Biden sending more COVID tests to schools to keep them open
The White House announced Wednesday that a dedicated stream of 5 million rapid tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests will be made available to schools starting this month.
US inflation soared 7% in past year, the most since 1982
Inflation jumped at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years last month, a 7 percent spike from a year earlier that is pushing up household expenses.
Signal Mountain stabbing suspect gets bond
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A woman charged with criminal homicide for the stabbing death of a man inside her home had a bond set today in Hamilton County Court. Rhonda Essenpreis of Signal Mountain…
Chatt. Symphony & Opera gets new Executive Director
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will get some new leadership this spring. John Kilkenny will take over as Executive Director of the CSO on March 1. He is currently an Associate Professor at George Mason University and…
Hamilton County Judge Sends Migrant Youth Worker Sexual Battery Case to Grand Jury
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Three female employees of the Baptiste Group were arrested in 2021 on various charges of sexual misconduct against minors staying at their shelter for migrants in Chattanooga. Today,…
Tool, J. Cole, Stevie Nicks to headline Bonnaroo music fest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - J. Cole, Tool and Stevie Nicks will headline this year’s Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. The four-day festival in Manchester, Tennessee, is set to return June 16-19 after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic and…
Grand Ole Opry under fire for Morgan Wallen performance
By KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Grand Ole Opry, country music's most historic and storied stage, is getting heavy criticism for an appearance by troubled country star Morgan Wallen. Wallen's surprise performance has given…
Redistricting, schools cash formula anchor Tennessee session
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers are planning to use their annual session in Nashville to focus on addressing how the state funds public schools, redrawing legislative and congressional maps and finalizing…
Golden Apple Award: Lauren Grimes, Dalewood Middle School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Sixth grade Math the can be challenging. The problems get more complex.You need a good teacher to properly explain the process. Dalewood Middle School's Lauren Grimes blends high energy…
Huntsville police officer charged with killing Trion girlfriend
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (WDEF) - The girlfriend who investigators say was killed by a Huntsville police officer is from northwest Georgia. Courtney Spraggins was shot to death on Friday in Madison County, Alabama. She grew…
Body found in debris of old Ricky's Restaurant after fire
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The burned ruins of the old Ricky's Restaurant on 4th Avenue has now been roped off as a crime…
Driver injured after crashing while police were chasing him
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga police investigating a car chase yesterday that injured a driver. Officers spotted a man driving a carjacked vehicle and tried to stop it, but instead the suspect led them on a pursuit down Lee Hwy. The…
Worley sentenced to longest sentence ever in Grundy County for child rape
ALTAMONT, Tennessee (WDEF) - A Grundy County man has been sentenced to 150 years in prison for the rape of a child. The victim was under 13 years of age. James Allen Worley was convicted on four counts of child…
Much Anticipated Peach Cobbler Factory Hosts Grand Opening
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): Today is the grand opening of the Peach Cobbler Factory. Located on 301 East MLK Boulevard, it is the 7th open location to date in four states. The first Peach…
Lawmakers To Address Public Schools
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers are planning to start their annual session in Nashville with a focus on addressing how the state funds public schools, redrawing legislative and congressional maps and finalizing a new spending plan for the upcoming…
Sheriff looking for suspect with connection to gun shop robbery
JASPER, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Marion County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help finding a suspect with a connection to the Mountain Mart gun shop robbery. They are looking for Dustin James Stephens. He was pulled over by…
What's Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Christian Surf Club
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - As far as states go, Tennessee is just about as landlocked as they come, but our geographic disadvantage was only a minor obstacle for a highly motivated Chattanooga…
Investigation Into Hamilton County Child Rape Crosses State Lines, Public Assistance Needed
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Ryan Andrew Meyung was arrested in December on multiple counts of child rape, aggravated kidnapping and other related charges. An arrest affidavit says Meyung was a motocross stunt rider. Meyung…
UTC Continues Offering COVID Tests, Vaccines
Amid a national rise in COVID-19 cases, students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga returned to class Monday for the first day of the Spring semester. While COVID-19 remains prevalent in the lives of UTC students and staff, the…
More details from Health Dept. on Pfizer booster shots for ages 12-15
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Health Department is offering more information on the new Pfizer booster shots for young teens. The shots are for ages 12-15. But only if you got your last shot at least five…
Erlanger restricts visitation policy in response to Covid surge
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Erlanger Health Systems is the second area hospital to tighten up their visitation policy during the current Covid surge. The new policy went into affect this morning. Basically, they will limit patients to one visitor per visitation…
More To The Story: Tammy Little Haynes wins beauty crowns decades apart
We talk about great comebacks in politics, music and Hollywood. So why not in beauty pageants. Meet the northeast Alabama woman who won a crown as Miss Alabama in 1984 and is doing it again in More To The Story With Staley.
Large drug bust in Chattooga County
SUMMERVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) - The Chattooga County sheriff's office has made a large drug bust. Sheriff Mark Schrader says his office, along with the Lookout Mountain Drug task force, got 10-thousand dollars worth of chrystal meth off the streets Thursday…
Human Trafficking Prevention Month: TN 'Safe at Home' Program Helping Victims of Abuse
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett's office is working to help victims of abuse. Hargett runs the Safe at Home Program designed to prevent abusers from finding their…