I’ve been writing for sport and name recognition since sixth grade or so. You might think I’d improve with time, but I was just as good then as now. Sarah Simpson (for whom the teachers learning center was named) was my English teacher two of three years at Halls High School. She found no humor or irony in my critiques of the Latin/geometry teacher or the pompous school administration. Red slashes bloodied my offerings. And I kept writing.
continued...
I applied three times to work at the old Knoxville Journal:
- Guy Lincoln Smith Jr., legendary editor, said he needed someone older than 16. “But I got here as soon as I could drive!”
- Dick Evans, interim after Smith died, said the paper already had a woman. “We have to hire reporters we can send to hotels at night to interview visiting dignitaries,” was the gist of his rejection.
- Bill Childress, young new editor, hired me on the spot after throwing a pile of press releases my way that I quickly typed into crisp summaries written like every other story in the Journal. And why not? I had been practicing since sixth grade.
Doug Price (Journal photographer who went on to found Knoxville Printers, Bargain Mart and HP Videos) and I bought the Shopper in 1971. I sold it to E.W. Scripps in 2005. Fired by Gannett in 2017, I started KnoxTNToday.com. And I sold it to Susan Espiritu in mid-2024. I’m under contract to compile obituary links and community news for KTT, but Susan doesn’t want political opinions. Since that’s sort of what I do, I emailed Bubba. And for the grand ol’ sum of $zero$, I’m in.
This is no time to be silent. Think I’ll keep writing.
Topics:
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Discussing:
- Earthquake!!! (1 reply)
- U.S. attorney general credits Trump with saving your life (1 reply)
- The crazy administration (3 replies)
- ‘CBS will purr like a Fox’ (3 replies)
- Nick McBride challenges Justin Biggs (2 replies)
- Top 10 Knoxville intersections with the highest number of collision calls in 2024 (1 reply)
- Hear Mark Carney’s message to Trump after stunning election win (1 reply)
- Repair work begins on Gay Street Bridge to restore pedestrian access (1 reply)
- New images could change cancer diagnostics, but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them (1 reply)
- A 50501 day of protest, Saturday, April 19, 2025 (3 replies)
- Downtown Knoxville parking requires smartphone and credit? (4 replies)
- Wonder what Kane thinks? (3 replies)
TN Progressive
- A friend sent this: From Captain McElwee's Tall Tales of Roane County (RoaneViews)
- The Meidas Touch (RoaneViews)
- Massive Security Breach Analysis (RoaneViews)
- What Trae Said! (RoaneViews)
- (Whitescreek Journal)
- Lee's Fried Chicken in Alcoa closed (BlountViews)
- Alcoa, Hall Rd. Corridor Study meeting, July 30, 2024 (BlountViews)
- My choices in the August election (Left Wing Cracker)
- July 4, 2024 - aka The Twilight Zone (Joe Powell)
- Chef steals food to serve at restaurant? (BlountViews)
- Blount County, TDOT make road deal for gun mfg ignoring town of Louisville,TN, (BlountViews)
- Winter at the Big Rocks (Whitescreek Journal)
TN Politics
- Amid protests and Democratic pushback, U.S. House GOP launches work on Medicaid cuts (TN Lookout)
- Defense claims Casada, Cothren broke no laws (TN Lookout)
- Children’s health services could see trims even under scaled-back Medicaid cuts (TN Lookout)
- Noem revokes temporary deportation protections for some Afghans in the U.S. (TN Lookout)
- U.S. House GOP mandates Medicaid work requirements in giant bill slashing spending (TN Lookout)
- Trump’s massive deportation database puts students at risk, advocates warn (TN Lookout)
Knox TN Today
- More old Fork schools (Knox TN Today)
- Motoring back in time through Dixie Lee Junction (Knox TN Today)
- HEADLINES 5/13: Hostage release to plan for homeless veterans (Knox TN Today)
- Rosens find son + Real Good Kitchen scores 100 + Joan and Victor at Bistro + + (Knox TN Today)
- UT Arboretum Nature Book Trail features new book about bugs (Knox TN Today)
- Susan Johnson finds answers w/ ‘bankers hours’ (Knox TN Today)
- Nikki Anderson finds her career at a cookware party (Knox TN Today)
- It’s a bit of quiz (Knox TN Today)
- Gas up & go to Dollywood (Knox TN Today)
- FirstBank is official bank of Knoxville Smokies (Knox TN Today)
