Clint Cooper

Clint Cooper is the Free Press editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, representing the conservative side of the newspaper's opinion section. Previously he worked as the religion editor, assistant sports editor and Metro and Lifestyles staff writer for the newspaper. Clint has received numerous honors over the years for his writing and design including first place awards for Best Editorials and Best Single Editorial from the Tennessee Press Association. The Chattanooga native is a cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in mass communications and did postgraduate work there in secondary education. Clint and his wife, Donna, have one adult son, Patrick. Contact Clint at 423-757-6497 or ccooper@timesfreepress.com. You may friend him on Facebook.

Contact Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497.

Opinion: Weekend Dialogue — Erlanger Park and remembering a local evangelic leader

by Clint Cooper ·May 30, 2025

Thank you for your continuing comments on editorials, syndicated commentaries and other articles published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Contributed By Chattanooga Lookouts / A rendering shows Erlanger Park, the upcoming home of the Chattanooga Lookouts now under construction in the South Broad District and expected to be completed by the start of the 2026 season.

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Opinion: Dalton teen’s arrest underscores urgent need for immigration law reforms

by Clint Cooper ·May 29, 2025

If ever a situation cried out for reform in United States immigration laws, it is the one involving the recent arrest of a 19-year-old Dalton woman.

Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP / The family of Ximena Arias-Cristobal celebrates on May 22 after learning the 19-year-old will be leaving the Stewart Immigration Detention Center to return home after being granted bond on her immigration case.

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Opinion: Survey fleshes out culture importance of Moccasin Bend, but where to relocate hospital?

by Clint Cooper ·May 27, 2025

The reason to relocate the aging Moccasin Bend State Mental Health Institute only got stronger with full results of the 2024 state archaeological survey, but a relocation site for the complex still seems hazy at best.

Staff File Photo / A bench sits at the end of the Browns Ferry Federal Road Trail at the Tennessee River in the culture-rich Moccasin Bend National Archeological District.

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Opinion: City county must face an era of tighter government

by Clint Cooper ·May 24, 2025

Ah, the good ole days of 2021-2023, when so-called federal pandemic relief flowed into cities and counties and post-pandemic spending was strong.

Staff Photo By Robin Rudd / Lee Brouner, the county's chief financial officer, delivers his part of the budget presentation to the Hamilton County Commission at the county courthouse last week.

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Opinion: Weekend Dialogue — Erlanger Park, waterfront plans and remembering Kay Arthur

by Clint Cooper ·May 23, 2025

Keep sending your questions, comments and opinions on my editorials and the other commentaries on this page (ccooper@timesfreepress.com).

Staff Photo By Abby White / Invited guests view the architectural design of the newly named Erlanger Park on Thursday.

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Opinion: Lee’s previous work with prisoners may be behind his veto of expanded parole board powers

by Clint Cooper ·May 22, 2025

The issue of prison reform always has been personal for Gov. Bill Lee.

Staff File Photo By Robin Rudd / Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp says there may be a disconnect between Gov. Bill Lee's recent veto of a sentencing bill and the impact serious crimes have on our communities.

peaks April 4, 2025, at an event at the Hamilton County Justice Center to raise awareness of sexual assault. Hamilton County saw an increase in reported rapes in 2024, according to a county report.

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Opinion: Idea of immigrant reality show boggles mind

by Clint Cooper ·May 20, 2025

Well, it only makes sense, right?

Family with two children at the train station

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Opinion: Smith friendship with Casada paid benefits, but ultimately felled both

by Clint Cooper ·May 19, 2025

It's not surprising that former state Rep. Robin Smith wound up as part of the scheme to create a phony political vendor company with former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former aide Cade Cothren in 2019 because Smith and the former speaker had worked together closely since before the Hixson Republican was elected to the House in 2018.

Tennessee Lookout Photo/John Partipilo / Cynthia Sherwood, right, lead defense attorney for former Tennessee House staffer Cade Cothren, and Cothren talk on cellphones during his federal corruption case earlier this month.

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Opinion: Cold comfort for the families, but a mercy that Rose, Jackson removed from baseball’s ineligible list

by Clint Cooper ·May 17, 2025

We suspect it is cold comfort today for the families of Pete Rose and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson that the late players now can be considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

AP File Photo/Gene J. Puskar / Pete Rose sits in the Washington Wild Things dugout before a Frontier League baseball game against the Lake Erie Crushers in Washington, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 2015.

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Opinion: Weekend Dialogue — How ‘conservative’ must a conservative be to support Trump?

by Clint Cooper ·May 16, 2025

Keep your comments and questions coming. I'll just respond to one today. Send yours to ccooper@timesfreepress.com.