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Tag: Tennessee

  • Ford Building EV Plants in Kentucky and Tennessee, Creating 11,000 Jobs

    Ford Building EV Plants in Kentucky and Tennessee, Creating 11,000 Jobs

    Ford has announced it is investing $11.4 billion to create four plants in Kentucky and Tennessee, bringing 11,000 jobs to the region.

    Like most auto makers, Ford is racing to transition its lineup to electric vehicles. The company is set on leading the industry, building on the success it’s had with the Mach-E.

    As part of its plans, Ford, along with partner SK Innovation, is investing $11.4 billion to build a truck factory in Tennessee, as well as three battery plans, one in Tennessee and two in Kentucky. The investment will create 11,000 new jobs, 6,000 in Tennessee and 5,000 in Kentucky.

    “This is a transformative moment where Ford will lead America’s transition to electric vehicles and usher in a new era of clean, carbon-neutral manufacturing,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford. “With this investment and a spirit of innovation, we can achieve goals once thought mutually exclusive – protect our planet, build great electric vehicles Americans will love and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.”

    “This is our moment – our biggest investment ever – to help build a better future for America,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We are moving now to deliver breakthrough electric vehicles for the many rather than the few. It’s about creating good jobs that support American families, an ultra-efficient, carbon-neutral manufacturing system, and a growing business that delivers value for communities, dealers and shareholders.”

  • Tennessee Makes $65 Million Play to Attract Oracle

    Tennessee Makes $65 Million Play to Attract Oracle

    Tennessee has approved $65 million in incentives for Oracle, as the company prepares to make a $1 billion investment in the state.

    Oracle is planning on opening an office in Nashville, and has already purchased 60 acres for $254 million. The company also offered an upfront investment of $175 million toward public infrastructure projects, such as environmental cleanup, a pedestrian bridge across the Cumberland River, a riverfront park and a sewer pump station, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

    Most significantly, Oracle plans on bringing 8,500 jobs to the state, with an average pay of $110,000.

    A state panel has now voted to grant Oracle $65 million in incentives to sweeten the deal. Half of the company’s estimated $18 million in annual property tax will go back to the company to reimburse its upfront investment, while the other half will go to the city.

  • Ransomware Attack Shuts Down Knoxville’s Network

    Ransomware Attack Shuts Down Knoxville’s Network

    Knoxville, TN has suffered a major ransomware attack, forcing it to shut down its entire network.

    According to BleepingComputer, a notice was sent out to city employees Thursday morning informing them of the issues.

    “Please be advised that our network has been attacked with ransomware,” reads the notice.

    “Information Systems is currently following recommended protocols. This includes shutting down servers, our internet connections, and PCs. Please do not log in to the network or use computer applications at this time.”

    So far, Knox County government computers were not impacted. Police and fire department operations are intact, although neither can access the network.

    As BleepingComputer points out, no group has yet claimed responsibility, although the FBI is investigating the incident. At the same time, officials said no personal data or credit card information was accessed or stolen.

    Ransomware has become one of the biggest threats to online security, with attacks costing the US an estimated $7.5 billion in 2019. Knoxville is just the latest example of the problems these attacks can cause.

  • Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest Body May Be Dug Up, Statue Sold

    In South Carolina, they are pulling Confederate flags down from state buildings. Memphis, Tennessee is doing you one better. They’re planning to dig up the body of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

    The Memphis City Council voted unanimously last week to dig up the body of Nathan Bedford Forrest and move it to another location. They have also said they intend to sell a statue on the spot to “anyone who wants it.”

    Forrest’s body and statue are currently to be found at Health Sciences Park on Union Avenue in Memphis. The general has been buried there for 110 years.

    “The Forrest family is solidly opposed to digging up the graves and moving them any place,” said Lee Millar with the Son’s Of Confederate Veterans. “The statue just as well. They’re opposed to moving the statue too.”

    Nathan Bedford Forrest was famous for his brutal attacks on Federal forces in the Civil War. He is also jokingly referred to as an ancestor of Forrest Gump, who is his namesake.

