Carter campaigns for US Senate in Ellijay

Rep. Buddy Carter shaking hands with a voter at Poole’s B-B-Q in Ellijay. ELLIJAY, Ga. (WDEF)- Another candidate in the Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate in Georgia made a stop in our area Thursday. Representative Buddy Carter of Savannah made a stop in Ellijay at Poole’s Bar-B-Que to speak with voters. Representative Carter is running against fellow Congressman Mike…

Mothers Honored Through Community Giving

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga received a special surprise ahead of Mother’s Day. On Thursday, local McDonald’s Owner/Operators visited the house to deliver flowers and cookie totes to mothers staying there while their children received nearby medical care. The visit also included a check presentation totaling $5,492, raised through this year’s…

National Day of Prayer held at The Bethlehem Center in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-The Bethlehem Center welcomed community members this morning as it hosted a National Day of Prayer gathering in Chattanooga. The Bethlehem Center opened its doors for the annual observance, which brings people of all faiths together to pray for the nation, local communities, and leaders. Organizers say the event is meant to foster unity and hope while creating…

SkyBoss HQ officially opens at Collegedale Municipal Airport

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new chapter in aviation is taking off in Collegedale following the grand opening of SkyBoss HQ at the Collegedale Municipal Airport. City leaders, aviation officials, and community members gathered Wednesday to celebrate the airport’s first major expansion in more than two decades. The project includes two newly constructed hangars totaling 20,000 square feet and is expected…

Choices launches baby shower drive to support families in need

Chattanooga TN (WDEF) A Chattanooga nonprofit is calling on the community to help support local families by donating baby essentials to those in need. Choices is hosting a Community Baby Shower to restock its Baby Boutique, which provides free diapers, clothing, car seats, and other necessities to families enrolled in its parenting programs. Organizers say the drive is focused on…

Redistricting Debate Sparks State Concern

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Concerns over a statewide redistricting proposal are growing as Tennessee lawmakers continue a special session focused on congressional map changes. In Nashville, lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow the state to redraw congressional district lines outside the traditional 10-year census cycle. During a House congressional redistricting committee meeting, lawmakers questioned the need to redraw districts…

Gordon Lee Baseball Team Racking Up Another Impressive Victory Total

Chickamauga, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Gordon Lee baseball team has already racked up a 32-2 record this season. About the only thing rishing faster than their victory total were the flood waters in their parking lot Wednesday. Hopefully the waters will recede in time for their playoff game Thursday, as the Trojans continue their quest for back-to-back state titles. Brian Armstrong waded…

Entire Cohutta Police Department Fired in developing town dispute

COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) – We have an update regarding the developing story in the Cohutta. As of Wednesday morning, the city’s entire police department has been fired. A couple of weeks ago, officers with the Cohutta Police Department made accusations involving the mayor’s wife, Pam Shinnick, continuing to work for the city after council meeting minutes showed she had been…

Commission to begin seeking bids on northshore Business Development Center amid opposition from incubator businesses

A group of business owners at the Hamilton County Small Business Incubator standing in opposition to a resolution that would begin the process of seeking bids for the Hamilton County Business Development Center. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The saga of Hamilton County’s small business incubator continued Wednesday evening at the Hamilton County Commission. The question for the Hamilton County commissioners was…

Nominate your hero for the National First Responder of the Year Award

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The National Association of Convenience Stores Foundation has opened voting for its second annual First Responder of the Year Award, giving communities across the country the chance to recognize local heroes who go above and beyond in service to others. The three first responders will ultimately receive the honor. According to Kevin O’Connell, executive director of…

Mental Health Awareness Month

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, bringing renewed attention to mental health challenges affecting millions of Americans. Nearly one in five adults experiences mental illness each year. Rising stress, financial pressure, and social factors are contributing to higher levels of anxiety and depression, particularly among younger people. At the same time, efforts to expand support are…

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Nothing Bundt Cake

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Mother’s Day is around the corner and Nothing Bundt Cake is ready to make magic happen if Mom just wants to celebrate with nothing but cake! Strawberry Cheesecake is their seasonal flavor which features white cake with cheesecake filling, strawberry sauce drizzle, and graham streusel. A sweet flavor for a sweet Mama! For those with dietary…

Turn the page of a new story with Bookanooga!

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For those missing the Scholastic Book Fair during your childhood, Bookanooga is the perfect event for those wanting to relive that feeling and also meet new people! The first ever Bookanooga will be taking place at Renassiance Park and the Northshore Starbucks on Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM. The event features meet and greets…

Chattanooga Zoo hosting annual 21+ Spirits Night Event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Zoo is once again hosting its annual Spirits Night event for adults. The premier 21-plus event will take place Saturday, May 19, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. No children will be allowed. Throughout the night, adults will have the opportunity to experience animal encounters that typically do not happen during regular zoo hours….

Lawmakers Begin Redistricting Special Session

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee’s political landscape could soon see a major shift as lawmakers returned to the Capitol in Nashville for a special session focused on congressional redistricting. The session, called by Governor Bill Lee, was focused on potential changes to the state’s congressional map, including the Memphis-based 9th District. That district is currently the only Democratic-held seat in…

New Survey Highlights Food Insecurity

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – New findings from the City of Chattanooga Office of Community Health in collaboration with the mayor’s office and Columbia University show food insecurity continues to affect local households, according to a presentation today from a city public health director. Dr. Derek Anderson, a city public health director, presented the results during a meeting today. He outlined…

Collins Campaigns Ahead Of Primary

RINGGOLD, GA. (WDEF) – Republican Congressman Mike Collins has kicked off the  “Big Rig Roadshow”, a statewide campaign tour ahead of Georgia’s Republican primary. The tour opened in Ringgold at Farm to Fork, where Collins held a breakfast event and met one on one with voters.  During the stop, the congressman spoke directly with attendees in an informal setting, taking…

79th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 79th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival in Dayton is going on all throughout this week. While preparations were still underway earlier in the day, organizers say the festival has a long-standing reputation for being a community favorite. From carnival rides and live entertainment to pageants and contests, the festival offers something for everyone. Organizers explained that…

Boyd-Buchanan School’s 29th Annual Physics Boat Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students at Boyd-Buchanan School took learning beyond the classroom during the school’s 29th Annual Physics Boat Day, an event that challenges students to design and race cardboard boats. Jason Owens, a physics and engineering teacher, said the event has become a long-standing tradition at the school. “All right, today’s the 20th annual physics cardboard boat races,…

Developer says that amphitheater could be centerpiece of The Bend

; Rendering of a potential design of The Bend’s proposed amphitheater as shown to the Chattanooga Industrial Board Monday (From: City of Chattanooga) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A survey conducted by Chattanooga Tourism Company in late 2024 indicated that Chattanoogans are having to leave town to attend roughly three out of every four concerts, many of those in neighboring cities like…