Local officials, residents react to Trump verdict

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – We have been getting reaction on Thursday afternoon’s verdict in New York that found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts in a hush money trial. Republican vastly believe the trial was rigged against Trump. The Democrats, however, believe it was a fair trial that should stop him from running for office again. Donald…

Department of Energy official visits Novonix

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A high-ranking official in the U.S. Department of Energy visited Chattanooga Friday. David Turk, the Deputy Secretary of the DOE, visited the Novonix plant on the Chattanooga Westside. That plant manufactures battery materials and technology such as synthetic graphite. Currently, America gets nearly all of this material from China, which the Secretary hopes the plant is…

From the Archives: 1989 Wrangler’s Gator

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It sounded like a good idea at the time. 35 years ago, a new country rock bar was opening. The owner from the gulf coast wanted to make a live alligator his mascot. In this edition of Thursday Throwback, we show you how it all went wrong. It was called Wrangler’s, and it was a country-western…

Entrepreneur joins us with life saving tech for National CPR Week

Growing up some of my favorite action movies starred Bruce Willis and when asked why he was the one always saving the world he simply responded “because some days there’s no one else around to be that guy.” Felicia Jackson is a hero in her own right, but she’s also an entrepreneur that invented some life saving tech.  Seeing that…

Chattanooga Might Make Future Bid For Spring Fling

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV)  The city of Chattanooga currently hosts such sporting events as Ironman, and the high school football state championship games. But could their sports foot-print get even bigger. Tim Morgan of Chattanooga tourism, and Brian Wright of Finely Stadium, spoke at Thursday’s Rotary Club meeting, and later with News 12’s Brian Amrstrong. Said Morgan of the football state title games…

South Broad Stadium project still awaiting approval

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Sports Authority Board received an update Thursday morning on the status of the South Broad Stadium project. Despite months of discussions, there still has been no groundbreaking for the future home of the Chattanooga Lookouts. There are still several documents that need to be signed before shovels can hit the ground here, and they…

Hamilton County Mayor Wamp proposes teacher pay supplement

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp is proposing a one-time pay bump for teachers. The money would guarantee a starting salary of $50,000. Here is his statement on how he plans to pay for it. “After weeks of studying the state’s TISA funding formula, working with state officials, and leaders in the school system, my office…

How to help foster families through nonprofit, Youth Villages

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Youth Villages is one of the largest foster care providers in Tennessee. They serve children of all ages, but need help in fostering teenagers and sibling groups especially. Youth Villages’ goal is to help children in foster care find a forever home either with their biological parents or family members, or find their adoptive family. They…

Chattanooga Red Wolves Hope to Turn Things Around After Tough Start

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) When the Chattanooga Red Wolves had to postpone their first couple of home games this season because their new grass field wasn’t ready, it seems the team has been fighting an up-hill battle ever since. News 12’s Brian Armstrong details the Red Wolves tough start this year. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – Soccer Tags: Chattanooga Red…

Driving our Economy Forward: EPB Supplier Diversity Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – EPB hosted a Supplier Diversity Day recently to celebrate small and diverse businesses serving our community. It provided a forum for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses to hear from experts on expanding opportunities. Learn more about how EPB continues to drive our economy forward. Kristin Copeland is EPB’s manager of minority and women owned businesses. “Supplier…

Several officers testify they were threatened in Whaley appeal hearing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The attorney for a former Hamilton County EMT continues to argue his client should get a retrial.  Justin Whaley was convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication in the 2018 death of James Brumlow in Soddy-Daisy and sentenced to nine years in prison earlier this year. However, his attorney Lee Davis says one of the Soddy-Daisy police…

CFC Induct Three People Into Inaugural Hall of Legends Class

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The CFC soccer team debuted as an amateur club in 2009. 15 years later, they’re now a professional team in the MLS Next Pro League. Over the weekend, the CFC honored three people who helped build the team’s legendary success by inducting them into their inaugural Hall of Legends class. The trio included former head coach Bill Elliott, along with…

New train alert system aims to keep drivers moving

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — A new train warning system hopes to redirect drivers stuck on the wrong side of the tracks. Many Hixson residents have been stuck at the Hamill Road railroad crossing many times. This inconvenience can become life threatening with a nearby hospital. On Tuesday, an alert system for trains was unveiled, hoping to keep drivers moving. When asking…

Chattanooga mayor comments on Chief Murphy investigation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly briefly spoke about an ongoing TBI investigation against Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy. Earlier this month, both Chattanooga Police and the TBI confirmed the investigation, although they have not gone into specifics. Mayor Kelly said while his office is not directly involved in the investigation, he does not plan to suspend her during…

Mom to Mom – Doggy Cheddar Puffs

Today, I’m on Mom to Mom, we are making homemade treats for your fur baby. Our sweet dogs are like our babies, right? So I love to create little treats for them. Well, simply because we know the ingredients, right? And they absolutely love these. I’m calling ’em Cheddar Puffs for your puppy or for your dogs. My dogs go…

Get informed with S.O.S. Fest on June 1

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Local agencies are banding together to keep the community safe this summer. For a second year, “Summer Outreach Safety” (S.O.S.) Fest is reaching out to the public to offer health and safety tips. S.O.S. Fest will be taking over the Washington Hills Community Center from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. In addition to providing helpful…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Hixson JROTC

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Air Force Junior ROTC is celebrating 50 years at Hixson High School. That’s five decades of students learning priceless lessons in citizenship and serving others, and that’s a patriotic example of what’s right with our schools. Doug Burhans is the Master Seargeant for Hixson JROTC TN 081. He explained, “This is our 50th Anniversary as…

Lookouts give up 3 run lead to Mississippi Braves

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Lookouts squandered an early lead, falling 6-5 to the Mississippi Braves. Lookouts starter Kevin Abel, making his debut, pitched a strong 4.1 innings, allowing just one run. First baseman Nick Northcut provided the early offense with a two-run homer in the first inning, followed by a solo shot in the third to put Chattanooga…

Lookouts Fall 5-2 to Mississippi on Star Wars Night

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts failed to use the Force on Star Wars night Friday losing 5-2 to Mississippi. It was their fourth straight loss of the series to the M-Braves. Chattanooga held a 2-1 lead going to the top of the 8th when Mississippi scored four runs. Two of the runs scored on wild pitches. With the score 4-2, Tyler…

Dalton State Golf Team Wins the NAIA National Title

Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Dalton State golf team won the NAIA national championship on Friday. The Road Runners trailed Texas Wesleyan by one shot heading into the final round, and they ended up winning by shot over Texas Wesleyan. Dalton State finished at +30 to capture the title. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Dalton State, Golf, NAIA National Championship,…