Lee

Kontoor Brands Inc. reported net income of $64.8 million in its second quarter and posted revenue of $584.3 million. The company saw a per-share profit of $1.17, with adjusted earnings coming to $1.50 per share. Kontoor projects full-year revenues between $2.66 billion and $2.71 billion.

Gov. Lee pardoned Kennda Watkins, a Nashville man convicted in 2010, who was exonerated after years of fighting. The pardon and exoneration mark a resolution to his legal case.

South Korea's retail traders, known for risk-taking, are shaken by July's sharp decline in the Kospi, revealing their limited tolerance for volatility. Angry traders are criticizing Lee and threatening to avoid purchases.

Darrell Hines, a Tennessee death row inmate sentenced for a 1985 murder, is petitioning for clemency ahead of his August 13 execution. His request cites Tennessee Department of Correction's failed May execution attempt and his deteriorating health due to strokes.

Bridgetown Natural Foods is expanding its Wilson County, Tennessee facility, creating 237 new jobs and investing $24.1 million in a new food production line. The company, which first established operations in Tennessee in 2024, will have over 450 employees in the state after the expansion.

Samsung semiconductor workers are leaving for rival SK Hynix due to significantly higher bonuses, with SK Hynix offering $476,000 per employee compared to Samsung’s $135,000 in its foundry division. The exodus reflects a talent war fueled by SK Hynix’s record profits from high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI accelerators, while Samsung ties bonuses to divisional performance, demoralizing employees.

A lawsuit alleges that CMPD officers used excessive force during a 2023 arrest based on false suspicion of marijuana use. The plaintiffs claim they were smoking legally purchased hemp cigarettes at the time.

South Korea's president referenced Japan's real estate market collapse to emphasize risks of excessive domestic real estate investment. The president compared Japan's housing market to a 'balloon' that 'burst', warning against similar vulnerabilities.

A Tennessee Department of Transportation worker was killed when a CSX train collided with her commercial vehicle at a Stanton railroad crossing, causing it to catch fire. Governor Lee ordered the Capitol flags to be lowered in response.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin accused the Department of Education (DOE) of delaying the release of 579 school contracts tied to mandated services and no-bid procurement. Menin demanded a production schedule by July 16, citing the Council's oversight role and the DOE's $12.9 billion annual spending on outside contracts. The DOE provided 60 Requests for Authorization instead of full contracts, prompting criticism of its 'opacity, slow-walking, and delay.'

A company vice president reported a hacker named 'General Failure' was accessing his files, but a sysadmin clarified the error message indicated a disk failure. The sysadmin, Lee, resolved the issue by diagnosing hardware problems instead of a security breach.

Senators Cotton and Lee are urging the Trump administration to restrict Chinese access to the National Laboratory complex, citing concerns that Beijing may be covertly gathering sensitive information. They warn of potential national security risks from Chinese involvement in the facility.

South Korean police are investigating Bithumb CEO Lee for potential bribery related to hiring lawmaker Kim's son. The probe also examines whether Kim used his position to target Upbit.

A summit between Lee and Takaichi demonstrated strengthened Japan-South Korea relations, with both leaders prioritizing energy and economic security cooperation. The meeting highlights geopolitical circumstances driving the two nations toward rapprochement despite historical tensions.

Japan and South Korea are planning their 3rd Lee-Takaichi Summit to strengthen security, energy, and strategic cooperation. The initiative comes in response to Trump's recent visit to Beijing, indicating regional concerns about geopolitical shifts.

South Korea's Lee secured a mandate for diplomatic continuity in local elections. The victory underscores support for maintaining existing diplomatic policies.