Bill aims to close truancy loophole in Tennessee
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Good attendance is key for any student looking to do well in school. That logic is why truancy laws are in place to make attendance…
Mackenzie Johnson
Articles
Athens man convicted of the 2024 murder of woman inside church he set on fire
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man has been convicted of murder in a 2024 arson case at an Athens church. A McMinn…
Judge questions speed of proceedings in Rick Davis case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Former jewelry dealer and pawn shop owner Rick Davis made…
Texas’ highest criminal court overturns sentence of inmate who has been on death row for 47 years
Texas’ highest criminal court has overturned the death sentence of a Harris County man who was on death row for nearly half a century. Clarence Curtis Jordan, 70, was first convicted in 1978 of…
War in Iran sends inflation soaring and the mood of American consumers plunging
WASHINGTON (AP) - The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White…
As Artemis II heads back to Earth today, crew is staking their lives on the heat shield
The Artemis II heat shield during its assembly. The 16.5-foot-wide heat shield is required to protect the Orion capsule and its crew from the 5,000-degree heat of the ship's high-speed plunge back into the atmosphere. |…
Veterans Bridge mural completed
The main mural on the Veterans Bridge has been completed. The city sponsored the project on a wall for the ramp connecting the Bridge to Riverfront Parkway. They are creating art for pedestrians…
Winn Smiles holds free dental clinic
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Dental care is something that many take for granted. With rising costs of living, personal health is something that quite a few Americans have put on the back burner. Dr. Brad Winn, dentist and owner of…
Five people charged with murder in deadly Northern California fireworks warehouse explosion
WOODLAND, Calif. (AP) - Five people have been charged with murder in a deadly Northern California explosion at a fireworks warehouse that killed seven people, authorities said. Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity said Friday the charges stem from…
Trump proposes painting executive office building white
President Trump has submitted plans to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white.…
Meth supplier arrested following investigation
A man has been arrested for supplying meth following an investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Rennie Davenport, 63, of Hayesville, NC, was taken into custody…
Trump says U.S. warships are being reloaded with the "best ammunition" in case talks fail
With Vice President JD Vance en route to Islamabad for peace talks with Iran, President Trump told the New York Post on Friday morning that U.S. warships are being reloaded with "the best ammunition" to continue strikes if negotiations fail. "We have…
How to watch Artemis II's return to Earth
CBS News will have live coverage as the Artemis II mission comes to an end after nine days in space. What: Artemis II crew returns to Earth. Date: Friday, April 10, 2026. Time: Live coverage…
Prince Harry sued by charity he set up in Africa to honor late mother Princess Diana
LONDON (AP) — A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in Africa to honor his late mother, Princess Diana, has sued him for defamation after he stepped down as a patron last year. Sentebale, which supports young people living with HIV…
US and Iran prepare for high-level talks as Israel and Hezbollah trade more fire
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - With the ceasefire in Iran still shaky, U.S. Vice President JD Vance headed Friday to Pakistan for high-level talks with Iranian officials, as Israel and Hezbollah traded fire and Tehran maintained its stranglehold on…
Kamala Harris says she might run for president in 2028: "I'm thinking about it"
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday that she might run for president in 2028, telling a gathering in New York that she is considering mounting a third bid for the White House. "Listen, I might. I'm thinking about it,"…
HCSO Deputy Landon Faulkner dies following Highway 111 crash
UPDATE: The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has officially confirmed the death of Deputy Landon Faulkner. [caption id="attachment_2435581" align="alignnone"…
Collegedale to host free community paper shredding event on April 14
COLLEGEDALE -- The City of Collegedale is inviting residents to dispose of sensitive documents at a free Paper Shredding Event on Tuesday, April 14, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. in the front parking lot of Collegedale City…
Afrika Bambaataa, hip-hop pioneer and founder of Universal Zulu Nation, dies at 68
Afrika Bambaataa, a man widely considered one of the main pioneers of hip-hop, died in Pennsylvania of prostate cancer on Thursday, according to his lawyer. He was 68. Bambaataa's sudden death was…
Masters gnomes a hot commodity at Augusta National amid speculation this is final year of production
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — John James arrived at Augusta National an hour before the gates opened to patrons for the 90th Masters — all for the purpose of securing a 13 1/2-inch tall gnome.…
White House staff received email warning them not to place bets on prediction markets, officials say
White House aides got an email last month telling them not to place bets on prediction markets with nonpublic information, multiple administration officials told CBS News. It was sent March 24, according to two White…
US and Iran prepare for high-level talks as Israel and Hezbollah trade more fire
