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…

Golden Apple: Ashley Frogg, Rossville Elementary

ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) – Ashley Frogg has a gift for connecting with some of youngest students at Rossville Elementary. She lays the foundation for a life-long love of learning. That lesson is not lost on the parents of even her newest students. Courtney Gadd is the principal at Rossville Elementary. She says, Ms. Frogg is definitely a relationship Builder with…

Georgia sets early voting record, TN & NC also start this week

Alabama still does not allow early voting

ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) – Early Voting began in Georgia on Monday with record setting numbers. The state reports that more than 130,000 Georgians voted on Monday. That number is 85% higher than the first day of early voting in 2018 (last midterm elections with a Governor’s Race on the ballot). There were wait times to vote in counties around Atlanta,…

Social Security Beneficiaries to see largest increase to payments in over 40 years

Americans on Social Security will see the largest increase to their checks in over four decades. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140/month. Inflation has hit concerning highs this year, it currently stands at 8.2%, the Social Security Administration has announced an increase of  8.7% to combat the higher cost of living.  Local wealth planner and…

TVFCU hosts 5th Annual Idea Leap Grant Pitch Competition

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union hosted their annual grant annual competition Tuesday. This is the 5th year for the competition where small business owners from across the area compete to win grant funding. This year TVFCU gave away a total of $100,000. The grand prize was $50,000, first place was $20,000 and three runners-up won $10,000. TVFCU also held their…

Let’s Eat- Immune System Boosters

Food City Dietitian Nicole Pazdziorko shares some tips for boosting your immune system during cold and flu season, using Food City’s Pick Well better-for-you shopping guide. Tags: Cold, fall, Flu Season, Lets Eat, Winter

Candidates face off in first debate for Georgia Governor

ATLANTA (WDEF) – The first debate tonight among candidates for Governor of Georgia was a three person event. Governor Brian Kemp, Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams and Libertarian Shane Hazel faced off in Atlanta. It was a rematch for Kemp and Abrams after a contentious race in 2018, narrowly won by Kemp. Sparks flew over issues like the economy, crime and…

Collegedale City Commission to hold final rezoning vote

Thousands in community have signed online petition against residential rezoning

UPDATE: The City Commission unanimously voted to approve the rezoning. ____________ COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — After months of community backlash, Collegedale’s City Commission will vote tonight on a controversial rezoning that could impact a beloved local landmark. In September, the Collegedale Planning Commission wholly recommended the rezoning of over 500 acres of land from agricultural to single-family residential. Hidden Hills…

Kemp/Abrams debate tonight at 7PM

https://www.gpb.org/events/news/2022/10/17/governor-debate ATLANTA (WDEF) – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and challenger Stacey Abrams face off tonight in a debate on the first day of early voting in their race. It is the first of two scheduled debates. Of course, this is a rematch after the two faced each other four years ago. The current  CBS News Battleground Tracker poll shows Governor Kemp…