Local - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Video: America at 250: The moments that made Chattanooga

As the nation celebrates 250 years, the Chattanooga Times Free Press is looking back at the history of our region and the moments that made Chattanooga.

By Ben Benton, Brynn Meisse July 2, 2026

From Charlie Kirk to immigration, new laws take effect in Tennessee

A slew of new state laws took effect in the Volunteer State on Wednesday. They range from regulating screens in school to artificial intelligence, child social media influencers and religion in school in honor of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

By Ruby Rayner, Jules Feeney July 1, 2026

Staff file photo by Larry Sullivan II / A Charlie Kirk memorial banner hangs at a Turning Point USA University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Red, White, and Blue event.

Four CARTA route changes set for late August

Consolidation impacting East Chattanooga bus and Downtown shuttle routes

By Raymon Troncoso July 1, 2026

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / CARTA planner Tunyekia Adamson, left, points out CARTA Route 10 changes. Adamson was taking part in an event July 1, 2026, at the Chattanooga Public Library downtown.

Inside the race for Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District

The race for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District looks like an underdog story in which three Democrats seek to unseat two-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger of Kingsport.

By Larry Griffin / Tennessee Lookout July 1, 2026

Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, attends a hearing on April 21, 2026, in Washington. Harshbarger, who's up for reelection, has easily cleared her most recent two races with nearly 80% of the vote. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Plan Hamilton passes County Commission in narrow vote

Legislative body approves blueprint 6-5

By Raymon Troncoso July 1, 2026

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Hamilton County Commission Chair Ken Smith, center, speaks beside commissioners Lee Helton, left, and Jeff Eversole during a commission meeting on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Commissioners approved Plan Hamilton in a 6-5 vote July 1, 2026.

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Chattanooga 250: Environmental renaissance rose from polluted grid of abandoned factories

Chattanooga's now world-renowned environmental turnaround and downtown renaissance began, in part, because of a 1981 community concert series that some leaders didn't want.

By Joan McClane July 1, 2026

Staff file photo / The Tennessee Aquarium, Market Street Bridge and Walnut Street Bridge are seen before sunrise.

‘I was really angry:’ Teen confessed to killing nearest sex offender in video played in Collegedale court

An 18-year-old told Collegedale police he killed the nearest sex offender to him he could find online, cut up the body and dropped it in a dumpster, according to a police interview presented in court Wednesday.

By Mason Edwards July 1, 2026

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / Defendant Kian Andrew Neal, 18, center left, sits beside his public defender, Mike Little, during the preliminary hearing for Neal in the Collegedale Municipal Court on July 1, 2026. Neal has been charged with the homicide of 56-year-old Robert George Locke.

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Chattanooga location of Ace Pickleball Club opens Friday

Ace Pickleball Club, the Chattanooga area's first club dedicated solely to pickleball, is set to open Friday in Hixson.

By Emily Crisman July 1, 2026

Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II / Owner Don Jacobson speaks during an interview at Ace Pickleball Club in Hixson on June 30, 2026.

Ashley Dillon focusing on transparency in race for Hixson area Hamilton County school board seat

Therapist Ashley Dillon wants to promote transparency and parental involvement as a Hamilton County school board member.

By Shannon Coan July 1, 2026

Contributed photo / Ashley Dillon, a Republican from Hixson, is running to represent District 3 on the Hamilton County school board. District 3 includes the Hixson and Lakesite areas.

Sandy Pricer wants to support the community as the Hixson area Hamilton County school board member

Nonprofit CEO Sandy Pricer hopes to support the community as a Hamilton County school board member.