Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond captured, TBI says
JACKSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The manhunt for the suspect accused of killing four people and abandoning an infant across the state is now over. The Tennessee Bureau of…
OceanGate used "intimidation tactics" to avoid scrutiny before Titan submersible tragedy, U.S. Coast Guard says
The U.S. exploration company OceanGate used " intimidation tactics" to "evade regulatory scrutiny" in the years leading up to the June 2023 Titan submersible tragedy, according to findings released by the U.S. Coast Guard Tuesday. Those…
Americans could soon face higher inflation as businesses pass along tariff costs, Fed official says
Americans could see inflation tick higher in 2025 as businesses start to pass on the cost of the Trump administration's tariffs to consumers through price hikes, Beth Hammack, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve…
Shortage of volunteer firefighters could force more towns to move to paid firehouses, costing taxpayers
Nearly 70% of the fire crews working in departments across the country are volunteers, according to the National Fire Department Registry. These dedicated civil servants serve on the frontline, keeping smaller communities safe, but that…
New Medicare Program offers fully covered dementia caregiving in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A new Medicare initiative is now providing fully covered caregiving support for individuals living with dementia, including right here in Chattanooga through…
Congenital syphilis spiking across Tennessee and nation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Health officials say they’re concerned about the rise of a disease affecting pregnant mothers and their babies. (more…)
Tennessee Chef Crowned Seafood King
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chef Wesley True of Inman Social in Cleveland, Tennessee, has been crowned the 2025 King of American Seafood after winning the prestigious Great American Seafood Cook-Off in…
Expert Advice for Safer Schools
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As the new school year begins, leaders from the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) offered expert insight into how schools can better protect students and…
Man convicted of 2021 nightclub murder requesting third trial
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man who has been convicted twice of a 20-21 murder outside of a Brainerd night club is attempting to seek a third trial. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Volkswagen Academy
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -- The Volkswagen Academy made history this Summer. They graduated their first ever class of Automotive Systems Technology students, alongside their sixth cohort of manufacturing specialists.…
Commercial fire breaks out at Buzzi Unicem Signal Mountain Plant
UPDATE (8/4/2025): Buzzi Unicem released a statement about the commercial fire Monday afternoon. Buzzi said smoke was reported coming from the solid tire fuel storage…
Plastic causing "disease and death from infancy to old age" that costs $1.5 trillion a year, report warns
Plastic pollution is a "grave, growing and under-recognized danger" to health that is costing the world at least $1.5 trillion a year, a report published Monday in the Lancet medical journal said. The new review of existing…
Oven fire sparks kitchen blaze in Mowbray home
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Fire crews with the Mowbray Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) put out an oven fire Monday morning. On August 4, 2025, at 8:52 a.m.,…
Manhunt for Montana bar shooting suspect continues into fourth day
The manhunt for a military veteran suspected of fatally shooting four people at a…
Dooley announces run for Georgia Senate seat
ATHENS, Ga. (WDEF)- A former Tennessee football coach has officially thrown his hat into the ring for next year’s Georgia Senate Race. (more…)
Tennessee authorities arrest 2 linked to suspect in the killings of 4 relatives of an abandoned infant
Two men were arrested in connection with the murders of the parents, grandmother and uncle of an infant found alive in Tennessee, as a manhunt for the suspected killer continues, officials said.…
Shopping made cheaper with Statemint's Fall/Winter Clothing Sale this week!
A special pop-up consignment sale on Broad Street this week will get you and your family ready to be fashionable during the colder months! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - In need of some…
EPB experiences network outage early Monday morning
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Electric Power Board has confirmed they experienced a network outage early Monday morning. Residents around Chattanooga lost service for a brief period. EPB didn't confirm why it went out overnight. We are working to learn…
WTCI PBS faces major funding cut
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - One of Chattanooga’s public television stations are facing a significant financial setback. WTCI PBS says a major loss in federal support could impact both local programming…
Overnight Storms Trigger Flash Flooding
Dalton, GA (WDEF) – Flash flooding swamped parts of Whitfield County late Saturday night into Sunday, August 3rd, after heavy rains dropped up to six inches in just a few hours. …
Families Pack Tennessee Riverpark for 8th Annual Back-to-School Bas
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF)— Hundreds of families filled the Tennessee Riverpark for the 8th Annual Back-to-School Bash, transforming the waterfront into a vibrant hub of learning, laughter, and community support. From face painting and interactive STEM exhibits to free backpacks and…
Jackson man charged with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder
MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Friday, Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) arrested a Jackson man and charged him with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder in connection to the ongoing search for Austin…
17-year-old shot attempting to complete a marketplace meet up
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) is investigating a robbery in the 6500 block of Pine Manor Drive that resulted in one person being shot. On Saturday, around 3:06 p.m., Chattanooga Police Robbery Investigators began interviewing the…
More than 40 dogs rescued from hoarding situation
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) - More than 40 dogs are now safe after a major animal rescue effort in Athens, Tennessee. Officers say the dogs were found living in…