like Tripadvisor to garner some lodging ideas − although (shameless self-promotion here) Knox News did an excellent job last year of rounding up options in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

If you really want the cream of the crop from Tripadvisor, however, the travel website just released its 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards for the Best of the Best Hotels. According to the website, the picks are among the top 1% based on a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions over a 12-month period.

Two Sevierville spots named top inns in United States

There are a lot of lodging choices out there for folks heading to Dollywood or the Great Smoky Mountains. But Tripadvisor’s reviewers propelled two Sevierville spots into the top 25 B&Bs or inns in the country.

Berry Springs Lodge ranked No. 12, with Tripadvisor stating, “You’ll find yourself surrounded by natural beauty in a peaceful mountain setting. The well-appointed accommodations are both spacious and cozy, with large stone showers and thoughtful extras. … With a family-friendly atmosphere, exceptional cleanliness, and accommodating staff, this unique bed and breakfast experience truly stands out.”

Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn and Cottages was ranked No. 18. The “unique mountain retreat” offers “comfy accommodations ranging from cozy rooms to spacious cottages, each with charming decor and modern amenities,” Tripadvisor states. “There’s plenty of activities to keep you entertained, like hiking, horseback riding, or just relaxing on the wrap-around porch. … The serene pond with a fountain adds a touch of tranquility, making this country inn a perfect spot for unwinding in style.”

See which other Southern inns were ranked in top 25

Nine other Southern inns earned high “best of the best” ratings:

• The Cedar House Inn, St. Augustine, Fla.
• The Bayfront Westcott House B&B, St. Augustine, Fla.
• Kona Kai Resort, Key Largo, Fla.
• 1900 Inn on Montford, Asheville, N.C.
• 1899 Wright Inn & Carriage House, Asheville, N.C.
• Key West Harbor Inn, Key West, Fla.
• Louisville Bourbon Inn, Louisville, Ky.
• Americus Garden Inn in Americus, Ga.; and
• Inn on Turner in Beaufort, N.C.

Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – The mass shooting at a city park in Orange Mound highlighted a problem in Memphis: a lot of people don’t understand what is and is not allowed under Tennessee’s open carry law.

In shocking video after shocking video, young people could be seen walking down the street to a community block party while brandishing giant guns.

”I’ve been in this business for over 40 years. I get anxiety and my law enforcement friends are getting anxiety,” said Bennie Cobb, retired SWAT Team captain with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and owner of Eagle Eye Security and Training Services.

Cobb told Action News 5 that the trend of teens arming themselves to the teeth in public is a troubling one.

“Some of these young people could say they’re exercising their 2A,” he said, “but the gun is most likely stolen if they’re under 18.”

When Governor Bill Lee signed open carry into law, he posted to X: “It shouldn’t be hard for law-abiding Tennesseans to exercise their 2A rights,” with 2A referring to the Second Amendment, which grants Americans the right to bear arms.

In effect since July 1, 2021, Tennessee’s open carry law allows an individual to carry a loaded handgun without a permit. You must be 18 or older, in lawful possession of the gun, and in a place where guns are legally allowed.

Supporters of open carry say the law appeared to be violated in the Orange Mound mass shooting.

”I saw pictures of the guns they were holding,” said Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, “They were not handguns. So, you must be very clear about what we do allow for open carry. It’s a handgun. It’s not an AK-47. It’s not a shotgun. It’s not a long rifle. It’s a handgun. The guns they had at that rally were not open-carry guns.”

Remember the incident where a young man walked through Midtown Memphis with an assault-style rifle last year?

He scared so many people that nearby schools went on lockdown and citizens called the Memphis Police Department to report him. MPD eventually tracked him down at home, and no charges were filed in the case. He admitted to overreacting to a perceived threat to his safety.

Though open carry explicitly covers handguns, other laws already on the books state you can carry a shotgun or rifle, but it must be unloaded and the ammunition cannot be in close proximity to you or your weapon.

The videos are proof, said Cobb. The Wild Wild West has officially arrived in the Mid-South.

“Now the mindset is,” he said, “you approach them with the mindset as if they are armed. Law enforcement is actually doing things differently now. They actually had to be retrained to accept people with guns. Everybody has one.”

Tennessee Republicans tried to pass legislation this session that would change the word “handgun” to “firearm” in the open carry law to allow armed long guns on the street.

But the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security testified that it would cause unnecessary panic, and the effort failed.

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Former Tennessee basketball forward Jonas Aidoo is transferring to Arkansas, according to a report Monday from Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.

Aidoo entered the portal on April 11 and entered the NBA Draft. He kept his college eligibility while going through the draft process.

Aidoo had an All-SEC season as a junior. The 6-foot-11 Aidoo averaged 11.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He had six double-doubles in conference games. He blocked 66 shots, which ranked third in the SEC.

The 2024-25 SEC schedule hasn’t been released but Arkansas and Tennessee are likely to meet each other although it’s not certain with two new teams entering the league.

Rick Barnes was surprised by Jonas Aidoo transferring

Vols coach Rick Barnes works to avoid being surprised by transfer portal decisions. Aidoo’s came as a surprise for the Vols based on the messaging they had received from Aidoo following the season.

“Yeah because he had told everybody he was fine,” Barnes said.

Aidoo was one of four Vols to enter the transfer portal following the season. Redshirt freshman guard Freddie Dilione V was the first, while fellow redshirt freshman guard D.J. Jefferson followed suit. Forward Tobe Awaka was the third and Aidoo was the fourth.

Jonas Aidoo was an All-SEC player with Tennessee basketball

Aidoo averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per game in his three seasons at Tennessee.

TRANSFER: Darlinstone Dubar commits to Tennessee basketball as Hofstra transfer

The Durham, North Carolina, native jumped into the starting lineup as a junior. He spent his first two years as a role player behind veterans including Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic. He played 18.3 minutes per game as a sophomore and showed his defensive prowess in that season.

Aidoo’s freshman season got off to a slow start as he battled an illness preseason. He stepped into the playing group after Nkamhoua suffered a season-ending injury in February 2022. He played 7.8 minutes per game in 19 games as a freshman.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.