    The move comes at an odd time, considering the fact that the governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam, signed an annual proclamation that this coming Monday, July 13, would be a day honoring Nathan Bedford Forrest. The governor of Tennessee is obliged to sign such a proclamation each year for the day to be observed. Some lawmakers have talked about changing that via legislation so it remains observed without the need for an annual proclamation from the governor.

    The recent events in Memphis will surely clash with that sentiment.

    “This appears to me to be another knee jerk reaction to that anti-Confederate hysteria. Some people here are trying to get on the bandwagon in erasing Confederate history and its just wrong,” Millar said.

    But one council member had another thought about the exhumation of Forrest and sale of his statue.

    “Has anyone else heard UT (University of Tennessee) is about to do a $500 million expansion and that park is something they want?” asked council member Janis Fullilove.

    “When I made this recommendation I had not heard that,” replied council member Lowery.

    The matter is not settled, however. The Tennessee Historical Commission has to approve the move, and it is sure to have a court battle ahead.

  • Tennessee Buses Crash, Three Killed

    Two school buses collided on a Tennessee highway Tuesday afternoon, killing three and injuring 23.

    The crash occurred near Knoxville, at approximately 3 p.m., and two children and one adult died. Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch said that the adult who died was a teacher’s aide.

    Rausch added that three passengers who were critically injured were transported to University of Tennessee Medical Center, and are in stable condition. An additional 20 students were taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital to be treated for non life-threatening injuries, according to hospital spokesperson Erica Estep.

    First responders on the scene witnessed that one of the buses was on its side. Karla Corona, a parts sales manager, commented, “I heard the big bang. As soon as I rang up the customer, we saw that a bus had flipped over and another was in the middle of the road.”

    Rausch commented that 18 of the 20 of the students had been on a bus leaving from Sunnyview Primary School, which educates kindergarten through second grade. Rausch added that the students were taken to the hospital on a city bus to be checked out for “bumps and scrapes.”

    The other bus was from Chilhowee Intermediate School, which serves third through fifth grade. Rausch said some of the passengers were taken to the hospital by their families.

    Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre said at a news conference, “This is an unspeakable tragedy. This is what we work every day to try to prevent.”

  • Millionaire Matchmaker Contestant Adam Winters Accused of Extortion

    It’s looking more and more like former Millionaire Matchmaker guest Adam Winters wasn’t actually a millionaire after all. In fact, he may be a criminal.

    A few weeks ago the Associated Press reported that an affidavit has been filed in federal court that says Tennessean Adam Winters attempted to extort nearly 2.5 million dollars from a nuclear power plant.

    How did he do it? By e-mail of all places. He claimed to have “evidence from testing the bombs, to documentation on how much radiation was used on animals and contamination of the plants,” and sent it to Babcock and Wilcox, contractors of the power plan. The message was clear: pay up or Winters would go public.

    The Smoking Gun thought this was too juicy a story to let go. According to them, Winters is no millionaire, since he can’t even afford to hire his own lawyer. They did manage to contact Winters who quickly said “I have no idea,” as his only comment, then promptly hung up the phone.

    It appears the trial is in the process of wrapping up. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Winters signed a plea agreement Monday. He will confess to a single charge of extortion. When he faces sentencing the Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooklyn Sawyers will seek a sentience of no more than six months.

    So much for the fresh faced young man who appeared on the Millionaire Matchmaker show. Looks like he met his match when Federal agents arrested him for the crime he stands accused of. For those of you who prefer to remember the Adam Winters who appeared on television, free from the faults we now know he has, I refer you to his submission video:

    Image via Bravo.

  • Bride Ties Baby To Wedding Dress, Drags Down Aisle

    Bringing a whole new sense to wedding fashion, a Jacksonville, Tennessee woman strapped her newborn daughter to the tail-end of her gown as an accessory.  Like a tatter tot trapped rolling on a conveyor belt in limbo, the baby went dragging down the wedding aisle; someone took a picture, uploaded it, and the online community responded in uproar.

    Commenters on YouTube mentioned the act was “incredibly dangerous” and that the newlyweds should be reported to child protective series.

