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Friday, October 10, 2025
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Ware happy with return home to Bethlehem Center
Chattanoogan’s search leads back to childhood sanctuary
Gerald Ware, Ph.D., didn’t just land a new job – he came home. When The Bethlehem Center in Chattanooga named Ware as its new executive director, it didn’t just hire a seasoned professional with decades of experience – it welcomed back one of its own.
Hot chicken fans line up as Dave’s opens doors
As brothers, it’s not unusual that David and Jeremy Feliciano would have things in common – including a love for Dave’s Hot Chicken, the fast-casual sensation that just opened in Chattanooga. However, their tastes aren’t identical. For instance, David, the younger of the two, says he likes the sweetness of Dave’s chicken and the perfectly blended mild spices. Jeremy, meanwhile, goes for the heat.
Homelessness survey shows 12% hike in region
Homelessness in Southeast Tennessee has risen 12% during the past year, with more than 1,000 people counted as unhoused in January, the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition’s 2025 State of Homelessness report finds. The 55-page document, released this week, details rising economic pressures, significant gaps in housing capacity and a growing fiscal case for investing in housing solutions rather than absorbing the escalating costs of inaction.
Centerstone rift has Hamilton searching for options
Hamilton County Schools is seeking new mental health providers following a contentious school board decision to end its long-standing partnership with Centerstone – a move that has drawn both support and backlash across the community. Centerstone, a nonprofit behavioral health organization, has provided free school-based mental health services in Hamilton County since 2013 under a memorandum of understanding with the district. The Hamilton County Board of Education voted 6-5 in September to end that agreement, formally removing Centerstone counselors and therapists from 50 schools and affecting thousands of students.
Report points to growing crisis
A new Youth Mental Health Report from Centerstone paints a stark picture of the growing crisis facing Tennessee teens. The report reveals widespread struggles with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, alongside significant barriers to accessing care – placing Tennessee last in the nation for youth mental health service availability.
Newsmakers: Chambliss adds estate planning attorney
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has announced the addition of attorney Jennifer Chambers-Smith to its estate planning practice. With more than 30 years of legal experience, Chambers-Smith assists clients with tailored estate plans ranging from simple to highly complex matters. She also represents estate and trust administrations and supports clients with conservatorships and special needs issues, providing compassionate guidance during difficult times.
Calendar: Boo in the Zoo
The Chattanooga Zoo’s annual event returns for seven nights – Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 – featuring trick-or-treating, character meet and greets, a bounce house, scavenger hunt and festive decorations. Popular characters like Elsa, Spider-Man and Moana will be on hand for photos, courtesy of Magic Lamp Entertainment. Boo in the Zoo runs 4–8 p.m. each night. Tickets
News briefs: Nonprofit Enterprise Center relocating from Edney to Lupton
The Enterprise Center, Chattanooga’s nonprofit economic development partner, will move from the Edney Building to the historic Lupton Building at 1010 Georgia Avenue in November 2025. Acting President and CEO Sammy Lowdermilk said the new space will continue to offer public meeting and event facilities similar to Floor Five, which has hosted about 100 gatherings each month. The Lupton Building, part of the Stone Fort Land Company Historic District, is being renovated to provide collaborative space for local businesses, nonprofits and civic groups.
That historic home can open door to challenges
The greater Chattanooga area is known for its vibrant neighborhoods, scenic beauty and a wealth of historic homes that reflect the city’s deep roots. From charming bungalows to stately Victorians, these properties offer a unique blend of craftsmanship and character.
Mad Priest finds new home on McCallie
After nine faithful years on Broad Street, the end has come for Mad Priest’s humble chapel. But fear not, for a grander sanctuary now stands at 1200 McCallie Avenue. Like a caffeinated exodus through the permitting wilderness, Mad Priest’s journey has been long and occasionally plagued by drywall demons. Yet by divine perseverance – and a few strong lattes – they have arrived. For more information, updates and a map to the promised land, visit www.madpriestcoffee.com or follow @madpriestcoffee on social channels.
