Ill-fated cruise ships awaiting approval to dock in Florida
Two ill-fated cruise ships were awaiting word about when the vessels would be allowed to dock at Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades
Prentice Cooper State Forest Closed Until Further Notice
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is closing Prentice Cooper State Forest until further notice.
New Weekly Unemployment Claims in Tennessee Increase By More Than 55 Thousand
There were 94,492 new unemployment claims in Tennessee last week according to new figures released by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce. This is an increase of 55,396 from the previous week when 39,096 new claims were filed. The…
Will more communities send home "outsiders?"
Andrews isn't the only community thinking about blocking off roads to out of staters
Baylor School faculty members testing COVID-19 at school's lab
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Research Scientists and Baylor School Faculty Members Dr. Dawn Richards and Dr. Elizabeth Forrester knew they had the ability, technology and expertise at Baylor to test for COVID-19. So, they gave it a try. “Once we had…
Warnings about domestic violence & child abuse during isolation
(WDEF) - The Governors of both Tennessee and Georgia are warning about dangerous side affects from staying at home. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and his Children's Services Commissioner warned about a rise in possible child abuse and neglect cases. “Another…
Governor's office: 'Shelter-in-place' order not needed yet
Alabama has the 3rd lowest COVID-19 case list in the south
Minor fire at St. Jude School
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga Firefighters get called to a fire at St. Jude School on Ashland Terrace this morning. It happened just before 10 AM. The first unit on the scene spotted smoke coming from the back of the building.…
East Ridge arrests man after standoff who refused to check out of hotel
EAST RIDGE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The East Ridge SWAT team got called to a Hotel for an armed man barricaded inside. Police say 64 year old Jim Sanford Hunter refused to leave his hotel room after checkout. Officers found out…
Wednesday's COVID-19 cases in our area
biggest increases today in Bradley, Whitfield and Marion counties
Businesses urged to stop soliciting tourists during pandemic
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials say tourism businesses should stop soliciting tourists in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The mayors of five Sevier County cities are urging leisure businesses to halt guests through mid-April. WBIR-TV reports…
Gate 11 distillery has joined the hand sanitizer producers
"we set this program up primarily to focus on first responders and local public health priorities."
FBI warns Americans on stimulus scams
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- As the spread of coronavirus continues, so does the spike in scammers. "In addition to all the health-related guidance that officials are issuing to keep people properly informed, it is equally important for people to be…
Governor announces Shelter In Place order for Georgia
"This is a game changer."
Family of stroke victim speaks out about hospital visitor restrictions
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) - A local family is begging for people to take social distancing more seriously after their father is fighting for his life in a hospital - alone. "He needs me there to fight,"says Donna Boyd, wife to…
Chattanooga City Council's First Ever Zoom Teleconference
“Mr. Chair somebody in our chatt, they’re being real disrespectful. Yeah I’m working on it council woman", A teleconference between Chattanooga’s city council men and women Tuesday evening, disrupted by racial slurs in the comment section on Zoom.
First child dies from COVID-19 complications in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A child under the age of 5 has died from COVID-19 complications in a Chattanooga hospital. The child did have underlying health problems. “It is our deepest regret to share with you today our first COVID-19-related pediatric…
GoFundMe for Big Chill and Grill's and Scottie's on the River's Employees
The owner of Big chill and Scottie’s on the water Scottie Bowman is using GoFundMe to cover the cost of living for her employees laid off.
Racial slurs posted during City Council Zoom meeting
"Although it hurt, then it became sad"
Workers at Roper start petition over social distancing issues
LaFayette, Georgia (WDEF) - Workers at a LaFayette manufacturing plant are voicing their concerns about their work environment while trying not to contract COVID-19. News 12's Taylor Bishop spoke with some employees on why they say the plant needs to…
First death and two more positive COVID-19 tests in Cherokee County, NC
MURPHY, North Carolina (WDEF) - The Health Department in Cherokee County North Carolina reports more cases on Tuesday evening. The North Carolina mountain community has already suffered more cases than any of in the sparsely populated mountain region of western…
Locals giving away disinfectant, yes, it's free
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Bottles of disinfectant got loaded up into vehicles Tuesday afternoon, ready to make their way to people who need it. “We actually walked through the store and saw every cleaning chemical wiped off the shelf. We…
A local plumber talks about whether he is essential
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Starting today, Tennesseans who are non-essential workers are urged to remain at home. Governor Bill Lee issued executive order 22, installing safer at home guidelines in every Tennessee County. The order is not mandatory but recommended. Local…
Mayor adjusting roadblock plan to keep outsiders away from Andrews
See today's update from Mayor James Reid