    After the wedding, Carter-Brooks typed and posted on Facebook in response to the overwhelming comments:

    “People questioning what we do, commenting all negative, and just doing the most. We good though we covered by the Blood which never loose its power. So to the media, radio, news, and whomever else wanting to talk about what WE do here you go: Media Media I see how it works regardless the situation or purpose people gone have something negative to say!”

    A Bride Actually Tied Her Baby To Her Wedding Dress Train And Dragged Her Down The Aisle http://t.co/6mWRkiCE0V pic.twitter.com/kv93NBXIMG

    — Rachel Zarrell (@rachelzarrell) June 2, 2014

    “The answer is we do what we want, when we want, as long as Jesus on our side everything worked out fine and gona continue to be fine,” she continued.

    Carter-Brooks went on to note that her daughter was unharmed:“Our 1 month old was awake and well secured on my train.”

    “Most important while yall got ya feelings in us we had our hearts in Christ which covers all!! So keep ya mouths running for it was just that Exclusive and Epic enough we made top blog way from small town Ripley, TN and the social media doing what they do, TALK!!!! Too bless for mess!! Thank God we aint no celebrities oops got fans, guess we is!”

    Not everyone responded adamantly towards Carter-Brooks’ choice. One friend of the newlywed, who attended the wedding, typed: “Shona and Johnathan Brooks your wedding was super perfect from the groom and his men and you and your diva’s baby you rock the gown and the princess tagging behind you it brought tears to my eyes. Regardless of anybody else dream your’s came true. I loved it and thank you for inviting me.”

    Post by Shona Carter-Brooks.
    Post by Shona Carter-Brooks.
    Images via Facebook

  • Stacey Campfield Goes Godwin’s Law on Obamacare

    Over the past two years, and particularly last fall, the rhetoric coming from Republican opponents of the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”) has been rather heated. Opposition to the new healthcare law is one of the main issues Republicans are campaigning on for next year’s midterm elections, and conservatives across the U.S. have derided Obamacare with ferocity, even going so far as to shut down the U.S. government in protest. As heated as things have gotten, however, Republicans have been tactful enough not to bring Nazis into it – until now.

    Tennessee state Senator Stacey Campfield this week posted a provocative “Thought of the Day” to his public blog. In it, he directly compared Obamacare to the holocaust:

    Democrats bragging about the number of mandatory sign ups for Obamacare is like Germans bragging about the number of manditory sign ups for “train rides” for Jews in the 40s.

    The comparision, of course, caused an outcry in political circles, cable news channels, and on social media:

    In the midst of the criticism, Campfield replied to his own blog post to clarify, but not apologize, for his comment. He characterized his post as a warning against “the continued taking of freedom by the federal government” and stated that he regrets “that some people miss the point of my post.” Campfield wrote that he “will continue to support freedom and life,” citing “the slippery slope” and “government funded abortion” in his post.

    Campfield is no stranger to controversy. He is the same politician who in in 2012 made headlines for his belief that the origin of AIDS was “one guy screwing a monkey.” In the past Campfield has sponsored legislation including a bill to issue death certificates to aborted fetuses and a bill to ban public school teachers from mentioning homosexuality in the classroom.

    Image via Tennessee

  • Tennessee Policeman Fired After Choking Student

    A Knoxville, Tennessee police officer was dismissed by the Knox County Sheriff after photos surfaced of the patrolman strangling a University of Tennessee student during an arrest near the site of a large party. The officer, 47-year-old Frank Phillips, choked 21-year-old Jarod Dotson while two other officers handcuffed him, until the student fell to his knees.

    Dotson did not appear to be displaying any sign of resistance, and Phillips proceeded to slap him in his head a couple of times before walking off. Knox County Sheriff Jimmy “J.J.” Jones said in a statement posted on the Knox County Sheriff’s Department website (which is down at the time of this writing), “In my 34 years of law enforcement experience, excessive force has never been tolerated. After an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, I believe excessive force was used in this incident.”

    Jones added, “This incident provides a perfect example of why we are in the process of purchasing officer-worn body cameras (video and audio recordings) so incidents like this will be fully documented.” The party near where the arrest occurred was attended by roughly 800 drunken coeds, some of which were throwing beer bottles at police officers.