Penn is mightier in Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’
Welcome back to Flick Picks, your twice-monthly movie fix. This installment serves up a wild new Paul Thomas Anderson thriller, a dog drama that hits grown-up emotional depths, a timeless romantic classic and a simple treat to share with your pup while you watch.
Titans just happy with win after 10-game skid
Looking for first consecutive wins in 46 games
It was just one victory, and an odd one at that Sunday in Arizona. But for beleaguered Titans coach Brian Callahan, it probably felt more like a stay of execution. With all that has gone wrong for the Titans over his tenure, with now just four wins in 22 games, the victory over the Cardinals provided at least a brief respite from all that has gone wrong in that time, and at best a boost of confidence that maybe sometimes the ball does bounce the right way – quite literally on a couple of game-changing fumbles Sunday.
Ward’s hot fourth quarter gives fans, coaches glimpse of potential
After four weeks of watching bad football that seemed like an extension of last season for the Tennessee Titans, I was beginning to have my doubts about Cam Ward and whether or not he was worthy of being chosen with the first overall pick. Through those four games, Ward was hardly showing the promise and progress that would lend encouragement that he was on his way to success.
Three-row SUVs: Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Telluride
Suppose you’ve considered the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride for your next three-row SUV. In that case, you probably know both models are nearly identical under the metal. Or rather, they were until recently. Redesigned for 2026 with new style, new engines and upgraded technology features, the second-generation Palisade refines an already impressive model that consistently finishes near the top of Edmunds’ annual SUV rankings.
US buys Argentine pesos, finalizes $20 billion currency swap
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. directly purchased Argentine pesos on Thursday and finalized a $20 billion currency swap framework with Argentina's central bank, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post. The intent is to provide assistance from the Latin American country's economic turmoil.
Ryan O'Reilly's power-play goal lifts the Predators to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets
NASHVILLE (AP) — Ryan O'Reilly scored a power-play goal early in the third period, and the Nashville Predators opened the season Thursday night by beating the Blue Jackets 2-1 and extending their home winning streak over Columbus to 10 games. The Predators ' streak on home ice against Columbus dates to March 30, 2019. They are 44-6-4 in Music City against the Blue Jackets. Overall, they have 71 wins over Columbus, which ranks second only to Nashville's 72 wins against Chicago for the most by the franchise against any opponent.
Fear and vigilance rise as attacks on houses of worship intensify worldwide
Every week hundreds of millions of people around the world gather to worship in peace. But for some, there comes a day when deadly violence invades their sacred spaces and shatters that sense of sanctuary and safety. It happened recently at a synagogue in England and two churches in the U.S. Before that, there were high-profile attacks at mosques in New Zealand, a synagogue in Pennsylvania and a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. This violence can intensify anxiety and outright fear among clergy and worshippers worldwide.
Kennedy reups unproven Tylenol-autism link during Cabinet meeting as Trump repeats 'don't take it'
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Thursday reasserted the unproven link between the pain reliever Tylenol and autism, and suggested people who opposed the theory were motivated by hatred for President Donald Trump. During a meeting with Trump and the Cabinet, Kennedy reiterated the connection, even while noting there was no medical proof to substantiate the claim. He also mistakenly described a pregnant woman's anatomy and linked autism to circumcision.
China hits US ships with retaliatory port fees before trade talks
HONG KONG (AP) — China has hit U.S.-owned vessels docking in the country with tit-for-tat port fees, in response to the American government's planned port fees on Chinese ships, expanding a string of retaliatory measures before trade talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Trump suggests calling off Xi meeting after blasting China for restricting rare earths exports
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday that "there seems to be no reason" to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as part of an upcoming trip to South Korea after China restricted exports of rare earths needed for American industry. The Republican president suggested that he was looking at a "massive increase" of import taxes on Chinese products in response to Xi's moves.
Trump's quest for the Nobel Peace Prize falls short again despite high-profile nominations
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump was passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday despite jockeying from his fellow Republicans, various world leaders and — most vocally — himself. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said it was honoring her "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."
