Daily editionWednesday, October 28th, 2026
Good morning, East Ridge.
The 5AM East Ridge Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 28th of October.
Community
This weekend features Halloween happenings across the area, including the Haunted Market at First Horizon Pavilion on Sunday and the Nooga Halloween Crawl Saturday downtown, with concerts, family fall festivals, haunted houses, and kids' activities running Thursday through Sunday.
Chattanooga Times Free PressRead more
Business
Tesla offered demo rides of its Semi at the FreightWaves F3 festival on Oct. 27 at The Signal, and attendees praised its quiet ride, regenerative braking, driver-profile phone key and 350+–500 mile range.
Chattanooga Times Free PressRead more
Education
The Tennessee Aquarium announced a new veterinary program and a $5 million animal hospital (3,100 sqft) that will open in June to house its animal health team; partnerships with UT College of Veterinary Medicine and Chattanooga State will offer externships, fellowships, internships and potential full-time jobs.
Local 3 NewsRead more
Environment
Peak fall color should arrive in the Tennessee Valley by early November after a dry, warm September caused some early leaf drop, and higher elevations along the Cumberland Plateau are expected to show the best colors before lower areas around Chattanooga.
Chattanooga Times Free PressRead more
Government
Chattanooga Airport announced Tuesday, Oct. 27 it received an additional $9,255,200 in state grants toward a $35 million parking garage, bringing state support to about $22 million (about 95%); the second garage will add 1,600 spaces and is slated to open in February 2027.
Local 3 NewsRead more
Red Bank will stop subsidizing CARTA's Care-a-Van on Dec. 31, cutting local pickup for 32 eligible seniors and residents with disabilities as city officials say lost grants and rising costs made the program unsustainable and Program 1 and 2 zones won't cover Red Bank.
Chattanooga Times Free PressRead more
Sports
Chattanooga-area high schools are home to four of Tennessee’s top 2028 football prospects, led by Baylor receiver Antwaun Cornbread Adams and tight end Braxton Rein, and several players already have Power Five offers.
Chattanooga Times Free PressRead more