Tennessee Redistricting could go to court
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) - State Republicans have released their plan to redraw the political boundaries in Tennessee. "The Democratic master put out a month ago. The Republican match came out…
Tool, J. Cole, Stevie Nicks to headline Bonnaroo music fest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - J. Cole, Tool and Stevie Nicks will headline this year’s Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. The four-day festival in Manchester, Tennessee, is set to return June 16-19 after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic and…
Grand Ole Opry under fire for Morgan Wallen performance
By KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Grand Ole Opry, country music's most historic and storied stage, is getting heavy criticism for an appearance by troubled country star Morgan Wallen. Wallen's surprise performance has given…
Redistricting, schools cash formula anchor Tennessee session
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers are planning to use their annual session in Nashville to focus on addressing how the state funds public schools, redrawing legislative and congressional maps and finalizing…
Huntsville police officer charged with killing Trion girlfriend
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (WDEF) - The girlfriend who investigators say was killed by a Huntsville police officer is from northwest Georgia. Courtney Spraggins was shot to death on Friday in Madison County, Alabama. She grew…
Lawmakers To Address Public Schools
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers are planning to start their annual session in Nashville with a focus on addressing how the state funds public schools, redrawing legislative and congressional maps and finalizing a new spending plan for the upcoming…
Human Trafficking Prevention Month: TN 'Safe at Home' Program Helping Victims of Abuse
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett's office is working to help victims of abuse. Hargett runs the Safe at Home Program designed to prevent abusers from finding their…
Joker's Law takes another step forward
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Jokers Law Petition Project is one step closer to changing the law protecting law enforcement K9s as it has now officially oh its way to Nashville. A petition…
Hate crimes trial in Arbery killing will put racism up front
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Sentenced to life in prison for murder, the three white men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery will soon stand trial on federal hate crimes charges in which jurors will have to decide whether the slaying of the…
Arbery killers get life in prison; no parole for father, son
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Three white men convicted of murder for chasing and killing Ahmaud Arbery were sentenced to life in prison Friday, with a judge denying any chance of parole for the father and son who armed themselves and initiated the…
Georgia Governor Visits Lafayette Factory Hiring 600
WALKER COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - "This is just so good for our state because we're strengthening rural Georgia," says Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. "We're making sure sure people have opportunity no…
Ski Season begins this weekend in Gatlinburg
GATLINBURG, Tennessee (WDEF) - The cold weather and snow have provided the perfect background for the return of ski weather in Gatlinburg. Ober Gatlinburg announces their ski season officially begins on Saturday. The slopes open at 11AM after a busy…
Arbery killers get life in prison; no parole for father, son
By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Three white men convicted of murder for chasing and killing Ahmaud Arbery were sentenced to life in prison Friday, with a judge denying any chance of parole for the father and…
Investigators: Fire at Knoxville Planned Parenthood intentionally set
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Knoxville Fire Department officials say a fire that destroyed a Tennessee Planned Parenthood clinic was intentionally set. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that officials are looking for a suspect and asked the public to provide tips to…
Navy threatens to take back Cumberland County High Jet
CROSSVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The City of Crossville has 90 days to save the Jet they have mounted at Cumberland High School. The school is known as the Jets. The Department of the Navy has notified the city that they…
Men convicted in Ahmaud Arbery killing face life sentences
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Three white men face sentencing by a judge Friday roughly six weeks after being convicted of murder for chasing a running Ahmaud Arbery in pickup trucks, cutting off the unarmed Black man's escape and fatally blasting…
Reminder: This is a new license plate year in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - Tennessee drivers won't just be getting a new decal this year. 2022 brings new license plates for the state. The new, blue plate will be available online, by mail or in-person when you get your motor…
GBI investigating officer-involved shooting in Calhoun, GA
CALHOUN, Georgia (WDEF) - A Calhoun police officer shot a suspect overnight during a burglary call. The GBI reports the suspect who was shot, has died. None of the officers were injured. Their preliminary information found that city police officers…
Gov. Kemp says he will push to ease handgun carry permits in Georgia
SMYRNA, Ga. (AP) - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he'll push for a new state law that would loosen the state's handgun requirements. Kemp announced the effort Wednesday at a gun shop in the Atlanta area city of Smyrna. He…
Tennessee lawmaker says I was "bad wrong" after basketball meltdown
COSBY, Tennessee (WDEF) - A Tennessee lawmaker is apologizing for his conduct at a high school basketball last night. In a Twitter post, Rep. Jeremy Faison freely says he "acted the fool tonight and lost my temper on a ref."…
New Lodge Opens at Fall Creek Falls State Park
SPENCER, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee officials have opened up a new $40.4 million lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Gov. Bill Lee was among those on hand Tuesday for the grand opening of the facility that includes an 85-room…
Georgia governor aims to loosen rules for carrying handguns
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will push for a new state law that would loosen requirements to carry a handgun in public, as he aims to blunt a primary challenge from fellow Republican David Perdue in this year's…
Grand Opening for new Lodge at Fall Creek Falls State Park
FALL CREEK FALLS, Tennessee (WDEF) - A major upgrade to the Fall Creek Falls State Park is now officially open. The popular scenic area on the Cumberland Plateau above the Sequatchie Valley has a new Lodge for visitors. The 85…
Tennessee Appeal Process
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - (WDEF) - Tennessee officials are appealing a judge's order that blocked the state's new severe limits on when public schools can require masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and its ban against local officials making decisions about…