Georgia Gov. Kemp proposes accelerating largest income tax cut in state history
ATLANTA (WDEF) -- Citizens of Georgia could be seeing some huge savings in the next calendar year as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp proposed…
Georgia's governor and top Republican lawmakers say they want to speed up state income tax cut
By JEFF AMY ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's Republican governor and legislative leaders want to speed up an already-planned cut in the state income tax rate. Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns said Monday that…
Former ambassador and Republican politician sues to block Tennessee voting law
By TRAVIS LOLLER NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Ambassador to Poland and longtime Tennessee Republican politician Victor Ashe sued state election officials on Wednesday over a law he claims is so vague that he could be prosecuted for voting in…
Alabama residents to begin receiving $150 tax rebates
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama residents soon will begin receiving one-time tax rebates of up to $300. The Alabama Department of Revenue will start issuing the payments on Friday by direct deposit or paper check, depending on how residents received…
Woman's remains identified more than 30 years after her death
ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The TBI uncovered a cold case of more than 30 years on Thursday morning. A woman's remains were found in 1987 in Roane County, Tennessee. The TBI identified those remains this week as Betty Lou…
The gas tax holiday in Georgia ends at midnight
ATLANTA, Ga. (WDEF) - Governor Kemp's suspension of the gas tax in Georgia ends at midnight. That means prices could spike by around 30 cents on Thursday as prices return to normal. The governor suspended the tax back in September…
Dollywood holding Nashville auditions for musical show about Dolly's life
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Dollywood will soon be holding auditions for a new musical show. Dollywood's entertainment team will be in Nashville on Friday, December 15 to hold auditions. The…
Lost Kanagroo rescued in Georgia mountains
ELLIJAY, Georgia (WDEF) - There was an unexpected "roo-hunt" on Black Friday in the Georgia mountains. The Gilmer County Sheriff's Office got the call when a pet kanagroo escaped from his owner in the Blackberry Mountain area of Ellijay. The…
Record crowds are expected to take to the air and roads for Thanksgiving
By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer DALLAS (AP) — Despite inflation and memories of past holiday travel meltdowns, millions of people are expected to hit airports and highways in record numbers over the Thanksgiving break. The busiest days to fly…
Tennessee authorities cracking down on Move Over Law
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee drivers who are not following the state's Move Over Law will likely see blue lights in their rearview soon. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) have partnered for Operation…
Deer harvested in Tennessee tests positive for chronic wasting disease
LEWIS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says a hunter harvested a deer which tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The positive test for CWD came from a deer in Lewis County, Tennessee. The TWRA says chronic…
Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page to retire in 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page announced on Monday that he plans to retire in August 2024. In a statement from Tennessee's court system, the 68-year-old said his time as a judge has been humbling, inspiring…
Great Smoky Mountain campgrounds, roads closed due to weather
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Elkmont and Cades Cove campgrounds, as well as other park roads. This is to protect against potential wildfires while the area has an active red flag warning, upcoming…
Jury acquits Catholic priest in Tennessee who was charged with sexual battery
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A jury has found a Catholic priest in Tennessee not guilty of sexual battery against a woman who was a church member. Jurors handed down the verdict late last week in the case against Father Antony…
Florida's new high-speed rail linking Miami and Orlando could be blueprint for future travel in U.S.
MIAMI, Fla. (CBS) -- As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans are gearing up for holiday travel. AAA projects that over 55 million people will travel more than 50 miles, which would make this Thanksgiving the third busiest on record. This…
Rosalynn Carter, 96-year-old former first lady, is in hospice care at home, Carter Center says
PLAINS, Ga. (WDEF) -- Former first lady Rosalynn Carter is in hospice care at home in Plains, Georgia, the Carter Center announced Friday. The center said the 96-year-old is at home with former President Jimmy Carter, now 99. The Carter…
Rome Minor League Baseball team now known as "Emperors"
UPDATE: Nov. 17, 2023 Rome, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Rome Braves are a thing of the past. They have officially changed their mascot. The North Georgia minor league baseball team is now known as the Rome Emperors. The Minor League…
Dollywood temporarily suspends park entry due to nearby wildfire
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton's Dollywood temporarily suspended entry Thursday into the Tennessee amusement park as wildfire crews on Thursday battled nearby flames. Park officials say they paused entry to allow…
Toyota-linked auto parts maker to build $69M plant northeast of Atlanta
PENDERGRASS, Ga. (AP) — A Toyota-linked maker of auto parts will build a third factory northeast of Atlanta to build electrical converters for hybrid vehicles. Toyota Industries Electric Systems North America said it will invest $69 million to build the…
Judge denies Rep. Greene's restitution request for $65,000 home security fence
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A federal judge rejected Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's request to have an upstate New York man convicted of sending her threatening voicemails pay $65,000 for her Georgia home's security fence. Joseph Morelli pleaded guilty in February…
Nearly two dozen toddlers sickened by lead linked to tainted applesauce pouches, CDC says
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- U.S. health officials are warning doctors to be on the lookout for possible cases of lead poisoning in children after at least 22 toddlers in 14 states were sickened by lead linked to tainted pouches of…
Tennessee's gun deer hunting season starts Nov. 18
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennesseans will soon be able to start deer hunting. The 2023-2024 gun hunting season for deer opens this upcoming Saturday, November 18. Tennessee hunters may take one antlered deer per day and may only take two…
Constitutional challenge to Georgia voting machines set for trial early next year
ATLANTA (AP) — The question of whether Georgia's electronic voting system has major cybersecurity flaws that amount to a violation of voters' constitutional rights to cast their votes and have those votes accurately counted is set to be decided at…
Army Special Operations Command mourns 5 US troops killed in helicopter crash
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Army Special Operations Command identified the five Army aviation special operations forces killed when their helicopter crashed in the Eastern Mediterranean over the weekend, calling each a “national treasure” whose loss cut deeply. The military’s…