US Senate unanimously endorses repeal of 2002 Iraq war resolution
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than two decades later, Congress is on the verge of writing a closing chapter to the war in Iraq. The Senate voted Thursday to repeal the resolution that authorized the 2003 U.S. invasion, following a House vote last month that would return the basic war power to Congress.
Republicans vote to roll back Biden-era restrictions on mining and drilling in 3 Western states
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans have voted to roll back restrictions on mining, drilling and other development in three Western states, advancing President Donald Trump's ambitions to expand energy production from public lands. Senators voted 50-46 Thursday to repeal a land management plan for a large swath of Alaska that was adopted in the final weeks of Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. Lawmakers voted to roll back similar plans for land in Montana and North Dakota earlier this week.
New York Attorney General Letitia James charged in fraud case after pressure campaign by Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday in a mortgage fraud case that President Donald Trump urged his Justice Department to bring after vowing retribution against some of his biggest political enemies. James, a Democrat who infuriated Trump after his first term with a lawsuit alleging that he built his business empire on lies about his wealth, was charged with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution in connection with a home purchase in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020.
Many unresolved questions remain as a ceasefire begins in Gaza
CAIRO (AP) — Bombardment stopped and Israeli troops pulled back in Gaza on Friday under a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But will the agreement lead, as U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed, to "a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace"? It took pressure on Israel and Hamas from the United States, Arab countries and Turkey, each saying it was time to end a two-year war that has devastated the Gaza Strip, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, sparked other conflicts around the region and increasingly isolated Israel.
Blast at a Tennessee explosives plant leaves multiple people dead and missing, sheriff says
McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — An explosion at a Tennessee military munitions plant left multiple people dead and missing on Friday, authorities said, as secondary blasts forced rescuers to keep their distance from the burning field of debris. The blast, which people reported hearing and feeling miles away, occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems in rural Tennessee. The company's website says it makes and tests explosives at an eight-building facility that sprawls across wooded hills near Bucksnort, a town about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville.
Firings of federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers in the ongoing government shutdown. Russ Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on the social media site X that the "RIFs have begun," referring to reduction-in-force plans aimed at reducing the size of the federal government.
Community near site of deadly Tennessee plant blast recalls the lives of the 16 killed
NUNNELLY (AP) — Just miles from a rural Tennessee plant leveled by a devasting explosion, the congregants of Maple Valley Baptist Church devoted Sunday's service to the 16 deceased victims and their families. Several of the dozens of people praying at the small church knew someone who worked at the plant owned by Accurate Energetic Systems, which supplies and researches explosives for the military and is a well-known employer in the area.
Taylor Swift announces new 'Eras Tour' docuseries and concert film for Disney+: How to watch
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" has come to a close — but the show must go on. Swift, who is fresh off the release of her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," has more news to share. "Good Morning America" revealed Monday morning that she'll have two new projects at Disney+. That's a six-episode, behind-the-scenes docuseries about her landmark "Eras Tour" titled "Taylor Swift ' The Eras Tour ' The End of an Era."
Michelle Obama's Girls Opportunity Alliance pledges $2.5 million for grassroots education for girls
NEW YORK (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama is putting new force behind efforts to ensure girls overcome educational barriers in some of the world's most economically disadvantaged areas. The Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance pledged Saturday to rally $2.5 million for dozens of grassroots groups who advance adolescent girls' education by covering school-related costs, challenging patriarchal practices such as child marriage, counseling survivors of sexual abuse and providing other forms of support.
Marc Maron ends his podcast with final guest Barack Obama after 16 years and nearly 1,700 episodes
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barack Obama helped Marc Maron lock the gates on his podcast Monday, returning to the show for the final episode after 16 years and more than 1,600 episodes. The former president gave new status to "WTF With Marc Maron" and to podcasts in general when he visited Maron's Los Angeles garage studio while still in office a decade ago. Obama brought the 62-year-old host, stand-up comic and actor to his Washington office for the last interview.