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - With the ceasefire in Iran still shaky, U.S. Vice President JD Vance headed Friday to Pakistan for high-level talks with Iranian officials, as Israel and Hezbollah traded fire and Tehran maintained its stranglehold on…
City of Chattanooga Stormwater Management Division to host annual rain barrel distribution day May 2nd
The City of Chattanooga Stormwater Management Division has announced the return of their annual Rain Barrel Distribution Day on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1001 E 12th…
White House says ships are proceeding through Strait of Hormuz at about 10% of normal pace
Kevin Hassett, director of the White House's National Economic Council, said futures markets were anticipating a "rapid reduction" in energy prices once the Strait of Hormuz operates normally. Right now, the strait is only operating at about 10% of normal…
Athens–McMinn tire recycling days offer free disposal for residents
The City of Athens, in partnership with McMinn County and local organizations, is hosting two free Tire Recycling Days this spring to help residents dispose of used passenger vehicle tires. The events will…
Soaring gas prices lead to biggest monthly inflation spike in four years
WASHINGTON (AP) - The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation in March, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening the political hurdles for the White House.…
NOVONIX $103 million 48C tax credits certified for synthetic graphite facility
NOVONIX has announced that the U.S. Government has certified its Riverside project in connection with the US $103 million in tax credits. These credits…
FAA investigates close call between Frontier plane and trucks at LAX: "We had to slam on the brakes"
The Federal Aviation Administration launched an investigation after a Frontier Airlines plane nearly collided with two trucks on an LAX taxiway. No one was injured during the close call, but the pilot appeared shaken and worried while describing it to…
Iran denies violating ceasefire in any way
Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement Friday that Iran has "absolutely not carried out any launches toward any country during the ceasefire hours up to this moment." "In recent hours," the statement continued, "various news agencies have…
Stocks mostly rise and oil prices hold steady ahead of planned US-Iran talks
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are opening mostly higher on Wall Street and oil prices are holding steady amid a shaky ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% in early trading Friday. The Dow Jones…
U.K. prime minister says he's "fed up" with Putin and Trump affecting energy prices
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave an update on his view of the ceasefire and the effects of the war in Iran in a wide-ranging interview with U.K. broadcaster ITN. Starmer was speaking from Bahrain during a trip to visit…
Bodies of at least 11 people found in hidden graves in western Mexico
The skeletal remains of at least 11 people were found in hidden graves in western Mexico, local authorities said Thursday. The graves were found in a rural lot in Ixtlahuacan, a suburb of Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, the local…
Vance warns Iran not to 'play' the US as he departs for negotiations aimed at ending their war
WASHINGTON (AP) - Vice President JD Vance on Friday warned Iran not to “play” the U.S. as he headed overseas for negotiations aimed at ending their war. President Donald Trump has tasked the member of his inner circle who has…
Chattanooga Police chaplain arrested for aggravated assault
Former Chattanooga Police chaplain, Gregory Collins, has been arrested for domestic assault following an incident on April 2, 2026. According to an affidavit, Gregory Collins' wife reported Collins had been making threats toward her…
Man deceased after Cleveland officer involved shooting
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- A man is deceased following an officer involved shooting at Brooks Edge Apartments on April 10, 2026 just after midnight. Cleveland Police Department (CPD) officers responded to a call regarding an intoxicated…
Explore the beauty and flavors of the south with Dollywood's "Flower & Food Festival"
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WDEF) - It's a one tank trip to enjoy beautiful flowers, delicious food, and thrilling rides at Dollywood! "I Will Always Love You" Festival has only a few days left…
Lee Students help with storm recovery
COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Lee University is proud of their students who have helped out with natural disaster recovery this spring. Students from their Disaster and Healthcare Mission Management (DHMM) program partnered with Samaritan’s Purse over spring break. Six…
Marjorie Taylor Greene calls for the President to be removed from office
ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) - Marjorie Taylor Greene may not be in Congress anymore, but she still is making headlines. Now she is calling for members of the Trump administration to use the 25th Amendment to remove the President from office.…
Good Samaritan rescues disabled resident from fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A Good Samaritan rescued a disabled resident out of a burning house after spotting smoke from the home. Chattanooga firefighters were called to the 900 block of Lindsay Avenue at…
McCallie Shuts Out Chattanooga Christian 6-0
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) McCallie shut out Chattanooga Christian 6-0 on Thursday evening at David Stanton Field. The Chargers lost their starting keeper to a red card in the first three minutes of the match, so CCS had to play a man down…