Knox County

Mayor Glenn Jacobs called for a nationwide pause on Flock surveillance cameras, arguing that the technology raises constitutional and privacy concerns requiring updated regulatory frameworks. He noted that this advanced technology goes beyond conventional license plate readers, and law enforcement tools must conform to the Constitution. The debate is occurring across states, including West Virginia, where lawmakers are questioning if such systems violate citizens' Fourth Amendment right to privacy.

WWE superstar-turned-mayor Glenn Jacobs halted a $1 million deal to install 270 Flock Safety cameras in Knox County. The local sheriff’s plan to deploy the cameras was paused by Jacobs, who is also known as Kane in his wrestling career.

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett introduced the Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act to prohibit federal funding for surveillance systems like Flock cameras that track people via license plates, facial recognition, or biometric data. The bill requires federal agencies to delete collected data within 30 days and bans its use in legal proceedings. It was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

A 43-year-old Nashville man was arrested during a traffic stop in Mt. Juliet after police discovered he had active warrants for illegal narcotics sales and parole violations. Officers found heroin on him during the stop, leading to his arrest and anticipated additional charges.

Tennessee Representative Aftyn Behn filed 14 federal civil rights complaints against the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) over issues including disability discrimination, sexual assault in certified placements, retaliation against families reporting misconduct, and falsified case records. The complaints seek federal investigations, halting parental rights terminations, and compliance with Olmstead Act requirements for children with disabilities.

Knox County Deputy Dalton Swanger filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against Christopher Hensley, who is accused of throwing a rock that critically injured him in June 2025. Hensley faces charges including attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault on a first responder, with a trial scheduled for February 1, 2027.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is testing herbicide-spraying drones to combat invasive kudzu vines in hard-to-reach areas. A year-long project treated 93 acres across eight sites, reducing dense kudzu growth and enabling native plants and wildlife to return.