OpenAI partners with Broadcom to design its own AI chips
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — OpenAI said Monday it is working with chipmaker Broadcom to design its own artificial intelligence computer chips. The two California companies didn't disclose the financial terms of the deal but said they will start deploying the new racks of customized "AI accelerators" late next year.
China shows no sign of backing down while issuing call for US to withdraw tariff threat
BANGKOK (AP) — China did not back down Monday in a back-and-forth with the U.S. over trade, calling for U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw his latest threat of a 100% tariff and other export control measures announced over the weekend. In the latest escalation of the trade war between the two nations, Trump issued the tariff threat on all Chinese imports into the U.S. after China placed stricter restrictions Thursday on rare earths, a vital resource used in electronics.
Truce fizzles as U.S.-China trade tensions return to full boil
NEW YORK (AP) — For months, bubbling trade tensions between China and the U.S. seemed to calm to a simmer, with words like "thaw" and "truce" swapped in for warnings of economic "war." Now, hostilities appear to be returning to full boil. A series of tit-for-tat moves this week by the two superpowers has thrust trade hostilities back in the global spotlight, roiling markets and raising alarms of what might come next.
World leaders gathering in Egypt throw their weight behind the Gaza ceasefire deal
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — The U.S. and Egyptian presidents are chairing a gathering of world leaders dubbed "Summit for Peace" on Monday to support ending the more than two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal. Israel and Hamas have no direct contacts and were not expected to attend Monday's summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not travel to the venue because of a Jewish holiday, his office said. President Donald Trump headed to Egypt after a stop in Israel.
Trump arrives in Egypt for Gaza summit after urging Israel to seize a chance for peace
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — President Donald Trump arrived in Egypt on Monday for a global summit on Gaza's future as he tries to advance peace in the Middle East after visiting Israel to celebrate a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. The whirlwind trip, which included a speech at the Knesset in Jerusalem earlier in the day, comes at a fragile moment of hope for ending two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
What to know as Israel and Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners as Trump arrives in the Middle East
A critical day is unfolding for the Middle East as Israel began receiving the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas and released some of the nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange in a breakthrough Gaza ceasefire deal. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived on Air Force One to a red carpet in Tel Aviv on Monday, where he will address Israel's parliament in Jerusalem before heading to Egypt for a ceremony marking the ceasefire plan.
Titans fire coach Brian Callahan after 4-19 record, 1-5 start to second season
NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans fired Brian Callahan on Monday after a 1-5 start to his second season, making him the first NFL head coach ousted this season. Chad Brinker, the Titans' president of football operations, said team officials had extended conversations with controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk and general manager Mike Borgonzi before meeting with Callahan on Monday morning to tell him that Tennessee was making a change.
Florida picked to win SEC, Kentucky's Oweh named Preseason Player of the Year
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The defending national champion Florida Gators have been chosen as the media's pick to win the 2026 Southeastern Conference, and Kentucky senior guard Otega Oweh was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year. Voters in the preseason poll were a select panel of both SEC and national media members.
LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda dies in ATV accident
NEW YORK (AP) — LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda died in an an all-terrain vehicle accident over the weekend, the online loaning platform said Monday. He was 55. In a company announcement, LendingTree confirmed that Lebda died on Sunday and that the company was greiving his unexpected death. A spokesperson said the accident occured at a family farm in North Carolina.
FACT FOCUS: With a truce in Israel, Trump now says he's ended eight wars. His numbers are off
As Israel and Hamas traded hostages and prisoners on Monday, taking a first step toward peace, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset, Israel's parliament, telling them he had ended his eighth war. "After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm. The guns are silent. The sirens are still. And the sun rises on a holy land that is finally at peace," Trump said.
