Loves Arm
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Love’s Arm

Dave meets the woman who founded the organization dedicated to survivors of human trafficking
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – The organization “Love’s Arm” has helped people since its inception back in 2005. It does all it can to meet the needs of survivors of human trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Offering all types of services. It was founded by Mimi Nikkel, herself a survivor of human trafficking. Nikkel says she’s somewhat amazed, and certainly gratified, as…

Hixson Weightlifter Olivia Reeves Dominates At U.s. Junior Nationals
Sports - Local Sports News

Hixson Weightlifter Olivia Reeves Enjoys Dominating Performance at U.S. Junior Nationals

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Hixson weightlifter Olivia Reeves is back home after a dominating performance at the U-S Junior Nationals two weeks ago. The 19-year-old blew away the competition making her a legitimate contender for the Olympics in two years. When Olivia Reeves arrived at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas, just her presence alone, carried a lot of weight. Said her coach Steve…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga City Council hears presentation on Southside development proposal

Project developer has history with Atlanta's Ponce City Market, other landmarks
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The announcement behind the development of the former U.S. Pipe site and Wheland Foundry has sparked both excitement and controversy here in the Scenic City. Tonight, that very topic was discussed in front of Chattanooga’s City Council. The task of development on the Southside project has been handed to Jim Irwin of New City Properties. He, alongside…

Crowder Interview 1
Entertainment, Featured, Local News

Crowder to Perform at the Caverns

Emily Cassulo,

PELHAM, Tenn. (WDEF) — GRAMMY award nominated Christian music artist Crowder is returning to the Caverns later this month. He’ll be performing at the venue’s outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, July 23. Crowder talked to News 12 about his upcoming show. This is his third time playing at the scenic venue. His first show in 2019 was inside of the cave….
Featured, Local News

Commissioner Tim Boyd Proposes Alternative Financing Plan for South Broad Stadium

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Many Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials are confident in their plan to finance the South Broad Lookouts Stadium project, which would require bond payments of one point five million dollars from the county and the city. “We feel confident that we have prepared a pretty conservative outlook of the amount of investment that would be required in…

Mentz
Featured, Sports - Local Sports News

Rafa Mentzingen lives up to the name ‘Quad-Father’

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- “But I’ve seen two Christmas hams that big,” said Jimmy Obleda. Rafa Mentzingen massive quads have taken over social media He puts a picture of his quads and he gets 1 million likes. Rafa’s thigh game extends into the pitch as well. “It makes you more explosive like acceleration, speed, stuff like that. It definitely helps,” said…

Chattanooga Fire Boats
Featured, Local News

Man in sinking kayak rescued from Tennessee River

Collins Parker,

( “This was our first rescue using our newly acquired fireboats. The two boats are to protect citizens and visitors on the water and today, the boat that was used in the response was a life-saving asset.”) CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A kayaker was rescued from the Tennessee river this afternoon. And he can probably thank a driver on the Chickamauga…

Wheland Project
Featured, Local News

Weston Wamp issues poll on Stadium Funding

Mayor Coppinger calls poll a "desperate attempt"
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Weston Wamp campaign has released a poll suggesting that the majority of Hamilton County voters are opposed to using taxpayer money to fund a new Lookouts Stadium on South Broad. The poll was conducted by Spry Strategies, and surveyed four hundred and six Hamilton county residents. Thirty four point seven percent of respondents say they strongly…
Collegedale, Featured, Local News

Collegedale residents speak out against land rezoning

WDEF News,

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Collegedale Planning Commission is looking to potentially rezone land for a new development of a few hundred homes. Seemingly all of Collegedale appeared at City Hall tonight and sent a clear message — they’re not interested. The commission voted unanimously, 7-0, to defer the zoning request and PUD pending completion of a traffic study and…

Merchandise Sales Become Big Deal For Chattanooga Lookouts
Sports - Local Sports News

Merchandise Sales Prove a Big Hit For Chattanooga Lookouts

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Merchandise sales are a staple for minor league baseball teams like the Chattanooga Lookouts, but it wasn’t always the case. Now it’s big business for the Lookouts, who will sell just about anything. Minor league baseball gift shops didn’t always look like this. Just ask Lookouts general manager Rich Mozingo. Said Mozingo:”My first job in minor league baseball was…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Whitfield County

BA.5 COVID-19 variant is the new dominant strain in the local area

BA.5 represents 53.6% of new cases nationwide; 54% in Georgia and the Southeast region
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – There is a new dominant strain of the COVID-19 virus in town. It’s called the B-A-5 variant. The transmission level of the B-A-5 variant in Hamilton County is high, according to the C-D-C. It’s the only county in our viewing area with that designation. Remember when Omicron started? Its transmission was far beyond Delta. B-A-5 is that…

