Columbus
The Newport Plain Talk
Ex-finance director responds to lawsuit
The former finance director for the Cocke County Partnership has filed her answer to a $250,000 lawsuit by her former employer, vigorously refuting the lawsuit’s allegations. Sommer White remains the only defendant in the civil suit after other parties, including Cocke County Commissioner Rick Vassar, were dropped from the lawsuit. A significant allegation in the Partnership lawsuit is that White had stolen a hard drive. It is just one of...
Greene one of three finalists for circuit court vacancy
SEVIERVILLE — Newport attorney Jeffrey Greene has been announced as one of three finalists to fill a newly created vacancy in the Four Judicial District. The Trial Court Vacancy Commission met July 11 in Sevierville to consider eight applicants for a circuit court vacancy in the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. The vacancy was created when it was announced in April that state funding...
Early voting continues in Cocke County
Early voting in Cocke County continues at Western Plaza in Newport. Cocke County Administrator of Elections Josh Blanchard advised the first three days of early voting has seen 261 early and absentee voters cast their ballots through Monday, July 15. Early voting began Friday, July 12, and continues through July 27 for the August state primary and Cocke County general election. ...
Mizzou's Eliah Drinkwitz: Hall of Fame incomplete without Mike Leach
When the SEC returns to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta for SEC Media Days in July 2025, Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz hopes he can celebrate the induction of late coach Mike Leach. Drinkwitz said on the second day of conference media days in Dallas that it's time for college football to "do the right thing" and enshrine Leach despite not meeting the established criteria. Leach, who coached at Texas Tech, Washington State and was at Mississippi State when he died unexpectedly from heart complications in 2022, is one win short of the .600 win percentage prerequisite for...
Oklahoma treads into new territory at SEC Media Days
Oklahoma is plenty familiar with Dallas. The Sooners' annual rivalry with Texas is played in the city every year and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has long been the most fertile recruiting grounds for the Sooners. Tuesday was a different experience for Oklahoma in the city, though, as the Sooners made their way through SEC Media Days as they prepare for their inaugural season in the conference. "Absolutely," linebacker Danny Stutsman said when asked if the Sooners were ready for the SEC. "I think it's been a long time coming. We're really excited." The Sooners open the season Aug. 30 against...
Bears sign No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, first-rounder Rome Odunze
No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams agreed to a four-year, $39 million contract with a $25.5 million signing bonus as the Chicago Bears welcomed their star-studded rookie class to training camp on Tuesday. Williams was the top selection in the 2024 draft, one year after the Bears traded away the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers. In addition to Williams, the Bears selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. The No. 9 pick also signed his four-year rookie contract with the Bears on Tuesday. Bears training camp officially begins on Friday, when veterans are due to...
Tennessee's Josh Heupel ready for 'unique' return to Oklahoma
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel will see his worlds collide when his team faces Oklahoma in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. It will be the first SEC football game for new member Oklahoma, and there is no better opponent to welcome in the Sooners than Heupel's Tennessee program. Heupel, now 46, was a consensus All-America selection in 2000 as quarterback for Oklahoma and was named AP College Football Player of the Year. The Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2001 led the Sooners to the national title with an undefeated season and a victory over Florida State in the 2001...
Training camp questions: Houston Texans
Turnarounds are a thing of the past for the Houston Texans. That's the message from second-year head coach DeMeco Ryans as the AFC South champions race into training camp as the first of the NFL's 32 teams to report for the start of formal preparations for the 2024 season. Ryans' first season in Houston couldn't have gone much better. Houston went three seasons without a playoff appearance, spanning three coaches, 38 losses and almost 1,500 days, before Ryans and rookies C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. altered the direction the Texans with a division title and wild-card playoff win over...
NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs off the field after throwing a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
United Airlines apologizes for treatment of Terrell Davis
United Airlines apologized to Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis on Tuesday for his mistreatment on a recent flight. Davis, 51, was handcuffed and removed from a plane Saturday in Santa Ana, Calif., after a flight attendant accused the former Denver Broncos star of hitting him. Davis released a statement Monday on Instagram explaining that he had "lightly tapped" the flight attendant's arm to get his attention, only to hear him respond, "Don't hit me!" Davis said FBI agents and local authorities boarded the plane at Orange County's John Wayne Airport and placed him in handcuffs in front of...
CCHS Youth Football Camp this Saturday
On Saturday, July 20, the next generation of Cocke County Fighting Cocks can get their first glimpse at life as a CCHS football player. CCHS is hosting its annual youth camp from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Larry Williams Stadium. The age range goes from grass cutter to middle school with a $20 pre-register fee and a $25 cost if paying the day of the camp. Water will be provided, though kids are advised to bring and wear cleats. To sign up online, parents can access the link via the Spurs Up Booster Club’s Facebook page.
Report: WR Brandon Aiyuk requests trade from 49ers
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers after failing to come to terms on a contract extension, NFL Network reported Tuesday. The report comes one week before the 49ers open training camp. Aiyuk did not participate in the team's offseason program and skipped mandatory minicamp. Aiyuk, 26, is set to make $14.1 million in 2024 to complete his rookie deal. He reportedly is seeking a hefty extension in the neighborhood of at least $30 million annually. ESPN reported that San Francisco has told inquiring teams that it has "no intention of trading" the disgruntled wide receiver. Aiyuk is coming off a season in which he caught 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. In 62 NFL games (60 starts), he has 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 TDs since being selected by the 49ers with the 25th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. --Field Level Media
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
CCHS grows in ‘belief factor’ in Powell 7-on-7
POWELL — Colton Sane ripped off his helmet, bounced toward his teammates and let out a scream last Thursday night at Powell High School. The Fighting Cocks had just taken down Knox Catholic, led by 4-star wide receiver Tyreek King, by a score of 17-14 — and Sane was ready to let loose with his feelings. The moment was arguably the biggest for Cocke County in two days at the...
QB Carson Beck brings calm to storm awaiting Georgia in 2024
There is comfort knowing what you have at quarterback, and Georgia coach Kirby Smart can only smile at just how settled the Bulldogs are at the position entering the 2024 season. Carson Beck started every game last season, ending an apprenticeship behind Stetson Bennett, and went undefeated in the regular season to establish himself as the No. 1 quarterback for the Bulldogs. "The day and age when you go somewhere and you jump school to school, it's a popular trend. This kid stuck it out," Smart said at SEC Media Days in Dallas on Tuesday. "He didn't get the starting...
The Newport Plain Talk
19K+
Posts
13M+
Views
The Newport Plain Talk serves Cocke County and surrounding areas of East Tennessee.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.