COVID cases, hospitalizations up in Tennessee, Georgia
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Covid cases continue to rise as the Omicron variant has surged in Tennessee and Georgia. The cases are definitely on the rise. We are testing a…
A Storybook Christmas at the Tennessee Governor's Mansion
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - It's a Tennessee Christmas tradition. Every year, the staff at the Governor's Mansion decorate the home for the holidays. They open it up for tours to the public. But since the tour schedule is over, we…
Buttigieg doles out $241M to US ports to boost supply chain
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is awarding more than $241 million in grants to bolster U.S ports, part of the Biden administration's near-term plan to address America's clogged supply chain.
Tennessee Covid Update: Omicron hitting state very quickly
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Health Department Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey offered an update on Wednesday on Covid cases in Tennessee. Her primary message is that the new Omicron variant is moving extremely fast through the state, but does not (YET)…
NLRB to review order blocking Nissan plant small union vote
By JONATHAN MATTISE Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A federal labor board is reviewing a decision by one of its regional officials to deny a union from trying to organize fewer than 100 employees at the Nissan assembly plant…
Atlanta Mayor re-institutes mask requirement for businesses
ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has reinstated a mask requirement inside stores and other businesses in the city due to rising COVID-19 infections and the emergence of the extraordinarily contagious omicron variant. Bottoms on Tuesday also said…
Holiday tips from Georgia Department of Public Health
ATLANTA (DPH) - The Georgia Department of Public Health is urging Georgians to carefully follow COVID-19 prevention measures during holiday celebrations and gatherings to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. COVID case numbers are increasing daily, and the Omicron…
Lauren Alaina invited to Join Grand Ole Opry
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - It was a lifetime dream-come-true for a girl from Rossville, Georgia. Singer Lauren Alaina has never been shy about professing her love for the Grand Ole Opry. She has performed their many times. But none of…
US Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia announces birth of daughter
ATLANTA (AP) - A senator from Georgia is welcoming his first child. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff said on social media Monday that his wife, Dr. Alisha Kramer, gave birth Friday to a daughter, Eva Beth Ossoff. The 34-year-old Ossoff says…
Abrams seeks national voting rights action before 2022 race
DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — Stacey Abrams, who built her national reputation by advocating for voting rights, is calling on Congress to take action on federal voting rules as the Democrat launches a second bid to become Georgia's governor. (more…)
Tennessee-Memphis canceled due to COVID issues with Tigers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The men's basketball game between No. 18 Tennessee and Memphis was canceled about an hour before tipoff Saturday due to COVID-19 issues within the Tigers' program. The Volunteers had warmed up and were ready to play…
All from US missionary group freed in Haiti, police say
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The remaining members of a U.S. missionary group who were kidnapped two months ago in Haiti have been freed, Haitian police and the church group said Thursday. (more…)
Gov. Lee announces Bill Dance Signature Lakes program
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The State of Tennessee is teaming up with legendary fisherman Bill Dance for a foundation to improve lake quality across the state. They are creating the Bill Dance…
Towns in mourning while digging out from deadly tornadoes
Emergency response workers dig through the rubble of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield, Ky., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. Tornadoes and severe weather caused catastrophic damage across multiple states late Friday, killing several people…
Tullahoma woman charged over baby body in a storage unit
TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (AP) - Officials say a Tennessee woman has been charged after the discovery of a newborn baby’s remains in a storage unit rented 27 years ago. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports a Coffee County grand jury indicted…
Governor announces 37% salary increase for correctional officers
NASHVILLE (WDEF) - Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday announced a major salary bump for correction officers in Tennessee (this does not apply to local jails). They will get a 37% salary increase effective on December 16. That raises annual starting…
Worker says she risked discipline if she left job amid storm
An employee of the Kentucky candle factory where eight workers were killed by a tornado said Tuesday that a supervisor threatened her with written disciplinary action if she went home early because storms were approaching.
Senate votes to raise debt limit by $2.5T, avoiding default
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn voted against raising the debt ceiling today. “Democrats have demonstrated they are willing to burn through unlimited amounts of taxpayer dollars to fund their radical agenda. Today I stood up against…
Man sentenced in kidnapping mistakenly released from jail
BIRMINGHAM , Ala. (AP) - An inmate convicted of kidnapping a prominent Birmingham businessman was mistakenly released from jail because of missing paperwork. News outlets report that law enforcement officials are searching for Matthew Amos Burke who was released from…
Pres. Biden grants Tennessee emergency declaration post-tornadoes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - President Joe Biden has granted an emergency declaration in Tennessee that will make federal assistance available to nine counties damaged by this weekend’s tornadoes. Gov. Bill Lee announced the declaration on Tuesday after requesting it the…
Jan. 7 sentencing set for men convicted in Arbery killing
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — A judge in coastal Georgia has set a sentencing date early next year for the three men convicted of murder in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. (more…)
Alabama teacher arrested on sex charges against two young males
SCOTTSBORO, Alabama (WDEF) - A school teacher in northeast Alabama has been arrested on several sex abuse charges. 52 year old Scotty Berlin Baugh from Gurly was arrested Monday afternoon. Jackson County officials say he taught at Woodville High School,…
Local Aid for Storm & Tornado Damage in Tennessee
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): So far, there have been nine confirmed tornadoes just in Tennessee. Salvation Army is there assisting with tornado relief. "It helps when people know that others are coming alongside to help…
Tornado toll in dozens, yet not as high as initially feared
On Sunday, the candle company said that while eight were confirmed dead and eight remained missing, more than 90 others had been located.