Local News

What’s being called the Appalachia Fire continues to burn on remote terrain in Polk County on U.S. Forest Service property near McFarland and the Hiwassee River.No structures are currently threatened in the wildfire, which has grown to more than 200 acres.Approximately 40 U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighters are working the fire using both ground and air resources.Officials say the fire was f...

From Local 3 News: Senate Bill 2040, also known as the “Freedom, Access, and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy (FAIR Rx) Act," was passed in the Tennessee legislature. Some pharmacists are concerned about potential impacts.The House passed the bill 86-7 on Tuesday, April 21. It passed in the Senate 24-9 on Monday. The bill now heads to Gov. Lee’s desk.The bill will limit how pharmacy benefit manage...

From Local 3 News: Adient, a global automotive seating manufacturer, has filed a WARN notice to permanently close its Athens facility.The company filed the WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development on Tuesday, April 21.Adient, located at 1210 E Madison Avenue in Athens, plans to permanently close on June 30, 2026.The notice says 210 employees will be affected.The...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) released a preliminary report for the crash that happened on I-75 Tuesday morning in Bradley County, and said there were no injuries.The crash involved two 2018 Kenworth tractor-trailers, both of which were driven by men in their 50s.THP said both trucks were driving south on I-75 when one truck hit the other at around mile marker 19.2....

From Local 3 News (AP): Two Southwest Airlines planes had to take evasive action to avoid colliding Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee, after an air traffic controller directed one pilot to turn into the path of the other plane.Last year, an American Airlines jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. That crash on Jan. 29, 2025...

The Tennessee Department of Transportation says 16 people were killed and hundreds more injured in work zone crashes across the state last year.TDOT is recognizing National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 20th through the 24th, urging drivers to move over and slow down to protect highway workers.Officials say there were more than 2,400 work zone crashes in Tennessee last year, including over 6...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday to consider proposed changes to zoning regulations for data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations. The subject drew a large crowd.The public’s concern grew in the community over the sale of a 251-acre property in the Charleston area for $22 million to England-based developers, SDCL.Rumors have circulated on social media suggesting the site is bein...

Celebrate Earth Day in Downtown Cleveland with Keep Cleveland & Bradley County Beautiful and Terra Running Company!A community Earth Day event is set for today, Monday, April 20th at 5:30 PM in downtown Cleveland.The event will include a free group run and trash cleanup, with participants encouraged to walk or run while picking up litter along the route.Supplies like trash grabbers, gloves, bags, ...

The Bradley County Commission will meet today at noon to consider proposed changes to zoning regulations for data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations.The meeting will take place in the Bradley County Commission room at the Bradley County Courthouse. You can livestream the meeting at noon or watch it later at mixtv.tvThe discussion comes as concerns grow in the community over a 251-acre pr...

Concerns are growing in Bradley County over rumors of a possible AI data center development.County officials say there are currently no confirmed plans for a data center, despite speculation tied to a 251-acre land purchase by a British investment company last year in Charleston.Recent social media posts have encouraged residents to attend an upcoming Bradley County Commission meeting to oppose a ...

From TN.gov: Tennessee’s unemployment rate remains below the national average, according to new data from the state.The February unemployment rate came in at 3.6 percent, slightly higher than January and the same time last year.That is still below the national rate of 4.4 percent.State data shows Tennessee lost 6,400 jobs over the past year, with the largest declines in trade, transportation, and ...

From Fox 17: The Tennessee House has passed a bill that would ban the use, sale, and distribution of kratom.Kratom is a plant-based substance often sold as a supplement, but lawmakers say it carries serious health risks, including addiction and effects similar to opioids.The bill is named in honor of Matthew Davenport of Chattanooga, who died in 2024 after a deadly interaction between kratom and p...

From WSMV: The IRS is expanding tax relief efforts for Tennesseans impacted by January’s ice storm.Originally, only certain counties qualified for an extended filing deadline, but the relief now applies to all 95 counties across the state.If you missed yesterday’s deadline, you now have until June 8 to file federal individual and business tax returns and make payments.Those needing copies of previ...

From Local 3 News: A federal jury ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated antitrust laws, siding with Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and a coalition of 33 states, according to the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General.After a five-week trial, jurors found the companies had unlawfully maintained monopoly power across the live event industry. limiting competition among tick...

Volkswagen says it is implementing a global cost-cutting and efficiency program that is affecting some salaried and administrative positions in its U.S. operations, including some jobs in Chattanooga.In a statement, Volkswagen said the restructuring is part of a broader effort at its core brand aimed at improving performance and reducing costs worldwide. The company emphasized that the changes app...

Today is the first day of Early Voting in Tennessee.Early voting for the State and County Primary Election runs through April 30th.Voters in Bradley County can cast ballots at four locations: the OCI on Urbane Road, the Bradley County Election Office on Broad Street, the Northeast Recreation Center on Berry Street, and the Bradley County Fire-Rescue Training Center on Dalton Pike.Early voting hour...

From Local 3 News: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating allegations involving a Bradley County high school teacher at the request of District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett.Officials have not released additional information about the investigation.According to Bradley Central High School’s website, Lindsey Bell is listed as the school’s theatre teacher.Bradley County Sup...

The Cleveland City Council met yesterday and recognized a local athlete for her accomplishments.Lee University track and field athlete Aria Hawkins was honored as a nine-time All-American, with the city proclaiming April 13th as “Aria Hawkins Day.”Council members also highlighted the success of the recent Hot Slaw Festival, which brought large crowds and boosted local businesses.Dewayne Belew spok...

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday and heard updates from County Mayor Gary Davis.The mayor says recent wastewater rate increases from Ocoee Utilities were required by the state comptroller, following a rate study.He says the utility implemented the minimum required increase but may need to take on some debt in the future, while hoping continued growth will help offset costs.Commissioners...

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: A Tennessee bill that would expand a school voucher program that allows families to use public funds for private school tuition is advancing to the Senate.The Tennessee House has passed HB2532 following a lengthy floor session marked by multiple amendment votes and procedural changes.Lawmakers approved the bill Monday in a 52–43 vote, passing it as amended after adopting...