CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Maclellan Island is facing a long-term erosion problem, according to leaders with the Chattanooga Audubon Society. The nonprofit said the island has lost about three acres since 1997, shrinking from roughly 27 acres to 24 acres. The erosion appears to be occurring at a rate of about one acre every decade. The island sits in the…
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing from Representative Chuck Fleischmann on the current ceasefire in Iran. That ceasefire was reached Tuesday after President Trump threatened an escalation in attacks if the country did not open up the Strait of Hormuz. Representative Fleischmann says that he supports the President’s actions and believes Iran is much weaker than it was a few…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The trial of an ex-Chattanooga cop charged with the murder of his girlfriend has been delayed again. Lawrence Goodine is facing a first degree murder charge in the November 2023 death of Kara Akins on Carr Street. Footage shown at previous shows a man identified as Goodine dragging Akins into a home as she was begging him…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A scheduled update on The Bend, the major riverfront redevelopment project led by Urban Story Ventures, was postponed Tuesday after the development team did not appear before city council members. The council had expected a presentation during the Economic Development Committee, a subcommittee of city council, to review progress on the mixed-use project near South…
Ooltewah, Tenn. (WDEF) — A new rehabilitation hospital is on the way to Ooltewah, aiming to bring specialized care closer to home for patients recovering from serious injuries and illnesses. Right now, the site on Mountain View Road is just dirt and construction plans. But in the coming months, it’s expected to transform into a 40-bed inpatient facility focused on…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Dozens of students gathered at Chester Frost Park to compete in a competition based around the environment. The Envirothon is a national competition for high school students. Bill Dailey is a retired soil conservationist and involved with the competition. He said, “It’s an opportunity to get these kids out to learn more about soils, forestry, wildlife,…
MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Just an hour and a half away from Chattanooga is some of the state’s best breakfast products located in Madisonville, Tenn., Benton’s Country Hams. Benton’s Country Hams is used in many dishes across the country, chefs always anticipating their next order from them. Their pork products are made with a special recipe that just requires two…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) McCallie picked up a 4-3 walk-off win over Chattanooga Christian on Wednesday. The winning run scored on a passed ball. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) We can’t wait for the Chattanooga Lookouts new stadium to open next week on April 14th. Erlanger Park. But what will the venue be like for the players? Brian Armstrong met up with Lookouts owner Jason Freier for some answers. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
A picture of the late Stroud Watson, who was honored Wednesday evening in a celebration of life at Miller Plaza, one of the many spots he had influence over its design. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A visionary who helped Chattanooga transform its future was honored Wednesday evening. Stroud Watson recently passed away at the age of 88 from natural causes according…
TRION, GA. (WDEF) – Republican Lanny Thomas won the special runoff election for Georgia State Senate District 53 on April 7. Thomas defeated Democrat Jack Zibluk by a wide margin, receiving about sixty-nine percent of the vote compared with Zibluk’s thirty-one percent. During his campaign, Lanny Thomas emphasized support for small businesses, public safety, and local schools. He also highlighted…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga City Council has delayed CARTA’s plan to begin booting vehicles with outstanding parking tickets. CARTA’s resolution would allow them to boot vehicles with three or more parking violations. Some council members worried that this resolution would financially burden some community members. That is why council members added an amendment to the legislation allowing people with…
UPDATE: Urban Story Ventures has provided a statement in regard to the April 7, 2026 City Council meeting. They share The Bend has been in compliance with the One Westside TIF agreement and remains on target with projections for the development. Their full statement reads: “In response to the Council’s comments on April 7, Jimmy White, President and managing partner…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s Chattanooga’s Burger Week and many local restaurants are offering mouth-watering deals to discover the best burger in town, and Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is confident their smash burger will take the trophy! Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is offering their classic smash burger for the low price of $8 as their entry for the best burger…
Congressman elect Clay Fuller celebrating his victory with his wife and daughter following his victory speech on April 7, 2026 in Ringgold. RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF)- We now know who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in North Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. After a two round election, former Lookout Mountain Judicial District Attorney Clayton Fuller has defeated Democrat Shawn Harris. 22 candidates…
Shawn Harris held a watch party at the Mariott Hotel in Rome, Georgia. Supporters and campaign staff filled the room, along with media from overseas. After it became clear that the results were not in Mr. Harris’s favor, he addressed his supporters. A common theme in his message was the fact that his campaign was more successful than any Democrat’s…
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Catoosa County Public Schools on Tuesday, April 7, to recognize 11 schools for academic achievement. During the visit, Woods presented John Hancock, Literacy, and Math Leader Banners to honor the schools’ performance in different areas of academic achievement. The awards highlight schools that have achieved state-level recognition for literacy,…
ROCK SPRING, GA (WDEF) – Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle School in Rock Spring, Georgia, reported that its forest kindergarten basecamp was damaged over spring break. Items taken or destroyed included hammocks, zip lines, ropes, wagons, and tools. The damage occurred at the basecamp used by the forest kindergarten program, a part of the school where children spend time outdoors…
DALTON, GA (WDEF) – Parents describe Kassie Dockery as a wonderful and dedicated teacher. Her students at Park Creek Elementary know that she will always be there for them. Her patience, kindness and genuine love of teaching earned Ms. Dockery this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Dockery is a wonderful first grade teacher at Park Creek. She genuinely loves her kids….
SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) – Exciting developments are underway in Sale Creek as the middle and high school unveiled their new Career and Technical Education construction building. The school hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new facility, which was built by students as part of their coursework in the construction and structural systems program. Principal…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Gas prices are continuing to climb across Chattanooga, with drivers feeling the impact at the pump. According to GasBuddy, prices in the area have increased more than 26 cents per gallon in the past week. Compared to last month, prices are now roughly 88 cents higher, bringing the average cost to around 3 dollars and 80…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today, the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County held a proclamation ceremony at the Courts Building to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event reaffirmed the city and county’s commitment to supporting survivors and encouraged the public to participate in awareness efforts. Community partners recognized for their work…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – April is Alcohol Awareness Month. New Tennessee data shows some of the most serious consequences tied to teen drinking are increasing. A 2025 report from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission found that youth alcohol-related crashes, emergency room visits, and hospital admissions all increased in recent years. Crashes among youth ages 13 to 19 increased 209% between…
A rendering of the narcan box, which is made out of a repurposed newspaper box. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last year, 140 people died from drug overdoses in Hamilton County. While that number is lower than the years before, as the peak of opioid deaths were in 2022, there is still room for improvement in tackling the opioid crisis. Some recent…