Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Back to School: The Public Education Foundation places future teachers in disadvantaged schools

WDEF News,

The Public Education Foundation (PEF) in Chattanooga is placing future teachers in our economically disadvantaged schools.  On this first day back to school, the program ‘Project Inspire’ is placing future teachers in our schools that typically have a low teacher retention rate. The program offers individuals who already have a Bachelor’s Degree an alternative way of getting teaching credentials.  Erica…

Erlanger
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Health, Local News

Erlanger Privatization to be Complete in 2024

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Hamilton County is moving ahead with the plan to transition Erlanger Medical Center from a public entity to a private non-profit. The move has been in the works for Several Months, and, according to Mayor Jim Coppinger, is intended to make Erlanger a more competitive hospital. “Erlanger Hospital is about a two billion dollar economy in Hamilton…

Vision Of Mercy Photo
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: Vision of Mercy

Dave learns the story behind the Vision of Mercy organization
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga native Diane Moore founded “Vision of Mercy” back in May of last year. With a goal of providing non-perishable food bags and other services to the homeless. The organization provides some 100 food bags at least once a month. At different locations. The food bags contain canned meats and canned vegetables. According to Moore, that’s what…

Food Truck Fridays
Chattanooga, Local News

Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga Hosts Food Truck Fridays

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Non-profit “LAUNCH” has teamed up with the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union to host Food Truck Fridays at the Kitchen Incubator of Chattanooga. The Kitchen Incubator is a startup facility in Eastlake that helps caterers, bakers, and other food service entrepreneurs by providing them with access to affordable spaces and quality equipment. Anyone is welcome to attend…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga City Council approves South Broad development

Site will serve as home of new Lookouts stadium projected to open in 2025
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — If you build it, they will come. After decades of discussion, the Chattanooga City Council voted Tuesday night on a resolution to approve both the proposed South Broad development and the new Chattanooga Lookouts ballpark. Chattanooga’s South Broad District, which has been called an “eyesore” by numerous residents and local politicians, is set to become the next…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Stair Climbing

Dave shows us the sport of stair climbing or "Tower Running"
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “Climbing stairs is you versus the clock. It’s you versus you……” And Troy Alston can run the stairs alright. Better than just about anybody in the world. Because you see, Troy is a professional stair runner. Yes, it is a sport. Not an Olympic sport. But a sport. Officially called Tower Running. Contestants race up the stairs…

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Education, Featured, Local News, Marion County

Marion Co. parents call on school board to address racial harassment

WDEF News,

Two Marion County mothers are going public with the lack of support they have received from the school district after their black children have been continuously harassed at Jasper Middle School.  “It’s getting to our Jasper, middle school is going to be an all white school, because they’re not protecting our children,” said Samantha Robinson. Robinson has a daughter at…

Mom To Mom Paint Drip Flower Pots
Mom To Mom

Mom to Mom – Paint Drip Flower Pots

WDEF News,

We are making paint drip flower pots, which is a super fun activity for your kids to do over the summer. And they make really cool gifts as well. So if you have a birthday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparents Day, these are awesome. All you need are these flower pots, which you can get at any store, or you…

Chattanooga Swim School ‘survival Week’
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga Swim School ‘Survival Week’

WDEF News,

A new swim school in Chattanooga is teaching kids how to survive unexpected plunges into deep waters for their “Survival Week” training.The British Swim School encourages students to wear additional clothing on top of their swim suits so that they can become familiar with how to deal with a water emergency. Brooke Bernhardt is the school’s aquatics instructor. She said…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County

Hamilton County short nearly 40 teachers ahead of School beginning this week.

WDEF News,

School is back in session this week, but how prepared is Hamilton County despite a nationwide teacher shortage? Well, Penny Murray the Hamilton County Department of Education’s Chief Talent Officer, said Hamilton County is doing better than most of the state. In Tennessee we currently have around 1,000 teacher openings to fill before classes resume, according to the Professional Educators…

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Catoosa County, Chattanooga, Education, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Catoosa County Students Learning with TN Aquarium

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – The written word takes on a whole new meaning when you can actually reach out and touch your subject matter. Students in Catoosa County earned new respect their local library thanks to a hands-on program with the Tennessee Aquarium. Shannon Neal is the Youth and Outreach Coordinator for the Catoosa County Library. She explains, “We have…

Rower
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Rowing

Dave meets a McCallie graduate who wants to make the Olympic Team
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – 7AM on a Saturday morning at the McCallie boathouse. Right next to the Tennessee River. Richmond Coney is home for a few days. But hard at work. Getting ready for his senior year at Drexel University. A private school in Philadelphia. Coney, a former McCallie rower, is a scholarship rower with the Drexel Dragons. But hard work is…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Disney Introduces New MagicBand Features

Emily Cassulo,

ORLANDO, Fla. (WDEF) — If you’re planning a trip to Disney soon, the company has added some more tech to make your experience even more magical. It’s part of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration. The My Disney Experience smartphone app isn’t the only tech you can take advantage of at the theme parks. MagicBand+ actually pairs with the…

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Entertainment, Featured, Local News, Regional News

New attraction coming to Dollywood plus a behind the scenes looks at Dolly’s tour bus where you can now stay

Brian Armstrong,

SEVIERVILLE. Tennessee (WDEF)- A new family coaster is coming to Dollywood. Big Bear Mountain will be a $25 million expansion. It’s nearly 4,000 ft long and is the longest roller coaster at the park. It will have a Top speed of 48 MPH and 3 launches. Everything we do a Dollywood is about families as Dolly said it today its…
Catoosa County, Chattanooga, Dade County, Featured, Grundy County, Hamilton County, Local News, Marion County, Meigs County, Murray County, Polk County, Rhea County, Walker County

As school begins across the area, say goodbye to the free meal program for all students

USDA food waiver at schools ended July 1st; pre-pandemic rules return at many schools in the area
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Expect a major change at elementary, middle and high schools in the cafeteria. Every family qualified for the free meal program at schools the last two years because of the pandemic. Not so any more. The Department of Agriculture’s food waivers at schools ended July 1st. Several schools in Hamilton County will still offer free meals to…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Back To School Bashes help thousands of families across Hamilton County

The school district, as well as private citizens, give of their time and money to help give students a head start to Wednesday's first day of school
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – This is the final weekend before school starts in Tennessee. Several groups, including the Hamilton County School District, wanted to get students and parents ready for what’s to come next Wednesday. The district held its Back To School Bash at the First Horizon Pavilion this morning. Thousands of families showed up to get free backpacks and supplies…