SUMMARY: Two months after filing for bankruptcy protection, Hooters has closed over two dozen locations across multiple states, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia. Initially stating it would keep restaurants open during bankruptcy, the company reversed course, citing a need to optimize its business and focus on a pure franchise model. Closures took effect June 4, 2025, impacting company-owned locations while promising support for affected employees. Founded in 1983, Hooters has faced financial struggles, including a $300 million bond sale in 2021 and prior closures last summer. It now operates slightly more than 200 restaurants in 34 states.

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SUMMARY: Richard Bean’s leadership of the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Service Center was marked by longstanding issues ignored by a board composed largely of his friends and political allies. Board members included lawyers and political figures closely tied to Bean, some unaware of their appointments. The detention center faced repeated allegations of poor conditions, abuse, and illegal punishment methods over decades. Staff whistleblower Stephani Clowers reported medical neglect and feared for detainees’ safety, yet the board failed to intervene. Following public outcry and Clowers’ firing, Bean resigned in 2025. County leaders now debate dismantling the board and transferring control to the sheriff, though concerns about accountability and juvenile justice remain.

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SUMMARY: The inaugural Opera in the Park at Lakeshore Park in Knoxville honored the late Kylie Roberto, who died a year ago in a crash caused by an alleged impaired driver. The free concert, organized by Marble City Opera and supported by the Kylie Roberto Foundation, celebrated Kylie’s passion for music and the arts in a park she loved. The event drew a large community turnout, allowing attendees to enjoy opera and musical theater while paying tribute to Kylie’s legacy. Organizers hope to continue offering free concerts to support local arts amid funding cuts.

A year after losing their daughter in a deadly crash, the Roberto family is honoring Kylie with her passion for the arts in a park she used to love to come to.

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