Entertainment, Featured, Local News

Usher to headline the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas

His performing career started in East Chattanooga. He talked about the halftime show on CBS Mornings
Associated Press,

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. AP Entertainment Writer Abstract: Usher has a new confession: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in Las Vegas. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Usher would lead the halftime festivities from Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11. The music megastar, who has won eight Grammys, said he’s…

IRONMAN CHATTANOOGA
Featured, Local News

Ironman athletes share their reactions to Chattanooga race

Chattanooga Ironman
Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Ironman took over the Scenic City on Sept. 24. Athletes completed a swim, bike ride, and run from 7:30 in the morning to around midnight.  The first athlete finished a little after 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. Some athletes continued until 12:30 a.m. Fernando Maluf finished first in the race with a time of 8 hours,…

Civil War Reenactment
Featured, Local News

Battle of Chickamauga reenactment held in Lafayette

160th anniversary of Battle of Chickamauga-- Civil War reenactment
Amelia Greer,

LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) — A historical Civil War reenactment took over Lafayette this weekend. Spectators and reenactors met in Walker County for the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga. Patricia Salassi (“Major Mom”) said, “It’s really not a hobby. It’s a way of life.” Living historians like Salassi took part in the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga…

Ironman
Featured, Local News

Volunteers preview Ironman race in Chattanooga

Amelia Greer,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –The well-known Ironman race is taking over the scenic city for the second time this year. Riverfront Parkway has been lined up with tents and athletes since Thursday approaching the triathlon on Sunday. Each year Chattanooga hosts the Ironman for athletes across the country.  The triathlon includes a swim, bike, and run.  “It’s definitely a unique race….

Siskin Logo Reversed
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Siskin and UTC Partner to Save Little Miss Mag

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few weeks ago, the Siskin Institute announced they were going to close their two early learning centers, leaving dozens of families without childcare. However, their fortunes have since changed. On August 3, Siskin announced Early Miss Mag Early Learning Center and the Carter Street early learning center would both be closing. Siskin President and CEO Derek…

Hamilton Co Health Dept
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Ten Organizations Award with Teaching Garden Grants

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 10 organizations across Hamilton County have received a thousand dollar grant from the Hamilton County Health Department. This is a part of the Step One Program as they awarded their annual Teaching Garden Grants. The grants go towards creating community gardens that are used not only to grow food for their community but for teaching sustainability and…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Is Your Child ‘Phone Ready?’

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s not unusual anymore to see an elementary-age student with a cell phone. But how do you know when they’re ready for one? AT&T’s Laurie Starcher says parents need to factor in their child’s maturity level. “It does seem that it’s getting younger and younger,” Starcher said. “And I think it’s really based off of, you know,…

Mocs Open Socon Play Beating Mercer 3 2 On Olympico Goal In Final Mintue
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Win SoCon Opener Over Mercer 3-2 With Olympico Goal in Final Minute

Rick Nyman,

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga women’s soccer team scored a pair of goals in the final five minutes to snare a 3-2 win over Mercer Thursday night at Finley Stadium in the Southern Conference opener for both teams. Caroline Richvalsky headed in the equalizer with 4:33 remaining in the game to make it 2-2. Hannah Opie took a pass…

Smokies Eliminate Lookouts From Playoffs With 5 1 Victory
Sports - Local Sports News

Smokies Eliminate Lookouts From Playoffs With 5-1 Victory

Rick Nyman,

(lookouts.com) Chattanooga Lookouts dropped game two of the Southern League North Division Championship Series to end their season. The team finished the year with a record of 70-67. After a quick 1-2-3 inning by Sam Benschoter, the Smokies offense clicked into gear. In the second inning, two straight walks put two runners on for Kevin Alcantara who launched a three-run…

Cleveland's Lauren Hurst A Sensational Dual Sport Athlete
Sports - Local Sports News