    Dotson was charged with public intoxication and resisting, and was released from custody after posting a $500 bail. Phillips, a police officer since 1992, was immediately dismissed after the photos surfaced, and the case has been handed to the Knox County Attorney General’s Office to determine if any charges should be filed.

    Police brutality, or the wanton use of excessive force by a police officer, is prevalent in the United States, with 26,556 citizen complaints made in 2002. Though, of those cases filed, only about 2000 were substantiated. Still, the New York City Police Department recently suffered a public relations fiasco with the Twitter #myNYPD debacle.

    Here are some notable Tweets from the scandal.

    Image via YouTube

  • 63-Year-Old Twins Found Dead In Tennessee

    63-Year-Old Twins Found Dead In Tennessee

    The story you are about to read has shocked the residents of Chattanooga Tennessee.

    On March 29, police visited the home of 63-year-old twins Andrew and Anthony Johnson after a concerned relative, with a key, asked the police to check on them. What they discovered was sad and disturbing.

    Each brother was sitting in their recliner. Doesn’t sound too odd right? Let me rephrase that … each brother’s skeleton was sitting in their recliner.

    After the discovery of the bodies, they were examined and were believed to have been dead since 2011. There are currently no signs of foul play, which has neighbors even more curious as to what could have happened to the men. Toxicology tests are being performed on the decomposed bodies, and police are not yet speculating on their causes of death.

    The question that everyone is asking is why the bodies were not found sooner? The Johnson’s neighbors were interviewed and revealed that the twins had always been somewhat on the mysterious side. They said that they didn’t interact with anyone in the public, and were occasionally seen working in their garden while wearing surgical masks. “I didn’t even know their names,” said Linda Maffett, one of the Johnson’s neighbors. “It’s a strange story, it’s a sad story. I think it’s sad that they were sitting there that long with nobody checking on them.”

    A welfare check was conducted by police in 2011, but they saw nothing out of the ordinary and simply thought the house was vacant. Family members told police that the men had lived like hermits for years, and it wouldn’t have surprised them if they had moved and not told anyone.

    “While this incident is tragic and unfortunate, Andrew and Anthony lived a hermit lifestyle and did not communicate with family or anyone else,” a news release from the police read.

    Citizens of Chattanooga have been formulating their own theories on what happened to Andrew and Anthony. Some think there may have been a gas leak, while other believe their deaths were from poisoning.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jack Daniels Fights Whiskey Law Change

    Fox News reports that there is a new whiskey rebellion a-brewing in Tennessee, and Jack Daniels may be right in the middle of it.

    Whiskey connoisseurs are very specific about what constitutes various types of spirits. The states of Kentucky and Tennessee have specific laws on the books that go into great detail about what the “recipe” is for a “Kentucky bourbon” or a “Tennessee whiskey”. And it is these specifications that are at the heart of the fight in Tennessee.

    In order to bear the label “Tennessee whiskey” Tennessee law says that a product must be “fermented in Tennessee from mash of at least 51 percent corn, aged in new charred oak barrels, filtered through maple charcoal and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof.”

    Not coincidentally, that is exactly the formulation for Jack Daniels. But the folks at competitor George Dickel, just 15 miles up the road from Daniels’ Lynchburg distillery, want to be able to claim the title of “Tennessee whiskey” as well. So they have proposed a change in that law.

    The change appears to come down to being able to reuse those charred oak barrels. Jack Daniels, which is actually owned by Kentucky firm Brown-Forman, says that their competition introduced the bill via Republican Tennessee state Representative Bill Sanderson. Their competition at Dickel is actually owned by Diageo PLC, a British conglomerate.

    The fact that a Kentucky firm and a British conglomerate are duking it out over who gets to be called “Tennessee whiskey” is apparently not a problem to the folks in Tennessee.

    Oddly, Diageo says they too use new oak barrels.

    “This isn’t about Diageo, as all of our Tennessee whiskey is made with new oak,” said Diageo executive vice president Guy L. Smith IV.

