Brian Kemp Visits Trenton for Campaign Stop

TRENTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp visited Dade County this morning for a campaign event. His campaign hosted a breakfast at the Trenton Community Center where he had a roughly 30 minute speech to a room full of his supporters. Kemp spent much of his speech encouraging his supporters to assist his campaign as much as possible to win…

Brainerd High School removed from Tennessee schools priority list

Faculty and parents believe future at Brainerd HS is bright

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — It’s been more than a decade, but they finally did it. Brainerd High School officially worked its way off the state’s priority list of struggling schools, and they’re not slowing down any time soon. The state of Tennessee recently named 13 Hamilton County schools as Reward Schools, and another 13 as Level 5 Schools. But for the…

Lookouts Give Up Only Two Hits in Beating Tennessee 6-2

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Lookouts only surrendered two hits in their 6-2 win over the Tennessee Smokies. Tuesday marked the start of Chattanooga’s final series of the year. Reigning Southern League Player of the Week, Christian Roa only allowed one run in six innings to earn his second win of the year. Roa now has a 1.06 ERA over three starts…

Preliminary report on Marion Co. helicopter crash

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – The National Transportation Safety Board has released their preliminary report on the I-24 helicopter crash that killed a Marion County detective and a Highway Patrol Pilot. The report confirms that Matt Blansett and Lee Russell were taking part in a marijuana observation flight. They also helped search for a missing person before the crash, but resumed…

Some Halt 401K Contributions Under Inflationary Pressures

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — A report from Savings.com indicates that twenty five percent of Americans are reducing or pausing their 401K contributions. The report suggests that inflation is to blame. People are choosing not to save their money, as essentials such as groceries and housing grow ever more expensive. “The numbers we got this morning for inflation show that energy prices…

Small Plane Crashes at Chattanooga Airport

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Crews are investigating a plane crash at the Chattanooga Airport late Tuesday morning. The Chattanooga Fire Department responded shortly after 11:30 a.m. CFD says the single engine plane went down off Jubilee Drive, just short of the Lovell Field runway. The two people on-board were not seriously hurt. They were out of the plane when first…

Collegedale Planning Commission recommends property rezoning

Many Collegedale residents unsure of, against potential new housing development

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Collegedale Planning Commission held its latest meeting tonight about the potential rezoning of the locally beloved Hidden Hills Farm and Saddle Club property. A packed crowd appeared heartbroken tonight after the commission wholly recommended, with one abstention, the approval with conditions to rezone the property. Before the decision was made, however, several residents still say…

Major credit cards place guns under new merchant category

Local gun shop manager believes gun sales will increase in response

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Major credit cards are adding a new merchant category for firearms retailers, much to the celebration of gun-control advocates. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are all doing so to help curb mass shootings. But not everybody is celebrating. One local gun store manager says his customers feel as if their Second Amendment rights are being…

County Mayor vetoes new dais to make room for him and new commissioner

"there was some sticker shock with that price tag"

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp is vetoing plans to add an additional seat to the County Commission’s Dais. At last week’s meeting, it was announced that the expansion would cost 49-thousand dollars. After speaking with Chairman Chip Baker and members of his staff, Wamp decided not to have a seat among the commissioners. “The price tag on…

What’s Right With Ours Schools: Hamilton County Schools eLabs

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – It’s a sign of the times, eLabs are a vital part of education at all levels these days. Thanks to PEF and Volkswagen Chattanooga, Hamilton County Schools has cut the ribbon on a dozen new eLabs. Robin Bambrey is the Principal at Hardy Elementary School. She says, “We are beyond excited and honored to be part…

Nearly 400 people participate in the Chattanooga Stair Climb Memorial to honor 9/11 first responder victims

Brian Fitzpatrick, a firefighter with FDNY's Ladder 22, nearly brought to tears by the local response

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The first plane struck the World Trade Center at 8:43 in the morning on this day in 2001. Today at that time, New York City read the names that are memorialized at the site of the World Trade Center. Locally, first responders and their friends and family here in Chattanooga walked the steps of AT&T Field, and…

Hamilton County EMS worker honored for 40+-years of service…and he’s not done

The Chattanooga Elks Lodge honors Charles P.B. "Scobey" Newman for his over 40 years of service for Patriot Day

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It’s also Patriot Day. A time when America honors those who were killed in the September 11th attacks. Some of those people were first responders. Locally, the Elks Lodge honored an emergency services worker for his 40-plus years…

Summerville water flowing again

Sand bags available for this weekend

SUMMERVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – After a week of water insecurity from the weekend flooding, Summerville is finally getting some of its water back. The water system had been knocked out by the record flooding. But by Friday, city officials announced that some water was pumping through the system again. However, even if you do get water at your house, they…

Scottsboro store celebrates 50th Anniversary

Unclaimed Baggage is nation's only retail store selling once-lost luggage

JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. (WDEF) — Scottsboro’s Unclaimed Baggage, America’s only lost luggage retail store, celebrated the end of its 50th Anniversary Road Tour today. The store’s road tour team returned after a four-month journey all throughout the country. They visited all 50 states over the summer. To celebrate, the store kicked off a two-day celebration today that will last through…

Chattanooga State hosts in-person college and career fair

In-person event is first of its kind since 2019, shows ties to growing student enrollment

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — For the first time since 2019, Chattanooga State Community College held its college and career fair in person today. One member of the city chamber noticed a lack of “pandemic panic” and from students, who were buzzing with excitement. Hundreds of students from Hamilton County Schools flocked to Chatt State today to get a taste of the…

CPD initiative shows major decline in auto-related crimes

CPD says it has seen a 19% decline in auto-related crimes due to task force for the year

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department had a busy last 24 hours. One person was carjacked in the 1700 block of Kelly Street, and a woman had her car stolen this afternoon in the 2100 block of Stuart Street. But CPD is fighting back. A focused initiative has seen a major decline in auto-related crimes. The reports are all…

Moon River Festival Returns for Fourth Year

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Moon River Festival is back this weekend for its fourth year in Chattanooga. Organizers say they have a packed lineup – from Madeline Edwards and Mat Kearney, to Local Natives and Leon Bridges. Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are also performing again this year. Drew Holcomb tells News 12 they’ll be playing a new song, “Dance…