Cleveland’s Lauren Hurst a Dangerous Two Sport Athlete

Rick Nyman,

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Cleveland High School junior Lauren Hurst puts the dual, in dual-threat athlete. She’s the reigning Gatorade state player of the year in volleyball. And she’s got D-one college basketball offers from schools such as Virginia Tech and Tennessee. News 12’s Brian Armstrong catches up with one of the top female athletes in the Tennessee Valley. Said head volleyball…

Carta Approves Downtown Parking Rate Increase
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

CARTA Approves Downtown Parking Rate Increase

Nick Hill,

A parking meter along Rossville Avenue on the Chattanooga Southside. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- If you plan to go downtown starting in a couple of weeks, you may want to start bringing some extra change. CARTA’s Board of Directors voted on their first downtown street parking rate increase since 2015. Downtown street meters will now charge $1.50 per hour. This is…
College, Featured, Local News

Tennessee High School Seniors able to Apply to Colleges for Free

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee high school seniors in the process of applying for college have an opportunity to save money this week. College applications at the majority of Tennessee schools both public and private have waived their application fees. Some schools such as UT-Knoxville, Vanderbilt, and UTC all have waived their fees through tomorrow, while some schools have their…

Screenshot 2023 09 20 At 44049 Pm
Featured, Local News

Hamilton County Coalition hosts recovery event at Miller Park

Caleb Figgures,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Coalition hosted their first annual Recovery Happens Together event Wednesday morning at Miller Park. Local organizations gathered to celebrate people who are in recovery.  “We are celebrating our partners, those people that are in recovery, our clients and we are just showing them that recovery is a great thing to be into,” said…

Drivingforwardchatt 1280x720
Business, Chattanooga, Driving Our Economy Forward, Local News

Driving Our Economy Forward: The Gathering of Angels

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The best ideas in business need backing before they can *ever* make it to market. For more than 25 years, The Gathering of Angels has been helping young entrepreneurial companies plant the seeds of success. They recently moved their headquarters from Atlanta to Chattanooga. Tarby Bryant explains, “It’s called the Chattanooga Gathering of Angels, and this…

Sanctioned Homeless Camp
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Homeless Coalition says they need donations

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Homelessness has been an ongoing issue in our community and point of discussion. Jon Berestecky, the Development Director of The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, offered perspective on the current homelessness situation. Berestecky says that as of last count, the Homeless Coalition counts over 1,100 homeless individuals in the Chattanooga area. He says this is defined by…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

County Commission debates hiring practices

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Commission had a lengthy debate on hiring practices at their weekly commission meeting. The debate was spurred by a resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Kirk by Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp to the director of the county’s Property Management Department. That position was just recently created. Commission Chairman Jeff Eversole wanted to…

Railroad Crossing 3rd
Featured, Local News

Raising awareness around rail crossings

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This week, September 17-23, marks National Rail Safety Week.  Every three hours, a car collides with a train at a railroad crossing. More than 60% of these collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights or gates. The Georgia Department of Transportation is asking drivers to exercise enhanced caution at these crossings by looking both ways before…

Hargettweb
Featured, Local News

Secretary Hargett promotes Voter Registration Day in Chattanooga

Caleb Figgures,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Secretary of State Tre Hargett was in Chattanooga Tuesday morning to promote “Your Vote Matters” on national Voter Registration Day.  Secretary Hargett spoke on why it’s so important for those in our community to vote.  Local officials were in attendance at the Chamber of Commerce to help support voter registration.  They say every vote counts in…

Band Director
Alabama, Featured, Regional News

Video shows high school band director shocked with stun gun, arrested after refusing to stop music

Associated Press, CBS News,

Video courtesy to CBS News BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police body camera video shows an Alabama high school band director being shocked with a stun gun and arrested by officers in front of screaming students, in a chaotic scuffle that broke out after he refused to immediately stop the band as it played in the bleachers following a football game….

Mocs Expect Big Test Against Samford
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Expect Tough Test Against Samford

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Easy wins are rare in college football. Mocs got one last weekend against the Citadel. But they know nothing will be easy this week, as they travel to Samford. When you win a game 48-3 like the Mocs did over Citadel, life is good. Said head coach Rusty Wright:”I thought the biggest thing coming out of Saturday was we…