Robert Hanley

Reporter

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Robert Hanley was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is a recent graduate from the University of North Texas where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in Broadcast and Digital Journalism.

He enjoys singing in his free time and even has written and performed songs of his own. Many of his other hobbies include collecting sports cards and watching/playing sports including soccer, basketball, and disc golf.

Articles

Protest Held Over Venezuela Conflict

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Demonstrators gathered at Miller Park on Sunday in response to the ongoing conflict involving Venezuela and the United States. The gathering followed recent international developments involving the…

January Sees Peak Gym Memberships

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As a new year begins, gyms and fitness centers nationwide experience measurable changes in membership activity, including community organizations such as the YMCA. Industry reports show that…

New Option for Rare HPV Disease

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Adults living with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, or RRP, have long relied on surgery to manage this rare HPV-related disease.  Caused by chronic infection with HPV 6…

Northshore Businesses Parking Struggles

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Local businesses in the Northshore district say traffic, accessibility, and rising operational costs are creating challenges for both employees and customers. Richard Hardin, owner of Stone Cup Cafe,…

Taconooga Closes After 12 Years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A restaurant on Chattanooga’s North Shore has closed its doors for good. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Taconooga shut down on December 26th. …

Virtual Reality Expands Beyond Gaming

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Virtual reality technology continues to grow beyond its gaming roots as device use expands into broader entertainment and media experiences.  Industry reports project that the global VR…

Holiday Christmas Lights Train Returns

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Holiday Christmas Lights Train is a seasonal evening excursion offered by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga from December 26, 2025, through January 11, 2026  This relaxed after‑Christmas experience…

FDA Approves First Obesity Pill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first daily pill designed to treat obesity, marking a major milestone in weight loss care. The newly approved…

Curbside Compost Pilot Expands

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The City of Chattanooga is expanding its curbside compost and glass recycling pilot program to three additional neighborhoods. The Department of Public Works announced Monday the program…

Managing Kids Screen Time

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Winter break gives children extra free time, and many naturally turn to phones, tablets, and computers for entertainment while parents handle work and holiday responsibilities.  Too much unsupervised…

Luminaria Festival Shines Bright

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Fifth Annual Luminaria Festival lit up the Virginia Avenue Greenway tonight, transforming the streets into a glowing corridor of art, music, and community spirit. Presented by the…

Holiday Package Pirates Awareness

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Package thefts, commonly called porch piracy, are becoming increasingly common as holiday deliveries surge.  Thieves take advantage of unattended packages left on doorsteps, leaving residents frustrated and out-of-pocket.…

Silverdale Partners To Build Homes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - For six years, Silverdale Baptist Church has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to help local families achieve homeownership through the organization’s Faith Built Homes…

Roadway Safety Leaders Unite Locally

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Leaders from across Southeast Tennessee gathered in Chattanooga Wednesday for a roadway safety summit hosted by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, focused on preventing distracted and impaired driving,…

Gas Prices Fall Across Southeast

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Drivers across the Southeast are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to trend downward nationwide. For the third straight week, the national average…

Red Bank Christmas Parade

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) - The City of Red Bank celebrated the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade on December 13, 2025.  Over 50 floats and local groups, including students from…

Chattanooga 2.0 Marks Ten Years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga 2.0 marked ten years of community collaboration with a breakfast Thursday at The Westin Hotel, bringing together local leaders, partners, and supporters to reflect on past…

Limit Screen Time with Holiday Tech

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - With the holidays approaching, many children are expected to receive their first phones or tablets, raising new questions about how much time kids are actually spending on screens.  Recent national studies show many children log several…

Patten Parkway Project Deferred

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A proposal to build a 12-story mixed-use development on Patten Parkway has been deferred until the January Planning Commission meeting.  Commissioners said additional review is needed after community…

Mistletoe Market Brings Holiday Fun

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Mistletoe Market filled Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland this past weekend with holiday shopping, festive activities, and opportunities to support local businesses. More than two hundred…