Tennessee's slow uptake of recycling is costing the state — in economic opportunity and dwindling landfill space — according to multiple presentations to the state's newly formed Solid Waste Task Force.

RESTAURANT REPORT CARD: The Hamilton County, Catoosa County and Walker County health departments inspect food service establishments twice a year, grading them on a 100-point scale. Here are this week's scores:

A former Hamilton County teacher found guilty of routinely and systematically sexually assaulting young boys in the privacy of his classroom appeared for his sentencing Wednesday in Hamilton County Criminal Court.

Things to do in the Chattanooga area this weekend include Skillet Curling Tournament and the World of Chocolate Expo.

A growing number of Republicans are distancing themselves from federal immigration operations following the fatal weekend shooting of a 37-year-old nurse by border patrol officers in Minneapolis.

If the tourist attraction builds a gondola lift and shifts its main entrance to the Chattanooga Valley, thousands of those cars would instead keep going straight down St. Elmo Avenue, the artery of one of Chattanooga's oldest neighborhoods.

Chattanooga's multimillion dollar skate park renovations may get up to an additional $3 million from an anonymous donor.

Authorities arrested and charged a 17-year-old male with first-degree murder in connection with a Jan. 13 shooting on McCallie Avenue, according to a press release from the Chattanooga Police Department.

The Chickamauga City Council set the date to consider removing Mayor James C. Deck III.

Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are joining other members of their caucus in refusing to support the department in the wake of a second fatal shooting by a federal agent in Minneapolis.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program made 20 additions from the transfer portal this offseason, hoping to continue its rebuild after getting decimated with personel losses after the 2024 season.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., made a visit to Chattanooga earlier this month to discuss the relocation of the city's federal courthouse with local government and corporate stakeholders.

At least three lawsuits have been filed against a Chattanooga Massage Envy franchise since late December, court records showed, and more lawsuits are on the way after a former massage therapist admitted to recording clients inside private session rooms.

Former Chattanooga accountant Jonathan Frost has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to documents in federal court.

The Tennessee Valley Authority delivered just under 33,000 megawatts of electricity Tuesday morning in a peak for a widespread winter storm that began Saturday, though the peak was lower than expected.

TikTok agreed to settle a landmark social media addiction lawsuit just before the trial kicked off. The social video platform, along with Instagram and YouTube, is facing claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children.

A Tennessee Republican leader is questioning the FBI director's comments about the legality of carrying a weapon at a protest after federal agents apparently shot a man to death at a Minneapolis protest.

Jake Shockey, 36, has been at Wine Down Bistro for five years, but it was only recently that he assumed the role of executive chef. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/27/meet-the-chef-wine-down-bistros-jake-shockey/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

For the owners of the forthcoming establishment, The Spritzeria, in Red Bank, they know that the spritz is really about a way of life. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/27/the-spritzeria-from-malta-to-red-bank/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

An Alabama House committee Wednesday passed a bill that would implement screen time limits for children under the age of five in licensed child care facilities.

ASK A DOCTOR: Is taking a break from alcohol good for my health?

The director of Alabama Educational Television Commission said he is still waiting for financial information to be used in a decision later this year on renewing with PBS.

The head of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services faced questions from lawmakers Wednesday over the agency's multi-million dollar deficit.

A moderate Democrat in Marjorie Taylor Greene's former congressional district in Northwest Georgia is attempting the impossible -- to win.

Further investments by the Volkswagen Group in the U.S. -- including building a new Audi plant in the country -- aren't financially feasible under existing tariffs, CEO Oliver Blume told a German publication.

The Tennessee Indigenous Women's Circle held its first event this month, the day before the Iroquois New Year, bringing community members together to share cultural histories and get to know each other during a midwinter social

Amanda Sovago-Royal wants a woman to sit on the Hamilton County Commission. So she picked up her papers to run.

President Donald Trump softened his tone Monday on the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, touting productive conversations with the governor and Minneapolis mayor as he sent the border czar to take charge of much of the enforcement effort.

Americans are deeply pessimistic about their economic future, driven by financial anxiety among all but the oldest Americans and by a widespread belief that a middle-class lifestyle is out of reach for most people, a New York Times/Siena poll found.

A former Bradley County jail detainee and the county reached an out-of-court agreement after he sued, claiming two corrections officers used excessive force resulting in permanent disfigurement to his lip and teeth, according to court records.

The first Chattanooga-area location of Whataburger is now open in East Ridge. At the former site of Wally's Restaurant at 6521 Ringgold Road, the new Whataburger started serving customers Monday by drive-through only.

A Tennessee lawmaker is trying to disqualify some U.S. citizens from a shot at running for federal office, a move likely to face constitutional questions as Republicans target immigrants this session.

In the wake of a massive winter storm that rolled across Tennessee, covering the state with a glaze of ice and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power, President Donald Trump on Saturday approved a request for emergency aid.

The Chattanooga Airport had another record-breaking year for travel in 2025, reporting nearly 632,400 boardings. That's up 14% compared to the previous high of 556,900 in 2024.

Parkridge Health System moved a hearing before the state for its proposed freestanding emergency room in Cleveland to February because of winter weather. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/26/parkridge-delays-state-hearing-on-cleveland-er/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

"It takes a fleet of people across the world to make this happen." https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/26/cleveland-tennessee-man-worked-on-avatar-fire-and/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

The U.S. workweek opened with yet more snow dumping on the Northeast under the tail end of a colossal winter storm. Authorities reported at least 18 weather-related deaths.

Election season in Georgia is here, with statewide primary elections less than four months away and the campaigning for those contests well underway. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/24/fate-of-ballot-qr-codes-in-georgia-unclear-as/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

"This is to help with the flooding, particularly with criminal elements, into our country over the last several years." https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/24/alabama-immigration-bill-draws-criticism-at-house/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

"I didn't think I wanted children — until the day I turned 40." https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/01/a-chattanooga-area-womans-unexpected-journey-to/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

View Chattanooga area weather-related closures in the story below: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/22/chattanooga-area-closures-due-to-inclement-weather/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

A new carpet has been installed in the Georgia Capitol to start off a new year of legislative sessions. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/25/dalton-based-flooring-company-installs-new/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

The talk coming out of the 79-73 victory by the Volunteers was Tennessee five-star freshman forward Nate Ament, who scored a season-high 29 points. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/25/aments-increasing-comfort-level-on-display-more/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

“Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.” https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/25/minneapolis-mourns-icu-nurse-killed-by-a-border-patrol-agent-as-a-warmhearted-neighbor-and-caregiver-tfp/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

Since 1987, officials have completed 10 projects to modernize or expand locks on the inland waterway system, according to the Waterways Council. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/25/fleischmann-uses-earmarks-to-make-sure-funds-for/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

“It is a unique storm in the sense that it is so widespread.” https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/25/massive-winter-storm-across-the-us-brings-ice-frigid-temperatures-and-widespread-power-outages-tfp/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

The case is to be tried March 29, 2027, by a jury in U.S. District Judge Travis R. McDonough's court. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/25/trial-date-set-in-wrongful-death-suit-against/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_ 

EVENT CALENDAR: Here's what is going on in the Chattanooga area this week.

KENNEDY: Do you ever start a sentence like this: "I've got a friend who ... "? It's immaterial how the sentence ends. But, just as a thought exercise, consider: Is this person really my friend or just an acquaintance?

Hamilton County Schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26. View other Chattanooga area weather-related closures in the story below. https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jan/22/chattanooga-area-closures-due-to-inclement-weather/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky_