Alabama Governor Ivey Says 'It's Time To Start Blaming the Unvaccinated' for Rise in COVID-19 Cases
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey says it's time to start blaming the unvaccinated for the recent rise in new COVID-19 cases in Alabama.
Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust Removed From Capitol
The Nathan Bedford Forrest bust was removed from the state Capitol building Friday morning.
Forest Service moving ahead with Bald River Falls replacement bridge
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - The project has been slow in materializing but the Forest Service is moving ahead with a replacement bridge for Bald River Falls. The Falls are a major attraction along the Tellico River in Monroe County. But…
Gov. Lee comments on vaccination program & Dr. Fiscus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - Governor Bill Lee waded into a couple of controversies that have been building this week in Tennessee. Until today, he had not commented on the pause of the vaccination information campaign or the…
Mayor; commissioner speak with Sale Creek community over farm
SALE CREEK, Tennessee (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and County Commissioner Randy Fairbanks spoke to the community about the newly acquired $16 million McDonald farm. Coppinger and Fairbanks said they wanted to set the record…
Teaching kids money habits while they are young
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Money Lit founder Stephanie Pyke said budgeting money is an important life skill but she feels it’s not talked about enough with kids at a young age, "I volunteered with the 11th grade and…
Georgia Insurance Commissioner finally convicted of fraud
ATLANTA (AP) - A jury has convicted Georgia’s suspended insurance commissioner of all 37 charges against him at his trial. Jurors returned guilty verdicts Thursday against Jim Beck on wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering and tax fraud charges. He…
TVA building new control center in Meigs County
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Meigs County will soon be the center of TVA’s “Grid of Tomorrow” program. Greg Hendrich says that program is all about meeting the challenges of the modern utilities industry. “TVA is poised…
Nathan Bedford Forrest Bust finally cleared to be moved from capitol
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - It seemed like the state was dragging its feet to remove the bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest from the Capitol. But the removal jumped into action today. The State Building Commission voted four months ago to…
Missing girls on floats found safe on Chickamauga Creek
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Rescue squads got a happy ending this afternoon in the search for two missing girls on the water. A mother said her 7 and 14 year old daughters were on South Chickamauga Creek at Audubon Acres, but…
COVID-19 cases on the rise in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The health department announced that there has been a 200% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last two weeks. The City of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly had to close two separate YFD Centers yesterday…
Tennessee to add electric car charging in state parks
Tennessee State Parks will have electric car charging stations at all 56 parks in the state within the next year.
Corpse Flower With a Rotten Smell Set to Bloom at University of Tennessee at Knoxville
A flower whose aroma is described as that of a rotting corpse is set to bloom for the first time since arriving at The University of Tennessee at Knoxville two decades ago.
Hamilton Co. Sheriff's Office releases History Book
The book marks the 200th anniversary of the office.
Tip-A-Cop for Special Olympics
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) - Law enforcement put a new twist of protect and serve Wednesday. Chattanooga law enforcement served dinner at a Chuy’s restaurant to raise money for the Special Olympics. Jennifer McAfee with the special Olympics said…
Bradley County School System announces Future Ready 1:1 Program
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) - This past year has been challenging especially for our local school systems but despite all the challenges, the Bradley County School System has continued to advocate for the education of their students by…
Hamilton County Interim Superintendent Announces She Will Not Take Permanent Role
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Hamilton County School Board has named Deputy Superintendent Dr. Nakia Towns as the Interim Superintendent in light of Dr. Bryan Johnson stepping down in August. But the school board's policy states she will…
Georgia House speaker proposes 1K bonus for police, deputies
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia’s House speaker says he will seek $75 million in the state budget to give each police officer and sheriff’s deputy a $1,000 bonus, increase salaries for prosecutors and public defenders and bolster the capacity of the…
Health officials warn "a third wave is coming"
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Hamilton County Health officials say they are concerned now about rising Covid cases and hospitalizations in our area. Both have jumped more than 200% in the last two weeks. And they are seeing more…
Mayor closes Rec Center over Covid-19 case
UPDATE: Later in the afternoon, Mayor Kelly ordered a second community center to be closed for cleaning. The Frances B. Wyatt Community Center will also be temporarily shutdown so crews and can sanitize the facility after another case there. Health…
Plans Underway For S.H.E. Trucking Expo In Chattanooga
Organizers are busy putting together a trucking convention here in Chattanooga come mid-September. The event will be open to all truckers everywhere. With a special emphasis on one special group of workers. Chattanooga's own Sharae Moore…
Baptiste group sues state over immigrant youth license
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A group that runs a Tennessee shelter for unaccompanied immigrant youth has sued the state over its decision to suspend the facility’s license after an employee was arrested following abuse allegations. Baptiste Group filed the lawsuit…
US life expectancy in 2020 saw biggest drop since WWII
U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II.
Mysterious Ailment Killing Thousands of Songbirds in Mid-Atlantic States
Scientists are racing to confirm the cause of a mysterious ailment that has sickened and killed thousands of songbirds in several mid-Atlantic states.