Call Center Company in Knoxville, TN

"Southeast Parking" offers a number of parking lots just minutes from Covenant Health Park and the Old City. Hourly rates are usually between $2 and $3.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A junior finance student at the University of Tennessee hopes to alleviate some of downtown Knoxville's parking challenges with a new business. Tim Zitzman created "Southeast Parking" in 2024.

What started with one parking lot has now turned into about 20 lots, which the college student manages.

“Part of making it easy for people to go to the stadium, easy for people to go to the Old City, is to have safe, good options for parking," Zitzman said.

For many of his lots, he partners with local business owners — renting and cleaning up their parking lots, adding signage and splitting the profit.

“We have really, really competitive splits," he said. "We can operate as cheaply as everyone else and we do more. And part of that is we’re not shipping money off to a CEO in the middle of nowhere. Our money stays here. I spend my money on my lots. I make them look nice, I care about them looking nice. It’s something that’s important to me because I’m a part of this."

The Knoxville native said working with those business owners is one of his favorite parts of the job, and that his business model benefits the business, himself and customers.

“A couple hundred dollars a night for baseball parking, [business owners] are excited about it," he said. "They’re your everyday person. They have a business that they’ve worked hard to build. And a little bit of money goes a long way for them."

Zitzman wanted to make the payment process as easy as possible. No app is required, and people who need to park can use Apple Pay for a spot. They just need to scan a QR code on the parking sign and pay.

The rates for his various lots vary. Game night parking ranges between $10 and $20. Hourly parking rates range between $2 and $3.

Credit: Southeast Parking

Local hemp business owners have said banning the sale of THCA will deeply impact, if not close, their businesses.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Legislation that bans the sale of THCA in Tennessee is heading to Gov. Bill Lee's desk after passing in both the House and Senate.

SB 1413, sponsored by Sen. Richard Briggs (R - Knoxville), passed with 23 "ayes" and 9 "nays" on Thursday. It's the companion bill to HB 1376, passed on first consideration on April 14.

The day before it was voted on in the House, an amendment was added to HB 1376 that prevents the sale of hemp that contains a total THC content, or a total theoretical THC content, of more than 0.3% when measured by weight. This would include most THCA products because it's a precursor of THC.

RELATED: What is THCA?

The legislation also transfers regulatory authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Hemp advocates, like the political action committee Tennessee Growers Coalition, protested the legislation at the state capitol on Thursday. The committee said the amendment "significantly undermines the months of hard work and collaboration the industry has committed to."

"The TGC has been actively working with lawmakers throughout this process to voice the industry’s concerns and find a workable solution—this amendment disregards that effort entirely," the PAC said after the legislation passed the House.

BLOM Shop owner Travis McKinney said the bill could put his store out of business, which sees up to 80% of its sales from THC-A products. Popular products that could be pulled include vapes, smokable flower and pre-rolled joints.

"Not only small businesses, but hundreds of farmers are gonna go out of business that rely on hemp," McKinney said. "When it became legal, I saw how many people it's helped, whether it's people that are close to you or just a stranger."

There's less than a month left before the REAL ID deadline.

Starting on May 7, everyone will need to have a REAL ID or another approved federally issued ID to board commercial flights or to enter certain federal buildings, military bases or nuclear power plants in the United States.

This impending REAL ID deadline has long been delayed. The requirement was introduced 20 years ago with the REAL ID Act of 2005. Since then, the enforcement deadline for REAL IDs has been kicked down the road for decades, leading us to the May 2025 date when REAL ID requirements will go into effect.

So, double check that your ID has a star in the upper right-hand corner. If it doesn't, here's how to get your REAL ID in Tennessee this month.

What is a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is a driver's license or state-issued identification card denoted by a small star in the top right-hand corner. These cards have enhanced security standards, including anti-counterfeiting technology, to prevent insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

REAL IDs are issued in Tennessee and all other U.S. states, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Are Tennesseans required to get a REAL ID?

No, REAL IDs are not mandatory unless you plan to take a domestic flight or enter specific federal facilities, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Tennessee drivers still can opt to get a traditional driver's license or ID with fewer required documents. The REAL ID and normal driver's license cost exactly the same.

At what age will you need a REAL ID to fly?

Anyone age 18 or older will need a REAL ID to get on a commercial flight starting in May.

Can I still travel in the U.S. without a REAL ID?

You'll need a REAL ID to board any commercial flight, including a domestic one, but there are alternatives, including a passport.

What happens if you don't get your REAL ID by the deadline?