Saros makes 31 saves, Nashville Predators beat Ottawa Senators 4-1
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Juuse Saros made 31 saves to lead the Nashville Predators to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Monday. Ryan O'Reilly's third-period goal held up as the winner. O'Reilly made it 2-0 with 5:22 remaining in regulation. Steven Stamkos had his shot attempt blocked and the puck bounced right to O'Reilly for his second of the season.
Black residents worry new Louisiana congressional district could be lost in Supreme Court case
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — For nearly three decades, the small town of Mansfield was represented in Louisiana's congressional delegation by white Republicans, even though its population is about 80% Black and leans heavily Democratic. That changed with the election last year of U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, a Black Democrat who was able to win after a newly drawn political map carved out a second Black majority congressional district in the state.
Leaf-peeping season hampered by drought: Fall foliage dropping sooner, showing less color
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Leaf-peeping season has arrived in the Northeast and beyond, but weeks of drought have muted this year's autumn colors, and sent leaves fluttering to the ground earlier than usual. Soaking in the fall foliage is an annual tradition in the New England states as well as areas such as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, chlorophyll in leaves breaks down, and they turn to the autumn tones of yellow, orange and red.
NFL uses AI to predict injuries, aiming to keep players healthier
Injuries are an inevitable part of the NFL with all the high-speed collisions, crushing hits and high exertion necessary on every play. Success each season often comes down to which teams can be the healthiest at the end and a string of injuries has already hampered preseason contenders like Baltimore, San Francisco and Cincinnati.
Oracle and AMD expand AI partnership to keep up with demand
WASHINGTON (AP) — Oracle and Advanced Micro Devices are expanding their partnership with the deployment of 50,000 AMD graphic processing units beginning in the third quarter of 2026 with further expansion to follow. The so-called AI "supercluster" is a massive, interconnected group of high-performance computers designed to work together as a single system.
Google announces $15B investment in AI hub in India meant to drive digital transformation
NEW DELHI (AP) — Google announced on Tuesday that it will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years to establish its first artificial intelligence hub in the country. Located in the southern city of Visakhapatnam, the hub will be one of Google's largest globally. It will feature gigawatt-scale data center operations, extensive energy infrastructure and an expanded fiber-optic network, the company said in a statement.
Nations meet to consider regulations to drive a green transition in shipping
The world's largest maritime nations gathered in London on Tuesday to consider adopting regulations that would move the shipping industry away from fossil fuels to slash emissions. If the deal is adopted, this will be the first time a global fee is imposed on planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Most ships today run on heavy fuel oil that releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants as it's burned.
Kitchen cabinet companies hope new US tariffs pay off in the long run
NEW YORK (AP) — Cabinet dealers, interior designers and remodeling contractors in the U.S. hope new tariffs on imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and upholstered wooden furniture that kicked in Tuesday will create more business for them and eventually boost domestic production of those products.
Brian Callahan becomes first NFL head coach fired this season and others are on the hot seat
Brian Callahan is the first NFL head coach to be fired this season and chances are he'll have some company in the unemployment line in the not-too-distant future. Last year, three head coaches were fired midseason. With the Dolphins off to a 1-5 start, Miami's Mike McDaniel has been a central figure in coaching hot seat discussion this fall. The Dolphins find themselves answering questions again about their team culture following Tua Tagovailoa's comments Sunday calling out unnamed teammates for being late to player-led meetings.
Foundations want to curb AI developers' influence with $500 million aimed at centering human needs
NEW YORK (AP) — Artificial intelligence is design — not destiny. That's the message from ten philanthropic foundations aiming to loosen the grip that the technology's moneyed developers, fueled by an investing frenzy, hold over its evolution. Launched Tuesday under the name Humanity AI, the coalition is committing $500 million across the next five years to place human interests at the forefront of the technology's rapid integration into daily life.
OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push
NEW YORK (AP) — OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company's push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue. In an Tuesday announcement, Walmart said the new offering will give customers the option to "simply chat and buy." That means the retailer's products would be available through instant checkout in ChatGPT — allowing users to buy anything from meal ingredients or household items, to other goods they might be discussing with the chatbot.
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