HCSD literacy emphasis
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Hamilton County School District is a read 360 school system. This means, there is an extra emphasis on kids achieving their reading at their grade level or better. "So this is…
Police release details of 23rd Street shooting
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police are releasing details on the shooting Thursday evening on East 23rd Street. They learned the 16 year old male was in a vehicle when he was shot. He was actually a few blocks…
Dalton Police identify shooting victim
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - Dalton Police are now releasing the name of the man killed Thursday morning in a shooting. 62-year old Kenneth Ray Townsend was shot in an apartment on Selvidge Street just before 3 AM. He…
Firefighters, volunteers come together to combat growing wildfire
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- Wildfires are blazing through Tennessee, with some of the largest being outside Pigeon Forge in Sevier County. Needing backup, Chattanooga has been just one of…
Storm causes wildfire near Cleveland overnight
(Photos from Bradley Co. Fire Dept.) CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Officials are blaming the wildfire last night in the Cleveland area on the storms that swept through our area. The fire burned more than 80 acres near Blue Springs…
TBI: woman was killed in shootout between her dad and her ex
HUNTSVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The TBI says two men have now been arrested in the death of a woman last fall. 37 year old Crystal Chambers was shot at a home in Scott County, Tennessee. After a joint investigation by…
3 Principal changes in Hamilton County schools
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - The school principal merry-go-round has begun for next year in Hamilton County. The school system announced the first changes on Thursday, effecting Tyner Academy, Orchard Knob Middle and the newest Future Ready Center. Gerald L.…
From The Archives: 1982 Alabama Homecoming Concert
RAINSVILLE, Alabama (WDEF) - Rainsville, Alabama isn't really their hometown, but it was close enough in 1982. County music fans in our area should be able to tell…
Giving Guitars Tour
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF)-A formerly homeless country musician is making it a point to spread the importance of music. Country musician Steven Cade is donating guitars to inspire those in needs and offer…
Mayor Kelly Announces 100 Million Dollar Affordable Housing Initiative
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- "Chattanooga faces a crossroads. If we don't do something about housing in our city, something bold and decisive, there are going to be serious and irreversible consequences," said Mayor Tim Kelly,…
Lake Winnie security guard convicted of attempted molestation of female co-workers
RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) - A former security guard at a local amusement park has been convicted of Attempted Child Molestation. Last summer, a a young girl told authorities that Lake Winnepesaukah security guard Carlos Fenelli had touched her inappropriately and…
Man charged with dealing meth, fentanyl and steroids in Dade County
TRENTON, Georgia (WDEF) - Drug task force agents and Dade County deputies checked out a house this week after a tip that drugs were being sold there. The home was on Stephens Drive, right off I 59 in the New…
50 years for Chattanooga Food Bank
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- "I think what’s amazing about this food bank, as we work with so many amazing partners across our community, that we don’t have to imagine a world where our neighbors are…
Education Commissioner makes stop in Bradley County
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF)-The Tennessee Commissioner of Education had a stop at Bradley County’s PIE Innovation Center. Bradley county schools, PIE innovation Center, helps kids learn in the classroom at…
Severe storms pummel South after 7 hurt in Arkansas tornado
A line of severe storms packing isolated tornadoes and high winds ripped across the Deep South overnight, toppling trees and power lines and leaving homes and businesses damaged…
Pence unveils Republican policy agenda for midterm elections
FILE - Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the National Press Club in Washington, Nov. 30, 2021. Pence is unveiling a new policy platform for Republicans ahead of this year's midterms elections. He's offering a…
Bradley County Brush Fire Contained
Cleveland, Tenn (WDEF)- A brush fire occurred late Wednesday night and continued into early Thursday morning just south of Cleveland…
Chattanooga to relocate homeless residents from railroad properties
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- The city of Chattanooga and Norfolk Southern are working together to relocate some at-risk homeless encampments by May 31 after some residents were found walking…
Garth Brooks Adds Second Nashville Stadium Show
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Country music star Garth Brooks is adding another show to his Nashville stop on his stadium tour. It'll be Friday night, April 15, in addition to his rescheduled show…
Collegedale chase over stolen car
COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Collegedale Police have chased down a man for a stolen car Wednesday afternoon. They were called around 5PM about a car that was taken near the Walmart on Little Debbie Parkway. Police spotted it in the…
Mask Mandates Banned in Georgia Schools
LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) - Yesterday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 514, which prohibits mask mandates in primary and secondary schools. "No local board of education, governing board, superintendent, or personnel at any…
Winds causing rash of downed power lines
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - First Responders are getting swamped with high wind calls right now. They've gotten calls about brush fires, trees down and one power pole down. Here is a sample of calls from the last half hour in our…
Tenn. lawmakers push for collegiate transgender athlete ban
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee would ban transgender athletes from participating in female college sports under legislation gaining traction inside the state’s GOP-controlled General Assembly. The proposal cleared key legislative hearings Wednesday in both the…
Wildfire prompts mandatory evacuation for Tennessee area
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A wildfire in East Tennessee has authorities mandating evacuations in the area. The Sevier County Emergency Management Agency says the evacuation is the Hatcher Mountain area of Wears Valley and the resorts of Shagbark and Little…