Thursday Throwback: 1984 Break Dancing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — We’re looking back at a dance craze in tonight’s Thursday Throwback. “Footloose” wasn’t the only dance-themed movie in 1984, but it was the biggest. There was also a flood of break-dancing movies in that time. We saw “Breakin’,” the sequel “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo,” “Body Rock” and “Beat Street.” All these movies inspired dancers in our area. Here’s…

Nokian Tyres completes new warehouse in Dayton

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nokian Tyres celebrated the completion of a new finished goods warehouse in Dayton, Tennessee on Thursday. “It is really exciting that this is kind of the last piece of the puzzle for a full phase one investment,” said David Korda, Operation Director for Nokian Tyres.  Nokian Tyres opened its Dayton factory in the fall of…

Montague Park project enters new phase

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga officials provided an update on the future renovation of Montague Park this week. “This is the largest piece of public park land in our urban core, 47 acres, and Chattanooga is not getting it back,” said Scott Martin, administrator of Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors. This week, Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors announced they have moved into…

Democratic Black Caucus honors Joanne Favors, discusses issues

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Democratic lawmakers from across the state came to pay tribute to a former Chattanooga legislator on Thursday. Former Representative Joanne Favors was honored with a plaque commemorating her service. She was unable to attend the ceremony because the lawmakers said she was ill, but they praised her as a trailblazer. Favors served in the Tennessee General…

Titans Radio Crew Visits Chattanooga

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Tennessee Titans radio crew stopped in Chattanooga at the Tailgate Brewery to highlight the titans sports bar experience. Voice of the Titans Mike Keith says the Scenic City feels like Titans country. Said Voice of the Titans Mike Keith:”One of the places we unveiled the Titans logo and all the merchandise was right here in Chattanooga. It has…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Lookout Lavender Farm

RISING FAWN, Ga. (WDEF) – We all need to escape stress.  This week, we are learning about Lookout Lavender Farm in Rising Fawn Georgia.  For years the business has provided products with calming properties. They also provide educational opportunities through their lavender 101 classes.  Take a look at how the farm continues to drive our economy forward. “The concept of…

Chattanoogans celebrate Juneteenth with 3rd annual parade, gala

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On June 19, 1865, slaves in Texas learned of their freedom. They were the last ones to be freed from their chains.  Remembering their ordeal has become America’s newest holiday, Juneteenth. Many Chattanoogans celebrated the holiday with the third annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival on Wednesday afternoon.  The parade traveled down MLK Boulevard to Miller Park….

Mom to Mom – Fudge Stripe S’mores

Today on Mom to Mom, we are putting a twist on those traditional s’mores! We love s’mores year-round in our house, and I always love to create different types. Today we’re going to make fudge stripe cookie s’mores because to me it has the perfect ratio when it comes to cookie, chocolate, and marshmallows. You’re going to need fudge stripe…

Legislators discuss recent session, school choice

Tennessee Sen. Bo Watson and Rep. Greg Martin addressing the June 19, 2024 Friends of Hixson meeting. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Two Tennessee state legislators discussed this year’s session in Nashville to their constituents Wednesday morning.  Senator Bo Watson and Rep. Greg Martin were the featured guests at the monthly Friends of Hixson meeting. They talked about what occurred in…

Songwriters Festival features talent in historic downtown Dunlap

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — For its third year, the Songwriters Festival will be taking over the historic downtown area of Dunlap. The small town has been revitalized in recent years, with the addition of a new recording studio in the heart of the city. Award-winning artist, Cody McCarver previewed the special event on News 12 This Morning. McCarver hopes to…

UTC Renews Contract With Finley Stadium

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA—The Chattanooga Mocs agreed with the Stadium Corporation to extend their football and soccer stays in Finley Stadium another five years with an option for a sixth. The Stadium Corporation announced the agreement during their Tuesday board meeting. It’s the longest pact between the city’s collegiate teams and its signature facility. “Finley Stadium is one of the FCS’ best…