- December football outlook: No playoff, maybe Pop Tarts (Knox TN Today)
- THP makes ‘Major’ promotion: It’s now Major Stacey Heatherly (Knox TN Today)
Local TV News
- Knoxville City Council approves violence reduction contract with California-based group (WATE)
- Woman facing attempted murder charge after shooting in Crossville (WATE)
- Father of accuser in case of teacher charged with rape speaks out on victim advocacy (WATE)
- Andersonville man sentenced after pleading guilty to child sex crimes (WATE)
- Stretch of Foothills Parkway to close for more post-earthquake bridge inspections (WATE)
- Knoxville police hold memorial service for retired officers who died (WATE)
- KPD: West High School teacher indicted on multiple aggravated statutory rape charges (WBIR)
- Knox Co. Mayor announces project to build 'tiny home village' for homeless veterans (WBIR)
- 'Sweet, brave girl' | Surviving dog from suspected animal cruelty case in Knoxville finds her forever home (WBIR)
- Blount County students receive grants, scholarships to pursue careers in construction (WBIR)
- Victim's widow, bar patron sue The Pint House after deadly 2024 shooting (WBIR)
- Dolly Parton's water park vision flowed into reality with 'Splash Country' (WBIR)
News Sentinel
State News
- Ensley homers for Vols in final regular-season home game - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- IT security director put on leave after talking to Chattanooga council - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- Natural gas eclipses nuclear as TVA outages persist - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- New law expands protections over refusal to use preferred pronouns - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
Wire Reports
- Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as U.S.-China tensions ease - CNBC (Business)
- Menendez Brothers Resentenced to Life With Parole, Paving Way for Freedom - The New York Times (US News)
- California Approves 17 Percent Rate Increase for State Farm - The New York Times (Business)
- Trump defends Qatar airplane gift amid Republican criticism - Politico (US News)
- Judge says Trump may use Alien Enemies Act for deportations in Pa. - The Washington Post (US News)
- Pete Buttigieg hammers Trump at Iowa town hall amid 2028 presidential speculation - NBC News (US News)
- US tech firms Nvidia, AMD secure AI deals as Trump tours Gulf states - Reuters (Business)
- Federal grand jury indicts Wisconsin judge in immigration case, allowing charges to continue - AP News (US News)
- GOP makes biggest bet yet pairing Trump tax rates with Medicaid cuts - The Hill (US News)
- Microsoft to lay off 6,000 employees, despite strong earnings report - Axios (Business)
- American Eagle shares plunge 17% after it withdraws guidance, writes off $75 million in inventory - CNBC (Business)
- UnitedHealth stock drops nearly 18% as CEO Witty is replaced by Hemsley - Star Tribune (Business)
- Episcopal Church leader says helping Afrikaners over other refugees is 'unfathomable' - NPR (US News)
- Iran proposes partnership with UAE and Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium - The Guardian (US News)
- Trump tariffs have little impact on prices so far, defying grim forecasts - Politico (Business)
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Great!
Welcome and I'm glad you're here.
Welcome! Make good trouble!
Welcome! Make good trouble!
Thanks
(in reply to R. Neal)
for the welcome. We'll test your tolerance for a mountain Republican.
Great news. Thanks!
I've been here ever since the South Knox Rodeo days with Ms. and Mr. Bubba. I found Knoxviews to be a great place to get into things like downtown, Market Square, tax increment financing, South Waterfront, permanent supporting house and all the topics that folks (surprise surprise) were skeptical about, maybe wanted more info, or maybe just to say something was a dumb idea. Remember #9. It was quite a journey.
For a number of reasons, I've moved from the KnoxViews playing field to tbe bleachers. I've always followed you,Sandra, whether at the Shopper, KTT, etc. I have learned a lot from you, and from Betty,over the years turned to decades and appreciate your keeping the flame of discourse lit.
Welcome
Looking forward to your contributions.