From WKRN Nashville: Tennessee lawmakers are considering a proposal that would ban kratom products across the state.House Bill 1649 would make it illegal to sell, possess, or distribute kratom in Tennessee.Supporters of the bill say the substance poses growing health risks and point to overdose deaths and addiction concerns.During testimony at the state capitol, a mother shared the story of her 27...  Read More

The Tennessee Republican Party has removed 22 candidates statewide from the May 5th primary ballot, including three candidates in Bradley County.Party bylaws require Republican candidates to have voted as a Republican in three of the last four primaries, be active in the party, and pay a qualifying fee.The candidates removed locally are County Commission candidate Ron Calfee, School Board candidat...  Read More

The Cleveland Police Department is still investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that happened shortly before 9:00 a.m. Thursday on North Keith Street.Investigators say a vehicle traveling southbound crossed the median and struck a vehicle heading northbound.After the initial crash, the vehicle continued and hit a trailer being pulled by another vehicle.Police say the crash may have been caused ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: On Wednesday, Tennessee lawmakers in the Senate Government Operations Committee passed Senate Bill 1880. The bill aims "to create within the Department of Safety of the Office of Homeland Security." According to the bill's co-sponsor, Republican Senator Kerry Roberts, the department technically already exists; it was created and has been operating under an executive order for th...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A bill moving through the Tennessee General Assembly could change how pharmacy benefit managers operate in the state.The legislation would prohibit companies that manage prescription drug benefits from owning or controlling pharmacies in Tennessee.Supporters say the bill would prevent large corporations from favoring their own pharmacies and harming independent drugstores.Sena...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A child was reported using methamphetamine while staying in a Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) office, according to the state's Second Look Commission, which reviews child abuse cases and makes recommendations to the state's General Assembly. The commission's 2025 annual report found the child surrendered the substance and underwent a drug test, but there was no...  Read More

From Local 3 News: A new bill under consideration at the Tennessee State Capitol aims to provide financial support to residents caring for loved ones with dementia at home.The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Renea Jones, R-Unicoi, is titled the “Caring for Caregivers Act.” House Bill 1443 would provide $6,000 grants to family members serving as in-home caregivers for relatives living with dem...  Read More

The Cleveland City School Board met Monday. Director of Schools, Dr. Jeff Elliott, updated the board on the district’s four focus areas, including student academic success, family support services, clear communication, and recruiting and retaining employees.Dr. Elliott highlighted recent events such as the district spelling bee at Cleveland Middle School and meetings with education leaders in Nash...  Read More

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A former Cleveland teacher previously convicted of secretly recording female students in a locker room is now facing a new charge.Authorities say Christopher Schroll has been charged with violating Tennessee’s sex offender registry law. Schroll was required to register after pleading guilty in 2024 to two counts of attempted aggravated unlawful photographing of a minor.A...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Gas prices in Chattanooga are on the rise following U.S. military action in the Middle East, and experts say drivers could see even higher prices in the coming weeks.Just last week, gas prices across Chattanooga averaged around $2.51 per gallon. Now, that average has climbed more than six cents to $2.56.On Saturday, February 28, the United States and Israel launched a series of ...  Read More

The City of Cleveland is exploring grant funding to build a year-round indoor pool and is asking for public input.City leaders are preparing an application for a Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant to help build an indoor natatorium. The proposed facility would expand swim lessons, fitness programs, and recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.Two public meetings have been scheduled ...  Read More

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday.The commission’s Tax Committee recently met with the county attorney to review identified parcels of land that had previously been advertised for sale.After discussion, the committee recommended placing several of those properties back up for sale. Commissioners approved the recommendation unanimously.Commissioners voted 11 to 1 to approve the mayor’s pr...  Read More

The Tennessee Republican Party has removed 149 candidates statewide from the May 5th primary ballot, including four in Bradley County.Under party bylaws, Republican candidates must have voted as a Republican in three of the last four statewide primaries, be active in the party, and pay a qualifying fee.The four candidates removed locally are County Commission candidates Caleb Luzader and Ron Calfe...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Some of our local and state leaders are reacting to the United States' and Israel's strikes on Iran Saturday morning, February 28.Here are some of their responses:Congressman Chuck Fleischmann:"For decades, Iran and its theocratic dictatorship have been the world's largest state sponsor of terror, threatening the United States and the peace of the world. President Trump will alw...  Read More

From Local 3 News: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam circulating in local social media groups.The scam involves a person claiming to need assistance and later saying that their driver's license was "accidentally" sent to your home address.The Sheriff's Office is reminding residents to be aware of strangers asking for your home address or any other personal details....  Read More

Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally has announced he will not seek re-election to the Tennessee State Senate in 2026, bringing nearly five decades in the legislature to a close.McNally, a Republican from Oak Ridge, said it has been the honor of his life to serve his community and the people of Tennessee.He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1978 and later elected to the S...  Read More

From the Chattanoogan: As part of the I-75 Interchange Improvements at Hamilton Place, Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will implement a long-term traffic shift on I-75 South to accommodate ongoing construction of the new exit ramp from I-75 South to Shallowford Road.For approximately eight months, I-75 South will be reduced from four to three lanes between Exit 7 (Bonny Oaks ...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Plumbing problems at Meigs County High School have led the entire school district to switch to remote learning on Friday, February 27.The school district says repairs are currently underway, but apparently the problem was so severe they had to dismiss the high school early Thursday morning.Now, no Meigs County campus (including Meigs Middle, Meigs North, Meigs South) will operat...  Read More

From News Channel 12: A few months ago, the Parkridge Health System announced their intentions to build a new freestanding emergency room in Cleveland.However, they faced opposition from Vitruvian Health, who owns the only emergency room in Cleveland, the Bradley Medical Center.Wednesday, they faced off in front of the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to decide if that would be built.Every h...  Read More

From Local 3 News: Sheriff’s offices across Southeast Tennessee are warning residents about a phone scam in which callers pose as deputies and demand money to avoid arrest.Grundy, Hamilton, Polk, and McMinn County Sheriff’s offices are among the law enforcement agencies that say scammers are targeting residents with threats of jail time and fake warrants.One victim, Athens resident Kathy Wilson, s...  Read More

UPDATE: Former Hamilton County Schools teacher Kenya White has been sentenced to nearly 19 years for federal child sex crimes charges.During sentencing, White blamed alcohol for his actions. The defense made seven objections prior to the sentencing on February 25. White's attorney, McCracken Poston, objected to various language in case documents.White will serve 225 months, attend sex offender the...  Read More

From News Channel 9: A former American Idol contestant with ties to Cleveland, Tennessee, is charged with murder in Ohio.Caleb Ashley Flynn has been charged in connection with the death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, in Miami County, Ohio.Investigators say her body was found at a home in Troy, Ohio, and Flynn was taken into custody.Both Caleb and Ashley Flynn are graduates of Lee University. Prosecuto...  Read More

From News Channel 9: US Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee is weighing in on a report over the weekend about possible American casualties if military action is taken in Iran.Tensions have escalated in recent weeks between Washington and Tehran.The Trump administration maintains that Iran should not have access to nuclear weapons.Iran claims its nuclear program only engages in academic researc...  Read More

Cleveland Utilities will host a Public Informational Session on Friday, February 27, at 2 p.m. at the CU Tom Wheeler Training Center.The session will focus on the utility’s upcoming budget, capital projects, and fees.It will be held at 2455 Guthrie Avenue Northwest.Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and learn more about the plans and priorities ahead.More information is available ...  Read More