News - Friday, March 6, 2026

On a February evening at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the Fine Arts Center filled with students, business leaders and community members who had come to hear a familiar name deliver a familiar argument – and to explain how it still applies in an unfamiliar world.

Along Rossville Boulevard, where aging storefronts still hint at another era, a sandstone bank building crowned with a brass clock has begun a new life.

The former Rossville Branch Bank, with its tall ceilings, large front windows and original vault, is now home to Tile Gallery, a new specialty showroom opened by Jordan and Florina Parker. The store sits directly across the street from Direct Flooring, the Parkers’ flagship business, which has operated on the Boulevard for more than 15 years.

One year ago, this newspaper posed a simple question: “Where are musicians playing jazz in Chattanooga?”

Today, the answer is equally simple: “Everywhere.”

Jazz has settled comfortably into the city’s restaurants, bars, lounges, speakeasies, breweries, small performing venues and anywhere else with a corner large enough for a drum kit and a couple of amplifiers.

By David Laprad

Welcome to Food FAQ, a new feature serving up capsule reviews of independent, locally owned restaurants in the Chattanooga area. This week, we head to North Shore and zero in on Keystone Breakfast & Lunch, a Philly-rooted sandwich shop with serious swagger and ambition.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has graduated the first seven inmates from its new Medication-Assisted Treatment program at the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, marking a milestone just months after the initiative launched in December.

The Chattanooga chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women will host “Civic Conversations: Power, Policy and Our Collective Voice,” a community dialogue on leadership and accountability, March 12, 6-8 p.m. at Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church. Invited public officials include representatives from County Commission District 4 and the county mayor’s, sheriff’s and trustee’s offices. Residents are encouraged to attend and join the conversation.

Erlanger Health announced the retirement of Lynn DeJaco, executive vice president and chief financial officer, who stepped down Feb. 28 after nearly five years with the organization and a 35-year career in health care leadership.

During her tenure, DeJaco provided financial oversight and strategic leadership, serving as a mentor and advocate for Erlanger’s mission and for the health care industry in Tennessee and nationally.

The Chattanooga Police Department has graduated 32 cadets from its 22-week police academy, marking the largest class in more than a decade.

By operating its own academy, CPD tailors portions of its training to meet the needs of the Chattanooga community while ensuring recruits are prepared to uphold Tennessee law. The program exceeds Tennessee Police Officer Standards and Training requirements and meets Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies standards.

This past October at Southern Adventist University, the Student Managed Asset Risk and Return Training (SMARRT) Fund surpassed a major milestone of $1 million in stocks.

The initial $500,000 investment, entrusted to a group of School of Business students in 2019, is part of the university’s endowment. Earnings are used to continually support scholarships and student programs across the campus.

The Collegedale Police Department held its annual awards banquet Feb. 19, recognizing officers whose service over the past year exemplified professionalism, compassion and a commitment to public safety.

The event was attended by local and state elected officials.

The Senate recently took up what seemed to me like one of its exceedingly rare common-sense bills, the barring of anyone from holding more than one elected office at a time. Double-dipping, as it were.

“There’s an inherent conflict when people hold multiple offices,” as state Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), the sponsor, told the body. I fully agree. And yet Democrats – every last one of the measly six in the 33-member body – voted against it.

March 8 is International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate everything women have achieved and to honor their strength and resilience. It’s also a chance to have honest conversations about real-life challenges many women face.

One of these is the growing trend of divorce among those ages 50 and older, often called “gray divorce.” While being in this situation can feel overwhelming, it also can be an opportunity to reclaim independence and create a life that reflects dreams and values.

There are seemingly countless options for a new SUV these days, but less so if you’re looking for one that’s comfortable, roomy, and able to tackle snowy roads in the winter and outdoor adventures in the summer. Thankfully, a pair of SUVs are up for the challenge: the 2026 Honda Passport and 2026 Subaru Outback.

Maybe it’s luck, maybe it’s fate. Maybe it’s nothing. But for those with even the mildest case of Triskaidekaphobia – fear of the number 13 – keep watchful eyes on the March 11-15 Southeastern Conference men’s basketball tournament at Bridgestone Arena.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration's immigration crackdown and disaster response.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans invoked the war in Iran and the prospect of retaliatory terrorist attacks as they made another unsuccessful effort Thursday to pass a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats are insisting on changes to immigration enforcement operations as part of the measure and blocked it from advancing. The procedural vote was 51-45, falling well short of the 60 that Republicans needed to proceed with the measure. While the House will also take up the bill Thursday, that outcome will be more about putting lawmakers on the record about where they stand.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI said this week that it is investigating "suspicious activities" on an internal system that contains sensitive information related to surveillance operations and investigations.

The bureau is working to determine the scope and impact of the problem, according to a notification sent to members of Congress that says the unnamed culprit is using sophisticated techniques to exploit FBI network security controls.