Tennessee
New Tennessee law requiring AEDs in high schools goes into effect
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee’s “Smart Heart Act” is now in effect after it was signed by Governor Bill Lee in May. The legislation requires automatic defibrillators in schools and also establishes protocols for medical emergencies related to cardiac issues.
As of July 1, each public and non-public school where students attend grades 9 through 12 must maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED) thanks to the Smart Heart Act. The law also requires that the AED be made accessible during the regular school day and athletic events.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed the Smart Heart Act, sponsored by Cepicky and Hensley, in April 2024.
“Nothing is more important than keeping our students healthy and safe, and the Smart Heart Act ensures schools will be ready to respond in the event of a cardiac-related emergency,” Gov. Bill Lee stated in May upon signing the legislation into law. “I commend the General Assembly for their commitment to Tennessee students in passing this legislation.”
The Smart Heart Sports Coalition, which was launched in 2023, comprises major sports leagues and leading health advocacy groups seeking to drive the adoption of policies that could help prevent fatalities from Sudden Cardiac Arrest among high school students. Among the priorities include clearly marked AEDs at or within minutes of each high school athletic venue, an emergency action plan specific to each athletic venue that is posted and regularly rehearsed, plus education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with AED use, for coaches and school personnel.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — FOX 17 News is monitoring for a few strong thunderstorms that are possible Sunday and Monday.
A few isolated storms are possible in the afternoon, but the best chance for any strong or severe storms will come Sunday night into Monday morning.
The overall threat for severe weather is low, but some of the strongest storms could bring gusty winds and heavy rainfall. The tornado threat is very low.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Tuesday through Friday carries a 20% chance for some pop-up showers and thunderstorms.
Tennessee
Things to do in the Chattanooga area this week include Chickapalooza, Amy Grant, Summerween | Chattanooga Times Free Press
COMEDY
‘The Muslims are Coming’
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St.
Cost: $23 for general admission
More info: Showcase of Muslim (and non-Muslim) comedians.
thecomedycatch.com
FILM
‘Toy Story 5’
When: 6:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Where: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.
Cost: $15 for general admission
More info: Latest installment in the long-running Pixar franchise about the lives of childhood toys.
tnaqua.org/imax
Bobby Stone Film Series
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.
Cost: $13.50 for general admission
More info: Screenings include: “Resurrection” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, “Rear Window” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and “The Sparks Brothers” at 4 p.m. Sunday.
tivolichattanooga.com
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‘Supergirl’
When: 5 and 7:15 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Where: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.
Cost: $15 for general admission
More info: Summer blockbuster about Superman’s cousin, Supergirl.
tnaqua.org/imax
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Movie night
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Chester Frost Park, 7872 Causeway Road
Cost: Free
More info: Hamilton County Parks and Recreation hosts a free movie night screening of “Finding Nemo.” Includes games, vendors and more.
facebook.com
MUSIC
Ramsey & Broemel
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $30 in advance
More info: Musicians Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel from Of My Morning Jacket performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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Fielder
When: 6 p.m. Thursday
Where: The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave.
Cost: $13 for general admission
More info: Nashville-based duo Fielder performs.
thewoodshoplisteningroom.com
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Chris Knight
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $30 in advance
More info: Kentucky native Chris Knight performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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Barkley Cove
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave.
Cost: $10 for general admission
More info: Folk ensemble Barkley Cove performs.
thewoodshoplisteningroom.com
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Nightfall
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Miller Plaza, 850 Market St.
Cost: Free admission
More info: Free summer concert series Nightfall continues, with The 42 as opener and Zach Person as headliner. Also features food trucks and market vendors.
nightfallchattanooga.com
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Chelsea Drugstore
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $15 in advance
More info: Chelsea Drugstore, a tribute to the Rolling Stones, performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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R&B vs. Hip Hop
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St.
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 day of show
More info: DJ experience, pitting R&B against Hip Hop.
barrelhouseballroom.com
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Struggle Jennings
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Parlour at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave.
Cost: $24.50 for general admission
More info: Grandson of Waylon Jennings, Struggle Jennings, performs.
thesignaltn.com
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KPop Demon Hunters
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Parlour at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave.
Cost: $25 for general admission
More info: Family friendly DJ experience, featuring the music of the hit Netflix animated film.
thesignaltn.com
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Riverfront Nights
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway
Cost: Free
More info: Free summer concert series Riverfront Nights continues for the 2026 season. Sloppy Street Tacos opens, and Jump, a tribute to Van Halen, headlines.
riverfrontnights.com
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Paul McDonald
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.
Cost: $20 in advance
More info: Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves performs.
venue.songbirds.org
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Amy Grant
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.
Cost: $61+
More info: Singer-songwriter Amy Grant performs.
tivolichattanooga.com
OUT & ABOUT
Nooga Splash
When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Chester Frost Park, 2389 Gold Point Circle N.
Cost: $14+
More info: Floating water park Nooga Splash continues for the summer season. Main season operating hours continue through Aug. 4.
noogasplash.com
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Family Potluck
When: 4-9 p.m. Monday
Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.
