The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is moving forward with plans to offer two 90-credit-hour bachelor’s degrees designed for law enforcement and corrections professionals. The proposed Police Science and Corrections Science programs would provide a shorter, potentially more affordable alternative to traditional 120-credit-hour degrees.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has determined that both programs meet the criteria for focused baccalaureate degrees, allowing UTC to begin the formal approval process. The university is targeting an August 2027 launch, pending approval from the commission and the UT System Board of Trustees.
Developed by UTC’s Department of Criminal Justice, the programs would recognize professional training completed at certified police and corrections academies. Eligible students could receive nine credit hours for their academy training, and both degrees would be available online or in person to accommodate working professionals.
Both programs would also allow graduates to pursue UTC’s traditional 120-credit-hour bachelor of science in criminal justice through additional coursework. University officials say the degrees are intended to help public safety professionals advance into supervisory and leadership positions while addressing Tennessee’s workforce needs.
Hamilton County Schools sets graduation record
Hamilton County Schools achieved a record-high graduation rate of 95.2% for the class of 2026, according to new data from the Tennessee Department of Education. The figure continues a steady upward trend, rising from 84.6% in 2017 to 94.2% in 2025.
Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson credited the district’s efforts to identify struggling students early and provide additional support. Among those initiatives are Freshman Success Academies, introduced four years ago to improve ninth grade performance through mentoring and academic monitoring, and programs such as Opportunity High and Graduation Success, which offer flexible scheduling for students facing barriers to graduation.
Hamilton Co. property sales top $317 million
Real estate sales in Hamilton County totaled $317.9 million in October, according to the monthly sales and mortgages report released by Register of Deeds Marc Gravitt.
The county recorded 1,236 deeds and 1,166 deeds of trust during the month, with mortgage loans totaling $541.8 million. Conveyance taxes generated $1.18 million, while mortgage taxes brought in $620,269.
The month’s largest property transaction was an $11.325 million sale at 3825 Hixson Pike in Chattanooga, followed by a $6.525 million sale at 2340 Center St. and a $5.5 million transaction at 2121 Chapman Road.
Other notable transactions included a $4.8 million sale at 9211 Lawford Way, a $4.5 million sale at 7010 McCutcheon Road and a $3.47 million transaction at 529 Frawley Road.
The Register of Deeds office recorded 4,592 documents during October, including deeds, mortgages, releases and other property-related filings.
Tennessee secretary of state offers giving tips
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett is encouraging residents to verify charitable organizations and fundraising requests before making donations to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
The Secretary of State’s Division of Business and Charitable Organizations recommends researching charities at sos.tn.gov/charities, being wary of organizations with names similar to legitimate nonprofits and resisting pressure to donate immediately.
Residents should also verify requests received through email, text messages or social media by contacting the charity directly.
Other recommendations include asking how donations will be used, determining how much money paid fundraisers retain and making contributions by check or credit card to maintain a record of the transaction.
Residents can verify charitable organizations by visiting sos.tn.gov/charities or calling 615 741-2555. Suspected charity fraud can be reported by calling 800 861-7393 or emailing charitable.solicitations@tnsos.gov.
Red Bank approves former sewer plant sale
The Red Bank board of commissioners has approved the sale of the city’s former sewer treatment plant at 614 Hudson Road to Marion Environmental Company for $314,000, the property’s appraised market value.
Red Bank ceased sewer utility operations at the site decades ago and has leased the property to Marion Environmental and its predecessors since 1995. The lease included an option to purchase, which the company recently exercised.
Commissioners reviewed the property’s appraisal and lease agreement during a June 16 work session before City Attorney Arnold Stulce prepared the documents for the sale.
City Manager Martin Granum said Red Bank has no plans to resume sewer operations and that the sale will allow Marion Environmental to make long-term investments in the property.