Vaccination Rates Decline as Cases Rise
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As vaccine preventable diseases continue to spread in parts of the United States, pediatricians are encouraging families to review their children’s immunizations. The end of April…
Robert Hanley
Articles
Spring Market Celebrates Moms Early
CHICKAMAUGA, GA. (WDEF) - Families spent part of their weekend celebrating moms a little early at the Petals and Pearls Mother’s Day Market, held at the Gordon Lee Mansion. The event…
Jones Faces Heated Governor Race
DALTON, GA. (WDEF) - Georgia’s race for governor is taking shape ahead of the primary election, with Republican candidates working to define themselves in a competitive statewide contest. Lieutenant Governor Burt…
Vision Loss Awareness Campaign
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and May is Healthy Vision Month, both aimed at encouraging people to focus on protecting their vision. Prevent Blindness is…
Schools Highlight Student Success and Future
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Bradley County Schools highlighted student achievement, safety initiatives, and future growth during its annual State of Schools event held this morning. Students from across the district…
Understanding Schizophrenia And Family Impact
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Approximately 3.7 million Americans are living with schizophrenia, a complex mental health condition that continues to be widely misunderstood and can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms often…
New Senior Center Plans Announced
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County is moving forward with plans to create its first dedicated senior center, expanding resources for older adults in the Ooltewah and Collegedale communities. The project,…
Zebra and Giraffe Friendship Turns Heads
VALDOSTA, GA. (WDEF) - An unusual animal pairing is being highlighted at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. Inside the park’s Giraffe Overlook habitat, which allows multiple species to…
Strawberry Spirit Sweeps Through Rhea County
DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) - Rhea County is bursting with strawberry spirit as a decorating contest gets underway ahead of the Tennessee Strawberry Festival. One of the first events to kick…
Commissioner Highlights Experience During Campaign
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Commissioner Chip Baker spoke to the Pachyderm club Monday as part of his reelection campaign for District 2. During the meeting, Baker highlighted…
Thomas the Train Event Brings Family Fun
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Day Out with Thomas brought families to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for a seasonal train-themed event built around a real excursion ride experience. Visitors…
Chattanooga Market Returns to First Horizon Pavilion
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Market is back for the season at the First Horizon Pavilion, launching its seasonal run with a weekend opening event. Opening weekend brought…
Southeast Drought Conditions Continue Worsening
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Drought conditions continued to expand and intensify across much of the Southeast, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update. In the Tennessee Valley, extreme drought conditions…
Large Crowds Mark Mr. T’s Opening
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Large crowds and long lines took over Ooltewah as Mr. T’s Pizza opened its second location with a three-day grand opening celebration. The…
Hawk Hill Plans Await Approval
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The future of AT&T Field is under consideration as the Chattanooga Sports Authority weighs next steps for the site following the Chattanooga Lookouts’ departure, while River City…
Prescription Drug Bill Advances Statewide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Tennessee lawmakers have passed the “Fair Rx Act,” legislation that would restrict certain types of ownership within the prescription drug industry in the state. The bill would…
Community Talks Solutions to Homelessness
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - City leaders and community organizations gathered this morning to discuss ongoing challenges related to homelessness and potential long-term solutions. The discussion included ideas such as…
Maclellan Island Future Vision
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Maclellan Island is still in the early stages of what could become a long-term transformation, with community partners working together to shape its future. Groups like Chattanooga Botanical…
Major Fine Art Festival Returns
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The 4 Bridges Arts Festival returned this weekend as one of the region’s premier visual arts events, drawing large crowds and artists from across the country. More…
Pollinator Garden Comes Into Bloom
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - A new pollinator garden is now officially open in Soddy-Daisy, the result of a community-wide effort focused on conservation, native plants, and supporting local wildlife. Keep…
Crime Victims’ Rights Week Proclamation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Family Justice Center hosted an event Thursday afternoon inside its auditorium and atrium as part of Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The event provided information…
AI Reshaping Future Workplace Skills
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the workplace, changing how employees complete tasks and how companies define roles across nearly every industry. While the…
Wildfire Grows Rapidly In Remote Terrain
POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - A wildfire burning in Polk County continues to expand across remote forest land. The Appalachia Fire was first reported on Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Forest…
Historic Center Supports Youth and Families
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - For more than a century, The Bethlehem Center has remained a part of the Alton Park community, working to support generations of local families. Founded in…
Free Treats Ease Tax Day Stress
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - On a day that often brings deadlines and stress, one company is flipping the script. Kona Ice is once again celebrating National Chill Out Day…
Incubator Future Sparks Business Concerns
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - An announcement made by county staff at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday involved a discussion of a proposal related to the Hamilton County Business Development…
Ballpark Expected to Spur Growth
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly says the city’s new ballpark represents more than a sports venue, it’s part of a longer-term push to shape economic growth in surrounding…
History of the Lookouts
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Lookouts are a professional minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, named for nearby Lookout Mountain following a fan contest in 1909. The franchise’s roots…
New Pennington’s Coffee Shop Opens Books Art Space
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A new bookstore, coffee shop, and art gallery is officially open on Chattanooga’s Southside. Pennington’s marked its grand opening Saturday, introducing a multi-use space designed…
13th Annual Chattanooga Autism Celebration Walk
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The 13th annual Autism Celebration Walk was held Saturday at Coolidge Park, bringing together members of the community for a day centered on autism acceptance. The…
Island Erosion Threatens Natural Landmark
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Maclellan Island is facing a long-term erosion problem, according to leaders with the Chattanooga Audubon Society. The nonprofit said the island has lost about three acres since…
Bend Project Update Pushed Back
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A scheduled update on The Bend, the major riverfront redevelopment project led by Urban Story Ventures, was postponed Tuesday after the development team did not appear…
Lanny Thomas Wins Senate Runoff
TRION, GA. (WDEF) - Republican Lanny Thomas won the special runoff election for Georgia State Senate District 53 on April 7. Thomas defeated Democrat Jack Zibluk by a wide margin, receiving…
The Bend Project Update Delayed
UPDATE: Urban Story Ventures has provided a statement in regard to the April 7, 2026 City Council meeting. They share The Bend has been in compliance with the One Westside TIF…
Schools Honored for Academic Achievement
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) - Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Catoosa County Public Schools on Tuesday, April 7, to recognize 11 schools for academic achievement. During the visit, Woods presented…
Forest Kindergarten Equipment Stolen
ROCK SPRING, GA (WDEF) - Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle School in Rock Spring, Georgia, reported that its forest kindergarten basecamp was damaged over spring break. Items taken or destroyed included hammocks,…
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Today, the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County held a proclamation ceremony at the Courts Building to recognize Sexual Assault…
Youth Alcohol Risks
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - April is Alcohol Awareness Month. New Tennessee data shows some of the most serious consequences tied to teen drinking are increasing. A 2025 report from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage…
Annual Easter Egg Hunt Returns
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt took place Sunday at Tennessee River Park, hosted by Coogi Doogi. The event offered children and families a fun-filled afternoon with…
Pro Stampede Rodeo Comes Alive
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Cowboy culture is heading to downtown Chattanooga this weekend with the Chattanooga Pro Stampede Rodeo at First Horizon Pavilion. The event is set for Friday, April 3rd…