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In this Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, file photo, shoppers shop in a Toys R Us store on Black Friday in Miami. Toys R Us, the pioneering big box toy retailer, announced late Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while continuing with normal business operations.
AssociatedPress
Toys 'R' Us

Toys 'R' Us files for bankruptcy, but keeps stores open

NEW YORK — Toys ‘R’ Us, the toy retailer struggling with $5 billion in debt and intense online competition, has filed for bankruptcy protection ahead of the key holiday shopping season — and says its stores will remain open for business as usual.

Updated Today at 11:32 AM
In this July 13, 2017, file photo, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., left, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., right, talk while walking to a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Senate Republicans are planning a final, uphill push to erase President Barack Obama's health care law. But Democrats and their allies are going all-out to stop the drive. The initial Republican effort crashed in July in the GOP-run Senate. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after that defeat that he'd not revisit the issue without the votes to succeed. Graham and Cassidy are leading the new GOP charge and they'd transform much of Obama's law into block grants and let states decide how to spend the money.
AssociatedPress
health care

GOP expresses hope for Obamacare repeal bill, hurdles remain

WASHINGTON — Top Senate Republicans say their last-ditch push to uproot former President Barack Obama’s health care law is gaining momentum. But they have less than two weeks to succeed and face a tough fight to win enough GOP support to reverse the summer’s self-inflicted defeat on the party’s high-priority issue.

Today at 10:15 AM
This Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, GOES East satellite image provided by NASA taken at 20:30 UTC, shows the eye of Hurricane Maria as it nears Dominica. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday evening that Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter planes found that Maria had strengthened into a storm with 160 mph (260 kph) winds. (NASA via AP)
AssociatedPress
Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria smashes Dominica, now menaces other islands

The storm was on a track to wallop Puerto Rico on Wednesday “with a force and violence that we haven’t seen for several generations,” the territory’s governor said.

Updated Today at 8:53 AM
On Monday, dozens of students and community activists gathered at East Tennessee State University to call on Congress to oppose the end of the DACA program.
bpaykamian
Immigration

'Like a punch to the gut:' ETSU Dreamers reveal deportation fears at solidarity rally

On Monday, dozens of students and community activists gathered at East Tennessee State University to call on congress to act and oppose the directive issued by Jeff Sessions following Trump’s announcement, which stated that no new DACA applications will be accepted.

Updated Today at 9:24 AM
Carter County Commissioner Robert Acuff waselected chairman of the County Commission on Monday night, succeeding Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey as leader of the commission.
jthompson
Carter County Commission

Robert Acuff elected chairman of Carter County Commission

ELIZABETHTON — Robert Acuff was elected chairman of the Carter County Commission on Monday night.

Yesterday at 11:00 PM
A firetruck sits outside the current site of Hands On! Regional Museum in downtown Johnson City
zvance
Johnson City Commission

City Commission to vote on purchasing Hands On! Museum building

The lease agreement between the city and Hands On! would effectively transfer the property to the city, but would allow Hands On! to stay in downtown until it completes its move to the Fossil Site, which is expected sometime in the spring.

Yesterday at 11:00 PM
The Unicoi Board of Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Monday to allocate $75,000 for the purchase of what will be the town’s third tract of land in Unicoi Village Place at Exit 32.
slegg
Unicoi

Board votes to buy land in Unicoi Village

Unicoi Board of Mayor and Alderman moves ahead with long range plan for land purchase

Yesterday at 11:00 PM
The leadership team for Overmountain Recovery, ETSU and Mountain States' joint venture to open a comprehensive addiction treatment facility in Gray, stands outside the clinic on Aug. 2, 2017, weeks before the clinic is scheduled to open. (From left to right) Dr. Robert Pack, Dr. Timothy Smyth, Lindy White, Laurie Street and Dr. Randy Jessee.
zvance
Overmountain Recovery

Region's first-ever, methadone-dispensing clinic quietly open doors in Gray

The region’s first-ever, methadone-dispensing opioid addiction clinic quietly opened its doors Monday without any drama or protests, despite concerns expressed by local citizens during the clinic’s approval process.

Updated Yesterday at 7:00 PM
Ray Edward Johnson
no avatar
crime

Rogersville man traded Mercedes without disclosing title loans, Johnson City police say

He used Facebook to set up the trade.

Updated Yesterday at 7:00 PM
Students and parents packed outside of Governors Hall at ETSU Thursday as new students moved into the residential halls for the first time. Student organizations volunteered to assist many of the new students as they moved into their dorms and got familiar with the facility.
JCP
East Tennessee State University

ETSU enrollment up by more than 300 students

East Tennessee State University’s enrollment peaked in the fall of 2012 at 15,404 students and declined steadily over the next four years, but the school realized a headcount boost this year thanks a large freshman class and an increase in graduate enrollment.

Updated Yesterday at 5:50 PM
Austin Malone
JCP
crime

Johnson City police: Man nearly struck child with vehicle in N. Roan parking lot

Police charged a Hamilton Street man with reckless endangerment Saturday after he nearly struck a child with a vehicle in a North Roan Street parking lot, according to a news release.

Updated Yesterday at 4:58 PM
Surveillance video showed two people in dark hooded jakets, masks and gloves enter Ridgewood Barbecue in Bluff City and head straight for the cash register.
JCP
Ridgewood Barbecue

VIDEO: Deputies seek help identifying Ridgewood Barbecue burglars

Two people who broke into Ridgewood BBQ last week weren’t looking for the secret recipe, but instead headed straight for the cash register.

Updated Yesterday at 4:57 PM
President Donald Trump participates in a photo before the beginning of the "Reforming the United Nations: Management, Security, and Development" meeting during the United Nations General Assembly, Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, at U.N. headquarters.
AssociatedPress
Donald Trump

Trump calls on United Nations to reform

UNITED NATIONS — President Donald Trump made his debut at the United Nations on Monday, using his first appearance to urge the 193-nation organization to reduce bureaucracy and costs while more clearly defining its mission around the world.

Updated Yesterday at 2:59 PM
AssociatedPress
Tennessee

Food stamp work requirement to return for most of Tennessee

NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Haslam is reinstating food stamp work requirements for most Tennessee counties starting Feb. 1.

Updated Yesterday at 2:44 PM
Herron Drive meets Tenn. Highway 75 southwest of Tri-Cities Airport.
not logged in
fatal crash

Kingsport man killed in motorcycle crash near Tri-Cities Airport

A 33-year-old Kingsport resident has died after his motorcycle flipped over a guardrail on Highway 75, throwing him into a fence early, Monday morning.

Yesterday at 1:30 PM