🌱 $23.5 Million For County Students + Big Chicken Expands

Hello and happy Saturday. I'm back in your inbox this morning with the most important things happening locally. Let's do this...

📣 Our readers love to celebrate good news! You can now shout out your big announcement at the top of the Chattanooga Daily newsletter. Whether it's a grand opening, new product for sale, birthday, anniversary, engagement, wedding or new baby, let everyone celebrate alongside you! Submit your announcement here.

First, today's weather:

A morning thunderstorm in the area. High: 85 Low: 72.

Here are the top three stories today in Chattanooga:

1. The Innovative Schools Model Grant is giving Hamilton County schools $23.5 million to boost student success and career readiness. The money will be distributed through the district's high schools and middle schools. 10 percent of the money can be used for particular facility needs but not to supplement facility projects. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
2. Shaquille O'Neal's fast-casual chicken concept is coming to Chattanooga. The new location of Big Chicken will be owned by local franchisee Jim Richards. The concept was founded in 2018 as a way to give guests an inside look into the life and personality of Shaquille O'Neal. The site of the new restaurant has not been revealed. (TN Tribune)
3. Hamilton County began distributing the monkeypox vaccine to eligible residents on Friday. Eligible residents include individuals with a known contact, a possible exposure within the last 14 days, and LGBTQ individuals who meet certain requirements. The vaccines are being distributed by appointment only at the county Health Department's main facility on East 3rd St. Click to make an appointment. (Chattanooga Pulse)

Today in Chattanooga:

• Malayan Tiger Keeper Chat At Tennessee Aquarium (3:30 PM)
• Chattanooga Dinner Train At The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (6:30 PM)
• Riverfront Nights At Ross's Landing (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking to add a furry friend to your household? Here's a list of the latest adoption-ready pets in the Chattanooga area that are searching for a forever home. Click to view the complete list. (Chattanooga Patch)
• Chattanooga has quite a few live music opportunities occurring through this next week. Click to view the complete list. (The Chattanoogan)
• The Chattanooga Police Department is currently accepting applications for the March 2023 Academy. Click to apply. (City of Chattanooga)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.