Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

TDOT celebrates National Work Zone Awareness Week

Department hopes to spread awareness of safety for work zone personnel to state's motorists
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — TDOT told us that there were 4,034 crashes in work zones throughout the state’s roads last year. In the past, numerous TDOT employees have been severely injured or killed due to distracted or negligent driving. This week, the state department is hoping to reach out to Tennessee drivers to reduce accidents and increase safety awareness. National Work…

Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

State senate passes bill to exclude transgender females from competing in athletics

SB2153 was amended to expand to collegiate athletics and intramurals
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The state senate is making things harder for transgender females to participate in college athletics. Two bills were passed yesterday, specifically because of a transgender swimmer’s win just a couple weeks ago. Lia Thomas’s historic win in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Swimming Championships in Atlanta a couple weeks ago set off a firestorm of controversy….
Featured, Jobs & Economy, Local News

Inflation Soars to 39-Year High

WDEF News,

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States’s inflation rate is eight point five percent higher than it was one year ago. “The eight point five percent increase in year over year prices is the highest rate of inflation in forty years,” said Financial Analyst Chris Hopkins. According to Hopkins, there are three primary reasons why this is…

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Chattanooga, Education, Golden Apple Award, Hamilton County, Local News

Golden Apple Award: Nikki Varnell, CSLA

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Being the new kid in school can be intimidating. Nikki Varnell is great at helping new students fit right in at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts. That’s just one of the qualities that earned Ms. Varnell the Golden Apple Award. Laurie Clifton is the School Counselor at CSLA. She says, “She (Varnell)  just supports every…
Chattanooga, East Ridge, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

We look back at the Easter Tornadoes that hit two years ago

Recovery: "it's challenging, it's a slow process"
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Today marks the two year anniversary of the tornadoes that came through the Tennessee Valley on Easter weekend. An EF-3 Tornado caused devastating damage to the East Brainerd community that is still recovering. “There was a loss of life and a large loss of property and it came at a really inopportune time because right in the…

Vehicle Arson Chamberlain Road
Catoosa County, Crime, Featured, Local News, Walker County

3 charged in auto break-ins that included burning one of them

Collins Parker,

LAFAYETTE, Georgia (WDEF) – Investigators charge three young men in north Georgia with vehicle break-ins and the arson of one of the vehicles.   The crime spree happened overnight between March 7th and 8th.   Authorities in Catoosa, Walker and Chickamauga investigated a series of auto burglaries that night.   One of the cars was found burning the next morning…

Consumer Prices
Hamilton County, Jobs & Economy, Local News, Ooltewah

Gas station owner says consumers will drive down prices even lower

Despite price gouging by oil companies
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine over a month ago, Americans have seen a substantial rise in gas prices. Drivers here in the Tennessee Valley are no exception. However, prices at area pumps have been on a downward trend. According to Triple A, the average cost per gallon in the state is $3.89. That’s nearly 24 cents…

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

What’s Right With Our Schools: Hamilton Sing

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Hamilton County is large, diverse and packed with humanity. Music has a way of blending all those elements together. Hamilton Sings is a melodious example of what’s right with our schools. Emma Mullins is a teaches music at Red Bank Elementary. She exclaims, “We’re back, and we are making music again together, and it’s wonderful. I…
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Sam Wolfe Explains the Connection between Rent Prices and Homelessness

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — In Chattanooga, the past several years have seen an increase in homelessness as well as an increase in the average price of rent. According to Homelessness and Supportive Housing Director Sam Wolfe, these facts are related. “Numerous studies show a direct correlation between an increase in the cost of rent — and, more specifically, those who are…

Cmt Awards
Entertainment, Regional News

Emily Cassulo previews tonight’s CMT Music Awards on CBS

She is in Nashville for the red carpet and back-stage interviews
Emily Cassulo,

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The CMT Music Awards are almost here, and you – the fans – get to choose who wins. This three-hour awards show is going to be action packed. We won’t just see who takes home a CMT trophy, but we get to enjoy great music from our favorite country stars, and even other genres. Performances will…

Old Baseball
Catoosa County, Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: Vintage Baseball

Dave checks out the opening of the Vintage Baseball season on a chilly Saturday morning in Fort Oglethorpe
Collins Parker,

FORT OGLETHORPE, Georgia (WDEF) – 44 degrees Saturday morning. At the “Polo Field” in Fort Oglethorpe. But we have a group of “hearty souls.” They are here to play baseball. The old fashioned way! JOSH BLAIR, MOUNTAIN CITY CAPTAIN; “It is hard. But, we play through it all. Broken fingers, whatever. We’ll play through it. And we have a blast…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Samsung Announces Self-Repair Program

Emily Cassulo,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — You can now be your own handyman – or handymandy – when it comes to your smartphone. Samsung has announced a new self-repair program, which launches this summer. There’s no reason to bring your phone to someone for repairs if you can fix it yourself. Samsung says it’s offering a new self-repair program to give customers…

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Hamilton County, Local News

Collegedale Police Easter Egg Hunt

Brian Armstrong,

COLLEGEDALE, Tennessee (WDEF)-Collegedale kicked off Easter celebrations a week early. The Collegedale police department had its Easter egg hunt. The event included candy, inflatables, snow cones, and of course Easter egg hunts. These types of events help create a connection between law enforcement and kids in the community. Categories: Hamilton County, Local News Tags: Collegedale Police Department, Easter, Easter Egg…

Usa Pats
Featured, Local News, Whitfield County

USA Patriots overcoming struggles

Brian Armstrong,

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF)- USA Patriots formally know as the wounded warriors amputee softball team flew in from all around the country to compete in the The Sgt. Chris McDonald Warrior Classic They also took time to help with kids struggling with disabilities. USA patriots are team of veterans with missing limbs due to combat injuries and play able body teams bringing…

Miracle League
Local News, Whitfield County

Miracle League back after COVID-19 pause

Brian Armstrong,

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF)- The Miracle League is back on the diamond out in Dalton after missing the last two years due to the pandemic. The miracle league ball field had plenty of athletes competing. The West Side Miracle Field offers children and adults with mental and physical challenges an opportunity to play ball and it was a meaningful time for…

Lookouts Lose Season Opener 8 0 To Smokies
Sports - Local Sports News

Lookouts Drop Season Opener 8-0 to Tennessee Smokies

Rick Nyman,

The Chattanooga Lookouts dropped their season opener 8-0 to the Tennessee Smokies on Friday night on a cold evening for baseball in Sevierville, Tennessee. Chattanooga managed only three hits, and they suffered 14 strikeouts. Same two clubs battle again Saturday night before closing out the series on Sunday afternoon. Lookouts make their home debut on Tuesday at AT&T Field against…
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

State representatives hold mental health discussion at Moccasin Bend

Local leaders eager for new mental health facility budgeted for $270 million
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Tennessee Department of Mental Health Commissioner Marie Williams said the impact of the coronavirus pandemic led to a 45% increase in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression throughout the state. With those numbers on the rise, the state believes it’s time to modernize its care at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Moccasin Bend serves mental…