Volkswagen opens new EV battery lab in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Volkswagen opened a new EV battery engineering lab in Chattanooga on Wednesday. The 32,000 square foot lab will be used to test and develop parts for all electric vehicles the company will make for the U.S. market. It is right next to the VW assembly plant. Top Volkswagen Group of America officials joined state lawmakers and local…

Ham Co school superintendent, County Commissioner say SROs are not enough to keep kids safe in schools

Dr. Justin Robertson says SROs are only a part of what is needed for safety in schools

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Safety in Hamilton County schools are continually being discussed by people in the community. This morning, it was the Hamilton County Commission’s turn to ask what is going to be enough. The mass shootings that happened in Chattanooga the last two weekends put all of the city and county’s leadership on high alert. Not just about what’s…

Juvenile Court Judges Weighs in on Youth Violence

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Last Friday, a 15 year old was arrested for the shooting that happened two weeks ago on Walnut Street. In the gang-related shooting that happened last weekend on McCallie Avenue, the youngest victim was 16. According to Juvenile Court Judge Robert Philyaw, offences involving juveniles have increased recently. “The real alarming thing, the thing that concerns us…

More To The Story: The Boulevard Project

Dave meets the people who have a plan to improve Rossville and Rossville Boulevard

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) –  The Boulevard Project is a grassroots organization. It’s goal is to improve the Rossville Boulevard corridor. How to accomplish that? Improve food access, improve safety, increase transportation and add businesses to the area. This long street has been somewhat of a desert for quite some time. The Boulevard Project, along with the Rossville Downtown Development Authority,…

Chattanooga Police Chief addresses city council over latest shooting

Several residents additionally express gun violence concerns to council members

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy first expressed her condolences to the families of the incident tonight when addressing all in attendance at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. While she says there still isn’t enough evidence to prosecute anyone yet, she wanted to reassure that CPD is doing all it can to find who’s responsible. In response to…

Chattanooga Lookouts Byrd Tenerowicz Became a Fan Favorite

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga Lookouts fan favorite Byrd Tenerowicz has flown the coop. Byrd was called up to the Reds Triple-A team in Louisville Tuesday. His hot bat earned the promotion, and his style of play earned the adulation of Lookouts fans. So how did Robbie Tenerowicz become Byrd Tenerowicz. Well it involves and a buddy and beverages. Said Tenerowicz:”He started calling…

Chattanooga State breaks ground on Tennessee College of Applied Technology facility

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga State Community College broke ground today on a building that has been two years in the making. School officials thanked many of the politicians in attendance for helping make the new Tennessee College of Applied Technology facility become a reality. The building costs almost 22 million dollars, and will be the workforce training facility that helps…

Today’s developments in Chattanooga shootings

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The city continues to get a grasp on the gun violence plaguing Chattanooga over the last few weekends. On Tuesday, officials confirm to us that Chattanooga Police now consider the McCallie Avenue shooting to be “gang-related.” But they do NOT think it was “gang-motivated.” What’s the difference? Gang members shooting other people for more personal reasons. Chief…

Accelerating Tennessee Bus Tour arrives in Ooltewah

Tour promotes recently passed TISA Act signed by Gov. Bill Lee

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — TISA, or the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act, was signed by Gov. Bill Lee just over a month ago. The Accelerating Tennessee Bus Tour made a pit stop in Ooltewah to discuss the new state legislation that will invest a recurring one billion dollars into K-12 public education. Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn believes TISA funds…

TECH BYTE: Use Tech to Keep Teen Drivers Safe

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Memorial Day recently kicked off the unofficial start of summer, and the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. Crash report data from AAA found that more than 30 percent of deaths involving teen drivers nationwide happened between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If that doesn’t get your attention, 16-to 17-year-olds are also three times more likely…

EMPACT Program Awards IT Certifications to Nine Graduates

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “There is one word that comes to mind, for me, when I think about the Google IT certification program and this class, and that word is transformation,” said Dr. Rebecca Ashford, President of Chattanooga State Community College. Monday, nine people graduated from the City of Chattanooga’s EMPACT Google IT program, which provides successful students with a credential…

Community response to South Pittsburg crash that killed 4 football players

grief counseling, fundraisers for the families

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tennessee (WDEF) – The healing is only beginning in the South Pittsburg community after four young men died in a crash over the weekend. All five victims in the vehicle were football players, between the ages of 16-22. Four were killed and the fifth is in critical condition. The community is coping the best they can: — South…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Middle Valley Elementary E-Lab

Hixson, TN (WDEF) – A strong background in Computer Science is essential as our world becomes more tech driven. Hamilton County is a global leader in training the coders of tomorrow. Are you not sure what coding is? Students at Middle Valley Elementary can explain. Allyson DeYounng is the Principal at Middle Valley. She explains, “This is a part of…

Benches clear in Lookouts late loss to Trash Pandas

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Lookouts were swept in a chippy doubleheader with the Rocket City Trash Pandas Saturday. Benches cleared in a sixth inning shouting match after pitcher Coleman Crow struck out Lookouts’ Francisco Urbaez to end the inning. Chattanooga led the game until that sixth inning. The Trash Pandas scored four unanswered runs in the last two…

Lookouts Hold Rocket City to Two Hits in Winning 10-1

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Lookouts scored eight runs after the sixth inning in their 10-1 win over the First Place Rocket City Trash Pandas. Along with their strong offensive showing later in the game the Lookouts pitching staff delivered a dominant performance. Led by starting pitcher Brandon Williamson, the Lookouts only allowed one run on two hits. Williamson’s only blemish of…

Dale Pruitt Steps Down as Marion Co Football Coach

There will be a changing of the guard for Marion County football. Veteran coach Dale Pruittis leaving the Warriors in order to return to his high school alma mater at Plainview high in Alabama. Pruitt coached Marion County the last two years, posting a 16-6 record. It was his second stint as the Warriors head coach. Pruitt of course is…

Chad Barger Named East Ridge Head Football Coach

East Ridge did not have to go far to find their new head football coach. They named assistant Chad Barger as their new sideline boss. He replaces Tim James, who announced he was leaving this week. Barger was the Pioneers offensive coordinator the last three years. He was previously a head coach at four different schools, including Coahulla Creek and…

Tennessee Shows What Future Renovations Will Look Like at Lindsey Nelson Stadium

With Tennessee is hosting the NCAA baseball regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, and the University decided to release sketches of what the upcoming renovations will look like at the Vols home park. More seating and more suites are on the way along with plenty of other amenities. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UT Vols Tags: Baseball, College…

Riverbend rocks Chattanooga on opening night

39th Riverbend Festival is the first held by city since 2019

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — After a two-year hiatus, Riverbend finally returned to downtown Chattanooga. The festivities began early when Hollywood icon Leslie Jordan was welcomed home as the festival’s honorary host. “I’m so honored and I want to thank each and every one of you for this,” Jordan said. “It’s just wonderful. Thank you.” Due to the recent trend of mass…