From The Archives: Wedding Troubles
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Imagine getting a call on your honeymoon saying that your wedding was really legal! It happened to a pair of couples in Chattanooga back in 1991. And one of them was radio personality Parker…
Former Decherd Mayor indicted for health insurance fraud
DECHERD, Tennessee (WDEF) - An investigation by the state of Tennessee has led to the indictment of the former Mayor of Decherd. Robin B. Smith was mayor of the town in Franklin County on the other side of the Plateau.…
Rep. Hakeem criticizes closed door hearing on Baptiste license
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee administrative law judge has denied public access to an informal hearing regarding the license suspension of a shelter for immigrant children after one of the employees was arrested following abuse allegations.…
Fleeing car flips in air during chase in Marion County
KIMBALL, Tennessee (WDEF) - A man who led several law enforcement agencies on a wild chase this morning...was being treated at a hospital this afternoon. According to the Marion County News, Monteagle city police and Tennessee Highway patrol officers began…
Teen injured at Blue Hole in Pocket Wilderness
MOWBRAY, Tennessee (WDEF) - A 14 year old female fell near the Blue Hole in the Pocket Wilderness on Thursday. The victim severely injured her shoulder in the process. Rescuers from the Mowbray Mountain Fire Department found she was still…
Bradley County Grant to Fund Free WIFI Spots
Bradley County has been approved for a grant to bring free internet access to their county. The fifty thousand dollar grant will fund free WiFi to all Bradley County schools and a handful of fire halls. The…
Aztec Framing owner pleads guilty to recruiting illegal foreign workers
ROME, Georgia (WDEF) - A Georgia businessman who had operations in our area has pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens. Juan Antonio Perez lives in Bartow County. But he owns Aztec Framing that had offices in Rossville…
Weather in the Classroom Visits Copper Basin Elementary
Weather in the Classroom had its first in - person class today since the pandemic. Meteorologist Bekah Birdsall traveled to Copper Basin Elementary School in Polk County today. The students have been learning about robots, space, and…
"Chatt En Route" Design Challenge
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) - Carta is working to improve the everyday experience of Chattanooga’s en route transit stops. Two local multidisciplinary design teams have been asked to develop fresh concepts for bus stops in Chattanooga through a new…
Colon Cancer rates in TN rank higher than national average.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) - It's a growing health issue. Doctors across the country are diagnosing more and more people with colon cancer. In fact, colon cancer is now ranked in the top 5 for most common cancer in…
Girl Scouts Deal With Cookie Overflow
It's a challenging time for the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, to include the Chattanooga branch. Why? Cookies. An abundance of cookies.
Fans banned at Olympics; Tokyo under state of emergency
Fans are banned from the Tokyo Olympics following a state of emergency aimed at containing rising COVID-19 infections in the capital.
Tears, prayer mark end to search for Florida condo survivors
A somber moment of silence marked the end of the search for survivors of a Florida condominium collapse.
Chattanooga Tourism Company Reacts to Out of State Residents Receiving Vouchers
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Tourism is Tennessee's second largest industry and 2020 hit the Volunteer State hard. "Last year was devastating," says Chattanooga Tourism Company President and CEO Barry White. "We felt it very hard and the largest…
Child abuse cases on the rise in 2021
Officials with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lookout Mountain judicial service has already received 175 reported cases and is on pace for an all-time high of 350 compared to 260 in all of 2020.
Judge refuses to block new election laws in Georgia for now
ATLANTA (AP) - A federal judge declined to block some challenged sections of Georgia’s new election law ahead of two runoff elections next week. But in his order Wednesday, U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee didn't rule out the possibility for…
DA's office warns residents of Identity Theft after TN woman arrested
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) - The Hamilton County District Attorney's office is warning residents to be cautious to prevent identity theft after a middle Tennessee woman was arrested last week by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Jenniefer Shrum, was arrested…
Pandemic and Supply Shortages impact local nonprofit Habitat for Humanity
With the higher than normal construction prices and supply chain shortages-many of the local nonprofits have struggled during the pandemic.
Former President Donald Trump files suit against Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
Former President Donald Trump has filed suit against three of the country’s biggest tech companies, claiming he has been wrongfully censored by them.
Teen on life support after deadly Iowa water ride accident
A teenager injured in an accident on an Iowa amusement ride that killed his younger brother remains on life support as he marks his 16th birthday.
Nashville to host dedication to civil rights icon John Lewis
Nashville officials are inviting the public to celebrate and remember civil rights icon John Lewis in an upcoming dedication ceremony.
Marion Fire Tower makes National Register of Historic Places
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Officials say three fire lookout towers are among seven Tennessee properties recently named to the National Register of Historic Places. The Tennessee Historical Commission said Friday that the locations were deemed worthy of making the list…
Cleveland man killed in Knoxville area wreck
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - A Cleveland man was killed Monday night in a crash near Knoxville. It happened on Asheville Highway. Vehicle one crossed the center line and hit vehicle 2 head on. Vehicle 2 got knocked into oncoming traffic…
McMinn County woman accused of posing as a nurse
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - A McMinn County woman has been indicted for representing herself as a licensed nurse. Ellen Michelle Small has been under investigation by the TBI over allegations of identity theft. She applied for a nursing position at…