If you aren't planning on boarding a plane or visiting a nuclear power plant anytime soon, there is no worry about missing the REAL ID deadline. Regular IDs will still be valid, except in the cases listed above.

What do you need to get a REAL ID in Tennessee?

In order to get your REAL ID in Tennessee, you'll need to present proof of citizenship or legal presence, proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Tennessee residency.

Anyone who has changed their name must provide certified legal documents supporting the name change.

There are many different documents that could fulfill the requirements of proof of U.S. citizenship and/or Tennessee residency. A full list of acceptable documents to bring is available at tn.gov.

Where can I get a REAL ID in Knox County?

Find more locations and information at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website.

How much does a REAL ID cost in Tennessee?

Getting a REAL ID costs around $28, the same rate as that of a standard Tennessee driver's license or photo ID.

Are you required to have a REAL ID to vote in Tennessee?

No, A REAL ID will meet the identification requirement for voting, but voters also can use a standard state-issued driver's license or ID card to cast their ballots in Tennessee or any other state.

Similarly, the traditional, non-REAL-ID license or ID still will be accepted for purchasing alcohol or tobacco, applying for federal benefits or accessing hospitals, post offices, banks and federal courts, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Securitysaid in a news release.

Their suit is based on a property rights law dating back to the 19th century.

00:0002:49

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A group of South Knoxville homeowners is suing the federal government over a "Rails to Trails" project that will stretch 3.8 miles from Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center. The project is a federal program that converts abandoned railways to recreational trails.

Legacy Parks and the city of Knoxville are collaborating on the South Knoxville trail.

The attorney for a group of more than 20 plaintiffs, Michael Smith, said a centuries-old property rights law allows landowners adjacent to railways to reclaim the land if it's been abandoned by a railroad company. The homeowners are also entitled to compensation, he said.

In the late 1800s, when the rail line was being built, railroad companies could either take the land for a track through imminent domain, buy it outright or get access through an easement, according to Smith.

“In the case of these easements that were purchased in the late 19th century, the easement was solely limited to railroad purposes, to construct and operate a railroad line," Smith said.

An easement is a legal right of access to someone's land for a specific purpose.

According to Smith, hundreds of years ago, if the property owner noticed the railroad company was using their land for something other than the rail line, they could get their property back.

“That landowner could have ejected a railroad," he said. "And that, upon ejection, that landowner could claim the land. The easement would no longer burden his land. And that same property right carries on automatically as a matter of course to all of his successive land owners.”

The same law applies currently. Because the railroad company has applied to abandon the South Knoxville rail line and change its use, owners therefore have a right to their land, or be compensated for it, Smith explained.

WBIR reached out to Legacy Parks for comment and hasn't heard back.

The pending litigation will not affect the construction of the project or the city in any way, Smith said. Their suit is against the federal government because Rails to Trails is a federal program. It was created so that the government could retain control over railway systems, should they ever need them again.

“The government said, 'We don’t want to lose this infrastructure. What if railroad right of ways become important again,'” Smith said.

Railroads are expensive to maintain, and as the United States switched from railways to trucking, rail companies lost money. Smith said instead of railways continuing to take care of rail lines that weren't being used, they negotiate the sale of the right of way to a nature group.

"That not only gives the community the benefit of the trail, but also prolongs the existence of the railroad right of way itself," he said.

According to Smith, if the rail companies were to just abandon the railways and leave it at that, the land could be reclaimed by the adjacent landowners. This would create a major and expensive problem for the federal government should rail lines ever become popular again. Smith said creating a new modern rail line in a densely populated area would be wildly expensive.

The proposed rail-to-trail conversion would create a path from Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center and feature a 1.5-mile "Art Walk" developed by the Legacy Parks Foundation.

Gulf and Ohio Railways Chairman Pete Claussen said the company is contributing the property to help Knoxville "continue to be one of the best places to live in America."

The trail will pass through urban and natural settings and include a tunnel, canyon and two elevated bridges. It will also border restaurants and breweries along Sevier Avenue.

Legacy Parks Foundation has worked with Gulf and Ohio Railways for nine years on a trail parallel to the tracks. The foundation recently received a $1 million gift from the Lawson Family Foundation for the "Art Walk" portion of the trail.

The project is still in the concept design phase and construction will not begin until it is fully funded. The Surface Transportation Board allows one year for the development of a rail-to-trail plan following abandonment approval.

Stewart, Wald and Smith said they believe there are over 100 potential claimants who are not yet represented in the case. They will be holding informational meetings for interested landowners on Wednesday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 16 at 9 a.m. in the Rocky Top Boardroom at the Hampton Inn and Suites, located at 618 W Main St.

