Dig'n Zone theme park to open March 2024
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Dig'n Zone in Sevierville has an official opening date for 2024. The construction-themed park will open on March 1. It will be located at 1707 Veterans Blvd. The…
Reward offered for information in 2018 Alabama homicide
OPELIKA, Ala. (WDEF) -- The Opelika Police Department in central Alabama is still searching for answers in a homicide investigation from 2018. CrimeStoppers are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. The police…
Alabama aims to get medical marijuana program started in 2024
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Members of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission said Thursday they are aiming to get the state's medical marijuana program underway in 2024 after a series of delays and legal disputes. Commissioners voted 7-2 for a motion…
How recent 'swatting' calls targeting officials may prompt heavier penalties for hoax police calls
ATLANTA (AP) — A spate of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials in recent days could be setting the stage for stricter penalties against so-called swatting in more states. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Boston…
Blood Assurance in "critical" need of donors ahead of New Year
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Blood Assurance is asking the public to make donations to end the year. They are in critical need of all blood types and platelet donations. The most needed blood type donations are O-positive and O-negative. Until…
SmileDirectClub is shutting down. Where does that leave its customers?
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS/AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Just months after filing for bankruptcy, SmileDirectClub announced it was shutting down its global operations and halting its teeth-aligner treatments. That leaves existing SmileDirectClub customers with a lot of questions and…
Hamilton County chase results in two injuries, one arrest
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County deputies were pursuing a vehicle early Friday morning when that vehicle crashed into an electrical pole. Now, two people are injured and one has been arrested. A deputy saw a silver sedan speeding on…
Sheriff blames Tannerite for blast that damaged a bank
PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF) - Was it a bank robbery attempt? The Grundy County Sheriff's Office says no. Officers were called to the Citizens Tri County Bank in Palmer on Wednesday. There were reports of explosions in the area that caused…
Driving Our Economy Forward - Hoff & Pepper Putting a Unique Spin on Hot Sauce
A Chattanooga man is putting the word 'Hoff' in hot sauce. Aaron Hoffman has his own unique spin on the popular condiment, and even has plans to expand his hot sauce company.
TECH BYTE: How to Set Up Your Tech Gifts
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- You finally got that tech gift you've been wanting for months. Now, how do you set it up in the first place? AT&T's…
From the Archives: 1994 Citrus Bowl
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Vols take on Iowa at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on New Year's Day. Our Brian Armstrong is in Florida to preview the matchup. But we thought we'd take you back 30 years in our…
Reward offered after truck, property stolen in Grundy County
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Grundy County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in a stolen property case that happened earlier this week. A white 1994 Chevrolet C1500 truck, an air compressor and other tools were stolen…
U.S. population grew to more than 335 million in 2023. Here's the prediction for 2024.
America's population grew by more than 1.75 million over 2023 and at midnight on New Year's Day, the population is expected to be 335,893,238, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday. As Americans ring in 2024, the population will have grown…
Alabama coaches don't want players watching film on tablets out of fear of sign stealing
By JOE REEDY/AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alabama is covering every angle when it comes to preparing for Monday's College Football Playoff semifinal game against Michigan at the Rose Bowl. That includes making sure their equipment and films…
Lifeforce flies driver to hospital after serious Etowah crash
ETOWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A pickup truck and semi-truck crashed head on early Thursday morning in Etowah. The crash happened at around 3 a.m. on Highway 411…
Cookie Jar Cafe scheduled to re-open late January 2024
UPDATE: DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Cookie Jar Cafe is making final additions to their building before reopening. The restaurant is making repairs after catching fire earlier in the year. The restaurant posted to social media on Thursday with a…
Judge rules against Chattanooga Mercantile defendants in dispute with landlord
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A year and a half after moving locations due to issues with their landlord, Chattanooga Mercantile’s lawsuit has officially ended. A judge has ordered named defendants Steve Watts and Luke Stewart to pay more than $250,000…
Federal judge accepts redrawn Georgia congressional and legislative districts that will favor GOP
WDEF NOTE: The new district does slightly affect politics in our area. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will see some of her district change. She loses all of Gordon County from the district and picks up the Kennesaw portion of Cobb…
Ladd McConkey plans to play in Orange bowl
MIAMI (WDEF) - North Murray High School graduate and Georgia star wide receiver Ladd McConkey plans to play in the Orange Bowl. That is if he is healthy enough to do so. McConkey, like many Georgia players, have "opted in"…
Ring among items stolen out of Rock Spring storage units
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Walker County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is asking for the public's help in solving a burglary case. Someone stole a ring out of a storage unit in Rock Spring sometime over the last month, according…
Recall of nearly 5 million portable blenders under way for unsafe blades and dozens of burn injuries
BlendJet is recalling about 4.8 million of its portable blenders over laceration and fire hazards after receiving dozens of reports of injuries, federal regulators said Thursday. BlendJet 2 Portable…
"That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson sent to California prison to serve sentence for rape convictions
"That '70s Show" actor Danny Masterson has been sent to a Southern California state prison to serve his sentence for two rape convictions. Danny Masterson mugshot / California Department of Corrections Authorities said Wednesday that the 47-year-old Masterson has been…
Rare bird spotted at Chickamauga Reservoir
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- In November, bird watchers saw an Ancient Murrelet in Tennessee. TVA reported that the bird was spotted at…
Update on Cleveland church pastor arrested
UPDATES: CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- This week, Rick Sentell was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor for possessing child pornography. Sentell is listed online as the pastor of the Cornerstone Church of God. However, there is a…