Xavier Harris

3 weeks ago | local3news.com | Xavier Harris

For many teens, turning 18 is a celebration. For Ella Brinen, it marked the moment she officially aged out of Tennessee’s foster care system — without a family to support her, a place to land, or a roadmap for what came next. Now 19, Brinen is helping change what that future looks like for others like her. Two bills aimed at improving life for foster youth passed unanimously in the Tennessee General Assembly this week, largely thanks to Brinen’s advocacy.

3 weeks ago | local3news.com | Xavier Harris

A sudden funding freeze nearly forced the closure of a long-standing early childhood program this week, leaving dozens of Sequatchie County families in limbo. Sequatchie Valley Head Start, which has served the community since 1965, alerted parents that the program could shut down as early as April 20 due to a delay in federal funding. While that crisis has been temporarily averted, program leaders say the threat is far from over — and they’re calling on the community to take action.

3 weeks ago | local3news.com | Xavier Harris

Chattanooga Prep, a school facing scrutiny over compliance violations will remain open, but with conditions. Chattanooga Preparatory School, an all-boys charter serving students in grades 6 through 12, has been placed on probation following a joint decision by Hamilton County Schools and the Tennessee Department of Education. The move comes after a series of investigations into the school’s hiring practices and internal operations.

4 weeks ago | local3news.com | Xavier Harris

Chattanooga Prep, a school facing scrutiny over compliance violations will remain open, but with conditions. Chattanooga Preparatory School, an all-boys charter serving students in grades 6 through 11, has been placed on probation following a joint decision by Hamilton County Schools and the Tennessee Department of Education. The move comes after a series of investigations into the school’s hiring practices and internal operations.

4 weeks ago | local3news.com | Xavier Harris

As the nation continues to battle the opioid epidemic, a growing crisis is unfolding in the shadows—impacting the most vulnerable: children. Children living in homes affected by substance abuse are often left to navigate trauma alone. In response, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is working to protect these children through its statewide “Handle With Care” program.