County Commission approves $2M in funding for Tivoli restoration

The Hamilton County Commission just approved 2 million dollars of public funding to go towards the upcoming Tivoli restoration. This project will close the landmarks doors for at least two years “When you’re dealing with historic buildings like this, the costs are really unique. They’re landmark treasures,” said Wilkinson. “It’s a pretty interesting set of circumstances you have to deal…

Chattanooga residents ready for sales tax holidays

Tennesseans could save up to 10 percent on some purchases

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Inflation continues to make budgets challenging for Americans all throughout the country. But here in Tennesee, residents of the Volunteer State will soon be enjoying a much-needed “holiday” to help a little at home. Residents are currently enjoying a sales tax holiday on gun safes and safety equipment that will run through the end of June 2023….

EPA to grant $4.9 million toward the cleanup of contaminated sites in Chattanooga

One of the priority areas for the money is the Wheland Foundry site, where the city plans to build the new stadium for the Lookouts

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Environmental Protection Agency announced almost five million dollars is coming to Chattanooga to help the city clean up contamination. Back in mid-March, News 12 did a story about the city looking for $21 million to help start the cleanup of the old Wheland Foundry site to build new green spaces for a new stadium for the…

More To The Story with Staley: Crimeaholics

Dave meets a local woman who is part of the team for a True Crime podcast

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – 29 year old Kenzi Durbin lives here in Chattanooga. Two and a half years ago, she and her good friend Holly Allen started a podcast. Calling it “Crimeaholics.” The two always had an interest in true crime. Purely fun. It was a hobby. Not anymore. It’s now a passion. And a full-time job. Investigating unsolved murders. Advocating for…

Long Time CSAS Coach Mark Dragoo Announces His Retirement

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Long time CSAS basketball coach Mark Dragoo announced his retirement this summer. He arrived at CSAS in 1989, helping kick-start the school’s varsity sports programs. Now Dragoo just wants to kick-back on his own schedule. Mark Dragoo may have thought his CSAS coaching career was going to end before it even got started. Said Dragoo:”The principal was new, and…

Local pro-life nonprofit offers help to pregnant women following SCOTUS Roe v. Wade decision

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – It has been just shy of two weeks since the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade and local Non-profit Foundation House Ministries is preparing for an influx of calls. The nonprofit offers several alternatives to abortion. The Foundation House is the only maternity home in the region that provides financial, emotional, and physical support to pregnant…

Chattanooga Enters 10-Month Initiative to Assess Blighted Properties

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga is one of six cities across the US to have been selected to participate in the Putting Assets to Work Incubator. The program is an initiative to assess underused properties and retool them for the economic benefit of the community. Examples of potential assets include blighted buildings and vacant parking lots. “Those are often times, right…

Veteran flies American flag while skydiving to honor Military and Veterans this 4th of July

JASPER, Tennessee (WDEF)- “These jumps make me excited to be out here, even after 10,000 jumps. These are the jumps I look forward to, when I can go out and do something for someone else and today is that day,” said Jenkins. Michael Jenkins served in the Army and is now a skydiver at the Chattanooga Skydiving Company. He has…

TECH BYTE: Sony Announces New PC Gaming Gear

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Gamers, rejoice! Sony is out with new gear that’ll take your computer gaming experience to the next level. If you’re looking to upgrade your current gaming system, Sony’s announcing its newest gear brand for PC gamers. The electronics company says INZONE “sharpens the senses, and enhances gaming ability.” They’re not your average computer monitors. They produce…

Chattanooga FC get back in win column

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — After two straight draws, the Chattanooga Football Club is back in the win column with a chippy 2-1 victory over AC Syracuse Saturday. Next up, CFC travels to Flower City Union Saturday, July 16 at 6 p.m. **Video provided by Madonna Kemp Categories: Sports, Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – Soccer Tags: AC Syracuse, Chattanooga…

Lady Red Wolves squeak out win to earn top table spot

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves beat the Southern Soccer Academy 3-2 Saturday in the Wolf Pack’s last regular season home match of the year. With the three points, Chattanooga moves to the top of the USL W League standings. I don't know, y'all. This is pretty fancy. Maybe #SCTop10 fancy?! @ladyredwolves Mackenzie Smith (also of @GoMocsSoccer)…

