Daily
Knoxville
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
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Good morning, Knoxville. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of June.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ GiGi’s Playhouse will soon open in Knoxville to serve families with children with Down syndrome by offering free educational and therapeutic programs from infancy to adulthood — volunteers run tutoring and community support activities. The center will host a Brave Bear Clinic on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at We Rock The Spectrum to help children feel more comfortable with checkups. 10 News
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Knoxville man Michael Ensor—56—faces aggravated assault charges after he allegedly fired at an Amazon driver delivering a package to his home on Norris Freeway. 10 News
- ➤ Samuel Campbell, 48, was arrested by the FBI and the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office for a Publishers Clearing House scam that cost local residents over $1 million + officials say the investigation is ongoing. WVLT 8
- ➤ Knoxville man Michael Ensor, 56, is accused of shooting at an Amazon delivery driver who delivered a package Saturday evening at 5:20 p.m. near Norris Freeway after he claimed he suspected a break-in, and police reviewed doorbell footage showing him yelling and firing a shot into his flower bed + he is expected in court Tuesday. 10 News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ West High School head football coach Lamar Brown will not return next year after an internal investigation raised oversight concerns—he will instead serve as a teacher at another Knox County school. Knox County Schools has increased oversight in coaching and hiring practices following the review. WVLT 8
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Knoxville will begin construction later this year on an $8.6 million Burlington fire station to replace an 88-year-old facility and a $5.1 million streetscape project to upgrade sidewalks and traffic signals. The fire station, which will house seven firefighters and answer about 1,600 calls a year, and the streetscape improvements—previewed Tuesday evening at C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Ministries—are expected to be complete by the end of 2026. 10 News
- ➤ City leaders announced parking and traffic changes near Covenant Health Park that are impacting businesses in Old City. They expect additional adjustments—measures aimed at improving local flow—to be introduced soon. WVLT 8
- ➤ Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and over 50 other attorneys general signed a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family to address their role in the opioid crisis — Tennessee will receive over $90 million, mostly in the first three years of a 15-year payout plan. WVLT 8
- ➤ Starting July 1, Tennessee will enforce 177 new laws that affect education, criminal justice, child care, and women's health. Several bills raise penalties for child abuse and non-consensual photography—others extend foster care programs and adjust school and retail policies. 10 News
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Kassandra Klemenz, born with cystic fibrosis and once facing a near-death crisis, completed the Ironman 70.3 in Chattanooga in May as the first American female double-lung transplant recipient to do so—she now trains 20 to 30 hours a week while managing high costs for therapy and safety measures. She credits her donor and her husband for giving her the strength to face each challenge and continue her athletic career. Knoxville News Sentinel
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Knoxville.
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The Arcadian Wild Live Performance
7-9:30 p.m. — Pretentious Beer Co — Cost not specified — Experience the soulful indie folk tunes of Nashville's The Arcadian Wild performed live.
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Jurassic Quest
12-6 p.m., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Knoxville Convention Center — Ticketed entry — Experience a thrilling family adventure with dinosaurs at Jurassic Quest.
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Alicia Harvey Live Performance
6:30 p.m. — Nauti K's Riverside Bar & Grill — Check venue for entry details — Experience an evening of soulful tunes from rising star Alicia Harvey.
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Jurassic Quest
12-6 p.m. (Fri), 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun) — Knoxville Convention Center — Tickets required — Experience life-sized dinosaurs and a thrilling family adventure at Jurassic Quest.
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Comedy All-Stars Showcase
8-10 p.m. — Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus — $10 entry — Enjoy a night of laughter with hilarious up-and-coming comics from East Tennessee and beyond.
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Josi J and Dessert Live Performance
8 PM – 2 AM — Bucket Head Tavern — Check for cover charge — Experience a night filled with music as Josi J & Dessert take the stage.
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The Summer Classic Combat Tournament
9 AM – 3 PM — Christian Academy of Knoxville — Entry fees apply — Compete in an exciting day of kickboxing and grappling action at the annual tournament.
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Kanin Wren's Taylor Swift Experience
8 PM – 12 AM — Open Chord Stage — Tickets not available online — Enjoy an exciting tribute to Taylor Swift featuring Kanin Wren.
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Fireball Classic 5K
9:00-10:30 p.m. — UT Veterinary Medical Center — Register online — Kick off your 4th of July festivities with a fast 5K on Neyland Drive.
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Matt Stillwell Concert
5-11 p.m. — World's Fair Park — Ticket details not specified — Enjoy an evening of live music featuring country artist Matt Stillwell.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Knoxville.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
~ Thomas Paine
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