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WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

TN bill aims to restrict AI from being used for mental health counseling

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Tennessee bill aims to prevent artificial intelligence from being used for therapy and psychiatric diagnosis.


HB1470 would prohibit the development and marketing of AI systems acting as mental health professionals. Rep. Tim Hicks (R-Gray), a member of the House Health Committee, sponsored the bill.


“If there’s any mental health counseling to be done, it has to come from a human,” Hicks said at a legislative preview on Jan. 9. “AI is actually giving counseling...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Local lawmakers talk legislative goals ahead of General Assembly on Jan. 13

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn., (WJHL) — Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee hosted local lawmakers Thursday evening at the Jonesborough Visitors Center to discuss their legislative agendas ahead of their return to Nashville on Tuesday.


State representatives Bud Husley, Timothy Hill, Tim Hicks and John Crawford, along with state senators Bobby Harshbarger and Rusty Crowe, spoke on multiple legislative agenda items, such as property taxes, Tennessee regulations, the Freedom Scholarship Act and summer EBT....
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Harshbarger, Jones comment on summer EBT program

ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) – As the Tennessee General Assembly prepares for a new legislative session on Jan. 13, local lawmakers are commenting on the summer EBT program, also known as Sun Bucks.


Sun Bucks provides $120 in grocery benefits per school-aged child to families who rely on EBT and SNAP benefits.


Last year, Gov. Lee rejected federal funding for the program and established the Summer Nutrition Initiative in its place, which provided the same services as the EBT program, but on a small...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Johnson City School Board talks education policy with legislators ahead of session

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., (WJHL) — The Johnson City Board of Education invited local state legislators to a meeting Monday evening to give feedback on education policy throughout 2025 and discuss topics that may be brought before the Tennessee General Assembly next week.


State Reps. Rusty Crowe and Tim Hicks attended the Monday night meeting to share what they are advocating for and receive feedback to bring to Nashville. The BOE held another meeting with Rep. Rebecca Alexander in December.


One...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Jonesborough residents hear from speakers about possible effects of proposed BWXT facility

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn., (WJHL) – Neighbors of BWXT and Protect Jonesborough held a community town hall to address concerns and hear viewpoints of multiple speakers, a week after BWX Technologies held their own community meeting, sharing their aspirations for a new facility with residents.


The event, held at the Jonesborough Visitor Center, featured five speakers discussing the long-term effects of BWXT’s proposed facility, which would process high-purity depleted uranium.


Organizer Gabriel W...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

State Rep. Renea Jones holds town hall in Carter County ahead of General Assembly session

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — Tennessee state Rep. Renea Jones held a town hall at the Carter County Courthouse Tuesday evening to update constituents on what’s in the works for the next session of the General Assembly.


Jones said communication with her constituents is of utmost importance to ensure she’s making their voices heard in Nashville.


“It’s really important for me to know what [constituents are] dealing with, what’s impacting their lives positively and negatively and what they fe...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Virginia attorney speaks on public records law amid search for Travis Turner

RICHMOND, Va. (WJHL) — As the search for Union High School football coach Travis Turner continues, community members are left with questions regarding the investigation and Turner’s time with the school.


According to Virginia state law, the answers may not be as simple as a public records request.


Virginia State Police announced Tuesday that 10 warrants were issued for Turner, charging him with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

BWXT rezoning ordinance reading postponed after dozens pack planning commission meeting

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the company involved.


JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Washington County Regional Planning Commission rescheduled a reading of the BWXT rezoning ordinance due to a high public comment turnout.


The meeting, originally planned for Tuesday, included a reading of a rezoning ordinance from BWXT, a nuclear technology company supplying nuclear components and fuel to the United States government.


Due to high turnout, the meeting...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears speaks to small business owners in Marion

MARION, Va. (WJHL) — Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears stopped by Marion Thursday afternoon to speak with small business owners regarding how her campaign may benefit them.


The event was held at the General Francis Marion Hotel on East Main Street.


Earle-Sears was joined by Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith.


Earle-Sears spoke a great deal regarding nuclear project investments in Southwest Virginia. In July, the Virginia Department of Energy announced i...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Sullivan Co. director of schools addresses proposed speaking engagement at West Ridge High School

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Sullivan County Director of Schools Chuck Carter issued a statement Monday concerning a proposed speaking engagement at West Ridge High School.


According to Carter, a representative of Club America, the high school initiative of Turning Point USA, approached him after the Oct. 10 Board of Education meeting.

“She asked for my permission to permit Riley Gaines to speak at a student assembly during an upcoming school day at West Ridge High School,” Carter wrote....
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerri Green speaks at town hall in Jonesborough

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn., (WJHL) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerri Green held a town hall at the Jonesborough Visitors Center Monday night to update supporters on her campaign and explain her platform.


Green voiced her stances on multiple issues affecting Tennessee residents, such as school vouchers, EBT/SNAP benefits, and Medicare cuts.


Green said that if she were elected, she would eliminate the Tennessee voucher program in favor of funding going towards public schools.
“Every dollar...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

What to know about the looming government shutdown

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., (WJHL) – The Senate is at a standstill over a short-term budget plan as a government shutdown nears.


The Republican proposed budget plan would keep the government funded until Nov. 21, but Senate Democrats argue it doesn’t meet their concerns regarding health care benefits cut by the “Big Beautiful Bill” earlier this year.


Southwest Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith, a Republican, said the Democrats’ point of view is escalating the situation.


