Hamilton County Education Association Starts Process to Get New Contract for Educators

The Hamilton County Education Association (HCEA) has submitted enough signatures to start the process of collaboratively conferencing with Hamilton County Schools. Formerly known in Tennessee as collective bargaining, the process of collaborative conferencing brings educators and district officials together to create a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines educators’ salary, benefits, insurance, working conditions, and other provisions. Under the Professional Educators…

TECH BYTE: Samsung Announces New Operating System

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Samsung has announced an updated version of its mobile operating system. This isn’t your average software update. Samsung says One UI 5 is uniquely designed for Galaxy users, by Galaxy users. The tech company got direct feedback from thousands of those customers to help make the best improvements possible. Most people keep their phone with them…

LaFayette Knocks Off LFO 30-14

LaFayette, GA-(WDEF-TV) LaFayette knocked off LFO 30-14 on Thursday night. It was the Ramblers first region win of the year. Gabe Helton gave LFO a 7-6 lead in the second quarter on a 79 yard punt return for a touchdown. Then LaFayette quarterback Dawson Pendergrass scored on a nine yard run right before the half to make it 13-7 at…

Latinx organization campaigns for Thurman’s resignation

Semillas speaks against Thurman, demands accountability from school board

HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) — Hamilton County School Board member Rhonda Thurman is under fire from local Latinx organization Semillas. Several members of the group spoke at Thursday night’s school board meeting. They want to see Thurman resign. Thurman says the growing number of local Hispanic students who can’t speak English is becoming a “burden” for “teachers and taxpayers.” A change.org…

Red Wolves Buzzin’ For Playoff Opener at Home Against Union Omaha

East Ridge, TN-(WDEF-TV) For the second year in-a-row, the Chattanooga Red Wolves punched their ticket to the playoffs. No easy task for the Red Wolves in their quarterfinal match-up. They host the reigning USL League One in Union Omaha. Said captain Jose Carrera-Garcia:”The boys are buzzin’ man.” Good to see the Red Wolves buzzin’ again, especially after head coach Jimmy…

From The Archives: 1982 Vols Vs Bama

The Tennessee- Alabama matchup 40 years ago had a lot in common with this year's showdown

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – There have been a lot of colorful moments for fans on the Third Saturday in October. But we found one old Bama-Vols showdown in our Archives that had some eery similarities to last weekend. The date was October 17, 1982. Alabama traveled to Knoxville with a top 5 ranking and national championship hopes. They had dominated…

School Prayer Heard Over Intercom, Goes Viral on Social Media

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A viral video on social media has caused controversy over a school prayer that was heard over an intercom at Bess T. Shepherd Elementary School in Chattanooga. In the video, a neighbor to the school recorded about two minutes of footage where they could overhear an unknown speaker leading a prayer over the school’s intercom system. This…

Nonprofit ‘tnAchieves’ needs to fill 2,000 volunteer spots in 1 day

  Tennessee is the Volunteer State, and one non-profit is hoping we live up to the name. TN Achieves has until tomorrow to find 2,000 volunteers statewide and 54 volunteers for Hamilton County. In 15 years the organization has recruited more than 85,000 volunteers across Tennessee to encourage high school seniors as they transition to college. Ben Sterling handles communications…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Komatsu

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you think operating big machines is cool, imagine what it’s like to work at Komatsu. It’s actually one of the first Japanese manufacturers in Tennessee. Komatsu talked to News 12 about how they’re driving our economy forward. “Komatsu provides essential equipment for mining construction and forest industries, said General Manager Walt Nichols. “The Chattanooga manufacturing…

EPB launches new residential WiFi solution

Thursday morning EPB officially launched Smart Net Plus.  The service is described as a “world-class Wi-Fi solution designed to ensure EPB customers get their full internet value across all their smart devices in every corner of their home.” Smart Net Plus is professionally installed by local EPB Tech Pros . This announcement follows the recent launch of America’s first community-wide…

Dalton State Soccer Team Voted Number One in NAIA

(dsroadrunners.com) KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A new king has ascended to the throne as Dalton State (Ga.) is ranked first in the NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Dalton State then went out on Wednesday night and looked the part of the nation’s top ranked team as they beat Blue Mountain 3-0. This marks the fifth different team who…

Novonix lands government grant for battery production

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Officials with Novonix announced today that the company’s division here in Chattanooga has been selected for possible government grant funding. Under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Novonix was chosen to enter negotiations to receive 1-hundred-50 million dollars from the Department of Energy. Company officials say this would not only help strengthen the battery supply chain here in America,…

Hamilton County Commission defends Attorney Rheubin Taylor

Resolutions passed to protect Taylor's position, Wamp says they lack authority

HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) — Hamilton County Commissioners stood up for one of their own during their latest meeting Wednesday morning. Attorney Rheubin Taylor will be keeping his position with the county after being fired by Mayor Weston Wamp last Friday. Taylor’s firing occurred despite still having two years of service left on his contract. A private meeting was held behind…

CPD Weekly Media Conference: Project SAFE Robbery initiative update

The Chattanooga Police Department’s Project SAFE kicked off October 7. During the first week the CPD has logged 80 robbery initiative efforts. Harry Sommers, Executive Chief of Investigations with CPD said they made several arrests targeting individuals with various crimes. “Aggregate charges have been with them. So there’s been aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, carjacking, aggravated assault with a shooting, attempted…

More To The Story With Staley: Cristal writes a book

Miss Agriculture now adds "author" to her resume

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) – “I’ve always wanted to write books since I was a little kid. And it’s always been in the back of my mind. And after spending time on the beach, it hit me one day. I think it’s time. I think it’s time to write a book!” And that’s what Christal Majestic did! In less than four…

Mocs Prepare For SoCon Showdown With Mercer

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) It may be the biggest FCS game in the country this weekend. 8th ranked Chattanooga hosting 11th ranked Mercer. Both teams are unbeaten in SoCon play, and looking for the inside track to the league title. Mocs sure hope this year’s meeting against Mercer goes better than the last one. UTC had five turnovers. Missed three kicks. And lost…

Tyner’s Trae Ruffin Glad to be Playing Football Again After Suffering a Major Seizure Episode

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Tyner senior Trae Ruffin is one of the Rams top play-makers this season. It’s pretty amazing considering Ruffin couldn’t walk a year ago after suffering multiple seizures. News 12’s Brian Armstrong has Ruffin’s comeback story. Said Ruffin:”A lot of them didn’t think I was gonna come back.” When you get a second chance you need to make the most…

Residents respond to Collegedale rezoning

Unanimous vote turns over 500 acres of formerly agricultural land to single-family residential

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — For months, hundreds in the local community had vocally opposed the rezoning at Collegedale’s planning and city commission meetings. Over 3,500 signatures had also been signed on an online change.org petition. Regardless of their concerns, the city is moving forward. “Another of my neighbors read the words of the mayor when she took office,” said Resident…

City Council to vote on multi-million dollar sewer bond

Funds from EPA loan would restructure city's wastewater infrastructure

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Chattanooga City Council is voting Tuesday night on money to help improve the city’s wastewater system. If approved, a $186,000,000 loan from the EPA would go toward the project. City Senior Advisor Kirsten Yates says the interest rate on that loan is as “close to cost” as you can possibly get. “We most recently unveiled our…