Tennessee River Rescue kicks off with proclamation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 35th Tennessee River Rescue Week kicked off on Thursday.  Volunteers from the Tennessee Aquarium and environmental group Waterways joined Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly as he proclaimed the week in a ceremony along the Riverfront. The week emphasizes the importance of clearing trash from the river and adjacent waterways to reduce pollution. A group of volunteers…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Fablerealm

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) — One North Georgia Airbnb is turning some fairytales into reality. Fablerealm allows both locals and visitors alike to step into their favorite Disney or Harry Potter movie. Let’s see how Fablerealm is Driving Our Economy Forward. “My mom’s favorite films are the Harry Potter films. And this one is mainly based on the Gryffindor common room…

UPDATE: FedEx plane skids off Chattanooga Regional Airport runway after gear failure

  UPDATE: There were no injuries to the people on board. Chattanooga Airport released a statement that the primary runway is closed until further notice. There is a secondary runway open. They urge travelers to check their flight status prior to arriving at the airport. To check your flight status, go to www.chattairport.com. EARLIER: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Many of Chattanooga’s…

Former Moc Terrell Owens Giving UTC Students a Lift During Homecoming

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Pretty cool scene on the UTC campus this week. NFL Hall of Famer and Mocs alum Terrell Owens is tootin’ around in a golf cart, giving students rides and pumping up Saturday’s homecoming game. T-O gave our own Brian Armstrong a ride along. Lucky for us, Brian didn’t turn it into carpool karaoke. Said Owens: “Narcissist? Really? Really? Some…

Local Representatives React to McCarthy’s Removal

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Yesterday was a historic day in the House of Representatives. The vast majority of Republicans voted to keep Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House but he was voted out 216-210. All six Congressional Representatives in the News 12 viewing area voted to keep McCarthy as the Speaker. Kevin McCarthy (MGN) The nearest representative who…

UCLA Transfer QB Chase Artopoeus Digging Chance to Play For Chattanooga

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The recruiting story for Mocs transfer quarterback Chase Artopoeus is kind of backwards. Instead of UTC recruiting him, he recruited UTC. Artopoeus zeroed in on Chattanooga when he was set to leave UCLA. While Artopoeus didn’t enjoy the spotlight in the City of Angels, he has certainly found it in the Scenic City. Playing college football in L-A like…

PIE Innovation Center opens new Wacker Commons

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The PIE Innovation Center opened Wacker Commons: a 14,000-square-foot, gathering space on Tuesday. This new space will hold athletic events, business events, conferences and more in Bradley County. The venue, formerly known as the Conclave, was redesigned and renamed in honor of Dr. Alexander Wacker. “What we are most proud about is that when people…

WWTA To Pay EPA Fines, Upgrade Sewer System

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Sewer customers in portions of Hamilton County will likely notice an increase in their sewer bills in the coming years. The executive director of the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Transmission Authority (WWTA), Michael Patrick, explained why. Patrick said, “Approximately 8 years ago, the WWTA began negotiating with the EPA for a structured settlement for violations…

Historic Fort Oglethorpe Home Up For Auction

The former band barracks building on Barnhardt Circle in Fort Oglethorpe. FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF)- A historic home in Fort Oglethorpe is being auctioned off this evening. The Band Barracks home at 309 Barnhardt Circle has been an AirBNB the past few years. It was built in 1904 to accommodate 28 men when Barnhardt Circle used to be the 6th…

Golden Apple Award: Kevin Parsons, Central High School

HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF) – The written word comes to life in Kevin Parsons English class. At least one of his Central High School students calls him, “the best teacher ever.” Adding, “You just can’t hate him.” Phil Iannarone is the Principal at Central. He says, “Well, we’re pleased to see Mr. Parsons win this award. Mr. Parsons has been teaching…

Mom to Mom – Football Snack Bag

Today on Mom to Mom, we are making game day football snack bags. We’re always looking for different and cute ideas for those game day snacks. And why not create a lunch bag that kind of looks like a football and it’s super easy to do. All you need are these brown paper lunch bags, some white masking tape, some…

Chattanooga National Cemetery to expand to Meigs County

MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga National Cemetery is expanding to a new home in East Tennessee, which is a big announcement for local veterans. The Chattanooga National Cemetery was established in December 1863. After reaching capacity, the federal government has bought land for a new cemetery. The Department of Veterans Affairs purchased property in the Blythe Ferry area of…

What’s Right With Our Schools: East Lake Level 5 Status

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – We continue our tour of local schools that have achieved Level 5 Status. At East Lake Elementary, teachers from as far away as Knoxville are driving in to be a part of that success. It’s easy to see why. April Gregorich is a 4th grade Math and Science teacher at East Lake. She says, “We have…

Fatal Downtown Shooting Suspect had Long Rap Sheet

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – We are learning more about the suspect in a murder of a prominent Chattanooga businessman. On late Thursday night, Christopher Wright was shot and killed near Patten Towers. On Friday, Chattanooga Police arrested 57-year-old Darryl Roberts in connection with the shooting. Darryl Roberts, the suspect in the murder of Christopher Wright last week in Downtown Chattanooga….

Fall allergy season ramps up in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fall season is here, but for those who have allergies, the weather-change may be troubling.  “Now we are hitting the second biggest season of the year and that is fall. In the fall there is weed allergy and what I mean by that is ragweed. Ragweed is a number one allergen that we see, and it…

Tennessee Supreme Court Rules on DUI Convictions and Probations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled those convicted of vehicular homicide while intoxicated are ineligible for probation. The ruling upholds a 2017 amendment to the Tennessee state code that was created to force those who kill while drunk driving to serve more time in prison. The Court listened to a case that came out of Nashville where…

More to the Story with Staley: COVID Update

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The updated COVID-19 booster shot is now becoming available. Although not every outlet that usually supplies the shot has it yet. But most experts say when you can, the best way to protect yourself against the virus is to get “the jab.” And, for example, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project believes children six months and…

Inaugural ‘Coolidge Park Kickoff Market’ held on Oct. 1

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Local artists celebrated the first day of October outside in Coolidge Park on Sunday.  An inaugural kickoff market was held at the park with many unique vendors lined up on the lawn.  The ‘Coolidge Park kickoff Market’ was held for the first time on Oct. 1.  Various vendors set up at the park Sunday from 10…

Electric vehicle festival takes over Chattanooga State

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Drive Electric Festival took over Chattanooga State Saturday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Car enthusiasts along with newcomers were able to experience electric vehicles for free. “Sustainability is in our DNA. It’s not just the right thing to do for the planet, it’s the right thing to do for our economy…