Ten years. That is how long Jackie Griffin has been feeding Knoxville with some of the best soul food in the South. For years, people have traveled from across the county and other cities to dine at her tables. Soon, they will travel downtown. From the small kitchen in her first restaurant on the east side of town to her current location at 1008 East Woodland, soon, Jackie’s Dream will open in the new Smokey’s Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. As successful as she is, Jackie Griffin will tell you it has not been easy being an African American businesswoman.

Griffin sat down between lunch and dinner rush to share some of her magnificent story and the goals and dreams she has for the restaurant location, with the ribbon cutting set to open in July. She spoke of the dream to start her own restaurant after spending many years as a chef in other spaces. The path was easy. As she worked to build her business, she often felt undervalued and unappreciated, some did not take her seriously due to her gender, yet here she sits in her own space feeding hundreds every day from all social classes. Saying, “You have to go through to get to the sunshine.” Everyone eats at Jackie’s—church leaders, city and county government, the rich and the poor—she feeds them all. The phone rings consistently throughout the day as call-in orders come in and drivers keep a revolving door of pickups for delivery. The menu is full of choices with a daily special: plates loaded with succulent collard greens, hot chicken, macaroni and cheese; fried okra are placed before hungry patrons that Jackie calls family.

It is in the spirit of family that Jackie plans a few soft openings before the big ribbon cutting. Griffin plans to hold a night for her regulars who have been faithfully coming for ten years, even through the pandemic. She has a customer who brings his elderly father in every Sunday to dine with him in her space. There is the gentleman who eats his lunch there every day except Monday and Tuesday, because she is closed on those days. The tables are full as the server smiles and greets you when you come in and tells you to sit where you please. No reservations needed at Jackie’s. A humble woman who likes to give hugs to her customers, she says she has been working hard, blinders on, staying focused, but now she is starting to feel excited. Jackie has a message she wants to share: “I want everyone to come to the new space. I want you all to feel welcome. In here like always, you will be treated like family.”

The Smokey’s Stadium is being built in East Knoxville near the Old City. It will open in April of this year. The stadium will hold seven thousand people for baseball and soccer games and will have the capacity to hold 15,000 for concerts. Surrounding the stadium will be luxury condominiums and new apartment housing of over four hundred units, all within walking distance of Jackie’s Dream restaurant.

Ten years. That is how long Jackie Griffin has been feeding Knoxville with some of the best soul food in the South. For years, people have traveled from across the county and other cities to dine at her tables. Soon, they will travel downtown. From the small kitchen in her first restaurant on the east side of town to her current location at 1008 East Woodland, soon, Jackie’s Dream will open in the new Smokey’s Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. As successful as she is, Jackie Griffin will tell you it has not been easy being an African American businesswoman.

Griffin sat down between lunch and dinner rush to share some of her magnificent story and the goals and dreams she has for the restaurant location, with the ribbon cutting set to open in July. She spoke of the dream to start her own restaurant after spending many years as a chef in other spaces. The path was easy. As she worked to build her business, she often felt undervalued and unappreciated, some did not take her seriously due to her gender, yet here she sits in her own space feeding hundreds every day from all social classes. Saying, “You have to go through to get to the sunshine.” Everyone eats at Jackie’s—church leaders, city and county government, the rich and the poor—she feeds them all. The phone rings consistently throughout the day as call-in orders come in and drivers keep a revolving door of pickups for delivery. The menu is full of choices with a daily special: plates loaded with succulent collard greens, hot chicken, macaroni and cheese; fried okra are placed before hungry patrons that Jackie calls family.

It is in the spirit of family that Jackie plans a few soft openings before the big ribbon cutting. Griffin plans to hold a night for her regulars who have been faithfully coming for ten years, even through the pandemic. She has a customer who brings his elderly father in every Sunday to dine with him in her space. There is the gentleman who eats his lunch there every day except Monday and Tuesday, because she is closed on those days. The tables are full as the server smiles and greets you when you come in and tells you to sit where you please. No reservations needed at Jackie’s. A humble woman who likes to give hugs to her customers, she says she has been working hard, blinders on, staying focused, but now she is starting to feel excited. Jackie has a message she wants to share: “I want everyone to come to the new space. I want you all to feel welcome. In here like always, you will be treated like family.”

The Smokey’s Stadium is being built in East Knoxville near the Old City. It will open in April of this year. The stadium will hold seven thousand people for baseball and soccer games and will have the capacity to hold 15,000 for concerts. Surrounding the stadium will be luxury condominiums and new apartment housing of over four hundred units, all within walking distance of Jackie’s Dream restaurant.