Mom to Mom – Pizza Pan Countdown

Today on Mom’s mom, we are creating a countdown to Christmas clock using a pizza pan. The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and you might have a ton of countdown Christmas clocks, but this one is super personal, very inexpensive, and your kids will have a blast making it. So, all you’re going to need is a pizza pan…

Healthcare workers see increase in pediatric firearm injuries

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Doctors at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger know all too well the dangers that firearms pose to children.    “We have seen an increase in pediatric firearm injuries. It has almost tripled since 2017,” said Dr. Dave Bhattacharya, Medical Director of Pediatric Trauma at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. “Unfortunately, we also see a dovetail of the line…

Georgia Alzheimer’s advocates concerned about DCH proposal

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – In 2020, the Georgia State Legislature passed House Bill 987 that strengthened the requirements around senior care facilities. However, concerns are being raised over a potential change to those guidelines. For Blake Watson and many others, taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be difficult. Watson, who is now a communications volunteer for the…

What’s Right with Our Schools: Dade County High School Buckle Up Videos

DADE COUNTY, GA (WDEF) – Students in Dade County are putting a new spin on an old rule. They’re using their creativity to get everyone to buckle up. That could be a lifesaving example of what’s right with our schools. Josh Hurst is the Audio Video Technology and Film Teacher at Dade County. He explains, “GPTV or GPB.org sponsors a…

Georgia Gov. Kemp proposes accelerating largest income tax cut in state history

ATLANTA (WDEF) — Citizens of Georgia could be seeing some huge savings in the next calendar year as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp proposed speeding up the process for cutting income taxes in Georgia. “We’re trying to put more money back into the hands of people in Georgia,” says Georgia House of Representative, Mike Cameron. The Office of Planning and Budget…

Tennessee Aquarium spreads cheer with ‘Holidays Under the Peaks’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — During the holiday season, the Tennessee Aquarium is celebrating ‘Holidays Under the Peaks’ with different interactive exhibits for the family. Besides interactive adventures with the aquatic creatures, the aquarium will be showing a classic Christmas movie at its IMAX theater. Chief Communications Marketing Officer for the Tennessee Aquarium, Thom Benson, said, “I think the holiday season…

HCSO arrests suspect on multiple charges

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Sunday around 3:00 a.m., a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop a Chevrolet Cavalier in the Hixson area after noticing the license plate didn’t match the vehicle. The driver failed to stop and turned onto Strawberry Lane– speeding up in an effort to flee. Due to wet road conditions, the driver lost control…

MainX24 annual all-day festival and parade takes over Southside

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – MAINx24 had its annual 24-hour long festival celebrating Main Street and the surrounding Southside. The annual festival has a wide variety of events all day long, from parades, music, poetry readings, and chili cook-offs. MAINx24 is organized completely by residents, merchants, and friends of the Southside community. “It’s community, it’s just plain, fun, community. You saw…

Marion County mourns the loss of high school senior

JASPER, Tenn. (WDEF) — Marion County is mourning the loss of a beloved high school student. Senior, Bentley Buchanan, passed away on Friday morning. She was a highly-involved member of the community. Marion County High School has shared an official statement in her remembrance: “We are devastated to announce the passing of one of our seniors, Bentley Buchanan, this morning….

South Pitt Earns Hard Fought 14-7 Victory Over McKenzie For State Championship

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) South Pittsburg earned a hard fought 14-7 victory over McKenzie Friday afternoon at Finley Stadium to claim the Class A state title. It was the 7th overall state crown for the Pirates program. South Pittsburg quarterback Kamden Wellington suffered an ankle injury last week in the semifinals. He started against McKenzie, and he clearly wasn’t 100 percent. Neither team…

MAINx24 to be held on Saturday in Chattanooga Southside

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Southside will be buzzing on Saturday for the MAINx24 festival.  Founded in 2007, the MAINx24 promises 120 events across the span of 24 hours. One volunteer for the event, Kelly Martin, said, “We’ve got these great little pop ups, great little restaurants, we’re very walking friendly. How do we really involve the community? So,…

HES waives pet adoption fees this December

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Humane Educational Society (HES) is dropping adoption fees for their “Empty the Shelters” event.  HES is partnering with the Bissell Pet Foundation to take $50 off adoptions. This event starts December 1 and ends on December 17.  Those interested may adopt or foster a cat or a dog for the holidays.  “It helps our staff…

Make a donation for holiday care packages for healthcare workers

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Department of Community Development is collecting donations to create care packages for healthcare workers.  They are donating these care packages to employees at Parkridge Valley Hospital.  Folks can donate lip balm, bottled water, cozy socks and more.  Organizers are taking this time to spread holiday cheer to those in the medical field.  “Around the holiday…

McCallie Beats Baylor 34-28 in State Title Game Thriller

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Baylor-McCallie state title game clash lived up to the billing on Thursday night with McCallie winning 34-28. According to the telecast, 17-thousand tickets were sold for the championship bout at Finley Stadium. It was back and forth in the first quarter with the game tied at 14 at the end of the period. Then it got wild in…

Debate Heats Up over Education Freedom Act

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposal this year by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee could radically change education across the state. Some call them school vouchers. Others call it school choice. These terms have different connotations depending on who you ask, but for Governor Lee and other State Republicans, they believe the Education Freedom Act is needed to ensure quality education moving…

Urban League Says MOU Should be Honored

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga has drawn attention to a Memorandum of Understanding that they signed with the Hamilton County government regarding funding that had been promised to them. They sent us the documents from July and August 2022. These show an agreement between the Urban League and the County for ARPA fund appropriations of $500,000,…

Experts give advice on battling seasonal depression

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Winter is just around the corner and doctors want folks to be on the lookout for seasonal depression. “It is called sad or seasonal affective disorder. It is pretty common, and it is present in 5% of the people in the United States,” said Dr. Anuj Chandra, Medical Director at the Advanced Center for Sleep Disorders….

Salvation Army provides update on Angel Tree Program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Salvation Army still needs help from the public this holiday season.  More than 1,500 Angels have not been adopted yet for their angel trees program. This program helps provide Christmas gifts for thousands of children around the country each year. “Children are requesting some great things. On their list it tells you their age, as…