    Other whiskey makers in Tennessee say that, if they were required to use new barrels every time, their whiskey would lose its own characteristics and end up tasting like Jack Daniels. It is the barrel, particularly the charring, that gives whiskey its flavor.

    Image via YouTube

  • Holly Bobo Suspect Zachary Adams Pleads “Not Guilty”

    The man suspected of the 2011 kidnapping and murder of Holly Bobo pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.

    Zachary Adams was arraigned on the charges related to Bobo’s death in a Decatur County, Tenn. courtroom in a hearing that lasted approximately five minutes. Attorney Jennifer Lynn Thompson entered the plea on behalf of Adams.

    When questioned about his role in the Bobo case, Adams told the Jackson Sun, “I’m not the one.”

    Despite his claims, prosecutors seem prepared to go forward with a case against Adams, whose connection to the victim remains shrouded in mystery. Many questions remain, especially the role that investigators feel that Adams has to the disappearance and death of Bobo.

    Nashville defense attorney David Raybin believes that the most likely explanation for the timing of charge is that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation likely found significant evidence. This would certainly explain sudden increase of activity in a case that had gone quite cold, despite the reluctance of investigators to come forward with what generated the turnaround in the case.

    Raybin suspects that a reason there has been no mention of a body despite the murder charge is that investigators believe that there is no way Bobo’s remains will ever be found.

    Said Raybin, “They may have concluded that…the case is not going to get any stronger. Witnesses die and evidence evaporates.” The lawyer shared that he believed the prosecution was faced with a “now or never” scenario.

    Ronda Philpott, a former student at the school where Bobo’s mother taught says that the community has largely accepted that the 20-year-old nursing student is probably deceased. Said Philpott, “The most important thing now is for her poor family to have some peace.”

    Prior to the recent movement in the case, Bobo’s family had held on to the narrow hope that Bobo was alive, but simply unable to come home.

    Should Adams be convicted for Bobo’s murder, the prosecution is considering asking for the death penalty.

    Image via YouTube

  • Missing Student Nurse: Murder Charge Filed In Case

    Zachary Rye Adams, a suspect in the case of missing Tennessee nursing student Holly Lynn Bobo, was charged with murder and aggravated kidnapping. He is currently held without bond and is scheduled to be brought before the court on March 11 in Tennessee’s Decatur County.

    A week before the announcement was made on Wednesday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations searched Adams’ property in Holladay, which was located around 15 miles north of where Bobo was last seen.

    Authorities believe that Adams was behind the disappearance of Bobo, who was last seen by her brother in April 2011. She was twenty years old and living with her family three hours outside of Nashville. Her older brother Clint in his witness statement said that he saw a man in hunting camouflage holding his sister by the arm and leading her into a wooded area near their home. He thought the man was her boyfriend, so he wasn’t alarmed.

    The District Attorney General, Hansel McCadams stated that they believe they can prove Bobo was taken by force without consent, but did not give details regarding the evidence against Adams. They added that they also believe that she had been killed in perpetration of her kidnapping, leading them to file a case against the suspect. The 29-year-old Adams is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and first-degree felony murder. If found guilty, Adams could face the death penalty.

    Authorities kept mum about whether Bobo’s remains had been found, but did not rule out the possibility of making another arrest. Tennessee Bureau of Investigations spokeswoman Illana Tate stated that the investigation is “still very active and ongoing.”

    Holly Bobo attended the University of Tennessee at Martin and was taking up nursing. She had already begun her clinical training at local hospitals, and was known to be a natural at taking care of patients. She was preparing to go to her classes on the morning of Wednesday, April 13, 2011 when she disappeared.

    Image via YouTube

  • Nun Sentenced to 35 Months in Prison for Anti-Nuclear Protest

    A Federal District Judge sentenced an 84-year-old Roman Catholic nun to 35 months in prison Tuesday for breaking into a nuclear facility on July 28, 2012.

    Sister Megan Rice was found guilty of damaging more than $1,000 worth of U.S. government property at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

    Protesters Greg Boertje-Obed, 57, and 63-year-old Michael Walli were also sentenced to five years for breaking into one of the nation’s most secured uranium facilities.