“I think it’s very s...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

State Senator Bobby Harshbarger voices concern over ETSU professors’ comments regarding Kirk’s death

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Tenn. (WJHL) – State Senator Bobby Harshbarger voiced his concern over two East Tennessee State University (ETSU) professors’ comments on social media following the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday afternoon.


Harshbarger was notified of the comments by a constituent. He then urged ETSU to place the professors on administrative leave.


Harshbarger said these comments deeply disturbed him.

“It goes from having this tragedy yesterday to then, what really frustrate...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

TN state Rep. Monty Fritts announces candidacy for governor

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) -Tennessee state Representative Monty Fritts announced his candidacy in the governor’s race Friday night at the “Trump Day dinner” hosted by the Washington County GOP.


Fritts joins the Republican race alongside Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representative John Rose.


Fritts said he decided to run in order to combat government interference in everyday life.

“I talked a bit tonight about the fact that [the government is] infringing upon your rights to make you...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Elizabethton woman raises over $1 million to rebuild houses after Hurricane Helene

HAMPTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – After Hurricane Helene devastated Hampton eleven months ago, Jerry Poole lost everything.


Poole’s house was destroyed, and he was left with only a pair of shoes and the clothes on his back.


“At first, I was very distraught,” Poole said. “I sat on one of my best friend’s porches and watched all my personal belongings wash away. I didn’t know what I actually had to come back to.”
Poole’s entire garage was washed away, and the back of his house was gone.
When Poole wa...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

JC Manager Ball addresses wide range of criticisms

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Johnson City City Manager Cathy Ball addressed a range of criticisms in an interview with News Channel 11 Monday — including calls for her ouster in a recent online petition.


Ball has been the main focal point of increasing criticisms of the city government, ranging from its recent handling of a decision to move “last call” at city bars to 1 a.m. from 3 a.m. to public relations over the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) and its handling of sexual assault cases...
WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather •

Johnson City Commission passes ‘last call’ ordinance

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Johnson City Commission approved on third and final reading an ordinance to prohibit on-premises alcohol sales after 1 a.m.


The controversial ordinance was passed in a 4–1 vote on Thursday night. Commissioner Todd Fowler voted against it after suggesting the time be changed to 2 a.m.


During public comment, a majority of people spoke against the proposal.
“We’ve gotten so far away from the plot of what safety means, what liquor by the drink and hours are, wh...
The Daily Free Press •

Pretty privilege isn’t rotting away | Mad Women – The Daily Free Press

While many social media users have closely followed the “clean girl” aesthetic, a trend focusing on self-care and minimalist style, her distant cousin, the “rotten girl,” isn’t far behind in popularity.
The “rotten girl” is a hot mess — she comes home at 5:00 a.m., she has Domino’s Pizza boxes scattered throughout her apartment and the indent of her body is creased into her mattress. She’s been wearing the same clothes for three straight days, but everyone around her just laughs and tells her sh...
The Daily Free Press •

An apple a day keeps the one percent at bay | Mad Women – The Daily Free Press

Hailey Bieber took to her Instagram earlier this month to launch her collaboration with FILA. She posted two editorial pictures, one of which featured her spilling a bag full of fresh produce, something that is becoming increasingly inaccessible.
It’s hard to reconcile the fact that food — quite literally the bottom of the hierarchy of needs — would become political. The prices of basic pantry and fridge essentials, such as eggs, are being jacked up to record highs.
However, it seems that fashio...
The Daily Free Press •

Rocking out has gotten out of hand | Mad Women – The Daily Free Press

Last week, I attended a Nessa Barrett concert at Roadrunner. As I walked to the end of the line, I saw a gallery of young girls in high heeled boots, baby tees and a notable lack of winter coats. The group laughed to themselves and passed flasks back and forth, asking each other if anyone knew how to sneak them into the venue. 
Once the concert began, someone in the crowd fainted. 
Barrett stopped her set, asked the audience member if she was okay and got her a water bottle. A song and a half la...
The Daily Free Press •

‘Winter boots’ are seasonal — they won’t save America | Mad Women – The Daily Free Press

After President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders following his inauguration, people took to social media to share their concerns and hopes for change. 
Some called for revolution. 
Some were just hoping to see a boost in their likes. 
Performative activism, according to Boston Medical Center, is defined as activism used to increase social reputation rather than because of one’s devotion to a particular cause. Users engaging in this type of activism let it be known that they are not...
The Daily Free Press •

Media polarization is a threat to democracy – The Daily Free Press

Earlier in October, The Washington Post refused to endorse a candidate in the 2024 Presidential Election. The public was outraged that the paper, whose motto is “Democracy dies in darkness,” would not stand up for it in the wake of one of the most crucial elections. 
Politically passionate readers may see the lack of endorsement as a betrayal to all The Post has done for journalistic integrity, but the underlying truth is that refusing to endorse a candidate protects that integrity — an integrit...
The Daily Free Press •

Generation Z is struggling in the job market — but it’s not entirely our fault | Editorial – The Daily Free Press

From an outside and older perspective, Generation Z is looked down upon as immature. The screenagers of today are presumed to have no social skills beyond typing on a cell phone and no professional skills beyond styling a vintage blazer.
These popular notions amongst our elders are mostly easy to brush off — doesn’t everyone have a silly side and a cell phone? While these assumptions may be in good fun and faith, they’re seeping into the minds of hiring managers — just as Gen Z is reaching hirin...
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