Thunderbolt Radio News

06/15/2026

An investigation into the misappropriation of funds at the Obion County Nursing and Rehab Center has been completed by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office.
A press conference in October of 2025 revealed a county audit uncovered at least $300,000 in missing funds at the facility.
Obion County Mayor Steve Carr informed County Commissioners of the status of the investigation during Monday's meeting. (AUDIO CLIP)

Obion County Mayor Steve Carr released information on Monday concerning an investigation at a county owned facility. During the monthly County Commission meeting, Mayor Carr informed board members of the latest information concerning the Obion County Nursing

06/15/2026

Union City Council members will meet to consider their budget and appropriations of hotel/motel taxes at Tuesday’s meeting.

The Council will first hold Public Hearings on the appropriation amounts from the hotel/motel tax receipts for the fiscal year of 2025-26.

The taxes will be dispersed to the Obion County Industrial Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce and Main Street-Union City, with a portion to the City of Union City for collection and auditing costs.

The Public Hearing will also include the consideration of an appropriations ordinance for 2026-27, along with setting the tax levy on all taxable property within the city limits of Union City for the new fiscal year.

The regular meeting will include the first reading of an ordinance to appropriate the hotel/motel taxes for the new fiscal year, along with an appropriations ordinance for the city and ordinance to set the taxable property tax levy.

Council members will also consider a resolution to establish a schedule of fees and charges for municipal services, and a resolution to approve a revised salary schedule and revised edition of the personnel merit system for the city.

The Council will meet at 5:30 Tuesday at the Municipal Building.

06/15/2026

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has announced a checkpoint for Obion County.

Troopers will conduct the Sobriety Roadside Safety Checkpoint on Friday on State Route 214.

Troopers will be evaluating drivers for signs of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and will also take corrective actions for other violations that are observed.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol says sobriety checkpoints are effective tools against driving impaired, which claims the lives of over 16,000 people every year.

06/15/2026

The only President and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation has announced her upcoming retirement.

After 23 year of leadership, Rebecca Graham Paul will step away from the position at the end of the year.

Ms. Paul is known for building the Tennessee Lottery from the ground up, with success seen year after year.

Will Carver, the Chairman of the Tennessee Lottery Board of Directors, said Ms. Paul has been an invaluable asset to the lottery industry with her professionalism, vision, expertise and leadership.

Governor Bill Lee said he and First Lady Maria were grateful for the years of dedicated service, which has expanded opportunities for students across the state.

Ms. Paul first began as CEO of the Illinois lottery, then went on to start the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee lottery programs.

06/15/2026

The Jackson Police Department continues to investigate a fatal shooting that occurred Saturday morning at a local apartment complex.

At approximately 11:20, officers responded to Parkwood Trace Apartments, where residents discovered the body of a woman in the apartment parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers located a 33-year-old female who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound.

Emergency medical personnel responded, and the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators confirmed the victim was a resident of the apartment complex.

Investigators are now urgently appealing to the community for any information regarding this incident.

06/14/2026

Information Released on Kenton Murders

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has released additional information concerning the death of two children in Kenton on Saturday.

Public Information Officer Kim Wheeler-Elder said Kenton officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of Jan Lynn Street, where one-year old Landri Harris and 11-year old McKenna Young were found deceased from gunshot wounds.

The mother was located with stab wounds and was taken to Regional One in Memphis in critical condition.

At the request of 27th Judicial District Attorney General Colin Johnson, TBI Agents are working alongside the Kenton Police Department and Obion County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the apparent double-homicide.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

06/14/2026

Gibson Electric reports …We now have 104 customers without power and 11 outage locations. There is a broken pole south of Rutherford, making repairs time-intensive for that location. Crews are continuing to work and will restore service to everyone as quickly as they safely can. We appreciate our customers' patience.

06/12/2026

One student from Union City, and three from Obion County, were part of a team that won the West Region 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest.

Union City School Communications Director Mike Hutchens said Stephen Linn Chen, along with Obion County students Amber Lawrence, Omar Harris and William Hale, represented Obion County in the statewide contest.

The wildlife judging contest drew 121 participants across all divisions.

Wildlife judging helps youth identify wildlife from pelts, skulls, photos, and calls, and helps them learn to manage a piece of property to attract wildlife.

The youth had been studying wildlife at after-school practices since March 31.

A long list of volunteers contributed to the team’s success, which included Tara Dowdy of the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Michael Hudson of Big Cypress Tree State Park, Cory Hussey of the Reelfoot Lake State Park, and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Polk, who hosted the group for a practice at their home.

Obion County Extension offers programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development.

(photo: Mike Hutchens - School Communications Director)

06/12/2026

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced its working relationship to repair Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis.

TDOT Commissioner Will Reid said they are increasing oversight and coordination with the City of Memphis to address the conditions of the high-profile state route.

Commissioner Reid said he had engaged directly with Memphis Mayor Paul Young for the need of an urgent, coordinated approach to improve roadway conditions.

Elvis Presley Boulevard, or State Route 3/U.S. 51, is a multi-year, multi-phase project with the northern segment from Wi******er Road to Brooks Road completed in 2021.

The second and current phase, from Craft Road to Wi******er Road, is currently under construction with an estimated completion date of Fall 2027.

The third and final phase, from Shelby Road to Craft Road, is programmed for funding in TDOT’s 10 Year Plan with a targeted construction award in 2031.

06/12/2026

Generated funds from tourism in Fulton County have been released for the year of 2025.

The newly released Economic Impact of Tourism in Kentucky showed Fulton County generated $9.6 million dollars for the local economy.

The report from the Kentucky Department of Tourism also stated tourism supported 80 jobs, produced $1.7 million dollars in labor income, while also generating approximately $730,000 in state and local tax revenue.

For the year, Kentucky reported the best year ever for the Tourism industry, with $14.6 billion dollars generated in economic impact and just under 97,000 jobs.

The state report also indicated 81.1 million visitors for the year, which was an increase of just over one million from the previous year.