News - Friday, September 13, 2024

In the fall of 2015, when Shannon Burger was hired as a financial consultant to steer Chattanooga CARES back on track, the place was in such disarray from high turnover, loss of grants and audit woes that some staff members were skeptical she could help turn it around.

Chattanooga Bar Association president Steven Smith presents Judge Tori Smith with a robe given by the CBA.

Smith succeeds Judge Alex McVeagh, whose General Sessions Court seat came open when he was elected to the Circuit Court.

As we dive into Realtor Safety Month this September, it’s a good time to reflect on the importance of safety for Realtors and their clients. While the nature of real estate transactions involves meeting new people and visiting unfamiliar properties, there are several safety protocols that can help protect everyone involved.

Millennials now account for half of all timeshare owners, a 2022 report by the American Resort Development Association finds. In fact, the average age of a timeshare owner is now 39 years old.

In the past decade, the timeshare industry has been quietly transforming from something your grandparents owned for an annual week in January to a dynamic, anytime vacation rental.

Newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development reveals that Hamilton County generated $1,732,526,000 in visitor spending in 2023, marking a 6.36% increase from the previous year.

“Hamilton County’s continued growth in tourism highlights the incredible efforts of our community and its dedication to remaining a premier destination,” says Barry White, Chattanooga Tourism Co. President and CEO. “The success we’re experiencing not only boosts our local economy but also strengthens our businesses and supports essential community initiatives.

Cindy Todd has been named chair of the Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corporation board of directors, the governing board of WTCI PBS. WTCI PBS’s mission is to enrich lives through quality programs and services that educate, engage and inspire a lifetime of learning and exploration.

Investment opportunities don’t stop at the U.S. border. But what should you know about investing internationally?

To begin with, what is an international investment? Essentially, it’s an investment in companies based outside the United States. Investors can purchase individual foreign stocks, but many people choose international mutual funds or international exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which can be traded like stocks and track a specific market index. It’s also possible to invest in bonds issued by foreign governments or entities.

A recent Monmouth University study shows more than one-third of United States residents wish to move abroad. Pollsters report 34% of respondents would settle in another country if given the opportunity. Fifty years ago, only 10% of Americans responded similarly.

As Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, inches closer to retirement, concerns over credit card debt and a lack of retirement savings become primary focuses, especially when compared to what younger generations worry about.

Gen X represents over 65 million people, or around 20% of the global population, Pew Research Center as of April 2020 shows.

Managers are often drained by the people part of their jobs. After working for years as an individual contributor, they are finally rewarded with a management role. But, management is not as fun as they had hoped.

In addition to their old tasks, the manager is now saddled with a job that feels like a combination of a therapist and a babysitter. But instead of watching over children, they are tending to middle-aged adults.

About the only thing that will be remembered from Brian Callahan’s debut as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans will be the ugly interception from Will Levis that basically threw the game away.

It was already third down, so be it a sack or an incompletion, the Titans were going to punt and turn the game back over to their defense, hoping to hang on to a 17-16 lead.

Believe it or not, there were a few things from Sunday for the Titans to be encouraged about.

Atop that list was the play of Tennessee’s rebuilt defensive unit, which dominated the game Sunday and gave an indication that an aggressive, attacking style is back for the Titans.

The Titans return to Nissan Stadium for their home opener against the Jets with plenty to clean up and try to fix after their collapse Sunday in Chicago.

First down

Learn and move on. Quarterback Will Levis pledged to learn from his season-opening mistakes and work to clean things up as the Titans face Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. There won’t be time to dwell on mistakes, but the Titans offense must run more smoothly in terms of execution. Penalties and runs for losses were as much a problem as the pressure on Levis from the pass rush. That must be curtailed against the Jets.

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. But it’s not, so you’re on your own. Think of it as a challenge. Seriously, you’ve never known a roadblock you couldn’t go around, no fence you couldn’t climb, no chasm you couldn’t jump.

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are like pro football’s Kelce brothers, Travis and Jason: Both have had distinguished careers, both offer different strengths and you’d be glad to have either on your team.

But chances are you can only afford one of these SUVs. Which one will be the better buy? Edmunds’ car experts break down the key differences.

MEMPHIS (AP) — Three former officers charged in the beating death of Tyre Nichols did not comply with Memphis Police Department training policies when they punched, kicked and hit the 29-year-old motorist with a baton after a January 2023 traffic stop, a police lieutenant testified Thursday.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — People began betting Thursday on which political party would win control of Congress in the November elections after a judge's ruling allowing the wagers — the only ones to be legally approved by a U.S. jurisdiction.

