AP/WMOT

Tenn. shop raises $40K for fallen officer's family selling t-shirts

By AP/WMOT • Aug 31, 2016

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An East Tennessee sporting goods store is selling commemorative t-shirts to raise money for the family of a Maryville Police Officer killed in the line of duty.

Officer Kenny Moats was shot in the neck just above his bulletproof vest Thursday outside a Maryville home as he responded to a domestic disturbance call.

In the days since the 32-year-old officer's death, WBIR-TV reports Pokey's and Sports has sold more than $40,000 worth of t-shirts for Moats' wife and three children. The store expects to sell even more.

East Tennessee Police Officer shot and killed

By AP/WMOT • Aug 26, 2016

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A police officer who was fatally shot responding to a dispute between a father and son in eastern Tennessee had been wearing a bullet-proof vest, but he was struck in the neck.

Authorities say Marysville Police Officer Kenny Moats was killed Thursday while responding to the second domestic disturbance call of the day at the home.

The Blount County Sheriff's office says Moats and a deputy were able to get the father to safety and were taking cover behind their vehicles when the son opened fire from the garage, striking Moats from about 70 yards away.

Scandal prone incumbents lose seats in Tennessee House

By AP/WMOT • Aug 5, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) -- Two scandal plagued Republican State Representatives have lost their seats to primary challengers.

Longtime state Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville lost his West Tennessee seat to carnival operator Mark Lovell by 37 percentage points.

Todd was twice filmed removing opponents' campaign signs during the campaign. A retired Memphis police officer, Todd was convicted in 2011 for drunken driving with a loaded handgun in his car.

Challenges from the Republican right fail to unseat Tennessee incumbents

By AP/WMOT • Aug 5, 2016

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) Two mid-state congressional incumbent Republicans have successfully fended off primary challenges from their political right.

Scandal plagued 4th district Rep. Scott DesJarlais defeated ultra-conservative challenger Grant Starret, winning by about a nine percent margin or some 4,000 votes.

DesJarlais, a South Pittsburg Physician, will now go on to face Democrat Steven Reynolds of Murfreesboro in November.

In spite of damning report, Durham avoids ouster for sexual harrassment

By AP/WMOT • Jul 14, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A legislative committee formed to look into allegations of sexual impropriety against Franklin Rep. Jeremy Durham says the Republican lawmaker used his position to sexually harass at least 22 women.

Among other findings, the report says a then-20-year-old college student told investigators Durham plied her with drinks and had sex with her in his office two years ago.