Reaction to Tennessee redistricting, explusions
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing reaction to the recent expulsion of some Tennessee House Democrats from committees. That decision was made by Republican Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton…
Mackenzie Johnson
Articles
Former death row inmate Richard Glossip granted bond, after nearly being executed 3 times in Oklahoma
An Oklahoma inmate who was given a new trial after nearly three decades on death row has now been granted bond, laying the groundwork for his first release from prison since 1997. Richard Glossip, 63, was arrested that year in the killing…
Cisco leads Wall Street to more records and the Dow back to 50,000
NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market rose to more records after Cisco Systems joined the parade of companies reporting fatter profits for the start of 2026 than analysts expected. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% Thursday to set an…
Blue-green algae bloom reported in Lake Allatoona; officials say drinking water is safe
Cobb County officials say they are monitoring a blue-green algae bloom in Lake Allatoona that could…
Man arrested following terminated vehicle pursuit
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A man has been arrested following a terminated vehicle pursuit that occurred on May 12, 2026. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), the…
Dalton Parks and Recreation Department dedicates new 15-court pickleball complex
The Dalton Parks and Recreation Department (DPRD) has dedicated a new 15-court pickleball complex at James Brown Park.…
14-year-old missing out of Rhea County
RHEA COUNTY -- 14-year-old Ryelon Ledford is missing out of Rhea County. The Rhea County Sheriff's Department says he is 5'6" tall, 156 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. He was…
Clarence Carter, soul singer known for ‘Patches’ and ‘Strokin’,’ dies at 90
NEW YORK (AP) — Clarence Carter, the blues and soul musician and singer-songwriter with the raspy, emotional vocals whose hits included the sentimental “Patches” and the salacious “Strokin,’” has died at age 90. Carter’s death was confirmed by Bill Carpenter,…
US Border Patrol chief Michael Banks is resigning, in latest DHS leadership change
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of U.S. Border Patrol, the agency tasked with securing the nation’s frontiers and increasingly tapped by the Trump administration for immigration operations in American cities, announced…
Chattanooga welcomes first annual Chattanooga World Food Truck Festival
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The first-ever Chattanooga World Food Truck Festival will debut as a free, family-friendly celebration of food, culture, music, and community connection on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Riverpark. Created by chefs…
CENTCOM chief tells senators Iran's hold on Strait of Hormuz has weakened, but threats remain
Washington — The head of U.S. forces in the…
Search underway for missing man in Marion County
MARION COUNTY -- The Marion County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the missing person pictured, Lewis Junior Blevins. They say Blevins was last seen wearing a black…
Ex-Georgia warden accused of taking part in prison contraband scheme, burying evidence
A former Georgia warden is accused of being involved in a contraband smuggling operation tied to a gang inside the prison he oversaw, Attorney General Chris Carr said. Brian Adams, the 52-year-old former Smith State Prison warden is now facing…
Traffic shift to occur on I-75 at Shallowford Road
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- As part of the I‑75 Interchange Improvements at Hamilton Place, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will implement a series of traffic shifts on I‑75 South at Shallowford…
Oklahoma executes a man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and her 7-month-old daughter
McALESTER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma has executed a man who was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and her 7-month-old daughter nearly 20 years ago. Raymond Johnson, 52, was pronounced dead at 10:12 a.m. Thursday following a three-drug injection at the…
Box truck overturns on Cagle Mountain after driver loses control
The Cagle Volunteer Fire Department responded to an overturned box truck in the morning hours of May 14, 2026. They say the truck overturned on Highway 111 Southbound after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. Crews arrived…
Anticipation builds ahead of the full schedule release for the upcoming NFL season
The full 2026 NFL schedule will be released Thursday night, completing the list of 272 games over 18 weeks. The season kicks off on Sept. 9 when the Seattle Seahawks raise their Super Bowl banner. It’ll be the second time…
Workers are getting paid to teach AI how to do their jobs
Artificial intelligence developers want to know what you know. Leading makers of generative AI tools are hiring people with a wide range of skills and expertise, from Hollywood screenwriters to hiking enthusiasts, to train their…
Honda records its first-ever annual loss on a costly EV strategy
TOKYO (AP) — Honda racked up a 423.9 billion yen ($2.7 billion) loss Thursday, the first-ever full year loss for the Japanese automaker, acknowledging heavy costs for its electric-vehicle plans, stemming from President Donald Trump’s pro-U.S. policies. The Japanese automaker…
HCEMS launches whole blood program to bring lifesaving transfusions directly to trauma scenes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) At the Blood Assurance Warehouse in Chattanooga, community leaders and emergency officials unveiled a new program they say could change…