Cost: Free
More info: Post Nuclear Family Potluck, an all-ages chosen family potluck. Features games, dinner and a movie.
barkinglegs.org
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Battle of Badges
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday
Where: Walker County Sheriff’s Office, 105 S. Duke St., LaFayette
Cost: Free
More info: Walker and Catoosa county Sheriff’s Offices host a blood donation drive.
donor.bloodassurance.org
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Farmers market
When: 3-6 p.m. Thursday
Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.
Cost: Free admission
More info: Farmer and farmer-adjacent vendors at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
facebook.com
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River market
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St.
Cost: Free admission
More info: Chattanooga River Market continues, featuring various vendors. Market open Saturdays only from April-October.
chattanoogamarket.com
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Chickapalooza
When: 10 a.m.-sunset Saturday
Where: Gordon Lee Mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga
Cost: Free admission
More info: Chickapalooza Art and Music Festival, featuring a lineup of live music, artists, food and more.
facebook.com
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History program
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, Tenn.
Cost: $10 park entrance fee
More info: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park hosts program about the forces that created the mountains and ridges of the Tennessee River Valley.
nps.gov/chch
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Radio Field Day
When: 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: Chattanooga Valley Lions Club, 265 South Ave., Flintstone
Cost: Free
More info: Tri-States Amateur Radio Club hosts an amateur radio field day, showcasing how the technology works.
ag4dw@arrl.org
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Summerween
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Patten Square, 818 Georgia Ave.
Cost: Free
More info: Celebrate Halloween in the Summer at Summerween, featuring costume contests, a watermelon-carving contest, live music and more.
rivercitycompany.com
SPORTS
Lady Red Wolves
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way
Cost: $10+
More info: Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves take on the Southern Soccer Academy.
chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com
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Lookouts
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Erlanger Park, 2658 Pipe Way
Cost: $7+
More info: Chattanooga Lookouts take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Promotions include: World Soccer Night and Las Montanas de Chattanooga on Tuesday, a blanket giveaway on Wednesday, a cell phone bag giveaway, drink specials and Never Text and Drive Night on Thursday, Unum Night and fireworks on Friday, Dino Weekend and a pre-game concert on Saturday and Dino Weekend and a canned food drive on Sunday.
mlb.com/milb/chattanooga
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Football Club
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd.
Cost: $8+
More info: Chattanooga Football Club takes on the Chicago Fire Football Club.
chattanoogafc.com
THEATER & ARTS
Dungeons and Drag-ons
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.
Cost: $15 for general admission
More info: Dungeons and Dragons-inspired drag showcase for ages 13 and older.
barkinglegs.org
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Have an upcoming event? Email calendar@timesfreepress.com to be considered for one of our listings or go to timesfreepress.com/calendar for immediate posting online.
Sam Still
Sam Still is the outdoors reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. In this role, Sam focuses on stories about people and their relationship to the regional environment. Sam began his journalism career as an intern for the Times Free Press, writing for the lifestyle publication Chatter Magazine. He joined the newspaper full-time in summer 2023. He received a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he was a staff writer and assistant news editor for the university’s student newspaper, The Echo. He is originally from Cleveland, Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball received a commitment from UC Irvine pitcher Ricky Ojeda on June 19.
Ojeda, who is eligible for the MLB draft in July, announced his decision on social media. He visited Tennessee on June 15-16.
The lefthanded Ojeda had a strong 2026 season primarily as a reliever, posting a 3.77 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 20 walks in 62 innings. In 2025, he became the first reliever to be named Big West Pitcher of the Year after going 13-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 66 innings, which also earned him a third-team all-American nod from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game.
Whether Ojeda makes it to Tennessee remains an open question. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 179 prospect for the draft. That would place him in the sixth round.
Should Ojeda join the staff, however, he would instantly become one of the team’s top options out of a bullpen that struggled immensely in 2026. The pitching staff is also under new leadership under pitching coach Austin Knight, who was hired from ECU.
Ojeda is the fourth player to announce they will transfer to Tennessee this offseason, joining two-way Mercer transfer Braydon Kersey, Northwestern State pitcher Brody Trosclair and Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian.
Who’s leaving Tennessee baseball
- UTL Jay Abernathy (Oklahoma)
- RHP Nic Abraham
- INF Ariel Antigua (Arizona)
- INF Finley Bates
- RHP Ari Bethea
- OF Hutson Chance
- RHP Sawyer Deering (San Diego State)
- OF Nate Eisfelder
- 1B Evan Hankins (Virginia Tech)
- UTL Hunter High
- RHP Brayden Krenzel (Arkansas)
- INF Manny Marin
- INF Ethan Moore (Missouri)
- UTL Chris Newstrom
- LHP Taylor Tracey
- C Cash Williams (West Virginia)
Who’s joining Tennessee baseball
- RHP/DH Braydon Kersey
- LHP Brody Trosclair
- INF Wyatt Hanoian
- LHP Ricky Ojeda
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
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