SUMMARY: Tennessee’s congressional delegation is expressing concerns over the exclusion of the state from the list of new passport processing centers announced by the Biden Administration. A letter to the US Secretary of State highlights that Tennesseans will have to travel about four hours to nearby cities, like Atlanta or Cincinnati, for urgent passport services. The delegation is questioning the criteria used for selecting the new locations and whether travel distance was considered. The State Department stated that the chosen locations aim to provide improved service within a five-hour drive from significant population centers. Travelers can still apply at local acceptance facilities.

Nashville was not selected to have a passport processing center, and now Tennessee representatives want answers.

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SUMMARY: In an update from the Middle East, Israeli military reports that a top Hezbollah official, anticipated to be the next leader, was killed in southern Beirut amid ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon’s capital. These strikes followed Israel’s recent elimination of a key Hamas leader during a confrontation in Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting the region, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on his 11th trip since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. For continuous updates, visit wkrn.com.

A top Hezbollah official was killed in an airstrike in Beirut, officials said.

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SUMMARY: In Knox County, over 200 people have succumbed to overdoses this year, prompting a nonprofit to create a memorial walkway of bricks honoring those lost and supporting recovery. Reporter Maria Guzman highlights the story of Thoron Elmore, a father who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose after misusing ADHD medication and turning to heroin. The Metro Drug Coalition is dedicating 100 bricks for individuals impacted by addiction, emphasizing their stories and lives. The Gateway Community Center, which opened two years ago, has provided over 70,000 services, assisting around 140 people daily in their recovery journeys.

Outside The Gateway, bricks bearing people’s names can be seen. Each represents a person who lost their life to addiction or to a person seeking recovery.

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