New phone scam targets college students
ATLANTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Across the country, scammers have taken a new approach. FBI Atlanta says scammers are spoofing law enforcement officers. Specifically at colleges and universities in Georgia. They…
Crossville Husband charged with gun violation after his wife is shot
CROSSVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Investigators have charged a husband in Crossville, but not with the death of his wife. At least not yet. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of 52 year old Terri Loretta Pitton on…
Alabama judge: No bond for suspects in Sweet 16 shooting
DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A judge on Wednesday ordered the three adult suspects to be jailed without bond as they await trial on murder charges in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet…
TN bill requires parental consent before vaccinating minors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new Tennessee bill would require healthcare providers to obtain parental consent before vaccinating a minor. Senate Bill 1111 passed 28 to 5 on April 20. But it has not…
Governor signs bill stiffening Georgia gang penalties
BUFORD, Ga. (AP) — Gov. Brian Kemp signed tougher penalties for gang crimes into Georgia law on Wednesday at a gathering of county sheriffs, marking the passage of one of his top legislative priorities of 2023 after the Republican put…
100 Years of Road Funding in Tennessee Project Announced
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance unveiled a new project today. (more…)
Disney sues DeSantis over theme park takeover
By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday over the Republican's takeover of its theme park district, alleging the governor waged a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" after the company opposed…
Ocoee Whitewater Center 1 year after destruction
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- It has been one year since the Ocoee Whitewater Center faced a devastating fire. The Cherokee National Forest provided an update on Wednesday regarding their…
Low-cost kayaking classes to be held in May
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is planning to offer low-cost kayaking classes in May at 13 state parks. The kayak training will take place on Saturday, May 20, from…
Alabama and Mississippi mark Confederate Memorial Day
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama and Mississippi closed most government offices Monday for Confederate Memorial Day as efforts have stalled to abolish state holidays that honor the old Confederacy. Legislation has been introduced in the ongoing Alabama legislative session to…
East Palestine families living in limbo months after fire
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Jeff Drummond spends days and nights alone in a tiny room with fake wood paneling, two small beds and a microwave atop a mini refrigerator that serves as a nightstand — his pickup truck parked…
DA to decide on Georgia election probe charges in summer
By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press Abstract: The prosecutor who is investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies illegally meddled in the 2020 election in Georgia says she expects to announce charging decisions in the case this summer and is…
Former Georgia political candidate arrested for kidnapping
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — A man who has repeatedly run for mayor and other political offices in Columbus has been arrested for kidnapping, aggravated assault and other crimes. The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office announced Saturday that deputies, along with U.S.…
Police make 6th arrest in Alabama Sweet 16 party shooting
DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Investigators on Thursday charged a sixth person with reckless murder in connection with a deadly shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party, saying in court documents they believe gunmen shot into…
Lizzo protests TN drag bill at Knoxville concert
At 'Volapalooza' in Knoxville, Tennessee Friday night, musical artist, Lizzo, made a point against the state's legislation recent decision to restrict drag performances in public.
Lyft gears up to make 'significant' layoffs under new CEO
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Lyft is preparing to lay off hundreds of employees just days after new CEO David Risher began steering the ride-hailing service with a eye of driving down costs to help bring its fares more in line…
FBI's 2022 Elder Fraud Report reveals an uptick in cases
The FBI just released their 2022 "Elder Fraud Report," and numbers for such incidents are the highest they've ever seen.
Treasury pays millions to victims of violent crime in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Next week is National Crime Victims' Rights Week in the U.S., and the Tennessee Treasury is aiming to raise awareness of victims' rights. The Treasury's Criminal Injuries Compensation Program has paid over $350 million to victims…
Food City to hire over 1,000 new employees
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Food City announced on Friday that they plan to hire over 1,000 new associates. The company is having a hiring event on Thursday, April 27 at all Food City locations, as well as distribution centers. The…
Tennessee 2023-2024 hunting and trapping season set
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission set the 2023-2024 hunting and trapping season on Friday. The Commission discussed elk hunting in the state, bear issues and a few other regulation changes. The Commission added four…
Georgia won't demand tests to enter 23 of 26 public colleges
ATLANTA (AP) — Students applying to 23 of Georgia's 26 public universities and colleges next year won't need to take the SAT or ACT college tests to apply. Regents voted Wednesday to let students apply without the tests through the…
Tennessee GOP lawmaker resigns after ethics panel finding
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Republican lawmaker in Tennessee resigned Thursday due to an ethics violation involving the Legislature’s workplace discrimination and harassment policy. Rep. Scotty Campbell, vice chair of the House Republican Caucus, was among the GOP legislators who…
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee proposes bill that focuses on gun reform, upsetting other Republican lawmakers
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee went off script as a typical republican lawmaker Wednesday, upsetting other lawmakers. He announced the newest bill he's standing behind involves gun reform.
Eligible students to receive P-EBT funds
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Eligible students who missed meals due to COVID-19 will soon get funds through a relief program. The Tennessee Department of Human Services announced the details on Thursday. It is called the Pandemic Electronic Benefit (P-EBT) Program.…