New York startup company Kalshi began taking what amounts to bets on the outcome of the November congressional elections after a judge refused to block them from doing so.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Several leading artificial intelligence companies pledged Thursday to remove nude images from the data sources they use to train their AI products, and committed to other safeguards to curb the spread of harmful sexual deepfake imagery.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks pulled closer to their records on Thursday following a couple reports on the economy that came in close to expectations.

The S&P 500 rose 0.7% and climbed back within 1.3% of its record set in July following a shaky summer. It remains on track for a fourth winning week in the last five.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House this week approved a sweeping package of bills to counter China's influence, shoring up a largely bipartisan push to ensure America comes out ahead in the competition between the world's superpowers.

The efforts would ban Chinese-made drones, limit China-linked biotech companies from access to the U.S. market, strengthen sanctions and deepen ties with Asian countries. The campaign to target Beijing this week shows how curbing China's power has emerged as a rare issue of political consensus.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A resolution introduced by Congressional Democrats would make clear that U.S. emergency rooms need to provide emergency abortions when a woman's health or life is at risk, despite strict state abortion bans.

Legislators cited a report by The Associated Press that found more than 100 pregnant women have been denied care since 2022 in introducing the two-page proposal on Thursday.

NASHVILLE (AP) — The NFL did the New York Jets and four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers no favors scheduling their first three games over the span of 11 days.

The Tennessee Titans have a different challenge.

SEATTLE (AP) — Kumar Rocker's debut in the majors finally arrived. It was a mixed bag for his highly anticipated first outing.

Rocker threw four innings for the Texas Rangers on Thursday night in their series opener against the Seattle Mariners. It was the conclusion of a lengthy journey through the pro game for the one-time college phenom and the top pitching prospect in the Rangers organization.

NASHVILLE (AP) — Firestone will continue as the only tire supplier for all IndyCar racing under a long-term extension between Bridgestone America and Penske Entertainment.

The length of the deal announced Thursday was not detailed. But the agreement will keep Firestone as the only tire supplier for all IndyCar races, the INDY NXT developmental series and the Indianapolis 500. Firestone is wrapping up its 25th straight year as IndyCar's tire supplier going into Sunday's season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.

NASHVILLE (AP) — An Alaska Airlines jet taking off in Nashville braked to a rapid stop on the runway to avoid a possible collision Thursday with a Southwest Airlines plane, and federal agencies are investigating the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Alaska pilots aborted their takeoff because the Southwest plane was cleared to cross the end of the same runway.

MEMPHIS (AP) — A Tennessee judge ruled Wednesday that three gun control questions can go on the November ballot in Memphis, even as top Republican state leaders have threatened to withhold tens of millions of dollars in state funding should city leaders put the initiative before voters.

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected Donald Trump's request to halt postconviction proceedings in his hush money criminal case, leaving a key ruling and the former president's sentencing on track for after the November election.

A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan cited the postponement last week of Trump's sentencing from Sept. 18 to Nov. 26 in denying his motion for an emergency stay.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump launched campaign blitzes Thursday with dramatically different approaches to attracting swing-state voters who will decide the presidential contest.

In North Carolina, Democratic nominee Harris used rallies in Charlotte and Greensboro to tout endorsements from Republicans who have crossed the aisle to back her. She also promised to protect access to health care and abortion, while delighting her partisan crowds with celebrations of her debate performance Tuesday, taking digs at Trump and cheerleading for her campaign and the country.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even as she promoted her efforts to boost clean energy, Vice President Kamala Harris said in Tuesday's debate that the Biden-Harris administration has overseen "the largest increase in domestic oil production in history because of an approach that recognizes that we cannot over rely on foreign oil."

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump plans to deliver remarks next Monday about cryptocurrency and the launch of the company World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform controlled by the Republican nominee's sons Donald Jr. and Eric.

His speech will come 50 days before Election Day, an extraordinary use of dwindling campaign time to promote a personal business. The Republican former president has long mixed his political and business interests and marketed sneakers, photo books and Trump-branded Bibles during his 2024 campaign.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is preparing criminal charges in connection with an Iranian hack that targeted Donald Trump's presidential campaign in a bid to shape the outcome of the November election, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a man currently serving a 20-year prison sentence can remain on the November ballot in the state's U.S. House race.

In a brief order, a split court affirmed a lower court ruling in a case brought by the Alaska Democratic Party; Justice Susan Carney dissented. A full opinion explaining the reasoning will be released later.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia and Vietnam signed multibillion-dollar energy transition deals in 2022 that were heralded as drastic shifts in financing that would enable the coal-dependent countries to pivot to cleaner energy.

The deals, known as Just Energy Transition Partnerships, were funded by developed nations to help the two countries phase out and retire their heavily polluting coal-fired power plants and replace them with clean energy alternatives such as solar or geothermal.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Biden administration officials on Thursday discussed the future of artificial intelligence at a meeting with a group of executives from OpenAI, Nvidia, Microsoft and other companies. The focus was on building data centers in the United States and the infrastructure needed to develop the technology.

