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Jury fines BlueCross for firing worker over COVID-19 vaccine mandate

A Tennessee jury has awarded a former research scientist at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee $687,000 in back pay and damages after she was fired in 2021 for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

By Dave Flessner July 1, 2024

Staff Photo by Matt Hamilton / BlueCross BlueShield's headquarters are seen in Chattanooga on Aug. 27, 2021. The building was largely vacant during the pandemic with most employees working at home, but as a federal contractor, BlueCross still required workers get the COVID-19 vaccine unless they had a religious objection or health concern. Last week, a federal jury ordered the insurer to pay one of its former employees $687,000 in back pay and damages for firing her in 2021 for not getting the vaccine.

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Cherokee tribes join in opposition to replacement hospital on Moccasin Bend

The three federally recognized tribes of the Cherokee have joined in a resolution opposed to any new building on Moccasin Bend and called for the preservation of land sacred to the tribe and its predecessors.

By Ben Benton June 30, 2024

148 Films / This aerial photograph of Moccasin Bend taken Feb. 6 shows the state mental hospital slated for replacement, foreground, along with the adjacent 13-acre Winston Building site, in the background, where a replacement hospital is proposed to be constructed. The three federally recognized tribes of the Cherokee passed a joint resolution June 20 in opposition to any new construction on Moccasin Bend and calling for the preservation of sacred tribal sites.

4 education topics on the minds of Hamilton County’s Democratic candidates

Democratic candidates for local and state elections talked Saturday about their key campaign priorities and encouraged their constituents to vote.

By Shannon Coan June 29, 2024

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / School board candidate Tammy Barnes, right, listens as fellow school board candidate Jill Black answers a question Saturday during a candidate forum hosted by the Hamilton County Democratic Party at the Chattanooga Public Library.

Hamilton County school board approves $663 million revised budget after county commission delayed budget vote

The Hamilton County school board approved a $663 million revised budget Thursday after the county commission delayed its budget vote by a week due to a disagreement about the amount of funding provided to the school district.

By Shannon Coan June 27, 2024

Staff photo by Shannon Coan / The Hamilton County school board, as seen on June 20, approved a $663 million revised budget on Thursday.

Former Chattanooga police chief indicted for forgery, perjury and more

Chattanooga's former police chief turned herself in at the Hamilton County Jail on Thursday to face criminal charges including perjury, official misconduct, illegal voter registration and falsely filling out official documents.

By Ellen Gerst June 27, 2024

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office / Celeste Murphy

Chattanooga police chief resigns while under state investigation

Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy resigned her post Wednesday, according to Mayor Tim Kelly.

By Ellen Gerst June 26, 2024

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy speaks at news conference on April 1.

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Signal Mountain youth finds, returns wallet containing $11,900, credit cards, checks

‘We’ve always been proud of him,’ father says

By Bob Gary June 25, 2024

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Food City employee Seth Ricker poses for a photo outside the store on Signal Mountain Road on Tuesday. Ricker found a wallet last week with almost $12,000 in it and helped get it back to its owner.

In one affluent Atlanta suburb, Biden and Trump work to win over wary Georgia voters

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will meet for their first general election debate Thursday in Georgia, the battleground that yielded the closest 2020 margin of any state and became the epicenter of Trump’s efforts to overturn Biden’s election.

By JEFF AMY and BILL BARROW / Associated Press June 24, 2024

Suzanne Brown waves flags for Donald Trump before a ceremony to open his first Georgia campaign office, Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ga. Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump are working to win over Georgia voters ahead of the pair's first 2024 debate scheduled for Thursday, June 27, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

Tennessee again opens grant to fund security personnel at houses of worship

Tennessee houses of worship can apply for state funding to hire security personnel but must do so on or before July 12, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced.

By Staff Report June 23, 2024

Staff photo / Participants in church security training at Thompson Station Church scan the halls in 2019 during an active shooter simulation. The state of Tennessee opened a new grant cycle Friday open to houses of worship seeking to fund security personnel.

Alton Park museum focuses on African American history, education

A new museum opened Saturday in Alton Park aims to educate Chattanoogans and visitors about African American history, civil rights and current issues.

By Ellen Gerst June 22, 2024