UTC receives unexpected science grant
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- UTC assistant chemistry professor Dr. Ben Stein had never applied for a grant proposal before until this past February So he was in disbelief when his $322,000 grant was approved…
Scuba Claus to return to Tennessee Aquarium
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- For the first time since the pandemic began, Scuba Claus is returning for public shows at the Tennessee Aquarium. Santa will be swimming alongside native Tennessee species of fish to wave to families and guests in attendance.…
From The Archives: 1982 Thanksgiving meals
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - If you've been shopping for Thanksgiving meal ingredients, you know how inflation is impacting the traditional holiday meal. We're seeing double-digit price increases in turkey, potatoes, stuffing,…
Food City breaks ground on downtown grocery store
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Food City broke ground on a different kind of grocery store for downtown Chattanooga on Thursday. It will be located at 1375 Broad Street, next to the Chattanoogan and…
Firefighters spot house fire from their station in East Lake
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Firefighters didn't need to get the call about a neighborhood blaze this morning in East Lake. They could see the smoke from their station. Chattanooga firefighters noticed the…
Food City officials break-ground on new downtown location
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) - Food City broke ground this morning on a new downtown location. The new facility is set to open this summer. (more…)
Driving Our Economy Forward: EPB Services
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- EPB isn't your average electric power utility. They've given Chattanooga the nickname the Gig City, providing the first community-wide gig speed Internet in the U.S. EPB talked…
Hamilton County unveils Unmanned Aerial Systems vehicle
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office unveiled their new Unmanned Aerial Systems Team on Wednesday. Their UAS Command Vehicle will allow team members to operate their drone in the field.…
Search still on for missing Whitwell woman Stacy Crawford
JASPER, Tennessee (WDEF) - Marion County officials are renewing calls for public assistance in solving the disappearance of Stacy Annette Crawford. The 44 year old woman disappeared from her hometown of Whitwell in July. Investigators believe she is the victim…
Man charged with attempted murder and rape in second attack of ex-girlfriend
COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Collegedale Police have arrested a man in the second attack on his ex-girlfriend. Back in September, Kenneth Iverson McKenzie, Jr. was charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, felony theft, interference with emergency calls, and vandalism after…
UTC discusses school safety following UVA shooting
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- The tragic deaths of three University of Virginia football players is still being felt nationwide, including on campus at UTC. The players' deaths have Charlottesville's UVA community, as well as many…
Driver seriously injured in Ooltewah wreck
OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) - A driver was seriously injured in a crash last night in the Ooltewah area. Officials say the vehicle ran off 6401 Mountain View Road and hit both a tree and a power pole. It brought down…
House Speaker David Ralston from Blue Ridge dies
BLUE RIDGE, Georgia (WDEF) - A powerful lawmaker from the northwest Georgia mountains has died. House Speaker David Ralston was 68. The state representative from Blue Ridge just announced a few weeks ago that he was stepping down as the…
Historical preservation grants go to two local churches
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Preservation Office of the Tennessee Historical Commission will help save two local churches. The Commission announced almost a million dollars in preservation grants across the state on Wednesday. Two projects in Hamilton and Bradley…
DA Wamp Pushes for Injunction that Kicks Occupants out of East Ridge Motel
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Occupants at the Budgetel Inn and Suites Motel in East Ridge were formally evicted this morning. (more…)
Sheriff: shooting suspect dies in exchange of gunfire with Marshals
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A fugitive from Georgia was killed in a shootout with U.S. Marshals this morning in Chattanooga. 49 year old John R. Wells Jr. was wanted in Walker County on charges of shooting his wife in Villanow a…
Georgia Court rolls back 6 week abortion ban
ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) - A Fulton County Judge has ruled against the six week abortion ban in Georgia. It is based on a technicality of law. The Judge found that lawmakers passed the bill before Roe V Wade was overturned,…
Chattanooga City Council approves Airport Inn rezoning
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga City Council approved the controversial rezoning of the Airport Inn off of Lee Highway on Tuesday night. The building is set to be converted into supportive housing for some of the city's homeless. The 7-to-2…
Donald Trump announces new run for President
MAR-A-LAGO, Florida (WDEF) - Former President Donald Trump plans to wipe the "former" from his title. He announced that he will run for President a third time tonight from his estate in Florida. "In…
Tennessee Supreme Court Judge retiring
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Governor Bill Lee will be able to replace another Bredesen appointee to the Tennessee Supreme Court. Justice Sharon Lee informed the current Governor that she plans to retire next year. Lee is a native of Madisonville…
New Council in, city manager out in Athens political squabble
ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) - The City of Athens took a major step tonight in putting months of political in-fighting to a rest. The new City Council met for the first time since an election day turnover that saw the old…
Occupants at East Ridge Motel Given Short Eviction Notice
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Occupants at the Budgetel Inn and Suites Motel in East Ridge are outraged with what they are describing as an abrupt eviction notice. (more…)
"Skip-Scanning" Raises Concerns about Self-Checkouts
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)-Dalton Police are searching for a woman who they believe committed theft at a dollar store. (more…)
Golden Apple Award: Abby Fortner Lookout Valley Middle High School
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) - Abby Fornter teaches English and Social Studies at Lookout Valley Middle School. She also gets in plenty of kicks coaching soccer. At least one of her students calls Fortner…