Tennessee Valley Today Will Launch in Spring 2027
Deep South Today will expand its nonpartisan local news network to Chattanooga by spring 2027.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Startups
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Deep South Today plans to launch its new newsroom, Tennessee Valley Today, in spring 2027 to serve the Tennessee Valley. The publication aims to provide nonpartisan reporting to local residents at no cost.
Why it matters
A 2025 landscape study and listening effort identified a critical gap in local news coverage across the region. The new outlet seeks to fill this void by leveraging the infrastructure of the broader Deep South Today newsroom network.
Tennessee Valley Today has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to raise $75,000 by the end of 2026. This startup capital will help establish the newsroom following the closure of Chattamatters in mid-2026.
The players
Deep South Today
This organization operates a network of regional newsrooms including Mississippi Today, Verite News, and The Current.
Mary Helen Montgomery
She will serve as the editor-in-chief for the upcoming newsroom.
Benwood Foundation
This foundation is providing the necessary funding for the startup costs associated with the new newsroom.
The Enterprise Center
This organization previously served as the home for the Chattamatters program from 2022 until mid-2026.
The details
The newsroom plans were developed over the course of one year in partnership with Mary Helen Montgomery, who will serve as editor-in-chief. Deep South Today will manage the new site, utilizing the same centralized business and editorial infrastructure used for its other outlets like Mississippi Today and Verite News.
Timeline
2022: Chattamatters began operation as a program of The Enterprise Center.
2025: A landscape study was conducted to assess news coverage.
mid-2026: Chattamatters ceased operations.
fall 2026: Arkansas Today is scheduled to launch.
spring 2027: Tennessee Valley Today will launch in Chattanooga.
Market Landscape
The launch of Tennessee Valley Today follows a pattern set by the 2025 landscape study that identified regional news gaps. It marks the continued expansion of the Deep South Today network as it consolidates its presence across the Southern United States.
Residents in the Tennessee Valley will gain access to nonpartisan local news at no cost once the site launches. In the interim, the organization is seeking community support to meet its financial goals.
The takeaway
This expansion reflects a growing trend of nonprofit news organizations stepping in to fill coverage gaps left by legacy programs. Local residents should monitor the organization's progress through the end of 2026 as it works toward its fundraising target.
What happens next
The organization plans to raise $75,000 through a crowdfunding campaign by the end of 2026. Additionally, Arkansas Today is scheduled to launch in fall 2026, followed by the Tennessee Valley Today debut in spring 2027.
Further reading
For more on the development of regional news outlets, visit the Startups section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattanoogan.
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