KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It was an eventful week in East Tennessee. Here's what you missed.
Story 1
"THCA in Tennessee: A 'legalized high' could soon end"
Guidelines proposed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, following a new state law, could change the way people buy and sell hemp in the state.
"Folks are just typically looking for relief," said Andy Chesney, owner of the Hemp House in West Knoxville. "We have heard just so many, so many things about the relief that cannabis brings to people and so it's just great."
Chesney sees around 100 customers a week. He sells hemp-derived products, which Chesney says, offer his customers relief. Ever since hemp was legalized, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, stores like Chesney's have popped up all around the region.
However, Tennessee legislators are trying to walk back a "loophole" from the Farm Bill, and store owners, like Chesney, are protesting.
Story 2
"TWRA: Angler reels in alligator at least 3 feet long from East Tennessee lake"
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said it received a call Monday afternoon about an angler who caught an alligator in Dotson Creek, on Norris Lake.
It said Rick Roberts, the Union County Wildlife Officer, responded and went to the scene. The TWRA said the angler had the alligator pinned to the ground when Roberts arrived, holding the alligator behind its head. The angler told Roberts that he caught it on swim bait while fishing on the lake.
"Officer Roberts thought he was joking. And the guy said, 'No, I'm serious,'" said Matthew Cameron, a spokesperson with the TWRA.
Roberts arrived at Datsun Creek on the lake, which is just above the Highway 33 bridge. The angler had the gator pinned to the ground, and at first, Roberts suspected it was a caiman.
"He did some research and the best of his knowledge, he says it was an alligator. We've had several other people look at it, and we believe it to be an actual alligator," Cameron said.
Story 3
"Metro Nashville: Body found in Cumberland River confirmed as missing Mizzou student Riley Strain"
The body of missing Missouri student Riley Strain has been found in the Cumberland River, the Metro Nashville Police Department reported.
According to police, his body was found in the river approximately eight miles from downtown Nashville near 61st Avenue. The Nashville Fire Department recovered the body, and investigators believe no foul play was involved in his death at this time.
An autopsy is pending.
According to MNPD, workers who were on the river discovered Strain's body. Police said he was wearing the same clothes he was last seen in.
The discovery came two weeks after Strain disappeared in downtown Nashville. He has been missing since March 8.
Story 4
"Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer"
Kate, the Princess of Wales, announced Friday that she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer found after her recent surgery.
The news comes months after Princess Kate underwent an undisclosed abdominal surgery, which at the time was described as noncancerous.
"I want to take this opportunity to say thank you personally for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I've been recovering from surgery," Princess Kate said in a video announcement. "It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family."
Story 5
"Officials: Body found floating down Cumberland River"
Nashville crews responded after a body was found floating down the Cumberland River Sunday afternoon, according to a report from WSMV.
The body was found at around 1 p.m. in the 100 block of Cleeces Ferry Road. The Nashville Fire Department said the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency reported the body near Martin Luther King Bridge.
Since the body was discovered, Metro Nashville said an autopsy was performed. It was determined that the person found was possibly a Hispanic, wearing black jeans, a maroon shirt, a Puma tennis shoe and a white watch. They also said the body had a tattoo on their right bicep that resembled a tiger/panther.