Wrwos: Ben Carson Reading Room
Catoosa County, Education, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Battlefield Elementary Ben Carson Reading Room

Andrew Harrison,

FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Young scholars have a great place turn a few pages at Battlefield Elementary School. The Ben Carson Reading Room is now open. Candy Carson is a Co-Founder for the Carson Scholars Fund. She explains, “Actually we started back in 2000 with these reading rooms, because our board of Carson Scholars Fund decided they wanted to…

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Featured, Local News

Man injured in Taco Bell Parking lot shootout

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Police say one man was shot after a fight at a Taco Bell on Rossville Boulevard. It happened early this afternoon. No word on why the fight started, but one officer told News 12 the fight was outside the restaurant and two men started shooting at each other. The person shot was reportedly transported to a local hospital…

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Featured, Local News

More To The Story with Staley: 60 years of marriage

Collins Parker,

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tennessee (WDEF) – We’re up on Signal Mountain. In front of the town’s fire department. Sandra and Stacey Seals are flipping through some old pictures. Actually, a lifetime of photos. Six decades to be exact. Because you see, a little over a month ago, Sandra and Stacey celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. 60th. Not many couples can say that….

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you’ve ever wanted to try out Amazon Prime, there’s no time like the present. Amazon Prime Days may not be until July 12 through 13, but Prime members can already take advantage of some pretty good deals. If you love listening to music while you’re getting ready in the morning, you might want to check…

Soddy Daisy Coach Kelsey Nunley Moore Going Into University Of Kentucky Hall Of Fame
Sports - Local Sports News

Soddy Daisy Coach Kelsey Nunley-Moore Going Into University of Kentucky Hall of Fame

Rick Nyman,

Soddy Daisy softball coach Kelsey Nunley Moore. She has been voted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame. She’ll be inducted this November. Nunley Moore still holds several Kentucky pitching career records including innings pitched, wins, saves, and ERA. In 2014, Nunley Moore helped Kentucky reach the College World Series. And in 2016, she was the SEC pitcher of…

Juan Galindrez Becomes Red Wolves All Time Leading Scorer
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - Soccer

Juan Galindrez Becomes Red Wolves All Time Leading Goal Scorer

Rick Nyman,

East Ridge, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Red Wolves are midway through their season and already have a new club record holder. News 12’s Angela Moryan has the story. Angie: “What has he provided the club over the years that has been unmatched from any other player?” Jimmy Obleda: “Goals – plain and simple.” Juan Galindrez has earned his nickname GaliGol. He’s…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

HamCo schools superintendent thanks teachers in a letter for two reasons

The second reason has to do with controversial statements made by a leading educator with Gov. Bill Lee in attendance, and Lee never stood up for teachers
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County’s teachers got a letter of support from the school superintendent today, but there were two reasons why Dr. Justin Robertson wrote that letter. At the end of every school year, most school superintendents write a letter of appreciation to their educators. Dr. Justin Robertson is no different in this case. Today’s letter had one more…
Chattanooga, Local News

Mayor Kelly announces American Rescue Plan spending

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Mayor Tim Kelly has announced how he wants to spend federal American Rescue Plan funds. Chattanooga is getting $30 million. Mayor Kelly wants to use it to invest in 36 local initiatives that he ways should spur economic growth and close gaps in public health and education. Here is his breakdown: ● $5.8M to increase availability of…

Reach One Teach One
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: Back To School Bash

Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s “Summer Camp” time for the local non-profit “Reach One Teach One.” Third annual. Kids gathering at Calvary Church on Bonny Oaks Drive in Chattanooga. Learning some of the basic skills they’ll need to go through life. Reggie Yearby is in charge of it all. He founded this non-profit five years ago. It’s designed to help our…

Patrick Core 25 Years Ago
Featured, Local News

Paying Tribute to Patrick Core’s Weather Career

He retires from WDEF TV after 32 years on the air
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chief Meteorologist Patrick Core is retiring after a 32+ year career at WDEF-TV. After working at the Weather Channel for a few years, Patrick started his local TV weatherman run in 1989, working mornings and weekends. He didn’t think it would be a lifetime choice, but Patrick would end up raising his family in the Chattanooga area,…

Alexis Lewis
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Preliminary hearing for suspected shooter in McCallie Avenue shooting bound for grand jury

Judge Lila Statom said in court "It's clear to me from watching that that this could be not seen as anything other than gangs"
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – One of the accused shooters in the shooting along McCallie Avenue a month ago was in court today. Alexis Lewis was the second of three people arrested in connection with the shooting along McCallie Avenue. Videos from the early morning of June 5th were played, and Judge Lila Statom was flabbergasted at what she saw. “It’s clear…