The Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners last week approved a transition in the People Implementation Entity for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program at College Hill Courts.
The board voted to end the authority’s contract with Urban Strategies and move responsibility for the role in-house, with CHA staff assuming oversight of the people-focused components of the initiative.
CHA officials said leadership changes in complex initiatives such as the Choice Neighborhoods program are not unusual. Urban Strategies provided national expertise during the early stages of the work, and its contributions were acknowledged as the project took shape.
At this stage of the initiative, CHA determined that a different approach would better support the scale, pace and level of local coordination required. The agency said it has remained in regular communication with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is committed to meeting all program benchmarks and deliverables.
Resident services at College Hill Courts continued without interruption, according to CHA.
CHA officials said success will be measured by meeting HUD benchmarks, achieving timely implementation milestones and delivering tangible improvements in opportunity and quality of life for College Hill residents.
NiteOwl Family Urgent Care expands hours
NiteOwl Family Urgent Care has expanded its hours and services to better serve families in the Ooltewah and Collegedale area and will celebrate the updates with a community open house Feb. 9.
The clinic is now open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., offering walk-in urgent care throughout the day and evening. NiteOwl has also expanded its care model to serve patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults, while continuing its focus on pediatric and newborn care.
In addition to urgent care visits, services include on-site X-rays, school and work physicals, flu and COVID testing and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. The changes follow a recent transition to new local ownership.
The open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the clinic, located at 9219 Lee Hwy.
City launches adaptive hiking program
City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors, through its Therapeutic Recreation division, is launching a new adaptive hiking program designed for children with paralysis or mobility challenges.
The program is made possible through a Quality of Life Grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and adds a GRIT Junior Freedom Chair to the city’s fleet of adaptive equipment. The all-terrain, manual wheelchair allows young participants to access trails and outdoor spaces not navigable with standard wheelchairs.
Designed by engineers at MIT, the GRIT Junior Freedom Chair is built with standard mountain bike components and is capable of traveling across dirt, gravel, sand, mud and grass, expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for children with disabilities.
In addition to the hiking equipment, the Therapeutic Recreation team is also adding four specialized kayaks and adaptive gear, including outriggers, hand adaptations and transfer benches. Adaptive kayaking programs will continue this summer.
City officials say the new equipment supports the department’s mission to improve mobility, independence and social engagement for individuals with paralysis or other disabilities. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Quality of Life Grants program supports nonprofit organizations and municipal governments working to promote inclusion and community engagement.
Adaptive hikes are planned from March through the fall and will take place twice a month at various locations across Chattanooga. Families interested in the Adaptive Hiking program or the GRIT Junior Freedom Chair are encouraged to contact the Therapeutic Recreation division for information about upcoming hikes or to schedule an opportunity to test the equipment.
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State Rep. Reneau files AI personhood bill
State Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Signal Mountain, is sponsoring legislation that seeks to draw firm legal boundaries around artificial intelligence as its role in society continues to expand.
Reneau, along with State Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, has filed House Bill 849 and Senate Bill 837, which would exclude artificial intelligence, algorithms, software programs, computer hardware and machines from the legal definition of a “person” under Tennessee law. The legislation would clarify that AI systems do not qualify as “persons,” “life” or “natural persons.”
Reneau says the proposal responds to the rapid acceleration of AI technology into areas traditionally reserved for human beings, including corporate leadership and even political campaigns. Recent national headlines have also highlighted cases in which individuals formed intense emotional attachments to AI chatbots, with some incidents ending in suicide.
“In just the last 12 months, AI has advanced at a breathtaking pace,” Reneau says. “From chatbots now appearing on ballots to companies exploring AI ‘CEOs,’ we’ve also seen heartbreaking incidents where people formed intense emotional attachments to AI, with tragic outcomes. This legislation draws clear legal boundaries to protect inalienable rights that belong to humans, not databases, computers or artificial intelligence.”
The bill would amend existing state law to make clear that while corporations and other entities may be treated as “persons” for limited legal purposes, AI systems and machines may not.
Pody says the legislation is intended to ensure the law keeps pace with emerging technology, but Reneau emphasizes Tennessee’s opportunity to take an early lead on the issue.
“Tennessee has an opportunity to lead the nation on this issue,” Reneau says. “We look forward to working with our colleagues to get this common-sense protection across the finish line this session.”
Reneau represents District 27 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes Signal Mountain and surrounding communities.
Domestic violence license plate advances
Legislation advancing in the Tennessee General Assembly would create a specialty license plate aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault while supporting victim service programs across the state, according to the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence.
The proposed measure would authorize a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness specialty license plate, with proceeds benefiting the coalition and its statewide network of domestic violence and sexual assault service providers. Funds generated through plate sales would be distributed to programs across Tennessee to support prevention efforts, public awareness initiatives and direct services for survivors and their families.
If enacted, Tennesseans would be able to purchase the specialty plate through their local county clerk’s office. Information on early sign-ups and additional details would be released as the legislation moves forward.
The Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence says it will continue working with legislators and community partners to advance policies and resources that strengthen prevention efforts and expand access to support services for survivors statewide.