Roy Exum: If We'd Only Known Monday, July 19, 2021 - by Roy Exum Roy Exum Sam Venable is a longtime pal of mine, ever since we worked together at the old News-Free Press many years ago. He left us to become an award-winning columnist in his hometown at the Knoxville News-Sentinel. He’s always had a good “nose for news” and with his incredible ability as a storyteller, the cold case the Hamilton County District attorney solved and brought to light last month was of special delight for Sam. If memory serves right, Sam covered the sensational downfall of Gov. Ray Blanton.