Wildfire explodes to third-largest in California history
A wildfire raging in Northern California exploded in size overnight, becoming the third-largest wildfire in state history.
Former Georgia Governors Teaming Up For New Healthcare Facility in LaFayette
Two former Georgia governors are pledging their support to help raise money for a new healthcare facility in LaFayette.
World's Longest Yard Sale Happening This Weekend
The World's Longest Yard Sale kicked off Thursday morning. It starts in Gadsden, Alabama, travels across Taft Highway, and all the way to Michigan. the route covers 690 miles. You can check out everything from furniture, and antiques, to knick knacks.
Cleveland one of several school systems returning on Friday
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Not every school is exactly as you left it last spring. For instance, returning students at Cleveland High on Friday are going to come across a new cross walk. They ask all drivers in front of…
District 9 councilwoman meeting
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- "Let’s get this trash and brush cleaned up off the streets. Just call 311. It's going to take a community effort so I’m gonna need all of you to help me help you," said Councilwoman…
Court upholds Tennessee's 48-hour abortion waiting period
UNDATED (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld Tennessee's 48-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions. Justices on Thursday argued that opponents had failed to identify instances where a woman had been significantly burdened by the requirement. The decision…
'There are only so many beds': COVID-19 surge hits hospitals
By KELLI KENNEDY and PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida hospitals slammed with COVID-19 patients are suspending elective surgeries and putting beds in conference rooms, an auditorium and a cafeteria. As of midweek, Mississippi had just…
Chattanooga holds $1,000 drawing for vaccinated residents
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly announces his incentive plan to get more people to take the Covid vaccine. The city will hold a weekly drawing for $1,000. All Hamilton County residents who are fully vaccinated…
Why the eviction moratorium extension does not apply to Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-More than 70 families were on the docket for eviction court today. Even though the CDC extended the eviction moratorium through October of this year, the sixth court ruled that it was unconstitutional-which means families…
Bradley County investigating body found at a farm
CHARLESTON, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Bradley County Sheriff's Office is investigating a body found around noon in a field near Charleston. The decomposed human body was found on a farm near 2000 Lower River Road. Authorities are not releasing any…
Bradley County Kidnapping and Child Abuse Arrest
BRADLEY COUNTY (WDEF) - "I never cease to be amazed that something like this would happen. We just don't do this. We're grown adults," says Bradley County Sheriff Steve Lawson. An admittedly angered but resolved Sheriff Lawson…
'There are only so many beds': COVID-19 surge hits hospitals
In Georgia, more than two dozen hospitals said this week that they have had to turn away patients as the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 has risen to 2,600 statewide.
McDonald's franchisee offers to pay MTSU tuition for workers
A company that owns 20 McDonald's franchises in the Nashville area is offering to pay tuition for employees who want to attend Middle Tennessee State University.
US jobless claims down 14,000 to 385,000 as economy rebounds
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week by 14,000 to 385,000. The applications have more or less fallen steadily since topping 900,000 in early January.
Dade County schools return on Thursday with 3D printing
TRENTON, Georgia (WDEF) - When kids return to Dade County Elementary on Thursday, they're going to see some new objects around school. Teachers on the DES S.T.E.A.M team have some new 3D printers and they've been firing them up this…
Forest Service reopens Thunder Rock Campground trail near Ducktown
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Forest Service announces that a popular hiking trail in the Cherokee National Forest is reopening. It is a section of the Benton MacKaye Trail near the Thunder Rock Campground near Ducktown. The campground was closed…
Wings Over North Georgia returns as drive-in air show
ROME, Georgia (WDEF) - Wings Over North Georgia returns this fall with a Drive-In Air Show in October. The headlining acts will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force ACC A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team. The…
Hitting the Lake with champion Sale Creek Fishing Team
SALE CREEK, Tennessee (WDEF) - Two young fishermen from Sale Creek are "basking in the glory" of their accomplishment this past weekend. They are now national champions! That also means they both have big decisions to…
Hamilton County Commissioners want vaccination rates to increase
Emotions ran high after Hamilton County Commissioners learned about another increase in COVID cases. They want to know why people aren't protecting themselves.
Here is how the local Covid cases stack up to previous waves
Plus Covid case booms in Georgia and Tennessee, and legal trouble for an Alabama University's plan to give students a vaccine incentive.
Driver charged with DUI for wreck that injured 3, including child
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - A driver has been charged after a head-on crash Tuesday in Cleveland that injured a child. Bradley County investigators say a Ford pickup crossed the line on Dalton Pike and hit another Ford pickup. Three passengers…
Fugitive company employees charged with kidnapping 13 year old
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Bradley County officials are prosecuting two men who say they work for a fugitive recovery company over how they treated a 13 year old. Deputies were called Tuesday evening to the ball fields at Bradley Central…
Chattanooga family chosen to travel across the world and live anywhere rent free on Airbnb
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) - A Chattanooga family was one of 300,000 applicants for the Live Anywhere program on Airbnb. Imagine their surprise when they were told they were one of 12 families actually chosen to take on an…
NLRB preliminary finding revives labor organizing at Amazon
The recommendation by a hearing officer for the National Labor Relations Board said that Amazon potentially interfered with the April election in which warehouse workers overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to unionize.