Governor Lee talks test scores in Battle Academy visit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Summer school students at Battle Academy received a visit from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday. The governor spent his afternoon emphasizing the importance of reading to students at Battle Academy’s Summer Outreach program. This comes as recent test results show 41% of third graders and 46% of fourth graders passed their English and Language Arts…

What’s Right with our Schools: The Little Library

RINGGOLD Ga. (WDEF) – We are traveling to Heritage Middle School to learn more about the Little Library.  The program is designed to encourage reading and was developed years ago.  Recently, the program was restored so future generations could enjoy a good book. Mady Rayterry is the creator of the Little Library. Rayterry said, “It started out with a project…

EPB celebrates completion of 10th Street Substation Mural project

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — EPB held a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, June 18 to celebration the completion of its 10th Street Substation mural project. EPB dedicated new artworks by 10 local artists. All artists live or work in EPB’s service area. Here are the new artworks and artists: Christen McNelly – “Together We Shine Brighter” Jaclyn Lewis – “Collective Magic”…

Big Papa Ruben Brings Size and Fun to Chattanooga Lookouts

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga Lookouts first baseman Ruben Ibarra may not be one of the biggest names in the game, but he’s definitely one of the biggest players. He’s listed at 6-3, 290-pounds. You rarely see 300-pounders playing baseball, but there’s Big Papa Ruben, injecting the game with size, and an equally big personality. Said Ibarra:”Everyone gets a kick out of it…

What should be Chattanooga’s building height limit?

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A proposed development near Finley Stadium is raising the question of how high new buildings should be in Chattanooga. The former Eureka Foundry site, founded in 1902, was a large manufacturer of iron casting. However, its future is leaving many debating whether or not Chattanooga’s future should be looking up. One of the current buildings at…

Lady Vols alum hosts basketball camp at Baylor

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lady Vols alum Brittany Jackson Tucker hosted a youth basketball camp on Monday at Baylor.  Proceeds from the camp are going to benefit the adolescent recovery at the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services (CADAS).  Girls and boys in 1st through 8th grades participated in the camp. As a part of the camp, students learned basketball fundamentals…

Tennessee Aquarium celebrates Pollinator Week

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium is celebrating Pollinator Week.  Butterflies, ants and even hummingbirds are considered to be pollinators.  As a part of this week, the aquarium is offering a variety of different activities for guests.  Guests can also pick up free wildflowers for the pollinators.  “We really just wanted to point out these amazing animals that a…

Experts explain social media impacts amid call for warning labels

WASHINGTON (WDEF) — U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called on congress to require all social media platforms to now display mental health warnings.  Dr. Murthy is proposing adding notifications that remind users of risks, similar to tobacco warning labels. Vice President Gayle Lodato of the McNabb Center in Chattanooga talks about how social media can negatively impact children.  “Parents…

Creekside Drive hole damaging cars in front of auto shop

The hole on Creekside Drive causing numerous issues for motorists. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  A very large pothole on Creekside Drive off of Amnicola Highway is leaving drivers and business owners frustrated. Tiffany Rankins had dropped off her vehicle at Quick Everett’s Garage for some work to be done to the car. Her mother, Vannice Hughley, came to pick her up…

Former Negro League players honored by Lookouts, Bessie Smith Hall

A group of former Negro League players signing autographs at the East Ridge Food City. EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Lookouts and Bessie Smith Hall have teamed up to honor former Negro League players. All weekend, four players and a historian will be partaking in various activities as the team honors them. The Negro League refers to several professional…

CHI Memorial, Bluecross come to agreement

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Staring down a divorce at the end of the month, CHI Memorial patients who have Bluecross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) will be able to keep their same care. CHI Memorial has announced they have reached a new agreement with BCBST that will allow BCBST-insured patients with Network P, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid to maintain in-network access to…