Chattanooga non-profit brings music to inmates on death row
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Chattanooga non-profit is helping inmates on death row find hope and healing through music. Second Verses recently visited the Mississippi State…
Strong earthquake with 7.1 magnitude hits off southern Japan, prompts tsunami advisory
A powerful earthquake struck off Japan's southern coast on Thursday, triggering a tsunami advisory. There were no immediate reports of casualties, the Reuters news agency reports. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake, which hit…
14 arrested in Knox County after TBI meth distribution investigations
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Fourteen have been arrested after investigations revealed a meth distribution operation in Knox County. The Tennessee Bureau of investigations (TBI) started investigations into large amounts of methamphetamine in December around Knox County. Throughout the course of…
New Salem Baptist kick off first day of school at Allen Elementary
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The First Day of School is finally here! New Salem Baptist Church lined the streets to welcome Allen Elementary Students…
Collegedale Police Alert Parents to Social Media Risks as School Year Begins
As the new school year begins proud parents will flood social media with their first-day-of-school photos. What parents might not realize is these innocent…
Tennessee Aquarium to host after-hours event for adults
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Aquarium has the perfect lineup for students and families this August-- but it's also offering a twist for adults. The aquarium will be opening their doors…
Hamilton County school facilities plan at varying stages
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Wednesday is the first day…
Taylor Swift concerts canceled after 2 arrested in Vienna for alleged terrorist attack plans
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in Vienna, Austria, have been canceled after government officials confirmed an alleged ISIS-linked terrorist plot to attack large events, organizers said Wednesday. "With confirmation from government officials of a…
One dead in Cumberland County shooting
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cumberland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a shooting call on August 6, 2024. The call came in at approximately 7:06 p.m. at 507 Yellow Cliff Creek Road. When deputies…
COVID-19 unemployment insurance fraud scheme suspect sentenced
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The suspect in a COVID-19 unemployment insurance fraud scheme was sentenced to 51 months in prison, August 7, 2024. Evelyn Blevins of Souths Pittsburg, Tennessee pled guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft for being…
Juvenile missing out of Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A juvenile in Cleveland has gone missing. Gabriel Hutto has been missing since July 25, 2024. Hutto is 17 years old, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, and 150 pounds. He…
UTC adds on campus dual enrollment for local high schools
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is adding a new on campus, dual-enrollment courses for local high school students. UTC is offering two courses to eligible students, English 1010 (Rhetoric and Composition 1) and Math 1130…
Georgia postal employee arrested for stealing and dumping mail
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee was arrested in Gwinnett County for stealing and dumping mail, along with using drugs while delivering mail. The Gwinnett County Police Department was contacted on July 31, 2024…
Wettermark Keith to open new Chattanooga office in August
(Press release) CHATTANOOGA, TN – Wettermark Keith Personal Injury Lawyers will open the door to their new downtown office location on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. The new office is located at 629 Market Street, Suite 101. The decision to open…
New athletic facilities coming to Hamilton County Schools
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- New athletic facilities are on their way to public schools across Hamilton County. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp revealed these investment plans, focusing on projects up on Signal Mountain and in East Ridge. Signal Mountain…
Drug trafficking in North Carolina leads to multiple arrests
CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC. (WDEF) -- A sizeable amount of Methamphetamine was seized from drug traffickers in North Carolina. Cherokee County Narcotics Unit started an investigation involving Kenneth Charles Smith after receiving information that Smith was trafficking Methamphetamine. Smith and India…
Couple fled across country attempting to escape murder charges
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The District Attorney says license plate readers helped track murder suspects across the country as they fled our area. Michael A. Brooks and Kayla Brooks have been indicted by a grand jury with the murder…
Chattanooga rolls out new on demand brush collection system
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Department of Public Works has made a new way of collecting brush piles. Residents can now dial 311 to request a pickup. They can also email 311@chattanooga.gov,…
Residents voice frustration with proposed Catoosa County tax hike
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF)- Catoosa County residents voiced their frustrations on Tuesday over a proposed property tax hike. (more…)
Local Democrats react to Walz VP pick
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing from some local Democrats who are reacting to the Tim Walz vice presidential pick. (more…)
Some financing documents still to be signed for South Broad Stadium
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As construction for the new South Broad Stadium has officially begun, the financing details are still being finalized. (more…)
GOP Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee says FBI took his cellphone in campaign finance probe
By JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press Abstract: Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee says the FBI took his cellphone in an investigation of issues in his campaign finance reporting. The first-term member of the conservative Freedom Caucus said Tuesday on…
Grand Jury indicts Crossville detective with assaulting suspect
CROSSVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - A grand jury has indicted a police detective from Crossville with assault. The TBI was asked to investigate the case against Crossville Detective Tyrel Lorenz in June. He was accused of assaulting a suspect after a…
Zimbabwe national convicted of running romance schemes through Georgia
ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) - A jury has convicted a woman of laundering money from a variety of scams, including romance fraud online. Sherlyn Sims, a/k/a “Sherlyn Dzinzi,” is from Zimbabwe, but she set up business in Georgia. Prosecutors accused her…
