Driving Our Economy Forward: AGC Construction Career Center Opens

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee’s Construction Career Center is now up and running. “We have been in action now for about two weeks here at the construction career center,” said Leslie Gower, AGC CEO. It’s for both new and experienced construction workers looking to enhance their skills. “We’re had the opportunity to partner with…

Budgetel family speaks out on recent eviction

Rogers family, like many, still have not found new home after being forced from inn

UPDATE: Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp spoke with News 12 Thursday morning saying there is currently no “class-action lawsuit” against her. News 12 also spoke earlier this week with Attorney Charles Wright, who said he had filed a motion to intervene Monday morning in Hamilton County’s criminal court. Wright is representing multiple families, including the Rogers, who had previously…

East Ridge resident to honor friend at Grateful Gobbler

Theresa Chastain to walk in remembrance of former walking partner Teresa Manning

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — One East Ridge resident has been walking Chattanooga’s Grateful Gobbler 5K for almost 20 years. She’ll be walking again tomorrow, but this time to remember a friend. Theresa Chastain will be walking in memory of Teresa Manning — her friend and former walking partner at the Gobbler. The two even collected a significant number of event t-shirts…

Union Gospel Holds Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Union Gospel Mission helped feed hundreds in our community today. They held their annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. People could come to get dinner, receive supplies through the mission’s blessing bags, and gather clothing from donations in our community. They even got a live performance to enjoy. This…

More To The Story: The story behind the Lumberjack Calendar

Tree Service created a calendar of their men dressing up as lumberjacks

FORT OGLETHORPE (WDEF) – It’s adoption day at a pet store in Fort Oglethorpe. Our “fur babies” are all over the place. Check this out: eight Great Pyrenees puppies. Two weeks old. Priceless. And here’s my new friend. Julie. Julie works for the Lumberjacks Tree Service here in Chattanooga. She knows lumberjacks. Actually, I’m looking FOR lumberjacks. But……… “No lumberjacks…

Mom to Mom – Turkey Candy Glove

Today on Mom to Mom, we are making Thanksgiving party favors for kids. It’s almost turkey time and we’ve got a fun way to keep your kids occupied on Thanksgiving. And it can also be used as a cute little party favor for those kids. So we are making a turkey snack type thing for your kids. So all you’re…

Tyner Prepares For Final Game Ever at Bob Evans Stadium

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Friday will be the last ever game played at Tyner’s home stadium. Tyner is getting a new school, which will be built where the football stadium is. Rams are hosting York Institute in the state semi-finals at Bob Evans Stadium. The Dragons run the old Wing ‘T’. If only that offense was being torn down right Coach Chandler? Reporter:”Do…

Hamilton County political leaders discuss drag show bill

Some in Hamilton Co. LGBTQ+ Community feel unsafe following local, national incidents

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — An upcoming bill in the Tennessee legislature is being viewed in a new light following the weekend’s deadly shooting in Colorado Springs. The state legislation would make drag shows inaccessible for Tennesseans younger than 18. State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson says the bill will protect children from being exposed to “sexually explicit drag shows.”…

Amari Jefferson Always Does “Magic Things” on the Field For Baylor

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) No matter whether he’s on the baseball diamond or the football field, Baylor’s Amari Jefferson has SEC level talent. News 12’s Brian Armstrong recently spoke with the talented wide receiver as the Red Raiders prepare for the State Championship game. Said head coach Eric Kimrey:”I mean just give him the ball and he does magic things. I’ve never been…

Golden Apple Award: Sonjia Norman, Blythe Bower Elementary School

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – One days she’s an astronaut. The next day she’s a soldier. Sonjia Norman digs deep into her costume closet to make lessons come to life for her 3rd graders at Blythe Bower Elementary School in Cleveland. That kind of creativity is just one of the reasons Mrs. Norman earned the Golden Apple Award. Joel Barnes is…

Local savings for your Thanksgiving feast

Chattanooga,TN (WDEF) – Continued inflation is poised to gobble up your Thanksgiving budget a little quicker this year.  Inflation is driving many shoppers to search for their best deal ahead of the Thanksgiving feast. According to the Tennessee Farm Bureau’s 37th Thanksgiving survey the average cost of this year’s classic dinner 10 is up to nearly $65 a 20% increase…

UTC Women Take Care of Business in Beating Kennesaw State 72-59

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Mocs took the lead early and never let go to get a 72-59 win over Kennesaw State at The McKenzie Arena Monday night in non-conference women’s basketball action. Chattanooga improves to 3-3 overall while the Owls dropped to 1-4 on the year. Yazz Wazeerud-Din scored 13 of her game-high 24 points in the first quarter…

Attorney Robin Flores speaks on Budgetel Inn eviction

Flores set to defend Vietnam veteran who was displaced from property

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Local attorneys are now ready to defend evacuated residents of East Ridge’s Budgetel Inn. Tenants were recently evicted following a nuisance abatement claim from Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp, and Attorney at Law Robin Flores says he is set to defend one decorated former tenant in court. He described the “lack of notice” that…

Georgia, Tennessee officials host car seat check event

Parents, caregivers advised to inspect car seats prior to upcoming holiday travel

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — With Thanksgiving just three days away, local Tennessee and Georgia officials held a car seat check event this afternoon in anticipation of holiday travel. “Seats Across the States” was held at East Ridge’s Bass Pro Shops earlier today. All parents, guardians, and caregivers who stopped by were provided with a free car seat check as…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Ringgold High Performing Arts Program Wins State

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – The award-winning tradition continues for Ringgold High School’s Performing Arts Program. This year students mixed a “Spoonful of Sugar” into their State Championship recipe. Jane’ Ellis is the Musical Theatre and Choir Director at Ringgold High. She says, “We were honored to receive the state championship in one act play for the GHSA tournament. I think…

EPB partners with Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition to fund permanent housing ahead of holidays

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – EPB is partnering with the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition to help end homelessness this Holiday season. EPB just launched their new Connect For Good giving campaign. All funds will go directly to the Flexible Housing Fund administered by the Homeless Coalition in an effort to get people get back into permanent housing. Sophie Moore with EPB…