Free Republic

Crowds of shoppers camped out overnight for the public opening of the world's largest convenience store - a Buc-ee's travel center in Tennessee. The store, located in Sevierville, is the first business to open at Exit 407: Gateway to Adventure - a 200-acre development owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The new site spans 74,000 square feet, boasts 120 gas pumps, a 250-foot car wash and has 400 full-time employees. Fans reportedly began lining the streets on Sunday evening ahead of the opening at 6AM on Monday morning. Local traffic officials previously warned that any new...

On June 26th, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will headline an "America's Last Stand" Tea Party rally in Eastern Tennessee at the Sevierville Convention Center. The rally was scheduled to be held at Smokies Stadium, but was moved indoors due to weather concerns. The Sevier County Tea Party in association and JL Production will organize the event, and Palin will appear with with Judge Jeanine Pirro, Senator Rick Santorum, and Col. Allen West. Singers Jon Secada and John Michael Montgomery will provide the entertainment. There are only 7,500 seats available for the event. In 2010, Palin keynoted the National Tea...

Final unofficial returns from the state Division of Elections this morning indicate that seven incumbent Republicans and five incumbent Democrats lost bids for re-election in Thursday's primaries. Latest additions to the incumbent loser list are Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, defeated by insurance agent Ron Travis 4.357 votes to 4,252 , according to the final unofficial returns; and Rep. Mary Pruitt, D-Nashville, defeated by Harold Love Jr. by about 40 votes. Other defeated incumbent Republican legislators were House Republican Caucus Chairman Debra Maggart of Hendersonville, House Education Committee Chairman Richard Montgomery of Sevierville; and Reps. Dale Ford of Jonesborough, Julia...

It was an impromptu congregation that joined hands Monday evening, encircling the entire courthouse square in a ring of prayer that broke out in revival as the evening drew on. The gathering, which organizers estimated numbered more than 1,000, was intent not just on showing support for the continued practice of saying the Lord’s Prayer at County Commission meetings, but also on asking for divine guidance and strength for local officials. “We’re not trying to shove religion down anyone’s throat. We’re not trying to impose on anyone. We’re not trying to pass a law. We’re just here to pray,” organizer...