Plarning
Catoosa County, Featured, Local News

Ringgold woman introduces “plarning” to serve community

4-H Program Assistant Roberta Pepper looking to transform recycled plastic bags into sleeping mats for local homeless
WDEF News,

CATOOSA COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — This holiday season, officials in Catoosa County are asking its residents to gift them … with recycled plastic bags. Believe it or not, one woman in Ringgold has introduced a new hobby that not only helps the environment, but also the area’s homeless. Plastic Yarning, or “plarning,” for Roberta Pepper involves crocheting anywhere between 500-to-700…

Titans React To Firing Of Jon Robinson
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - TN Titans

Vrabel Says Titans Owner Sends Message to Team With Firing of GM Jon Robinson

Rick Nyman,

NASHVILLE Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk left coach Mike Vrabel to explain her decision to fire the team’s general manager during one of the best stretches in franchise history. Strunk fired Jon Robinson on Tuesday with five games remaining in his seventh season as general manager with the Titans (7-5) holding a big lead while chasing a third straight AFC…

Tyner Qb Josh Jackson Wins Mr. Football Award
Sports - Local Sports News

Tyner QB Josh Jackson Named Mr. Football Award Winner

Rick Nyman,

Nashville-(WDEF-TV) Tyner quarterback Josh Jackson was named the TSSAA Mr. Football Award winner for Class 2A Wednesday in Nashville. The ceremony took place at the Titans Nissan Stadium. Jackson threw for over 2,000 yards during the regular season, and he of course helped lead the Rams to the state title. Baylor running back Caleb Hampton was one of the three…
Catoosa County, Featured, Local News

Fort Oglethorpe planning new attractions to increase tourism

Project officials believe city's history, community will attract more visitors in upcoming years
WDEF News,

FORT OGLETHORPE, Georgia (WDEF) — With the holidays incoming, the “Fort O” community received an early Christmas gift in the form of a farmer’s market — something they’ve had on their gift list for quite some time. But that’s only the beginning. The city is also planning to construct further attractions, including a brewery and a city welcome center. “It…

Pearl Harbor Anniversary
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga veteran honors, remembers Pearl Harbor attack

The "day that will live in infamy" occured 81 years ago today
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Today marks the 81st anniversary of Pearl Harbor here in the United States — “a day that will live in infamy.” Retired Navy Capt. Mickey McCamish was born in 1942 — one year after the tragic events unfolded. McCamish says the impact of Pearl Harbor was felt deeply throughout his family, as his father served in the…

Drivingforwardchatt 1280x720
Driving Our Economy Forward, Jobs & Economy, Local News

Driving Our Economy Forward: Unum

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — More than 10,000 people work at Unum, headquartered right here in downtown Chattanooga. The multi-billion dollar insurance company also offers good salaries and benefits for those employees. Unum talked to News 12 about how they’re driving our economy forward. “At Unum, our purpose is helping the working world thrive throughout life’s moments,” said Holly Haynes, Assistant…

Industrial Past
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story With Staley: Saving Industrial History

UTC is documenting Chattanooga's Industrial past
Dave Staley,

  CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Erin Ryan and Carolyn Runyon work in the Special Collections Department at UTC. The department is home to a lot of old pictures. Old documents. Many deal with the labor history of Chattanooga. A good number have been digitized and are on line. But many are not. Ryan and Runyon needed help digitizing these gems. Preserving history…

Walker And Warnock
Featured, Government & Politics, Regional News

Concession and Victory speeches in Georgia Senate Runoff

Collins Parker,

ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) – In the end, the runoff vote was similar to the general election vote for the Georgia Senate race. Sen. Raphael Warnock narrowly defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker. At points during the counting, both men swapped the lead, sometime with less than 2,000 votes difference. But in the end, Sen. Warnock finishes with over 51% of the…

Mocs Beat Milwaukee 88 76
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Grab Fourth Straight Win With 88-76 Victory Over Milwaukee

Rick Nyman,

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA – The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team posted its first wire-to-wire victory of the season after a dominating first half led to an 88-76 victory over Milwaukee in front of 2,658 fans inside McKenzie Arena on Tuesday night. Following the win, Chattanooga has won its last four and improves to 6-3 on the season. Milwaukee had its five-game…

Sen Ga Warnock Walker
Featured, Government & Politics, Regional News

Sen. Raphael Warnock narrowly defeats Herschel Walker in Georgia runoff

Collins Parker,

ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) – In a very tight race, Sen. Raphael Warnock has narrowly defeated Herschel Walker in Georgia’s Senate runoff on Tuesday. Both candidates swapped the lead throughout the night, with just a few thousand votes separating them at times. But with 95% of the vote counted, the Warnock lead grew to around 50,000 votes out of more than…

Alzheimers Association Vector Logo
Entertainment, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Concert to Benefit Alzheimer’s Association

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Country music artist Jay Allen is teaming up with Miller-Motte College in Chattanooga this Thursday night to raise money for the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Association. You might recognize Jay from the national TV singing competition, “The Voice.” He – along with Craig Hendricks and several other performers – will be putting on “A Concert to Remember” at…

Lostcat 070122
East Ridge, Local News

East Ridge looks to provide holiday joy to pets, families

Adoption fees for dogs, cats to be waived entirely during December 2022
WDEF News,

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — For anyone looking to adopt a furry friend this holiday season, the city of East Ridge is making it much easier. Throughout the month of December, adoption fees are being waived entirely. The local shelter has been at full capacity since May and hopes the animals inside can find a new home for Christmas. East…
Catoosa County, Featured, Local News

Catoosa County officials, voters discuss Georgia runoff

Voting "steady" in Northwest Georgia Tuesday, some not confident in either candidate
WDEF News,

CATOOSA COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — Polls have just closed state-wide for the Georgia Senate runoff election between Incumbent Raphael Warnock and Challenger Herschel Walker. Voters in Georgia will not be the only ones anxious to see the results of tonight’s election, as the race has garnered national attention after neither candidate received at least 50 percent of votes needed to…

Golden Apple Award
Education, Golden Apple Award, Hamilton County, Local News

Golden Apple Award: Matthew Brady, Brown Middle School

Andrew Harrison,

HARRISON, TN (WDEF) – Corporate America’s loss is Brown Middle School’s gain. In less than 2 years, Matthew Brady has transformed into a dynamic young teacher with a knack for problem solving. His unconventional approach earned Mr. Brady the Golden Apple Award. Karyn Cox is the Principal at Brown Middle. She says, “Mr. Brady was a product of Project Inspire….

preserving it as historic landmark
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Federal Lawsuit Filed Against CSAS and Hamilton County Schools

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A federal lawsuit has been filed in the Eastern District Court of Tennessee against administrators at the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS) and the Hamilton County School Board. The plaintiffs of the lawsuit claim that they failed to protect a young female student from sexual harassment and bullying. This lawsuit has been filed in…

Channing Wilson 1
Entertainment, Featured, Local News

LaFayette Native to Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

Emily Cassulo,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Country music artist and LaFayette, Georgia native Channing Wilson is getting ready to make his Grand Ole Opry debut next year. He recently announced he’ll be playing at the historic venue on Saturday, February 25. Wilson lives in LaFayette, but travels to Nashville and cities across the country to record his music, and play concerts. He’s…

Jasminepace
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Candlelight vigil held in memory of Jasmine Pace

Sister, best friend describe her as "fearless, loved, amazing"
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Chattanooga community came together Monday night to remember 22-year-old Jasmine Pace, who disappeared last month. Last Thursdsay, the remains of her body were discovered in the Tennessee River. A candlelight vigil was held at Coolidge Park to celebrate her life. Family, friends, and strangers alike gathered in the cold and rain to remember a life taken…

Hearing
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

First Budgetel Eviction Hearing Held on Monday

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-The first hearing in the Budgetel Eviction Case was held this afternoon at the Hamilton County Courthouse. This case is to determine whether or not District Attorney Coty Wamp’s Petition of a Nuisance will be upheld, permanently shutting down the Budgetel Inn and Suites Motel. The hearing was held In front of a packed gallery, mostly of those…

Real Dads
Featured, Local News

Real Fathers Real Men

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Ten different Chattanooga programs are teaming up to help educate men how to be not only dads but fathers. One organization is Pain perseverance Character Hope. Another speaker is Founder of the Brave Effect Joe Jenkins who helps dads re-enter the family after serving time in jail or prison. Pursuit of Happiness CEO Michael Gordon says unity between…