Good morning, East Ridge.

Fall events are coming across the Tennessee Valley, including East Ridge's Fall Festival at Camp Jordan Amphitheater (Saturday at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and various food truck rallies, consignment sales and craft markets scheduled from mid-August through November.

Food City officials are awarding $800,000 to more than 1,000 schools through its School Bucks program — including a $1,000 donation to Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Georgia.

The program has given over $24.5 million since its launch and will run through April 30, 2027.

Officials announced that replacement construction of the aging Wilcox Boulevard Bridge will begin in 2027 to address safety concerns affecting more than 18,000 daily vehicles — detailed plans are expected to follow.

State Senator Bo Watson and House Speaker Cameron Sexton pledged to fully fund Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – a free book program for children under five – to relieve local funding burdens.

The proposal will be considered after November’s election and could add about $5.1 million to the next budget.

A local columnist raised concerns on Aug.

25 about TVA’s new rate class for data centers introduced with little public input. Critics argue the move lacks transparency and could allow centers to pay lower rates than residents—prompting calls for clearer guidelines.

UTC sophomore Evan Rogers clinched the Visit Knoxville Collegiate at Fox Den Country Club on Tuesday by scoring 10-under 200 with a birdie on the par-4 17th + his win against a strong field marked the program's best stretch in over a decade.