Preparations Underway for Kane Brown Show

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The team for Tennessee Valley native and country music star Kane Brown has been working around the clock, preparing for his concert at Finley Stadium this Saturday night. Kane’s tour manager Mark Oglesby tells News 12 they’ve been out here since Monday, setting up the stage and all of their equipment. 12 semi trucks had to…

From The Archives: 1992 reaction to the Rodney King beating verdict

Story from 4/29/1992

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Police arrests caught on video are all over the news these days. But controversial arrests are nothing new. Thirty years ago, the most infamous case of all played out in Los Angeles. It started with video of police beating Rodney King during an arrest. It ended with the L-A riots. Here is what Chattanoogans thought when the verdict…

Fed largest increase in interest rates leads to stock market roller coaster as economy tightens

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Fed has raised interest rates again this year. This time by half a percentage point. This follows The Fed’s decision to raise its rates. In March they increased rates by a quarter percentage point. “Things are getting more expensive. Supply chains are out of whack causing inflation to be much higher than it has in several…

National Day of Prayer: Catoosa County Observation

Crowd gathers to recognize the National Day of Prayer on the courthouse lawn

In observance of the National Day of Prayer, a crowd joined together on the front lawn of the Catoosa County Courthouse. Thursday afternoon, the southern gospel group the Hullanders performed and hosted the event. This is an annual tradition put on by the Catoosa County Baptist Association (CBA). Daniel Hyde is with the CBA, he said he believes in the…

Chattanooga artists gather together at Storytelling Spaces event

Three-day event will showcase local stories through local art

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Miller Plaza was just stop number one for Storytelling Spaces, which features several Chattanooga artists — all of whom received grants facilitated through The Enterprise Center. Everything from photography to canvas art to puppetry was showcased, but behind each art lies a story to be heard. “Whether its homelessness or the power of words and why they’re important,…

WACKER celebrates International Firefighters Day

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — May 4 is celebrated globally as International Firefighters’ Day. WACKER in Charleston, Tennessee, has firefighters of their own on standby in case of an emergency at the pyrogenic-silica plant. The plant’s fire chief says the company honors its firefighters globally because the company has “several other fire departments in Europe.” It’s also very important for us…

Bledsoe Co Softball Finishes Regular Season With Sizzling 25-1 Record

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Bledose County softball team barely finished over five-hundred last year. And now this year, they’re almost unbeatable. The Warriors just completed the regular season with a 25-1 record. Reporter”When you say 25-1, does that. Do you kind of.” Said pitcher Ella Baker:”It turns heads that’s for sure.” (laughter) Reporter:”Does that stun you to hear that kind of record?”…

The history and future of abortion in our area

If the Supreme Court strikes down Roe V Wade, most abortions will automatically become illegal 13 days later in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Tennessee is one of 13 states that already have triggering laws on the books, that kick in once Roe V. Wade is struck down.  The legal battle didn’t end in our state when the Supreme Court ruled in 1973. 6232 Vance was once the home of Chattanooga’s last abortion clinic. Now, it’s a memorial to the unborn….

Here is what several schools are going to do with their TVA STEM grants

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) – The TVA, EPB and Bicentennial Volunteers Incorporated are giving money back to the schools. They have aswarded $36,000 in STEM grants to 11 schools in the Chattanooga area. “TVA is committed to supporting STEM education to help develop today’s students into tomorrow’s engineers, scientists and IT professionals,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and…

Commissioner Tim Boyd is happy that Coty Wamp won

She defeated Boyd's political nemesis, Neal Pinkston

HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) – Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd didn’t hide his happiness with the outcome of the District Attorney Race. Boyd has constantly hounded District Attorney Neal Pinkston over hiring both his wife and his brother-in-law in his office and how it violated state rules. So when commissioners congratulated both the winners and losers in yesterday’s elections, Boyd told…

Election Recap: Wamps Win Nominations for Mayor, District Attorney

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Last night, siblings Weston and Coty Wamp won the republican primaries for Hamilton County Mayor and District Attorney. The Mayor’s Race was tense, with Wamp and runner-up Sabrena Smedley finishing only 321 votes apart. “I felt like I was winning out talking to voters, earlier today. I thought I was losing when I saw those early voting…

More To The Story: The WeinerMobile

Beware: much hot dot punnery ahead!

