No solution to vacation rental debate in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The debate over vacation rentals in Hamilton County continued to intensify Wednesday. The Hamilton County Commission held a committee session to debate the…
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene triggers effort to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from office
By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING/Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Hardline Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called Wednesday for a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, pressing ahead with her long-shot effort despite pushback from Republicans at the highest levels tired…
Chickamauga Battlefield unveils Mark Thrash exhibit
FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) - The Chickamauga Battlefield is honoring one of the park’s most storied figures. An exhibit honoring Mark Thrash is now on display inside of the Visitor…
Brainerd High School students learn about battery chemistry
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - You might call this high school course shocking. Brainerd High School students learned the safety and potential risks behind battery chemistry. “We partnered with…
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. challenges Donald Trump to debate at Libertarian Convention
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has challenged Donald Trump to a head-to-head debate for when both address a Libertarian convention later this month, a move that comes as the presumptive GOP nominee has ramped up both criticism of Kennedy’s independent bid…
Beat the Heat campaign begins
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Summer is approaching quickly, and the Salvation Army is doing everything they can to help the community stay cool. The beat the heat campaign started…
The Enterprise Center awarded nearly $2 million for digital training
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Enterprise Center recently received a $1.9 million award for its Tech Goes Home training program. The funding comes from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, which allocated $163 million to increase broadband access.…
Cleveland City Schools staff to receive 5% raise
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Cleveland City Board of Education's budget for the upcoming school year includes a 5% pay raise for city school employees. The board approved the 2024-2025 school year budget on Monday, May 6. A year ago,…
Chattanooga seeking applicants for passenger railway project
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The City of Chattanooga is looking for a qualified firm to scope and analyze the proposed passenger rail project. The city published a Request for Qualification (RFQ) on Wednesday, May 8. Interested firms can apply until…
Alabama lawmakers approve tax breaks for businesses that help employees afford child care
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation to provide state tax breaks to businesses that help their employees afford childcare. The Alabama Senate voted 31-0 for the bill that now goes to Gov. Kay…
US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant
By TRAVIS LOLLER/Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The nation’s largest public utility is moving ahead with a plan for a new natural gas plant in Tennessee despite warnings that its environmental review of the project doesn't comply with federal…
Women involved in April police chase now face burglary charges
UPDATE: HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The three women involved in a high-speed chase in April now face several more charges for burglary, according to the sheriff's office. They said more than $16,000 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered. Hamilton…
Motorcycle driver charged after early morning chase on Highway 27
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Deputies have charged an early morning motorcycle driver in Hamilton County after a high-speed chase. The deputy tried to stop Nicholas Mullins for speeding up to…
Mayor Wamp proposes funds to fix trouble spots like Hunter Road in Ooltewah
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has released his plan to improve road conditions in the unincorporated areas. Poor roads, particularly Hunter Road in the Ooltewah area, have been a common complaint from residents who don't want…
Cleveland picks new Director of Schools
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Cleveland City School Board promoted from within to name their next Director of Schools on Monday. They appointed Dr. Jeff Elliott who is…
Tyner Academy hosts World Quantum Day
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Tyner students showcased their Friendship Detector projects as a part of World Quantum Day on Tuesday. “Tyner Academy is one of the first schools to…
Chattanooga Library, CARTA team up for free summer bus passes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Public Library made an announcement that it believes will benefit children across the city this summer. The Chattanooga Public Library…
Dalton GNTC receives CDL truck program investment
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced an investment into the Georgia Northwest Technical College campus in Dalton. $5.5 million will be invested to…
The Boy Scouts of America has a new name — and it's more inclusive
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus…
TikTok sues Biden administration to block new law that could lead to U.S. ban
Washington — TikTok, the widely popular social media app, and its parent company ByteDance filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department on Tuesday over a new law that requires the platform to cut ties with its China-based owner within a year…
BlueCross chooses Parkridge over CHI Memorial in hospital negotiations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The leading insurance company in the Chattanooga area is shaking up the hospital wars. BlueCross has chosen to go with Parkridge Health System over CHI Memorial for its popular Blue Network S. Parkridge would join Erlanger…
Drake's security guard injured in shooting outside rapper's Toronto home, police say
A security guard for the rapper Drake was injured in a shooting outside Drake's Toronto home overnight, police said Tuesday. The shooting was reported at about 2 a.m. local time, Inspector Paul Krawczyk with the Toronto Police Service said in…
Instagram video helped officers identify UPS auto break-in suspects
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Police arrested two young men in relation to 14 auto burglaries and two auto thefts from April. Surveillance video and an Instagram video aided authorities in identifying the suspects. Courtyus Fletcher.…
Grant will pay for water improvements in the Scottsboro area
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (WDEF) - Gov. Kay Ivey is investing in the growth around Scottsboro, Alabama. The state is handing out a million-dollar grant to the city to improve water service. Gov. Ivey said western Jackson County continues to attract people…