    In an attempt to protest against nuclear weapons, the trio cut through four fences and snuck past armed guards before finally making their way onto the premises.

    The vandalization went on for more than two hours. The activists used banners, spray paint, and blood to recite Biblical slogans of peace.

    One of the last properties they destroyed was a storage building that housed $548 million worth of uranium. It was in that moment that a security guard caught Sister Rice and her partners-in-crime.

    “The protesters put themselves at a high risk of losing their life in performing this act,” a National Nuclear Security Administration said, according to The Christian Science Monitor.

    However, it appears that the nun has placed herself in similar situations numerous times.

    According to The New York Times, Sister Rice joined a nunnery at the age of 18, and by the 1980s, she was a member of an anti-nuclear demonstration group. One of her most well-known punishments was serving six months in prison for kneeling down in front of a truck, blocking its way into a Nevada nuclear site.

    Evidently, the anti-nuclear activist has always been resilient to law enforcement. According to her, the government’s 70-year industry of criminalization should be of main concern.

    “We spend more on nuclear arms than on the departments of education, health, transportation, disaster relief and a number of other government agencies that I can’t remember,” she told the newspaper.

    In a closing statement to Judge Amul Thapar, Sister Rice appeared to be unapologetic. She requested to receive the maximum prison sentence.

    “Please have no leniency with me,” CS Monitor reported her saying. “To remain in prison for the rest of my life would be the greatest gift you could give me.”

    Here is an interview done by HLN:

    Image via YouTube

  • Tennessee Bombing: Man Murders In-Laws

    Tennessee Bombing: Man Murders In-Laws

    In a tragic twist, law enforcement has determined that the culprit behind the murder of a Tennessee couple may actually have been their own son-in-law.

    CNN reports that an investigation by police resulted in the arrest of 49-year-old Richard Parker. Parker has been charged with two counts of felony first-degree murder and two counts of felony premeditated murder.

    The victims were 74-year-old Jon Setzer and his 72-year-old wife Marion Setzer. The retired lawyer was killed on Monday when the package bomb that Parker is alleged to have created detonated just inside the Lebanon home he shared with his wife. Setzer did not survive the blast, but his wife Marion was rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital. She died Wednesday evening.

    According to Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan, Parker lived next door to his in-laws. Bryan stated that Parker was the sole suspect, however nothing was revealed regarding a possible motive or even what evidence led investigators to suspect him in the first place.

    Officials did reveal that a note was found among the debris that may have been connected to the bomb. The contents of the note and whether or not it matched Parker’s own handwriting has not yet been determined.

    Bryan did say of of the case that, “right now we feel like we have the person responsible for committing this crime in custody.”

    Those who knew the victims are still struggling with feelings of shock and disbelief over the murder.

    Ken Caldwell, a friend of the family couldn’t understand how the bombing was “targeted” as investigators believe. While speaking with WTVF about the murder Caldwell said, “When I’ve heard it said that it was targeted, I thought, well, they must have targeted the wrong person.”

    The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed that Parker was convicted of arson in 1993. He served four years on probation.

    TBI director Mark Gwyn says Parker is being held on a $1 million bond.

    Image via Youtube

  • Tennessee Bombing: Son-In-Law Charged

    The son-in-law of the Tennessee couple who was killed by a mail bomb has been charged with their murder, investigators announced today.

    Police arrested 49-year-old Richard Parker on two counts of felony first-degree murder and two counts of felony premeditated murder in connection with the deaths of John Setzer, 74, and Marion Setzer, 72.

    The package bomb was delivered to the mailbox of the Setzer home in Lebanon, about 30 miles east of Nashville. Mr. Setzer carried the package Monday from the mailbox to his home; a distance of about 200 yards. Once inside, the bomb exploded and instantly killed Mr. Setzer and mortally injured Mrs. Setzer. She later died Wednesday night at Vanderbilt Hospital.

    Police have not released a motive for the bombing, but have found a note they believe may have been attached to the bomb. The contents of the note are being kept private.

