News - Friday, May 15, 2026

From a warehouse in California, an 815-pound McDonald’s ice cream machine has become an unlikely symbol in one of the most consequential consumer rights battles in the country.

The machine belongs to iFixit cofounder and CEO Kyle Wiens, who bought it to challenge a federal system that can make it illegal for owners to repair the products they purchase.

The shelves stretch upward in long industrial rows inside iFixit’s Chattanooga warehouse, stacked with bins containing the innards of modern life: Google Pixel screens, Lenovo keyboards, Bose headphone cushions, iPhone displays, Roomba brushes, batteries, screws and tiny replacement parts most consumers never realize exist until something breaks.

A Northshore gift shop built around Chattanooga pride recently reached a milestone that its owners say belongs as much to local makers as it does to the business itself.

During Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly presented Locals Only Gifts and Goods co-owner Danielle Landrum with a Shopify Milestone Award recognizing the business for surpassing 10,000 lifetime orders.

At first, SkyBoss HQ existed only as a rough sketch on a dining room table.

Using a ruler and pencil, Jay Jolly drew airplanes, hangars and notes about a business concept he believed could transform aviation in Collegedale. It was little more than a poster board and an idea, but Jolly already envisioned something larger than a conventional aircraft hangar.

Sage Mardjetko didn’t know what it felt like to be fully healthy on the softball field since early in her high school career. The University of Tennessee junior right-hander had been pitching through a torn labrum in her left hip for years before finally having surgery last summer.

Consider this scenario: A teacher of 30 years and mother of three dies at age 58. She leaves behind a modest home, a retirement account and cherished family heirlooms – but no estate plan. Her children, still grieving, find themselves navigating a confusing probate process, disagreeing about when to sell the house and considering who gets their grandmother’s ring.

This May 30 through June 7, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is rolling up its sleeves to participate in Realtors Volunteer Days.

This nationwide initiative highlights the profession’s longstanding commitment to service and community impact. In partnership with the National Association of Realtors, local agents are joining colleagues across the country to give back where it matters most.

The Better Business Bureau recognized companies and students from Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia during its annual Celebration of Trust luncheon on May 6, announcing the winners of the 2026 Torch Awards for Ethics.

Four companies were selected as Torch Award winners following judging focused on ethical business practices, workplace culture, customer relationships and community involvement.

The Chattanooga Lookouts will host a public art opening celebrating new entry gate installations created for Erlanger Park and the Tennessee Riverwalk by artist Tommy Bronx. Fans can meet the artist, participate in a scavenger hunt with prize giveaways and free Lookouts tickets, and view the steel artworks welcoming visitors into the ballpark. Bronx also will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. 4:30-5 p.m., Erlanger Park, Chattanooga.

The Tennessee Aquarium has added Jason Sanders to its development team as strategic giving officer.

Sanders will work alongside Development Manager Mary Anne Williams and the Aquarium’s existing development staff to support fundraising initiatives.

Health and wellness advice is available in abundance on social media – from trendy to informative to straight-up disinformation – and you’re far from alone in seeing it.

A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults – and around half of those under 50 – get health information from social media or podcasts.

Recess isn’t just a fun break for grade schoolers. It’s crucial to good health and good grades for kids of all ages.

That’s the message from a leading pediatricians group, which just released the first new guidance in 13 years about this unstructured time at school and how it needs to be protected.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market is rising toward more records Thursday after Cisco Systems joined the parade of U.S. companies reporting fatter profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected.

The S&P 500 added 0.9% to its all-time high set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 386 points, or 0.8%, and is on track to finish a day above the 50,000 level for the first time since the war with Iran began. The Nasdaq composite was 1% higher and adding to its own record, as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rose to more records Thursday after Cisco Systems joined the parade of U.S. companies reporting fatter profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to set an all-time high for a second straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 370 points, or 0.7%, and finished above the 50,000 level for the first time since the war with Iran began, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.9% to its own record.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market is falling from its records Friday and joining a worldwide drop for stocks, as higher oil prices send a shiver through the bond market. Stocks that had been caught up in the euphoria around artificial-intelligence technology led the way lower.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee on Friday announced that he is ending his bid for reelection, his career upended by the redistricting battles that are sweeping the country after last month's Supreme Court decision.

ATLANTA (AP) — Same fight. New generation.

That's the mantra of a multiracial group of civil rights leaders and activists organizing opposition to a mostly white conservative alliance dismantling the Voting Rights Act and political districts that allowed Black and other nonwhite voters to choose more of their elected leaders for the last half-century.

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up critical talks on Friday, claiming important progress in stabilizing U.S.-China relations even as deep differences persist between the world's two biggest powers on Iran, Taiwan and more.