Annual Boat Day at Boyd Buchanan School

Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) — Boyd Buchanan School held its 27th annual physics boat day on Friday. Students were only allowed to use cardboard and duct tape to complete their boat. Students had a fun time creating their boats and feeling a sigh of relief that their boats made it across the water in one piece. “I’m excited just to win…

Israel-Palestinian campus protests spread to Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Protests concerning the ongoing Israel-Hamas War continue to spread throughout college campuses across America. Now, there have been some protests in Tennessee. The protests began with an encampment at Columbia University in New York City and spread coast to coast. One group of protestors argue that Israel’s war in Gaza has been genocidal in nature, while…

From the Archives: 1979 Trucker Strike

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Gas prices have been a rollercoaster ride for us in the last few months. But the good news is, experts say the worst is behind us. They are predicting a relatively calm summer season for prices. That wasn’t the case 45 years ago. For our Thursday Throwback, we remember the truckers’ strike of 1979 that caused long…

Chattanooga now has a Swiftwater Rescue Team

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Fire Department announced on Friday it has a new Swiftwater Rescue Team. The team is made up of 26 firefighters who learned new skills to make rescues in certain water scenarios. CFD Swiftwater Rescue Team. Chattanooga Fire Department These firefighters have new gear and five new boats. CFD said they recently spent several days…

Silverdale Academy breaks ground on new building

Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) — Silverdale academy is getting some big changes in the near future. Today the school held a groundbreaking for their new building, and it will be named the commons. The commons will have state of the art new equipment for students such as a new lab for students to work on computer engineering and robotics. Cindy Ford…

May the Fourth Influences Reading and Technology

Celebrating Free Comic Book Day by showing where science fiction and technology intersect

Chattanooga, TN – While some might head in to this weekend excited to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and spend time at their favorite taco place, there’s another holiday that we here at Tech Byte didn’t want to overlook.  Widely known as May the Fourth or Star Wars day, this year it will also be free comic book day. We are…

Baylor Downs Knox Catholic 10-0

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back in beating Knox Catholic 10-0 in six innings in their region tournament. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Baylor School, High School Baseball, Knox Catholic

CSAS receives grant to increase energy efficiency, plans to stay downtown

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A historic school in downtown Chattanooga will soon be getting needed upgrades. The school building that houses the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) has been in use since 1922, previously as Chattanooga and Riverside High Schools. As Hamilton County Schools begin to take action on their school facilities plan, some have wondered what…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Healthcare professionals prepare Catoosa Career Academy students

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — We are learning more about how students at the Catoosa Career Academy are preparing for their future in healthcare.  Representatives from the medical field recently met with the students.  It’s a program that has been driving our economy forward since 2017. Vincent Velarde-Bell said, “The main objective coming out today to this Academy is really looking…

Josh Heupel Praises Young Chattanooga Talent on Big Orange Caravan Stop in the Scenic City

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Big Orange Caravan tour rolled into the Scenic City Wednesday. Football coach Josh Heupel hopes his team can get on a roll this fall, with the help of some young Chattanooga talent. Said Heupel “I would not say that this program resembles what it was when we got here day one.” Tennessee Vols head football coach Josh Heupel…

Commissioner says comptroller investigated satellite office

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Hamilton County Commissioner says he is under investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office for funds used for a satellite office. Satellite offices are used by commissioners to conduct business within their own districts. However, Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey said an issue has come up with his satellite office. During a vote on a resolution…

Increase reported in 2023 Chattanooga overdose deaths

CHATTTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court presented updated statistics on Wednesday showing the extent of the local drug crisis. During a presentation, the court said in 2023, there were 162 overdose deaths in Chattanooga. To put into perspective, if Chattanooga were a state, it would have the second highest per capita death rate per 100,000 residents…

North Murray Receiver Judson Petty Signs With Georgia Tech

Chatsworth, GA-(WDEF-TV) North Murray receiver Judson Petty was all smiles on Wednesday. And why not. He signed a scholarship to play college football at Georgia Tech. Petty was dynamite for the Mountaineers last season, even setting the state record for most receiving yards in a game at 360-yards. For his college decision, Petty says it was Georgia Tech or bust….

Hixson High School starts new EMS program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hixson High School took some major new steps this week for the future of their school. They announced their first ever career pathway partnership with Hamilton County EMS. Mayor Wamp and city officials signed the first pipeline partnership allowing students direct opportunities to get guaranteed jobs and hands-on experience working with emergency medicine. Hamilton County Mayor…

Dalton Public Schools gets a new superintendent

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) – Dalton Public Schools welcomed its new superintendent on Tuesday.   The Dalton Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Steven Craft contract at Tuesday’s board meeting. Dr. Steven Craft will succeed Dr. Tim Scott who is retiring.  Craft came to Dalton early this year as the Chief of Student Services and Activities.  Dr. Steven Craft. Dalton Public…

Golden Apple Award: Sarah Dodson, Lake Forest Middle School

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Kindness, patience and understanding are always on the syllabus for Sarah Dodson’s class at Lake Forest Middle. She has been described as, “the best teacher” and “awesome”. It’s easy to see why. Robbie Winters is the Assistant Principal at Lake Forest. He says, “Ms. Dodson is fantastic. She’s a great part of our Forest family. She’s…

Walker County unveils McLemore Cove sign on Tuesday

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – Walker County unveiled its new interpretive sign of McLemore Cove on Tuesday.  In the 1900s, the McLemore Cove Historic District was added to list of treasured locations. Often called “the Cove,” this historic district is also considered the largest district in Georgia.  McLemore Cove sits between the ridge lines of Lookout Mountain and Pigeon Mountain….

Sherman+Reilly acquired in merger, continuing Chattanooga operations

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A local utility company that’s been around for nearly a century announced a big change on Tuesday. Sherman+Reilly have been making products for utility companies across the country here in Chattanooga since 1927. They have been a part of Chattanooga’s economic history, being based where the Tennessee Aquarium sits now until they moved to their current…

City Council discusses potential new staff position

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga City Council discussed a potential change to how they reach out to the public during a committee session Tuesday. A new position called Constituent Services Director was proposed by Councilperson Marvene Noel. The position she said would simplify their ability to address citizen concerns and participate in various neighborhood meetings. However, council members debated…