Ellen Gerst

Ellen Gerst is the breaking news editor at the Times Free Press. She has served as the paper's public editor, overseeing the opinion section, and covered crime, local news, growth and development since joining the paper in 2022. She previously reported on criminal justice and local government for the Casper Star-Tribune in Wyoming.

Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6319.

Tennessee groups sue attempting to stop hemp rules limiting THCa products

by Ellen Gerst ·December 6, 2024

Two groups are suing in an attempt to stop new rules restricting legal hemp products in Tennessee from going into effect as planned later this month.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Attorney Alex Little, representing the Tennessee Growers Coalition in a complaint against state regulators, talks about new regulations at a Chattanooga presentation on Jan. 31, 2024.

Hamilton County deputy arrested on child porn charges

by Ellen Gerst ·December 5, 2024

Sheriff places Johnathan Allen on leave

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office / Johnathan Allen

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New Chattanooga housing fund aims to spur affordable rental development

by Ellen Gerst ·December 4, 2024

A new housing fund in Chattanooga hopes to add affordable and mixed-income housing to the city by providing loans to help projects through the construction phase.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Construction continues on an apartment complex at the intersection of Main Street and Central Ave. on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Hamilton County attorney, representing former police chief, indicted on forgery charge

by Ellen Gerst ·December 4, 2024

A Hamilton County attorney was charged with forgery after an investigation found he allegedly forged a judge's signature on court documents, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Rhea County Sheriff's Office / Alan Christopher Norton

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Survey: More than half of Hamilton County voters support marijuana legalization

by Ellen Gerst ·December 3, 2024

More than half of Hamilton County voters support legalizing marijuana in Tennessee, according to a survey of nearly 500 voters conducted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / CBD flower is displayed at Grass Roots on April 29, 2022.

Man sentenced to 30 years for 2019 murder in Hixson

by Ellen Gerst ·December 2, 2024

A Chattanooga man pleaded guilty Monday for his role in the 2019 murder of a 17-year-old during a planned robbery.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office / Jermaine Grant

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Chattanooga mom searching for answers in fraud that followed son’s overdose

by Ellen Gerst ·November 30, 2024

Sean Gough came home from a Motel 6 muddy, without his phone and wallet.

Contributed photo / Sean Gough is pictured with his roommate's dog, Munson.

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‘Chattanooga’s economist’ talks job growth, pandemic impacts and 2025 forecast

by Ellen Gerst ·November 29, 2024

In an office at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's business school, there sits a man who's taken on the title of "Chattanooga's economist."

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Howard Wall talks April 22, 2024, during an interview at Fletcher Hall at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Wall, who dubs himself "Chattanooga's economist," offered his thoughts on how job growth and the pandemic are shaping the city's economy.

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Chattanooga home prices rising again after stabilizing from pandemic spike

by Ellen Gerst ·November 29, 2024

After housing prices in the Chattanooga area stabilized slightly this fall, they're back on the rise, data shows.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / The Heritage Walk neighborhood in East Brainerd is set for further development by Greentech Homes. An increase in housing stock caused a temporary slowdown in housing prices in the Chattanooga area this fall, experts said.

CARTA parking garages free Sunday, first hour free starting Monday

by Ellen Gerst ·November 29, 2024

Parking will be free Sunday at two downtown Chattanooga garages, as the city launches free first-hour parking for the garages starting next week.