New images of Big Bear Mountain ride at Dollywood
PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The folks at Dollywood are teasing us again with new images of their new ride at the theme park arriving next spring. The reveal happened Tuesday…
States win settlement from Google over misleading geographic tracking
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Tennessee and Georgia are on the winning side of a legal tussle with Google. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced an almost $400 million dollar multistate settlement with the company on Monday. It involves location tracking…
November cleanup events offered throughout Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Department of Transportation is encouraging residents to participate in cleanup events throughout the state this month. So far more than eight tons of trash has been collected in the department’s No Trash November initiative.…
Here are the dates and limits for this year's Deer season in Tennessee
NASHVILLE (WDEF) - A hunting tradition in continues next weekend as deer season opens up in Tennessee. The season traditionally begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving and that will be November 19th this year. "Deer hunting season is one of our…
Researchers hope AI can alleviate interstate traffic jams
The 300 video feeds from I-24 MOTION will be processed by a custom software suite that includes state-of-the art computer vision algorithms. These techniques use deep learning (a form of artificial intelligence) to identify vehicles and…
Lawmaker proposes drag show bill for next session
NASHVILLE (WDEF) - The controversy over a drag show at a local business where kids were present has inspired a new bill in the legislature. Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson has filed new legislation for next year aimed at…
Former Rainsville Major elected Speaker of the Alabama House
MONTGOMERY, Alabama (WDEF) - Our region lost one important local figure in state politics this week when David Ralston from Blue Ridge decided not to seek another term as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. But we got another…
Burglary suspect captured after chase in DeKalb and Jackson counties
POWELL, Alabama (WDEF) - A search this afternoon in northeast Alabama ended with the arrest of the suspect. Police in Powell were trying to arrest Breylon Willis for multiple burglaries when he fled. They say he may have also fired…
Reaction to "Right To Work" Amendment vote
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Voters approved all four changes to the Tennessee Constitution on election day. That includes new rules for who is in charge if the Governor is medically incapacitate, dropping slavery language from the Constitution, and allowing clergy…
TBI offers reward for child rape suspect in East Tennessee
CROSSVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added a wanted man in Cumberland County to their Most Wanted List. Brian James Heinsohn is accused of Rape of a Child and Rape by an Authority Figure. The TBI…
Republicans sweep Governor races in TN, GA and AL
(WDEF) - Three Governors were up for re-election on Tuesday. And they had a few things in common. Bill Lee (TN), Kay Ivey (AL) and Brian Kemp (GA) are all Republicans and they each…
Walker Vs Warnock still too close to call
ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) - Republicans swept a slate of state races today, except for one that is still too close to call. Republican Herschel Walker hangs on to a very think lead, but remains…
620 acres added to land conservation on the Southern Cumberland Plateau
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - Several organizations and individuals announce the protection of 620 acres on the Cumberland Plateau. TennGreen Land Conservancy, Robert D. McCaleb of Cleveland, TN, the Open Space Institute (OSI), and The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee…
Number of wrong ballots cast in Nashville now more than 430
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Election officials have confirmed that more than 430 Nashville voters cast ballots in the wrong race in the lead-up to Election Day. The amount is a stark jump…
Schools clash with parents over bans on student cellphones
By BROOKE SCHULTZ Associated Press/Report for America Cellphones - the ultimate distraction - keep children from learning, educators say. But in attempts to keep the phones at bay, the most vocal pushback doesn't always come from students. In some cases,…
Blue Ridge's David Ralston will not seek another term as House Speaker
BLUE RIDGE, Georgia (WDEF) - Georgia's Speaker of the House announces he will not seek the post again next year. Representative David Ralston is…
Two die when their SUV crashes into gas station and starts fire
JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee (WDEF) - Two people died Thursday morning when their SUV crashed into a gas station in Johnson City. Police say the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it left the road and slammed…
Gov. Lee distances himself from false claims on ballot proposal
By JONATHAN MATTISE and KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gov. Bill Lee is distancing himself from a claim attributed to him falsely alleging that employees will be forced to pay union dues if the state’s so-called right-to-work…
From The Archives: Honey Alexander
MARYVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - We remember a First Lady of Tennessee who passed away on Sunday at the age of 77. Honey Alexander may be best known as the wife of…
Hyundai supplier to open EV battery module plant in Alabama
A Korean automotive parts company plans to open a $205 million factory that will supply 200,000 battery modules annually for electric vehicles produced in Alabama and Georgia, officials said Thursday.
Tennessee senator to change plea in campaign fraud case
A Tennessee senator accused of violating federal campaign finance laws requested a hearing Thursday to change his not guilty plea after initially criticizing the charges as a political witch hunt.
Man who dragged officer into 1/6 mob gets more than 7 years
A Tennessee man who dragged a police officer into a mob of rioters, initiating one of the most harrowing acts of violence during the U.S. Capitol attack, was sentenced on Thursday to more than seven years in prison.
COVID-related eligibility remains for Tennessee mail voting
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's eligibility to vote by mail still includes people who are more susceptible to COVID-19, their caretakers and their housemates — a specification that emerged during a prolonged 2020 court battle. The eligibility remains on the absentee…
Leslie Jordan, versatile Emmy-winning actor, dies at 67
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga native and Emmy award winning actor Leslie Jordan has died. Jordan was known for his TV roles on “Will & Grace” and “American…