More To The Story with Staley: Making Knives

FLINTSTONE, Georgia (WDEF) – “I figured out I’m good at this. Or I can BE good at it.” He’s good at it all right! History indicates such! For Michael Prater is really good at making knives. Specifically, making knife handles. With uniqueness and creativity. Prater started crafting and selling knives back in the 1980’s. Moving into this relatively small shop…

Hooked On Science – Launch a Canister Into the Sky

SCIENCE SAFETY PLEASE follow these safety precautions when doing any science experiment. • ALWAYS have an adult present. • ALWAYS wear the correct safety gear while doing any experiment. • NEVER eat or drink anything while doing any experiment. • REMEMBER experiments may require marbles, small balls, balloons, and other small parts. Those objects could become a CHOKING HAZARD. Adults…

Chattanooga church hosts pro-life prayer event

Event personnel say prayer necessary for nation to heal following Roe v. Wade reversal

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — It’s been nearly a week since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which has sparked protests and anger throughout the nation. But it’s also sparked joy and prayer. Prayer filled the halls tonight at Calvary Chapel in Chattanooga. While there have been numerous protests both locally and nationwide since last Friday, tonight, members of the community came…

Lookouts changes: From stadium to roster

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Lookouts finally have a plan for their new home. The team announced the new South Broad project Thursday morning, which is all centered around the stadium. The new facility comes in the wake of Major League Baseball’s threat to strip the Lookouts of their minor league affiliation. Lookouts owner Jason Freier says the club…

From The Archives: 1988 Vakhtang Jordania’s tribute to freedom

The Pops in the Park concert was special for the CSO conductor after his escape from Russia

CHICKAMAUGA, Georgia (WDEF) – The Pops On The River concert returns to Coolidge Park on Saturday after missing a couple of years due to the pandemic. The music begins at 5:30 in the park, with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra taking center state at 8PM. Their show concludes with the traditional fireworks display on the river. The CSO Pops shows have…

Most of New Lookouts Stadium to be funded with Tax Increment Financing

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga and Hamilton County are moving ahead with the plan to construct a new baseball stadium for the Chattanooga Lookouts off of South Broad Street. “This is not about the stadium. This is about the 120 acres around the stadium, and the lift in public tax revenues that will be created with the anchor development, the catalytic…

Official plans announced for new Lookouts stadium and South Broad development

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -Chattanooga and Hamilton County are joining forces to develop over 100 acres of the dilapidated U.S. Pipe and Wheland Foundry sites. The vision is to turn the long neglected site into a live-work-play environment with the new Chattanooga Lookouts stadium posing as the catalyst for the development. Master developer Jim Irwin is leading the project, he said his…

Chattanooga residents respond to new stadium announcement

Mayor Jim Coppinger confirms former U.S. pipe site property will be site of new park, businesses

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger announced Wednesday that on Thursday, June 30 at 11 a.m., a press conference will be held regarding the future of the Wheland Foundry and old U.S. pipe site property. He said over 100 acres will be developed for new office spaces, restaurants, retail stores and a new ballpark for both Chattanoogans and…

Self-made millionaire Darrell S. Freeman, Sr. dies at 57

He grew up in Chattanooga and donated to several local causes

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Darrell S. Freeman, Sr. readily admitted that he spent most of his life getting money. So he wanted to spend the rest of it giving back. The self-made millionaire died Tuesday at the age of 57. He was both a mentor and a benefactor for black entrepreneurs based on the power of his personal story. The…

New Stadium Plan will be revealed tomorrow

"I'm a little bit miffed at people that say they didn't know anything about this"

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – County Mayor Jim Coppinger ended today’s Commission meeting with a bang. He revealed a major announcement that is coming on Thursday and it’s a big one. Leaders will announce plans for a new development at the U.S. Pipe/Wheland Foundry site that will include a new stadium for the Chattanooga Lookouts. It’s not just another downtown development deal….