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – I’m in Cleveland folks, and I’m trying to figure out what that contraption is way up yonder? Wait a minute, how could I’ve been so “out to lunch?” Of course, it’s the wienermobile. Oscar Mayer has been using this 14-thousand pound bad boy since 1936. In case you’re counting, this is the 12th variation of the original…

McMinn Co’s Bryce Goodner Transferring to UTC

Former McMinn County offensive lineman Bryce Goodner is coming home. He announced on social media that he is transferring to UTC. Goodner signed with Virginia Tech out of high school, but he decided to leave the Hokies after red shirting last year. Goodner will have four years of eligibility at Chattanooga. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Bryce Goodner,…

Coty Wamp cruises to upset over District Attorney Neal Pinkston

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The result may not surprise many, but the margin was impressive. Challenger Coty Wamp easily defeated sitting District Attorney General Neal Pinkston for the Republican nomination on Tuesday. She more than doubled his vote total. Coty Wamp 27925 Neal Pinkston 11388 She moves on to face Democrat John Allen Brooks in November. The Pinkston campaign was dogged…

Weston Wamp narrowly wins Republican nod for Hamilton County Mayor

Smedley: "God will choose the next chapter in my life."

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Mayor’s race has been close all night on the Republican side. But after trailing Sabrina Smedley in the early going, Weston Wamp pulled ahead for a razor thin victory. The final, unofficial results are: Weston Wamp 14425 Sabrena D. Smedley 14104 Matt Hullander 12170 That’s just 321 votes between first and second. There is…

Matt Hullender concedes Mayor’s race

He has been trailing in third all night

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Matt Hullender issued this statement conceding the Hamilton County Mayor’s Primary race on Tuesday. Hullander said, “The voters spoke tonight and I am grateful for the opportunity the past few months have provided.  We stayed true to our promise of staying positive. We weren’t deterred by the attack ads, lies or skewed polling in the final days…

Family of sick LaFayette teenager asking for community assistance

19-year-old Georgian battling rare blood disorder, will receive bone marrow transplant

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) — Trinity Bell was always “full of energy” according to her family, dominating in sports like softball and soccer with Chattooga County High School before graduating. However, her contagious energy is now being spent fighting for her life. In 2019, Aaron Bell said his daughter went from being “active” to exhausted, bedridden and pale. After what he…

Baylor Softball Downs Silverdale 2-0

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor edged Silverdale 2-0 in girls softball on Monday at the Baylor School. Cadashia Collins 2 RBI double in the bottom of the first delivered all the runs on the day. The Red Raiders improved to 27-2 with the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baylor School, High School Softball, Silverdale Baptist Academy, Softball

Republican Mayoral Candidates Give their Thoughts on the Last Day of their Campaigns

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Tomorrow is election day for the Republican and Democratic Primaries. On the ballot will be four candidates for mayor. Matt Adams, a democrat, runs unopposed in his primary. But three Republican candidates will face off for the nomination. Matt Hullander emphasizes his business experience and clean approach to the race. “I want to bring leadership. I’ve managed…

More To The Story: Giving Ukrainians a safe haven

Dave meets the people behind the Cleveland mission bringing Ukrainians to East Tennessee

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – In just a matter of only a few weeks, Ukraine has become a war torn country. Thousands killed in the war. Thousands leaving the country. Looking for a safe haven. The Chattanooga area is quickly becoming one of those safe places. The group Providence Haven Mission is just one organization, stepping up and trying to do as…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Sequoyah High School Signing Day

Soddy Daisy, TN (WDEF) – Signing Day comes to Sequoyah High School!  25 seniors will be taking their skills to the next level. That is a very practical and solid example of what’s right with our schools. Amy Myhan is the Principal at Sequoyah. She says, “Signing day is an opportunity to honor the work that our students have done…