Driving Our Economy Forward: Cocoa Asanta Award

A local chocolate artist and business owner is being honored by the state of Tennessee. Cocoa Asante is a black and women-owned company that produces chocolates that are almost too pretty to eat. Tonight, we learn more about Ella Livingston’s success in this week’s Driving Our Economy Forward. “Everyone looking right here.” “We are here today to celebrate Cocoa Asante….

Clingman’s Dome set to receive name change to ‘Kuwohi’

Tennessee’s highest mountain officially has a different name. The U-S Board of Geographic Names has voted to approve a petition from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, restoring the Cherokee name to Clingmans Dome. The mountain will now be officially known as Kuwohi (Ku-whoa-hee), which translates to “mulberry place.” Officials with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park say they were…

National Recovery Month: Hamilton County Coalition Offers Vital Resources for Healing

The Hamilton County Coalition, alongside Showered with Hope, hosted the ‘Recovery Happens Together’ event in Miller Park. It’s all part of National Recovery Month, which shines a spotlight on the journey of recovery and the strength of community support. It’s about bringing Chattanooga to heal from substance abuse, mental health challenges, and any personal struggles. As my former boss used…

Hamilton County commission discusses school threats

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- With the explosion in school threats since the beginning of the year, many have raised concerns about the safety of their children Commissioner Warren Mackey brought up the topic that became a lengthy talk on the state of school safety. In particular they heard from Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett on what the current situation is, and…

Sharpe claims Mayor Wamp is withholding financial information from his district

Hamilton County Commissioner David Sharpe (left) and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp (right) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Hamilton County Commissioner is claiming Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp is withholding key information from him and his constituents. Commissioner David Sharpe says he was told this during a legal meeting last week. Commissioner Sharpe and Mayor Wamp have sparred on numerous issues….

County Rescue kicks off season 2 in Cleveland

  BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- County Rescue filmed its highly requested second season in Bradley County on Wednesday.   “We will film the show here for six weeks, and then it will air on Great American Family and Great American Pure Flix streaming in January of 2025,” said Shawn Boskie, Executive Producer for County Rescue, County Rescue is a TV drama…

Siskin celebrates National Rehabilitation Week with patients

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation is celebrating National Rehabilitation Week with their patients with their “Carnival of Caring”. During this carnival, Siskin is hosting special events for not just patients but associates as well. Siskin kicked off their week of celebration with an Associate Appreciation Breakfast and a parade for their patients including many carnival characters….

Tennessee is adding a 10% fee on football game tickets next season to pay players

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has announced a price hike for football tickets starting in 2025 with most of the increase going specifically to help pay players. The increase announced Tuesday morning in an email to season-ticket holders notes a new 10% talent fee for all invoices to “help fund the proposed revenue share” for athletes and help Tennessee attract and keep…

More deadly device explosions reported in Lebanon day after Hezbollah pagers explode

Beirut, Lebanon — A source close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group told the French news agency AFP that walkie talkies used by group members exploded in its Beirut stronghold Wednesday, with state media reporting similar blasts of pagers and “devices” in east and south Lebanon. The Reuters news agency cited Lebanon’s Health Ministry as saying at least nine people were killed and…

Mending Arrow Ranch to host second annual gala

News 12 This Morning: Kayla Davis and Allison Cohen with Mending Arrow Ranch join News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview their upcoming fall gala. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Get ready for The Mane Event coming to the Collegedale Commons this October. Mending Arrow Ranch is hosting their second annual gala. The Cleveland ranch connects children with horses through their powerful…

With no sign of Kentucky highway shooting suspect, officers moved to protect community as schools reopen

As a search continued into its 11th day for the suspect in a mass shooting that wounded five people on an interstate highway in Kentucky earlier this month, officials and law enforcement announced they were redirecting resources away from the manhunt and focusing instead on protecting the surrounding community. More schools reopened Tuesday in the area around London, a town of about 8,000 people on the…

Golden Apple Award: Madison Davis, McConnell Elementary

HIXSON, TN (WDEF) – There is a certain serenity that comes from being organized. That’s one of the lessons that Madison Davis passes along to her students at McConnell Elementary. When the weather is nice, her classroom can move under a big tree outside. Those are just a couple reasons why Madison Davis earned this week’s Golden Apple Award. Ruth…

Hamilton County unveils jail reentry program

Three Hamilton County Jail inmates attending an electrical vocational class. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Inmates at the Hamilton County Jail now have the opportunity to learn to help their post-incarceration life. A study by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that roughly 43 percent of all released from state and federal prisons were rearrested within a year. This is a cycle…

Exploding pagers kill Hezbollah members and others, leave thousands wounded, officials say; militant group blames Israel

Beirut, Lebanon — Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded near simultaneously in parts of Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people — including members of the militant group Hezbollah and a young girl — and wounding several thousand, officials said. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government blamed Israel for what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack. Among those wounded was Iran’s…

Senate Republicans block IVF package as Democrats highlight reproductive rights

Washington — Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would protect access to IVF on Tuesday, in a vote that Democrats held to draw attention to the issue after former President Donald Trump’s recent statements supporting the fertility treatments. The package, called the Right to IVF Act, would establish a nationwide right “to receive fertility treatment from a health care provider, in accordance with…

UTC participating in National Voter Registration Day

  UPDATE: Students in collaboration with the League of Women Voters engaged with students to ask if they were registered to vote. Organizers say it’s especially important to target college students since they are often confused about where to vote and their overall low turnout. “A lot of students actually don’t know that they will actually have to go back…

Mom to Mom – No-Bake Cookies

Today on Mom to Mom, we’re making easy, no-bake Reese’s cookies. My kids always love a good afterschool snack, but I must say, if you’re looking for something healthy, this is not it! But they are so delicious, and they’ll definitely be a hit wherever you take them, whether it’s a party, a family reunion, or just a nice snack…

Creative Discovery Museum launches new recycling exhibit

News 12 This Morning: Mackenzie Steele joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview an innovated exhibit headed to the Creative Discovery Museum. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Get ready to reimagine the world around you with the latest exhibit at the Creative Discovery Museum! CDM’s temporary fall exhibit is aiming to take ordinary resources like cardboard to create a world of…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Chatt Prep Championship Rings

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – When we were kids, it was all about the trophies, but these days nothing says, “I’m a winner” quite like a championship ring. The Chatt Prep Basketball team recently got some new jewelry after winning a State Title last year. On their freshly adorned ring fingers rests a shining example of what’s right with our schools….

Fork Ridge Fire Ignites in Big Frog Wilderness

The Fork Ridge Fire, which was first detected last Friday in the Big Frog Wilderness of Polk County, has prompted an official closure for safety and firefighting operations. The blaze, which impacted Trail 69 and part of the Benton MacKaye Trail, was estimated to have burned around 45 acres. “Conditions are very dry, as everyone around here probably knows. We’ve…