Blue-green diamond called the "world's rarest" sells for record $17.3 million at auction
A 5.5-carat triangular-cut diamond billed as the largest fancy…
Tourist accused of hurling rock at endangered Hawaii monk seal's head is arrested by federal agents
A tourist who drew widespread condemnation in Hawaii after a witness recorded him chucking a coconut-sized rock…
Former Dalton insurance agent arrested on insurance fraud, forgery
A former Dalton insurance agent has been charged with 5 Counts of Felony Insurance Fraud and 1 Felony Count of Forgery. According to Enforcement Division Director Tammy Marshall, Lucy Margarita…
State Route 322 bridge over I-75 to be demolished
MONROE COUNTY -- Motorists traveling on I-75 and State Route 322 in Monroe County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic. According to TDOT Region 2, beginning at 7 p.m.…
US Central Command commander says Iran is still able to impact merchant shipping
The top U.S. commander in the Middle East said that while he believes Iran’s military capabilities are “dramatically degraded,” he noted that Iran’s able to influence shipping with rhetoric alone. “Their voice is very loud, and the threats are clearly…
Georgia gas tax suspension set to expire as drivers weigh relief at the pump against road funding
Georgia's state gas tax, which helps fund road projects and transportation services across the state, could once again become a larger issue for drivers as Gov. Brian Kemp's temporary suspension of the tax…
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft buzzing Mars on its way to a rare metal asteroid
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA spacecraft chasing a rare metal asteroid swings past Mars this week for a gravity boost, snapping thousands of pictures as practice for the main encounter in 2029. Named Psyche like the asteroid it’s after, the robotic explorer…
Trump, Xi agree that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open," White House says
President Trump and China's Xi Jinping met Thursday and agreed that the Strait of Hormuz "must remain open" and that Iran "can never have a nuclear weapon," according to the White House. The Iran war had been slated to be…
South Carolina governor expected to call special session on redistricting
South Carolina's Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to call a special session of the state legislature on Thursday afternoon to address redrawing the state's congressional map, according to two state sources familiar with the planning. As Republicans seek to retain…
Westside Community Center to transition to Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga (BGCC) and the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Community Development have announced the transition of the Westside Community Center. The BGCC will open its new Club this summer at the…
Dr. Justin Robertson named Southeast Tennessee Superintendent of the Year
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson has been named the Southeast Tennessee Superintendent of the Year by the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS). According to Hamilton County Schools (HCS), this recognition highlights his leadership in…
China's Xi warns Trump about "conflicts" if Taiwan isn't "handled properly"
Chinese President Xi Jinping had stern words for President Trump…
FIFA announces Super Bowl-style World Cup final halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS
The World Cup final will feature a star-studded halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira and boy-band BTS. FIFA has announced that, for the first time, the final at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey…
Retail sales growth slowed in April from March as higher gas cost leaves less room for nonessentials
NEW YORK (AP) - Shoppers pulled back on spending in April as higher gas prices fueled by the Iran war meant less money left over for some nonessentials like clothing and furniture. Retail sales rose 0.5% in April, a slowdown…
Iran's foreign minister: Strait is open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned"
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial vessels "as far as we are concerned." "The Strait of Hormuz is now suffering first and most from the U.S. aggression and the…
Expansion to come to Erlanger East Hospital
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Erlanger has announced plans for a major expansion and renovation project at Erlanger East Hospital. Erlanger says the centerpiece of…
47-year-old injured in Wilson Street shooting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- One person has been injured following a shooting near the 1500 block of Wilson Street on May 13, 2026. According to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD), at approximately 12:00 p.m., officers responded…
Anakeesta debuts glass Gondolas next weekend
GATLINBURG, Tennessee (WDEF) - A Gatlinburg attraction announces the date for their new gondola rides. Anakeesta will open a new season on May 22 with what they call the world's only all-glass gondola system. You will get on the ride…
Boyd Softball Returning to Spring Fling For First Time in Over 20 Years
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Boyd Buchanan softball team got a 5-4 walk-off win over Goodpasture in the state quarterfinals on Wednesday. Mercedes Smith had the…
Baylor Headed Back to Spring Fling After Sweeping Briarcrest Christian
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Baylor baseball team punched their ticket to spring fling on Wednesday after beating Briarcrest Christian 11-0 and 5-3 in the state quarterfinals. Blake Lundy had a monster…