Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How ETSU students took Johnson City science all the way to Paris

Happening soon: Midnight at The Big Top on the Johnson City Patch calendar

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What's up Johnson City! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How ETSU students took Johnson City science all the way to Paris
  • How is a Johnson City teen linked to a disturbing online network?
  • Could Tennessee teens soon need only one year of foreign language?

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Johnson Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy, mist; warm, with a high of 65 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Friday: Mist; breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 65, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 67 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ETSU iGEM research team shines in Paris (timesnews.net) — Johnson City’s own ETSU is gaining international attention after its first iGEM team presented award-winning synthetic biology research in Paris, proudly putting the university’s hometown on the map. Students detailed work on combating “hidden hunger” by boosting vitamin A in soybeans, while faculty and local support helped fund and guide the effort, laying groundwork for future global competition trips.
   

Find out what's happening in Johnson Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Justice Department Raises Alarm Over ‘764' Network Accused of Coercing Teens Into Self-Harm and Violence – [your]NEWS (yournews.com) — A Johnson City resident is among dozens nationwide facing federal charges tied to an alleged online extremist network accused of coercing teens into self-harm and abuse. Justice Department officials say the so-called “764” group targets vulnerable minors through social media, prompting hundreds of investigations and calls for stronger laws to tackle cross-state online exploitation.
   

3. Local educators react to proposed HS world language requirement cuts (wjhl.com) — State education leaders meeting in Johnson City are weighing a proposal to cut Tennessee’s high school world language requirement from two credits to one. Local school officials and an ETSU Spanish professor offer sharply different views, debating student choice, teacher shortages, and how the change could reshape language education options across the state.
   

4. Jones chosen as Elite 11 Player of the Year; Wilson, Collier earn superlatives (johnsoncitypress.com) — Unicoi County quarterback Kolby Jones has been named the 2025 Johnson City Press/Kingsport Times News Elite 11 Player of the Year after a record-setting senior season. Several other Northeast Tennessee standouts, including Science Hill’s Branson Newberry, also earned Elite 11 recognition and superlatives for their play on offense, defense, and special teams.
   

📸 Around Johnson City

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Health Wagon Receives Award from Virginia Israel Advisory Board —Mary Ellen Miller Read on Patch
  • Merry Christmas to everyone on here from my house to yours.
    We wish you a Merry Christmas. Just a thought but all those gifts that we will never use. Body wash we don't care for. Hair products we will never… (Nextdoor Pine Ridge)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Bear, a dog who went missing in Johnson City, TN, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 24 minutes. Message from Owner: "Bear… (Nextdoor Cherokee)
  • Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate in Johnson City. Apply here.
  • Staffmark posted a job opening for Assembler in Johnson City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnson City here.

Ok Johnson City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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