The first cohort of SETWorks (Southeast Tennessee Works) recently completed their in-class training, celebrating with a completion ceremony at Chattanooga State Community College. A total of 13 individuals celebrated their completion of the first half of this innovative work-based learning program that was funded by the Benwood Foundation. The training is divided into two six-week ... (click for more)

Orchard Knob Elementary School students are receiving a lesson in sustainability through a newly installed pollinator garden on the school’s campus. By nurturing plants, the students will help to provide a habitat for monarch butterflies and to restore the dwindling population. The Chattanooga garden is the latest in BASF’s nationwide biodiversity initiative called the Living Acres ... (click for more)

A new CEO for Volkswagen Chattanooga was announced on Thursday. Frank Fischer introduced Tom du Plessis to all Chattanooga employees at a team meeting. Also introduced was Burkhard Ulrich, successor to Nicole Koesling, as incoming senior vice president of human resources for the factory. Former Chattanooga finance manager Brent Hinson returns from Volkswagen of America’s headquarters ... (click for more)

County School officials on Thursday presented a revised budget that eliminates most school fees and adds 10 literacy aides. The employee pay increase remains at 2.5 percent - short of the five percent that was included in the initial budget requiring a 34-cent property tax increase. That tax rise was rejected 5--4 by the County Commission. Board member Tucker Pennington put ... (click for more)

Senator Lamar Alexander has been promoting the Lower Healthcare Cost Act legislation passed by the Senate HELP committee he chairs earlier this month. There are many provisions in the bill that will work to lower healthcare costs, something that we all want. His solution for surprise medical bills, however causes more problems than it solves. The bill forces physicians to accept ... (click for more)

Back during the spring, I got word about a book entitled “The White House Boys” and was urged to read it. A friend told me she felt like author Roger Dean Kiser and I shared a similar style in the way we both painted with words. Since then I have happened across several articles penned by Mr. Kiser and I can’t imagine being more humbled or grateful that our names have appeared in ... (click for more)