Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton County political leaders discuss drag show bill

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

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 A Big Play Threat For Baylor
Sports - Local Sports News

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

Rick Nyman,

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
Bradley County, Cleveland, Education, Golden Apple Award, Local News

Golden Apple Award: Sonjia Norman, Blythe Bower Elementary School

Andrew Harrison,

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…

Videocapture 20221122 161919
Featured, Local News

Local savings for your Thanksgiving feast

WDEF News,

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 Beat Kennesaw State
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

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

Rick Nyman,

(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…

Eastridgeprotest
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Attorney Robin Flores speaks on Budgetel Inn eviction

Flores set to defend Vietnam veteran who was displaced from property
WDEF News,

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…
East Ridge, Featured, Local News

Georgia, Tennessee officials host car seat check event

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

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…

Whats Right 1280x720 1
Education, Local News, Ringgold, What's Right With Our Schools

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

Andrew Harrison,

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…
Featured, Local News

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

WDEF News,

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…

Img 1269
Entertainment, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Native to Perform at Opry on Sunday

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga native and country music singer Conner Smith has a big show at the Opry this weekend. He’s joining other up and coming artists at the historic venue Sunday night to represent the Opry’s NextStage Class of 2022. Smith still calls himself a Chattanooga native, even though he moved from the Scenic City to Nashville when…

Cfdtrench
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Fire Department Conducts Trench Rescue Training

Nick Hill,

SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF)-  The Chattanooga Fire Department along with other agencies are holding trench rescue drills. This drill was being held at Old McDonald Farm in Sale Creek. The drill allows first responders to simulate saving a victim who is engulfed by a trench collapse, a simulation that can help save lives in an emergency. It’s a very dangerous…

Wamptaylor
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Mayor Wamp Agrees to County Commission Resolution on Taylor

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new chapter in the saga over whether or not Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp can fire County Attorney Rheubin Taylor occurred this afternoon. The discussion was tense over whether Mayor Wamp would be compliant with a resolution passed by the Commission. Wamp opened his comments by saying, “We’re all here today, because by surprise on Wednesday,…

Grateful
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: The Grateful meal

Dave covers the outdoor community Thanksgiving meal called "Grateful"
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s a big crowd gathered on the street. In front of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center in downtown Chattanooga. An entire block “blocked off.” Two long tables. One for loading up food on your plate. The other for a sit down meal. An early Thanksgiving meal. For two hours, folks could eat for free. Anybody who so…

Traffic Study00000032
Featured, Regional News

Could your cruise control someday ease traffic jams?

World's largest traffic experiment going on this week on I 24 in Nashville
Collins Parker,

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – If you are driving on I-24 in Nashville this week, you could be a part of the largest traffic experiment in the world. Vanderbilt, the University of California, Berkeley, TDOT and Nissan North America are teaming up to make it happen. The goal is to get data on how to ease traffic jams. For five days,…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: How to Dodge Holiday Texting Scams

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Many of us might be taking some time off over the holidays, but scammers aren’t. 28 percent of Americans were victims to texting scams over the holidays last year. And Norton Security found nearly a third of people they surveyed in 2021 were scammed in some manner, losing an average of nearly $400. You don’t want…