Baylor Working Hard to Defend State Title

Baylor won the state title last year in Erik Kimrey’s first season as head coach. It’s never easy to repeat, but it certainly helps the cause when you have two potential SEC players returning on offense. News 12’s Brian Armstrong shines the 30-in-30 spotlight on the Baylor Red Raiders. Second year Baylor head coach Eric Kimrey has a tough act…

Coolidge Park fountains closed this week for repairs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –This week, you will have to find somewhere else to cool off. Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors says the Coolidge Park fountains will be closed for repairs during the week. Contractors and electricians are on-site to install new electric panels and rewire the system. These repairs are in response to a recent water pump failure, as well as…

United Way of Chattanooga currently recruiting for tutoring program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The United Way of Chattanooga’s tutoring program is currently looking for tutors.  Tutors will provide literacy and math assistant to students in Hamilton County.  This is to help students accelerate in their learning. This program offers educational support to students from 1st through 8th grade. Adults and students are eligible to apply to be tutors.  “We…

Phase 2 of I-24/I-75 split underway in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has started Phase 2 of construction near the I-24 and I-75 split. Ramps to Moore Road and Belvoir Avenue were the first things to close. That can make getting where you’re going in East Ridge and Brainerd a bit of a challenge. “So, in regard to the noise, we are…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Fund for Teachers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The best educators never stop learning. Fund for Teachers gives them a chance to focus on their subjects with leading experts around the globe. Dan D. Challener is the President of the Public Education Foundation. He explains, “Through a partnership with Fund for Teachers, the Public Education Foundation is able every year to offer summer learning…

Fuzzy invasion of domestic rabbits has a Florida suburb hopping into a hunt for new owners

By TERRY SPENCER; Associated Press

WILTON MANORS, Fla. (AP) — When Alicia Griggs steps outside her suburban Fort Lauderdale home, Florida’s latest invasive species comes a-hoppin’ down the street: lionhead rabbits. The bunnies, which sport an impressive flowing mane around their heads, want the food Griggs carries. But she also represents their best chance of survival and moving where this domesticated breed belongs: inside homes,…

Chattanooga air quality poor again while wildfires continue to burn

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga is once again seeing the effects of unruly wildfires across North America. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued a Code Orange air quality alert for the city until Tuesday afternoon. That is according to The Weather Channel. The Code Orange alert means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as those…

I Heart Mac and Cheese Opens in Hixson

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new restaurant to the Chattanooga area held its grand opening in Hixson Monday. ‘I Heart Mac and Cheese’ opened its new location along Highway 153 near the intersection with Gadd Road. The chain, based out of Boca Raton, Florida, serves a variety of Mac and Cheese inspired dishes. A large line of patrons showed up…

Chattanoogan wins $50,000, Powerball jackpot jumps to $900 million

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A local person won $50,000 from the Tennessee Powerball recently. The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation said that winning ticket came from Weigel’s at 2230 Polymer Drive in Chattanooga. That is one of six players who matched four of five white balls, plus the red Powerball on Sunday night. In addition, one person in Pigeon Forge won…

Drivers be aware of Operation Southern Slow Down

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Drivers should be alert and slowing down this week. Operation Southern Slow Down has begun. It is an effort from law enforcement to reduce speeding across the southern states. Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina are all participating. Law enforcement will be hammering down on those reaching speeds well above the limits. These efforts are meant…

Lookouts Nearly No-Hit in Falling 8-0 to Mississippi

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Lookouts only mustered two hits in their 8-0 loss to the Mississippi Braves in the series finale. Before Mississipi’s offense exploded for eight runs, the two teams exchanged zeros. Lookouts starter Lyon Richardson threw three shutout innings and Carson Spiers followed that up with three more shutout frames. For the Braves, starting pitcher Luis De Avila tossed…

Walker Valley Excited to Return Quarterback Evan Schwarzl

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Walker Valley slipped into the playoffs last season despite having a losing record. The Mustangs should like their chances of getting a winning record this season because they have one of high school football’s biggest luxuries. They return their starting quarterback. News 12’s Brian Armstrong rides the Mustangs into the 30-in-30 spotlight. Walker Valley football. Welcomes back at…

Shepherd’s Men honors the Fallen Five on eighth anniversary

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Sunday marked the eighth anniversary of Chattanooga’s Fallen Five. On July 16, 2015, five servicemen died due to an act of domestic terrorism.  Sergeant Carson Allen Louis Holmquist (USMC), Logistics Specialist Second Class Randall Scott Smith (NAVY), Staff Sergeant David Allen Wyatt (USMC), Lance Corporal Squire Kimpton Paul “Skip” Wells (USMC), and Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Joseph…

Tré Herndon hosts backpack drive in Ooltewah

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — NFL athlete, Tré Herndon, hosted a backpack drive on Saturday at East Hamilton High School.  Herndon graduated from East Hamilton in 2014 and now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Along with his team Athlete Relations, he is looking to give back to the Ooltewah/Chattanooga community.  “I wanted to do the backpack drive because a lot of…

Lookouts Dump the M-Braves 12-5 in Front of Sold-Out Crowd

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Lookouts scored seven runs in the first inning in their 12-5 win over the Mississippi Braves in front of a sellout crowd of 6,309. The sellout crowd marks back-to-back sellouts for Chattanooga and their fourth of the year. Blake Dunn kicked things off for Chattanooga in the first inning, reaching on an error and stealing a base….

Silverdale Football Facing Many Questions

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Confucius once said, “The one who knows all the answers, has not been asked all the questions.” Silverdale football can relate because they have more questions than answers this season. News 12’s Brian Armstrong takes the Seahawks into the 30-in-30 spotlight. Silverdale Football lost multiple seniors last year, including star quarterback Brett Rogers. When losing so many seniors,…

Cleveland Wrestler Piper Fowler Set to Represent USA in International Event

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Cleveland High School’s Piper Fowler will be representing the United States in wrestling in the under 17 World Championships. News 12’s Brian Armstrong hears from the first girl from Tennessee to win the qualification tournament. Said Fowler: “I don’t know. I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s going to be an amazing experience. Cleveland’s Piper Fowler will be…