Suspect convicted in Walker County cold case
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) - Solving a cold case that goes back three decades is a big challenge. (more…)
$2,500 reward offered for identifying bald eagle shooter
KINGSTON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Someone shot a bald eagle near Watts Bar Lake, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward for the suspect's arrest. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) said it happened in the Blue…
Dayton City School to be closed remainder of this week
DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Dayton City School will be closed for the remainder of this week, they announced on social media. The school made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon. School officials said the closure is due to high levels of…
TBI searching for missing Spencer teen
SPENCER, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Spencer Police Department are searching for a missing teenager. Lillian Rein, a 14-year-old girl, went missing on Saturday, December 9, the TBI said. Spencer Police said Rein was…
HES giving away winter shelters for outdoor cats
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County residents can pick up winter shelters for outdoor cats at the Humane Educational Society (HES). HES volunteers have created several of these shelters made from coolers filled with straw. The organization said they had…
County officials hope to restore Stringer's Branch with state grant
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County is hoping to get a state grant to help restore and clean up a portion of Stringer's Branch, which runs through Red Bank. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp announced on Wednesday that his…
3 arrested in McMinn County for Walmart theft
MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- McMinn deputies arrested three people recently for shoplifting more than $1,000 worth of items from Walmart. On Monday night, December 11, authorities arrested 21-year-old Jacob Jarnow of Athens, 36-year-old Dottie Yearwood of Dayton and 43-year-old…
Tesla recalls nearly all vehicles sold in US to fix system that monitors drivers using Autopilot
By TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is recalling nearly all vehicles sold in the U.S., more than 2 million, to update software and fix a defective system that’s supposed to ensure drivers are paying attention when…
Annual Pork Report takes aim at McDonald Farm purchase in Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Beacon Center has issued their annual Pork Report, and this year's list may not make Hamilton County leaders happy. The report tackles what the Center considers wasted spending by local and state government from…
CARTA to offer 3 free bus rides in 2024
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Starting next year, CARTA will offer free bus rides during a three-month period. The public will be able to ride CARTA for free on the first Friday of the months January, February and March. CARTA says…
Reed case pushed to February
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A former security guard charged with assault of a Brainerd High student made a brief appearance in court Wednesday morning. (more…)
Hunter Biden defies Republican subpoena in visit to the Capitol, risking contempt of Congress charge
By FARNOUSH AMIRI and COLLEEN LONG WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings, insisting outside the U.S. Capitol that…
School bus involved in Ooltewah wreck
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A school bus was involved in a wreck Wednesday morning in Ooltewah. There was one other vehicle involved in the crash as well. It happened on Hunter Road at Lee Highway in Ooltewah, according to the…
Supreme Court agrees to hear high-stakes dispute over abortion pill
Washington — The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will take up the Biden administration's bid to maintain access to a widely used abortion pill, marking the first dispute involving abortion that the high court will hear since members of its conservative majority overturned Roe…
UAW Files NLRB Complaint Against Volkswagen
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The ongoing unionization efforts at the Volkswagen Plant in Chattanooga have taken a turn. The United Auto Workers announced their intentions to hold a…
Roberts indicted in September murder of Baylor alum
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The man charged in the death of a Baylor alum and local businessman has been indicted. (more…)
Golden Apple Award: Staci Camp, Hunter Middle School
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Staci Camp has been a part of Hunter Middle School since it opened in 1995. Mrs. Camp has a gift for understanding students and making learning fun. She even oversees the 8th grade trip to Washington…
TDOT to implement I-24 lane closures during overnight roadwork
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- There will be nightly roadwork on I-24 in Hamilton County throughout the remainder of the year, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Crews will be working on new bridges at South Moore Road…
FBI: Mississippi sex offender traveled to Chattanooga to meet 10 month old
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A registered sex offender from Mississippi has been charged with attempting to meet a young boy in Chattanooga for his birthday. 49-year-old Dennis Gaal of Picayune…
Chattanooga offering free English as Second Language classes in 2024
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The City of Chattanooga will soon be offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. These classes will begin on January 8, 2024. They will be open to the public and offered at the East…
Chattanooga, surrounding areas receive TDEC grants
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced $191.2 million in grants throughout the state for regionalization, water reuse and resource protection. These grants are part of the American Rescue Plan fund. A total of…
Lafayette's "Amazing Christmas Light Show" down until Thursday
LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) -- The City of Lafayette is having technical issues with their "Amazing Christmas Light Show." The city posted to social media on Monday that the lights…
Health experts say RSV on the rise in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - RSV is on the rise in Tennessee. Health experts are advising people to be cautious ahead of the winter months. “We are seeing a really…
Soddy-Daisy subdivision plan approved despite opposition
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Residents in Soddy-Daisy are concerned about a proposed housing development in their neighborhood. Continued growth across Hamilton County continues to be an ongoing challenge and debate. …