Councilwoman Coonrod named to national committee
District 9 Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod just added a new title to her name. She announced she is the newest member of the National League of Cities' 2022 Public Safety and…
Gov. Kemp says he will push to ease handgun carry permits in Georgia
SMYRNA, Ga. (AP) - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he'll push for a new state law that would loosen the state's handgun requirements. Kemp announced the effort Wednesday at a gun shop in the Atlanta area city of Smyrna. He…
Stress from COVID surges creating "The Great Resignation" for health care workers
By now, we all probably know a person who caught the Omicron variant of COVID and spent the holidays in quarantine or in the hospital. But the hospital remains open - even…
Tennessee lawmaker says I was "bad wrong" after basketball meltdown
COSBY, Tennessee (WDEF) - A Tennessee lawmaker is apologizing for his conduct at a high school basketball last night. In a Twitter post, Rep. Jeremy Faison freely says he "acted the fool tonight and lost my temper on a ref."…
Grammys postpone ceremony, citing omicron variant risks
By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Grammy Awards were postponed Wednesday weeks before the planned Los Angeles ceremony over what organizers called “too many risks” from the omicron variant, signaling what could be the start of…
More To The Story: Why are people moving to Chattanooga?
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - People move around the country for all kinds of reasons. Here in Chattanooga, people come to us for our beauty, for our recreation, our cost of…
Back to School Amidst Omicron
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - COVID-19 infection rates have reached an all time high in Hamilton County. Despite the surge, public schools are open with no virtual learning option and masks are…
Suspect arrested in Christmas weekend auto burglaries
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Bradley County Sheriff's Office reports the arrest of a suspect in some auto burglaries from Christmas weekend. The burglaries happened in the northern part of the county. Investigators identified Austin Plemons as their suspect and…
Dalton Police investigating prescription fraud case
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - Dalton Police are investigating a prescription fraud case. They say a man used a fake prescription to get a controlled substance and then returned to try it again at the same pharmacy. Investigators say the…
Another bank fraud case with a Florida victim in Dalton
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - Dalton Police are investigating another identity theft case involving a Florida victim. This time, a man used stolen information from the Florida victim to try to withdraw money at the Truist bank branch on Glenwood Avenue…
Maples pleads guilty to fatal shootings of convenience store clerks last April
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A local man gets 40 years after pleading guilty on Wednesday to second degree murder. Barry Maples was arrested last April in the shooting deaths of two convenience store clerks in separate incidents. An April 12, 28-year…
Betty White Fans Organize Tribute to the Late Actress
Fans of the late Betty White are organizing on social media to pay tribute to the actress. They are asking everyone to donate five dollars to an animal shelter or rescue of their choice in her name.
Navy captain becomes 1st woman to command US nuclear carrier
The USS Abraham Lincoln deployed this week from San Diego under the command of Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to lead a nuclear carrier in U.S. Navy history.
New Lodge Opens at Fall Creek Falls State Park
SPENCER, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee officials have opened up a new $40.4 million lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Gov. Bill Lee was among those on hand Tuesday for the grand opening of the facility that includes an 85-room…
Georgia governor aims to loosen rules for carrying handguns
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will push for a new state law that would loosen requirements to carry a handgun in public, as he aims to blunt a primary challenge from fellow Republican David Perdue in this year's…
Walker County authorities trying to identify body found in Chattanooga Valley
FLINTSTONE, Georgia (WDEF) - The Walker County Sheriff is trying to identify the body of a man found in Chattanooga Valley on Tuesday. A mail carrier discovered the body in a ditch around 1 PM. It was next to Highway…
Hamilton County's new superintendent talks about students returning during Covid surge
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The new Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools is welcoming students back to class on Wednesday after the holiday break. And he explains the school system's Covid stance in the midst of another surge. Dr. Justin Robertson is…
Hamilton County sets new record for new Covid cases
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The number of new Covid cases shot up again on Tuesday, setting another new record for Hamilton County. The Health Department reports 1014 new cases today. And that's the first time they have ever topped a thousand…
Police post pictures of woman suspected of smuggling drugs in a Bible
EAST RIDGE, Tennessee (WDEF) - East Ridge Police are asking for the public's help to identify a suspect. They say she asked a local religious bookstore to ship a Bible to an inmate in federal prison on December 17th. But…
Is religious group founded in Chattanooga under suspicion for Colorado wildfire?
BOULDER, Colorado (WDEF) - It could be weeks before we get any indication if a religious group that formed in Chattanooga might have something to do with the horrific wildfire in Colorado last week. The fire in Boulder County burned…
Local Restaurants and Food Bank Impacted by National Rise in Food Prices
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Consumer Price Index reports meat prices are up over 20 percent from a year ago. Food prices overall are up 6.4 percent. And the Chattanooga Area Food Bank says more…
Grand Opening for new Lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park
FALL CREEK FALLS, Tennessee (WDEF) - A major upgrade to the Fall Creek Falls State Park is now officially open. The popular scenic area on the Cumberland Plateau above the Sequatchie Valley has a new Lodge for visitors. The 85…
Golden Apple Award: Ryan Barton, East Lake Elementary
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Ryan Barton is a former Adventure Therapist. He traveled to some of the most remote spots on the globe before answering the call to become a teacher. His students at…
No MLK Day march this year because of Covid
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Unity Group announces that the annual march on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been called off for Covid reasons. Instead, they will hold a rally at Miller Park with masks and social distancing. It will…