WASHINGTON (AP) — California firefighters had to douse a flaming battery in a Tesla Semi with about 50,000 gallons (190,000 liters) of water to extinguish flames after a crash, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.

In addition to the huge amount of water, firefighters used an aircraft to drop fire retardant on the "immediate area" of the electric truck as a precautionary measure, the agency said in a preliminary report.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's central bank raised its key interest rate by a full percentage point to 19% to combat high inflation as government spending on the military strains the economy's capacity to produce goods and services and drives up workers' wages.

SEATTLE (AP) — Aircraft assembly workers walked off the job early Friday at Boeing factories near Seattle and elsewhere after union members voted overwhelmingly to go on strike and reject a tentative contract that would have increased wages by 25% over four years.

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Canada's largest airline and business leaders on Thursday urged the federal government to intervene in labor talks with its pilots in hopes of avoiding a shutdown, but the labor minister said the two sides should negotiate a deal.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday joined scores of advocates and survivors of domestic abuse to mark the 30th anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, a law he wrote and championed as a U.S. senator because he wanted to "change the culture of America" around this touchy issue.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A California biotechnology company that helps doctors detect genetic causes for cancer is among those that could be cut out of the U.S. market over ties to China, underscoring the possible tradeoffs between health innovation and a largely bipartisan push in Congress to counter Beijing's global influence.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine's push to ease restrictions on the use of weapons from the United States and Britain will be discussed Friday in White House talks between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Ukraine wants approval to use some weapons to strike deeper into Russia and there are signs Biden might shift U.S. policy in response. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukraine's use of long-range weapons would put NATO at war with Moscow.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mortgage rates haven't been this attractive in more than a year, good news for homeowners eager to refinance.

Many homeowners have already jumped at the opportunity to lower their monthly payment, spurring a surge in mortgage refinancing applications.

NASHVILLE (AP) — IndyCar star Colton Herta, one of Nashville's newest residents, can see promotion of the season finale all around the city.

He made a joke that there are plenty of billboards around Nashville — Pato O'Ward complained two weeks ago the sign outside the Milwaukee Mile advertised a previously-held NASCAR event and not that days IndyCar race — and Herta stressed efforts have been strong to promote Sunday's championship-deciding race.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tech behemoth Oracle has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $115 million over allegations that it tracked consumer activity both on and offline.

The suit alleges Oracle captured, compiled, and sold individuals' data to third parties without their consent. Oracle maintains its practices were lawful, that it disclosed its activities, and it admitted no wrongdoing.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man who worked as a U.S. State Department diplomatic security officer pleaded guilty on Friday to joining a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol over three years ago, court records show.

Kevin Michael Alstrup is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12 by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Just hours after it began, legal betting on the outcome of U.S. Congressional elections has been put on hold by a federal appeals court.

The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an order Thursday night temporarily freezing the matter until it can consider and rule on the issue. No timetable was initially given.

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (AP) — Donald Trump refused on Friday to weigh in on recent racist and conspiratorial comments from right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer, who traveled with him earlier this week to the debate and several 9/11 memorial events.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — In the heart of Las Vegas' Chinatown, on the second floor of a sprawling shopping plaza that serves as a hub for the city's Asian community, residents gather for a celebration of the annual Dragon Boat Festival.

Some stop in to grab shiny, red packages of premade zongzi, a rice dish wrapped in bamboo leaves often eaten during the Chinese holiday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' outlook on the economy improved for the second straight month in September, bolstered by lower prices for long-lasting goods such as cars and furniture and the prospect of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index ticked up to 69 in its preliminary reading, its highest level since May and up from 67.9 in August. The gain was driven by consumers' perceptions that prices have improved for durable goods, the report from University of Michigan said.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks closed out their best week of the year with more gains on Friday and climbed to the cusp of their records.

The S&P 500 rose 0.5% for a fifth straight gain and is just 0.7% below its all-time high set in July. Rallies for Microsoft, Broadcom and other big technology stocks helped it claw back almost all its losses from last week, which was its worst in nearly 18 months.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has voiced his opposition to Nippon Steel buying U.S. Steel, but the federal government appears to be in no hurry to block the deal.

White House officials earlier this month did not deny that the president would formally block the acquisition. But the necessary report from the government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has yet to be submitted to the White House.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is cracking down on cheap products sold out of China, expanding a push to reduce U.S. dependence on Beijing and bolster homegrown industry, but that could trigger higher prices for U.S. consumers who flock to popular shopping sites like Temu and Shein.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department announced new sanctions on Russian state media Friday, accusing a Kremlin news outlet of working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armor and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine.