You can get your news in plenty of places. Some will tell you what’s happening in Washington. Others will tell you what a celebrity wore to the grocery store.
At KnoxTNToday, we’d rather tell you what’s happening in your own backyard. And occasionally, what’s happening in somebody else’s backyard, especially if there’s a bear involved.
Here are 10 reasons to make KnoxTNToday part of your day.
1. We know where you live. Well, sort of.
Knoxville, Powell, Fountain City, Halls, Karns, Farragut, South Knoxville and beyond. We cover the communities where you work, worship, shop, volunteer and occasionally get stuck in traffic.
We also help readers stay connected to the people who have shaped those communities. Sandra Clark keeps our obituary coverage current, recognizing lives lived and helping families, friends and neighbors stay informed.
The stories may not make national headlines, but they matter to the people who call East Tennessee home.
2. Our writers have stories. Lots of stories.
We’ve got experienced journalists, educators, storytellers, sports enthusiasts, community observers and people who have forgotten more about Knoxville than most of us will ever know.
Tom King can introduce you to someone you should have known years ago. Beth Kinnane can uncover a piece of history hiding in plain sight. Jan Dickens can bring you a story that makes you think, laugh or remember.
And that’s just the beginning.
Our writers don’t simply report. They connect the dots between yesterday, today and the people who make both worth remembering.
3. We love the Vols. Even when they test our blood pressure.
Football, basketball, baseball, softball and everything orange.
Marvin West brings decades of Tennessee sports history, while Maria Cornelius keeps readers connected to the Lady Vols, their players and the latest happenings in women’s athletics.
We celebrate the victories, analyze the losses and understand that in East Tennessee, “How ’bout them Vols?” is both a greeting and a complete conversation.
We also follow high school sports, where tomorrow’s stars are playing today and the grandparents in the stands may be louder than the student section.
4. We believe ordinary people are extraordinary.
The neighbor who quietly helps others. The volunteer who never seeks recognition. The teacher who changes lives. The business employee who remembers your name.
These are our kind of celebrities.
You won’t need a red carpet to find them. A church fellowship hall, grocery store aisle or community fundraiser will usually do.
5. We can make you smarter before your second cup of coffee.
Local history? Check.
Helpful insurance advice? Check.
Books worth reading? Check.
Health information, community resources, business news and a little wisdom about everyday life? Absolutely.
From DocTalk to the Book Whisperer, there’s always something new to learn.
We can’t promise you’ll win at trivia night, but we can improve your odds.
6. We take our food seriously. Very seriously.
Our Dishing It Out and Dining Duo features remind us that food is about more than what’s on the plate. It’s about the people who prepare it, the places that serve it and the memories made around the table.
Besides, somebody has to do the hard work of figuring out where to eat. We consider it a public service. And if a recipe happens to involve chocolate, we’re willing to investigate further.
7. We go outdoors so you can decide whether you want to.
Hiking trails, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and adventures across East Tennessee. Our outdoor writers explore places that remind us why we love living here.
From Hiking with Harrington to the latest happenings at Zoo Knoxville, there’s always something worth discovering. You can lace up your hiking boots and follow along, or enjoy the scenery from your recliner with a cup of coffee.
We support both approaches.
8. We have puzzles. Because your brain deserves a workout, too.
Word searches, Sudoku and mini crosswords give you a reason to linger a little longer.
No gym membership required. No special equipment. No sweating. And unlike your fitness tracker, we won’t judge you if you skip a day.
Although we can’t guarantee you won’t spend 20 minutes arguing with a four-letter word.
9. We believe good news is still news.
Yes, the world has problems. We know. But it also has generous neighbors, remarkable students, creative artists, dedicated nonprofits, hardworking businesses and people who show up when someone needs help.
From Mission Monday to Youth Scoop and our community features, we believe those stories deserve attention, too. Sometimes the most important news isn’t about what went wrong. It’s about someone who made something right.
10. We’re free. Really free.
No subscription fee. No paywall. No need to remember another password just to finish reading a story.
Visit KnoxTNToday.com, enjoy the articles, share a favorite with a friend and come back tomorrow.
We make it easy to stay connected to your community without reaching for your wallet.
And if you subscribe to our free newsletter, we’ll even bring the stories to your inbox.
And the one reason you might regret reading KnoxTNToday?
You may discover that the quick five-minute visit you planned has turned into 30 minutes.
You started with the Vols, found a fascinating neighbor, learned something about Knoxville history, checked out a restaurant and got stubborn about finishing a crossword.
Now your coffee is cold.
Sorry about that.
Actually, we’re not sorry at all.
KnoxTNToday is about the people, places and stories that make East Tennessee home. We’re proud to tell those stories, and even prouder when you share them.
After all, it’s not just our town. It’s yours.
OUR TOWN. YOUR NEWS. KNOXTNTODAY.
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