Mayor Kelly addresses WalletHub survey ranking Chattanooga poorly

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly recently responded to the viral WalletHub survey that ranked Chattanooga as the second-worst run city in the United States. Mayor Kelly addressed this topic during his State of the City address. He also recently posted a clip of this specific topic to his Twitter (X) account. He says WalletHub pegged Chattanooga as…

CPD concludes first internship in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department. has wrapped up its first internship partnership with the Police Executive Research forum and HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities). Under this internship, college students learn what it is like to work for the police department.  “We are open to hearing perspectives from our community. So, this is just a different perspective,” Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste…

Logistic companies partner with UTC to develop workforce

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new program at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga aims to connect students with that fast-growing industry in the Chattanooga area. UTC held an open house for their Freight Broker Professional Program Thursday evening. Local logistics companies, such as BlueGrace Logistics, believe this program will create a pipeline for our local economy. Michael Beckwith, the…

Georgia officials investigating Dalton church arson

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — Georgia officials are investigating an arson that happened at a church in Dalton on Wednesday. Whitfield County Fire requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office around 11:30 p.m. State responders said they then found what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail at the church on Carbondale Road. It is currently unclear to what extent the…

Officials investigating traffic stop incident in Jasper

UPDATE: The press conference is now live and can be streamed here: ORIGINAL POST: MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A video has been circulating on social media regarding a traffic stop in Jasper, Tennessee. The district attorney confirmed that officials are investigating this incident. The traffic stop happened in the City of Jasper. On Thursday, officials will be holding a…

Red Bank apartment shooting overnight

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) – Red Bank police are investigating a shooting overnight at an apartment complex. It happened at 107 Goodson Avenue around 1 a.m. Thursday. Investigators believe a suspect forced entry into the home and shots were exchanged. The person who was shot was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle. Police do not have a medical…

Hamilton Co. returns back to school

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Wednesday was the first day of school for students across Hamilton County. Children, teachers and staff say they are ready to make this year the best one yet!  “We are so excited to have everyone back, but what we believe is going to be our best year yet,” Hamilton County Schools Superintendent, Sonia Stewart, said. “We…

Bradley Central Features Plenty of Talented Playmakers

Bradley Central always has some talented play-makers, and then this year, they added some talented transfers. That’s why the Bears have high expectations this fall. Brian Armstrong takes Bradley Central into the 30-in-30 spotlight. Bradley Central has athletes in bunches this season. Said head coach Damon Floyd: “The talent, you know, we have talent. We know that. But we’ve got…

Chattanooga Mocs Becoming ‘O-Line U’

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga might soon be known as ‘O-line U’. They’ve sent two offensive linemen to the NFL over the last two years. How is this year’s unit stacking up? Brian Armstrong gets down in the trenches. Said offensive line coach Kevin Revis: “A special thing to play o-line here with all the guys that you’ve had going to the next…

Hamilton County Schools Increase Counselors

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Another concern parents have shared with us is concerns over bullying. Hamilton County Schools say they have increased the amount of the amount of school counselors and social workers available for students to talk to. They say every school has at least one counselor. They have also started new programs aimed to combat bullying such a having…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Hamilton County’s Construction Career Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County’s Construction Career Center is literally building its future workforce. Let’s see how it’s driving our economy forward. “You know, the story is out. A lot of people have been here. And the people that have visited our building, they talk about their experience just here all the time,” said Gerald Harris, Principal. “When you…

Active shooter drill held at Chattanooga State

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — First responders are preparing for the worst, with an active shooter drill at Chattanooga State on Wednesday. Multiple agencies participated in the exercise. This was the first drill to be conducted at Chattanooga State. The drill was meant for training emergency personnel to respond to a realistic event and keep the college safe. “To the Chattanooga…

Chattanooga Police arrest suspect in Amazon shooting

UPDATE: D’ante Jones, Courtesy of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chattanooga Police say they have arrested the man involved in the shooting of a 19-year-old at the Amazon Fulfillment Center. The police department said they arrested 20-year-old Dante Jones on Wednesday. Authorities are charging Jones with attempted first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a felony. Amazon’s Chattanooga location is…

Pet therapy benefits health of older adults, says BlueCross, Humane Society

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — BlueCross BlueShield, the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga and Love on a Leash partnered up to offer pet therapy to older patients at a local health center. According to the Humane Society, pet therapy is meant to improve physical and psychological health for the elderly. These organizations held this unique therapy Tuesday afternoon at the…

Keith Urban, Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

By MARIA SHERMAN; AP Music Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Country superstar Keith Urban and Kix Brooks of powerhouse country duo Brooks & Dunn will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this year. The organization announced its newest inductees on Thursday. They also include Casey Beathard and David Lee Murphy, in the contemporary songwriter category, and Rafe Van Hoy in the veteran songwriter…

Hixson’s Carson Johnson Shares First Round Lead at Tennessee State Amateur

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The 108th edition of the Tennessee State Amateur Championship teed off Tuesday at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. Hixson native and UTC golfer Carson Johnson was apart of the morning wave, and he rose to the top of the leaderboard with a 5-under 65. He’s tied for the first round lead with Evan Woosley Reed. Chattanooga’s Derek Rende…

Marion Co Prepared to be Thrown in the Fire This Fall

Marion County missed out on the playoffs last year for the first time since 2011. Now the Warriors are more determined than ever to hop back on the post-season train this fall. Marion County enters the 30-in-30 spotlight. After going 5-5 last season, Marion Co is ready to blow the top off the 2023 season. Said running back Brody Leonard:”We’ve…