    Parker’s bail is set at $1 million. Right now he is the sole suspect. He was convicted of arson in 1994 and served four years on probation.

    Officials are investigating just how the bomb was delivered; whether it was sent through the United States Postal Services or by a private carrier. It was initially believed that the package was sent through the USPS, but now the issue is being investigated further.

    Mr. Setzer was a lawyer who worked on bankruptcy and general will cases, along with living trusts, before he retired due to health issues. Those close to the couple don’t understand why they were targeted.

    “Nothing had happened in my recent times to make me anticipate anything of this kind happening,” said Setzer’s former law partner George Cate, Jr.

    “It doesn’t make sense at all,” said family friend Ken Caldwell. “When I’ve heard it said that it was targeted, I thought, well, they must have targeted the wrong person.”

    After the bombing, investigators searched the neighborhood and other mailboxes for similar packages. Police have offered a reward for leads pertaining to the case.

    Image via YouTube

  • Victoria Jackson Wants To Run For County Commissioner

    Victoria Jackson, the former “Saturday Night Live” comedian who made headlines with her Twitter tirade after the 2012 election, announced this week that she’s running for Williamson County Commissioner in Tennessee.

    The comedian and actress has petitioned to become an independent candidate for one of two seats and says that she feels the time has come for her to get involved at a higher level than ever before, although she’s been an outspoken Tea Party participant and has contributed to Fox News.

    “I think the key to saving America is normal everyday citizens getting involved because we the people are supposed to be in control, not the government,” Jackson said. “I had a political awakening in 2007. I’m tired of complaining. I want to do something.”

    Jackson says she’s disappointed in the Republican Party and wants to see real change in the coming years.

    “They just don’t have the values of our founding fathers anymore,” she said. “I am sure there are a few Republicans who do. I want less federal government involvement, lower taxes, smaller government, more public involvement, a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility.”

    Jackson angered the web and caused quite an uproar when she tweeted about incidents of “fraud” during the election, saying Mitt Romney was closer to winning than we were led to believe, and has on several occasions said that America is “dead” with Obama in office.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Sister Megan Rice, A Nun Facing Life In Prison

    Sister Megan Rice is an 83-year-old Catholic nun who will likely be spending the rest of her life in prison.

    Her and two other peace activists were protesting a nuclear power plant when they took it a little further than just holding signs. The three are accused of breaking into the Oak Ridge nuclear facility in Tennessee. According to the court, they illegally broke into the primary U.S. storehouse for bomb-grade uranium.

    The activists, Rice, Michael Walli and Greg Boertje-Obed are also being accused of sabotage for damage they caused when they broke into the facility, cutting through fences and painting slogans on the walls before splattering blood and damaging a wall with hammers.

    The government is recommending sentences of approximately six to nine years each, and they also want restitution for damages in the amount of almost $53,000.

    The trio is asking for leniency because of the sensitivity of the issue. They have explained that their actions at the Y-12 National Security Complex were symbolic and meant to draw attention to America’s stockpile of nuclear weapons, which they call immoral and illegal.

    The act was also intended to show the world how easily the stockpile was accessed by the trio and how little security is in place.

    Their defense attorney, Bill Quigley said, “These people have been committed peace and justice advocates for decades.” Previous requests for leniency were declined, keeping the three in jail while the trial progressed.

    Letters of support are flowing in and the case is drawing a lot of attention, mostly asking for mercy for the three, but the support also has to do with the fact that Sister Rice will be turning 84 years old on Jan 28th, ironically the day of her sentencing.

    The judge has been presented with thousands of support letters from around the world, which Quigley called the greatest show of support he has seen in his two decades of working with protesters.

    “I think that is mostly because of Sister Rice,” Quigley said. “She’s very well loved and has lots of people praying for her and supporting her.”

    He noted that there is no minimum sentence. The activists have been in prison since they were convicted in May, and it is possible that they could be sentenced to time served.

    Sister Katharine Holmstrom, a nun in London, is one of the letters that was presented to the court, where she pleaded,

    “Your court faces a great challenge – making a careful distinction between persons who act in clear conscience, guided by a moral vision, and others whose actions may be self-serving or maleficent in nature.”

