Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Good morning, Chattanooga. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Chattanooga groups plan vigils—one tonight and others coming soon—in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University as the community mourns his loss. Chattanooga Times Free Press
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Local Chattanooga coffee shops are raising prices as coffee bean costs jump nearly 21%—tariffs on Brazilian imports have impacted Mayfly Coffee and Mad Priest Coffee Roaster, with the latter raising bag prices by 7%. Mad Priest Coffee will open a new location the week of September 22nd and the market shift may help farmers earn better pay. Local 3 News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Ramble began Tuesday in Chattanooga with shows at local venues Barrelhouse Ballroom, The Comedy Catch, Gate 11 Distillery, Hi-Fi Clyde’s, Songbirds — and the Chattanooga Convention Center. It offered a full day of live bluegrass performances for local fans. Local 3 News
- ➤ Chattanooga is hosting many cultural events this week — bluegrass concerts at downtown venues and the Chattanooga Theatre Centre opening its 102nd season with the musical Memphis. The Chickamauga National Military Park is marking its Civil War commemoration with guided tours and history programs. Chattanooga Times Free Press
- ➤ Retired fire captain Randy Steele now pursues his bluegrass dreams with his band High Cold Wind as he performs throughout the IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival week in Chattanooga. He will appear at Comedy Catch Tuesday at 9pm and other free shows—marking his shift from a firefighting career to full-time music. Local 3 News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Collegedale has named Andrew Morkert as interim city manager while the city commission searches for a permanent leader—he replaces Michelle Toro who filled in after Wayon Hines resigned on September 2. Local 3 News
- ➤ TVA is starting a $60-million rehab on Unit 4 at Chickamauga Dam to boost power generation and extend the dam’s lifespan by 20 to 40 years. The project will begin soon—upgrading turbines and electrical components—to keep power reliable and help reduce flood damage. Local 3 News
- ➤ Chattanooga city council passed the first reading of a resolution to dissolve some departments to comply with state law banning DEI offices. The plan will merge functions into Community Development and create a new office for new Chattanoogans—eliminating the chief equity officer position. News Channel 9
- ➤ Chattanooga Fire Chief Terry Knowles has led the department for nearly a month and has built a long career in public service, from the Navy to local fire roles—he recalled helping his family during the 2020 tornado in East Brainerd. He said his new position is a chance to support the team and keep the community safe. Chattanooga CW
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ A new apartment complex on North Shore could include affordable rental units through a tax deal with the city—this plan aims to help lower income tenants secure housing. Chattanooga Times Free Press
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Chattanooga Lookouts will offer the first 1,000 fans a commemorative AT&T Field ticket at their playoff game on September 18—marking their final season at the ballpark before moving to Erlanger Park. Fans can also purchase tickets online for the Thursday game against the Birmingham Barons. Local 3 News
-
The Brook & The Bluff Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — The Signal — Tickets range from $61 to $87 — Catch The Brook & The Bluff live in an unforgettable musical evening.
-
Chatta Town Tasting Festival 2025
10 AM – 4 PM — Chattanooga Green — Food sampling — Dive into a delicious world of local flavors and culinary delights.
-
Chaka Khan Concert
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience the legendary voice of Chaka Khan live in Chattanooga.
-
Todd Marcus Quintet featuring Virginia MacDonald
7:30-10 p.m. — Barking Legs Theater — $Varies — Experience a unique jazz performance highlighting the clarinet's versatility in modern jazz.
-
Joy Adams Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — Barking Legs Theater — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of country music and comedy with award-winning entertainer Joy Adams and special guests.
-
Lilac Line Concert
7-9 p.m. — Songbirds — Ticketed event — Experience the rising sounds of Chattanooga's own alternative rock band, Lilac Line, in an intimate setting.
-
Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
7:15-9:30 p.m. — The Signal — Tickets available — Experience the ultimate tribute to the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.
-
IRONMAN Chattanooga
6:30 a.m. — Ross's Landing — Entry fee required — Conquer 144.6 miles and enjoy local adventures in a beautiful setting.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Chattanooga
Welcome to the Daily Chattanooga, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Chattanooga, Tennessee community. If you like the Daily Chattanooga, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Chattanooga.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Chattanooga and across Tennessee. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Chattanooga
A free Chattanooga community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.

© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailychattanooga.com/sitemap