Shea Smith

1 week ago | wbir.com | Shea Smith

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tourism is essential to the state of Tennessee when it comes to its economy and growth. It is a multi-billion-dollar industry for the state. In 2023, the state generated a record $30 billion in direct visitor spending. In 2024, more than 12 million people visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This year, tourism seems to be a little lower in the state as well as across the U.S.  But the state and the city say Tennessee is still a hotspot for vacations.

1 week ago | localmemphis.com | Shea Smith

MT. JULIET, Tenn. — A social media post by United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is sparking calls for clarity. A global company, Schneider Electric, said it was investing millions of dollars to construct the new facility in Middle Tennessee. The company began investing in the Middle Tennessee area in 2024. A post from Blackburn’s Facebook page shows her touring Schneider Electric’s new plant in Middle Tennessee.

1 week ago | wbir.com | Shea Smith

MT. JULIET, Tenn. — A social media post by United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is sparking calls for clarity. A global company, Schneider Electric, said it was investing millions of dollars to construct the new facility in Middle Tennessee. The company began investing in the Middle Tennessee area in 2024. A post from Blackburn’s Facebook page shows her touring Schneider Electric’s new plant in Middle Tennessee.

2 weeks ago | wbir.com | Shea Smith

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville City Council decided Tuesday to postpone a proposal by two weeks that would have increased the scope and cost of a contract with a California-based institute that works to reduce gun violence. According to a release, the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform has worked with Knoxville since June 2023 to implement a Gun Violence Reduction Strategy.

2 weeks ago | wbir.com | Shea Smith

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It's been a big couple of weeks at Covenant Health Park after the Smokies baseball team hosted its first series at the new stadium. One Knox SC then had its turn breaking in the field and bringing in the fans. "[It’s] kind of an unbelievable conversion,” said Drew McKenna, One Knox SC managing partner. “You go in there now, and it's back to being a baseball field."While the Smokies were away last week, ground crews transformed the baseball diamond into a soccer pitch.