    All three will find out their fates on Tuesday (Jan. 28) when the judge comes back with his sentencing in the case.

    Image via YouTube

  • Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark Acquired By Japanese Company

    Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark are just two of America’s favorite liquors that will now be produced under the ownership of a Japanese beverage company, Suntory Holdings Ltd. The $13.62 billion deal was announced Monday after Beam Inc. agreed to be sold to Suntory. Upon the announcement, shares of Beam Inc. rose 24% on Monday.

    Beam Inc., headquartered in Chicago, produces many of America’s most famous brands of bourbons and whiskeys: Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Booker’s, Baker’s, and Canadian Club. The company says they will continue production in Chicago with Beam’s current staff.

    Beam Inc. spokesman Clarkson Hine says that Suntory wants the company to carry on “business as usual,” and “continue doing what we’re doing” for now. Beam also assures drinkers that there will be no changes made to their favorite beverages in light of the acquisition.

    The deal still needs approval from Beam Inc. stockholders and is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of the year.

    Not everyone is happy about the merger, however; many patriotic Americans believe the deal will tarnish the uniqueness of bourbon and whiskey, whose roots are based in Kentucky and Tennessee.

    Many of the most outraged U.S. citizens have taken to social media, such as Twitter, to vent their anger and frustration over the merger. Some have even vowed to never drink Jim Beam or Maker’s Mark again. Comedian Ron White, known for his love of scotch while performing, even commented on the news, saying the deal is “un-American.”

    Main image courtesy @jimbeamofficial via Twitter.

  • Amazon Sales Tax Laws Expand to Three More States

    Consumers in Indiana, Nevada and Tennessee will no longer get a free pass on sales tax when shopping on Amazon.com. Starting today, residents in those states will join the 16 other states in the country that automatically pay tax on Amazon purchases. South Carolina is not far behind, consumers in the Palmetto State, will begin paying taxes on all purchases from the monster online retailer starting in 2016.

    The three new state additions are expected to generate about $50 million a year in tax dollars. Amazon tried and failed to keep sales tax laws from expanding. Their argument has always been that since they are not a “brick and mortar” retailer, but instead an online presence, consumers who shop with them should not have to pay a state sales tax. In fact, that’s always been a huge advantage for Amazon. However, the company’s competitors brought their battle to court in an effort to try and keep up with the retail juggernaut.

    This past December, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Amazon’s appeal regarding a New York court ruling that required the retailer to collect sales tax in the state. That ruling will most likely serve as a precedent for future rulings. In other words, if you live in one of the 30 states where you currently are not required to pay a sales tax on Amazon.com purchases, enjoy it while you can.

    Amazon’s strategy has always been about offering price-advantages for their customers. Sales tax varies from state to state, residents in Indiana and Tennessee pay a 7% sales tax. Residents in Nevada pay a 6.85% sales tax. However, do not think for a single second that Amazon is not finding new ways to differentiate its product and keep consumers coming back. Want same day delivery? How about Sunday delivery? How about delivery via drone? It’s all in the works as the retail giant keeps finding advantages in every possible nook and cranny imaginable.

    Images via Facebook, Facebook

  • Tennessee Road Rage Leads to Attempted Murder Charge

    A Tennessee man has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after backing his SUV into one motorcyclist and shooting another.

    Rodney Lee Scott, who is being held on a $1 million bond, came close to hitting a motorcyclist while driving on the interstate. When the motorcyclists started waving their arms at Scott to get his attention, he made obscene gestures at the men and then proceeded to stop his vehicle and back into one of the riders before fleeing the scene.

    The motorcyclists followed Scott to his home and called the police. While waiting outside for the police to arrive, Scott came out of his home shouting racial slurs. Scott then went into his garage and came out holding a gun in each hand and then proceeded to shoot at the motorcyclists, hitting one of the men four times- three times in the back and one in the wrist. The man, who was later identified as Tyler Lakin, was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and is currently in stable condition.

    Other charges, including fleeing the scene and attempted assault, are pending against Scott.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons