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Ruth Walker hopes to support students, teachers as Hixson area Hamilton County school board member

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga professor Ruth Walker plans to make data-driven decisions that support students and teachers as a Hamilton County school board member.

By Shannon Coan July 1, 2026

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

Tennessee Democrats revive push on ‘pot for potholes’

As Tennessee's new ban on popular hemp products took effect Wednesday, two Democratic lawmakers are reigniting a drive to legalize marijuana and use the proceeds to patch craters in highways across the state.

By Sam Stockard / Tennessee Lookout July 1, 2026

Delta-8 cannabis products, including gummy edibles, are seen on display at Nashville's Perfect Plant. A law that took effect Wednesday bans the sale of most intoxicating hemp products. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout file)

Tennessee House speaker appoints lawyer for payday lender to Nashville Airport board

House Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed John Cheadle, a lawyer for payday lender Advance Financial whose firm has sued thousands of Tennesseans over 279.5% loans, to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board.

By Adam Friedman / Tennessee Lookout July 1, 2026

House Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed a lawyer for Advance Financial to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority. Sexton sponsored legislation that created an Advance product that skirted laws on high-interest loans. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout file)

Judge expects Alabama Supreme Court to get Tuberville residency case

Attorneys argued for nearly three hours in a Montgomery courtroom Monday about whether to allow a challenge to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's ability to run for governor to move forward.

By Anna Barrett July 1, 2026

Barry Ragsdale, left, and Joe Espy speaking to the media after a hearing on a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against Alabama Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville on June 29, 2026, in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Montgomery, Ala. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Brooke Reid did not rule on the motion after three hours of arguments Monday afternoon. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

Memphis schools takeover blocked by judge in temporary order

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Memphis school takeover board's authority, after school officials said it could delay the start of the school year or even force building closures as the district prepares to welcome students back to class in less than five weeks.

By Melissa Brown / Chalkbeat Tennessee July 1, 2026

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a state takeover board's authority after Memphis school officials said it could delay the start of the school year or even force building closures as the district prepares to welcome students back to class in less than five weeks. (Andrea Morales for Chalkbeat)

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Chattanooga 250: Local women made history when they sued the Ku Klux Klan

Every evening at sunset, Fannie Mae Crumsey gathered her grandchildren to her home on what is now M.L. King Boulevard to start their bedtime routine, which began with Crumsey leaning over her precious petunias in the front yard, carefully watering and weeding at each day's end.

By Joan McClane June 30, 2026

Chattanooga Times archive photo / Left to right, Opal Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Viola Ellison and Lela Mae Evans filed a federal civil suit against three members of the Ku Klux Klan and were awarded $535,000 in damages in 1982. Behind the women are lawyers Charles Victor McTeer and Betty Lawrence Bailey.

Chickamauga gets $5.5M in federal, state funds to clean up Crystal Springs factory

The city of Chickamauga has been awarded around $5.5 million in state and federal grants to clean up the abandoned Crystal Springs Print Works factory.

By Ignacio Perez June 30, 2026

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / Plant life has overtaken a building at the site of the former Crystal Springs Print Works factory in Chickamauga, as seen June 30, 2026. A cleanup is planned for the site with the help of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Hamilton County pursues one-year pause on data centers

The new county planning department will use the time to study the impacts of data centers

By Raymon Troncoso June 30, 2026

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ County commissioners Gene-O Shipley, left, and Steve Highlander look on as Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp talks about data centers during a press conference in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Tattoos and coffee: See the business licenses issued in Hamilton County last week

Business licenses issued June 22-27, as provided by the Hamilton County Clerk's Office:

By Staff Report June 30, 2026

tattoos-and-coffee-see-the-business-licenses

Employee belongings, no hand soap: Chattanooga area restaurant inspection reports for week ending June 30, 2026

The Hamilton County, Catoosa County and Walker County health departments inspect food service establishments twice a year, grading them on a 100-point scale. Establishments are reinspected if they fail to meet critical standards.