Allison Shirk is the digital and engagement editor at the Times Free Press. She was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While in school, Allison spent five months in Rabat, Morocco traveling and writing about the aftermath of the Arab Uprisings in the North African country. After graduation, she moved to Florida and spent a few years reporting for the North Port Sun in Sarasota County and the Daytona Beach News-Journal where she covered local and state issues, such as housing affordability, high foster care rates across the state and a lack of behavioral funding for Floridians with disabilities. Allison used to cover business for the Times Free Press before becoming an editor. She enjoys hiking and being outdoors on the weekends with her two dogs. You can contact her at ashirk@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6651. At
The Times Free Press asked readers to nominate and vote on some of the best outdoor dining spots in the Chattanooga area.
by Allison ShirkBut what do you drink when you aren't drinking? Here are some truly delicious-sounding mocktails in Chattanooga to try out.
by Allison ShirkSearch by county for everything you need to vote in November
by Ben Benton, Allison Shirk and Patrick FilbinYou could celebrate National Red Wine Day on Aug. 28 with a quick trip to the local liquor or grocery store for a bottle of merlot or cabernet sauvignon from California, Italy, France or anywhere else in the world.
by Allison ShirkA state senator and two animal rights groups are calling on federal officials to take action against East Tennessee breeders they allege are shipping birds to Guam for cockfighting.
by Elizabeth Fite and Allison ShirkLife is not getting back to normal.
by Allison ShirkA few days ago, a friend and colleague told me that she was having difficulty remembering what day it was because of the "lack of defining moments" in her week. Fridays don't really feel like Fridays anymore and when you can't be around people or leave your house except for the essentials then there's not much to set one day apart from the next.
by Allison ShirkAs businesses in Tennessee and Georgia begin to reopen, we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible about what that means for the spread of the novel coronavirus in our community and how to stay safe.
by Allison ShirkSeven tornadoes touched down in the Tennessee Valley, including parts of both Tennessee and Georgia, on Easter Sunday, April 12 assessments by the National Weather Service determined.
by Meghan Mangrum and Allison ShirkFor one day, the novel coronavirus pandemic wasn't the main topic of our morning news meeting, and we began reporting on the storm damage and those killed and injured while also dealing with the damage in and around our own homes.
by Allison ShirkDid the Easter Bunny make it to your house this past weekend? If not, then I hope you shared this very important story written by Mark Kennedy in which he interviewed the big-eared rabbit. While the Easter Bunny said some visits will be delayed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's important for parents to note that any children who didn't get their Easter baskets filled or eggs in their yard can expect to get their goodies by summer.
by Allison ShirkGov. Bill Lee announced Monday that the state will allocated $10 million in "Small and Rural Hospital Readiness" grants to support hospitals that could face financial hardships due to the novel coronavirus pandemic in the state.
by Allison ShirkTFP families newsletter intro
by Allison ShirkI am an adult that feeds off social interaction and being outside. I miss sitting on a patio eating dinner at a local restaurant with my husband or huddling around a bonfire with friends.
by Allison ShirkIn the coming weeks, the reporters and editors here at the Times Free Press hope to bring all of you some insight and transparency on how we are reporting about the virus inside and outside of the newsroom
by Allison ShirkWhile the #PanicBuying was trending on Twitter — and a Georgia man stabbed another fellow over a package of bottled water at a Sam's Club in middle-Georgia — necessities of all kinds are high on everyone's list.
by Jay Greeson and Allison ShirkThe story of 36-year-old Adam Braseel, a Grundy County man who was released from prison last year after serving 12 years for a crime he says he didn't commit, has garnered national attention from the popular true crime podcast "Criminal."
by Allison ShirkKaty McDonald, a resident of Peachtree City, Georgia, who was born and raised in Chattanooga, died last week at 80 years old — or around that age, her surviving family members think.
by Allison ShirkBryant Ellis can wake up in the bedroom of his Hixson home, flip on the light switch and walk to the kitchen to make himself a pot of coffee. He can sit on the couch in his living room and watch television with his service dog, Whiskey, with insulated walls surrounding him and newly installed flooring beneath his feet.
by Allison ShirkBe entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card to Kenny's Southside.
by Allison Shirk