Wheland
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanoogans compare Southside proposal to past developments

Former mayor, beloved radio host see similarities between new Lookouts Stadium proposal to building Tennessee Aquarium
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Southside development at the former U.S. pipe site has left many in local city and county governments with split opinions on its development. However, some longtime Chattanooga public figures say they’ve seen this all before. Former Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and radio personality Earl Freudenberg see similarities in today’s debates of rebuilding the Southside to those…

Georgia Abortion Law
Featured, Regional News

Rep. Mike Cameron says it was time for Georgia’s abortion law to change

Court ruling makes fetal heartbeat ban the law of the state
Collins Parker,

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – The abortion laws changed abruptly in Georgia on Wednesday following a court ruling. A federal appeals court overturned an injunction of Georgia’s Heartbeat abortion ban. The legislation essentially bans abortion in the state of Georgia after six weeks of pregnancy. There are reports that some clinics had to inform clients already waiting for abortions on Wednesday…

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Local News

From The Archives: 1987 country music showcase

We look back at a TV show taping at the Chattanooga Choo Choo
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Nashville isn’t just the country music capital because of it’s recordings. The town has always lead the way for putting artists on TV. In the summer of 1987, a new show tried to join the club with a showcase taped here in Chattanooga. “The Chattanooga Choo Choo” was a music show anchored at the tourist destination in…

Monkeypox
Health, Local News

Tennessee has ten active monkeypox cases

WDEF News,

The Center for Disease Control has confirmed there are ten active cases of monkeypox in Tennessee. There are currently no known cases in Hamilton County according to the Hamilton County Health Department. monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2 to…

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Local News

‘Westside Evolves’ project funding

WDEF News,

Hamilton County Commissioners approved $2 million from America Rescue Plan (ARP) funds on Wednesday for the Westside Evolves project. The Westside is one of Chattanooga’s oldest public housing communities. It’s home to more than 1,500 families. The money will be used for renovations to James A. Henry school, 100 new head start seats, a health clinic, and other recreational projects….

Meigs Co Desires More Success This Season
Sports - Local Sports News

Meigs County Expects to Keep the Success Train Rolling

Rick Nyman,

Decatur, TN-(WDEF-TV) Meigs County has been one of the most successful high school football teams in our area in recent years, and they expect even more success this fall. The Tigers leap into the 30-in-30 spotlight. Meigs Co has averaged 12 wins a year over the last six seasons. Talk about setting a standard. Said lineman Landon Thompson:”Winning has always…
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Local medical professional discusses COVID BA.5 variant

Dr. Jay Sizemore says latest variant is "the most infectious" he's seen
WDEF News,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The BA.5 variant is now the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in the country. Its transmission level is high in Hamilton County, according to the CDC. Erlanger’s Dr. Jay Sizemore says there has been a “slight uptick” in hospitalizations over the past few weeks compared to April’s COVID numbers, although they aren’t as high as…
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Local Ronald McDonald House Charities receives sizable donation

Happy Meals for the House Fundraiser premiered in 2022
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Local McDonald’s owner-operators presented a check for nearly $17,000 Wednesday morning to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. That money was raised from the Happy Meals for the House Fundraiser, which took 10% of sales from Happy Meals at local McDonald’s restaurants. It was the first year for the fundraiser. “The House is important because it…

Capture
Cleveland, Featured, Local News

Cleveland City Schools in Need of Bus Drivers, Substitute Teachers

WDEF News,

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — In January, the U-S Department of Transportation acknowledged a nationwide shortage of bus drivers. As the fall semester approaches, Cleveland City Schools are still in need of more drivers. “We’re looking for about eight, altogether, bus drivers that, you know, we’ll even train if we have to, because right now it’s such a shortage of drivers across…

Christmas In July
Cleveland, Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Christmas in July

Dave finds out about Christmas in July at the Foundation House
Dave Staley,

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – For the second year in a row, the Cleveland-based “Foundation House” is holding its “Christmas In July” celebration! Foundation House is an organization that provides assistance to mothers or pregnant women who are struggling with homelessness, joblessness or addiction. The business also serves the public with its two gift shops in downtown Cleveland. Lots of holiday decorations…

Mega Millions
Featured, Local News

Mega Millions lottery jackpot climbs to $630 million

Collins Parker,

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – There was no overall winner of the Mega Millions lottery drawing last night, so the pot climbs to $630 million for Friday. That makes it 27 drawings in a row without a jackpot winner. This will be the fifth time that Mega Millions has gone over the $600 million mark in its 20 year history. But we…

Volunteer
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

World Changers encourages student volunteering, faith

Volunteers assist in home repairs for residents in need throughout Chattanooga
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — A national nonprofit has returned to Chattanooga for its nineteenth summer and is taking care of residents in need. World Changers will be in action until Saturday, July 23 and provides high school students with the opportunity to learn “what serving others really means.” World Changers was founded back in 1990 and provides student volunteers the opportunity…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

U.S. Coast Guard undergoing drills in Chattanooga

Drill involves joint training with local officials
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a week long-scale drill this week on the Tennessee River The maritime drill involves joint training with local law enforcement and fire rescue personnel. Lindsey Rogers of the Chattanooga Fire Department says operations, so far, have been successful. “What it simulated was a passenger vessel, almost like a riverboat, that started…

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Business, Featured, Local News

Volkswagen Board tours Chattanooga Plant

Officially announce Scout company to make electric pickups
Collins Parker,

  CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Volkswagen’s Board of Directors came to Chattanooga today to get a first hand look at what’s new here. They officially created the new Scout line and names Scott Keogh as President and CEO. The Scout brand will be a new, independent company from Volkswagen. They will make an all-electric pickup for the U.S. market. The Board…

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Mom To Mom

Mom To Mom – Saving time with this ice-cream hack

WDEF News,

We have an ice cream party hack to make your life easier. We know that party planning for kids can be extra stressful, so being prepared is definitely a win. So today, we have an ice cream party hack that’s going to help change your life for the better. Basically, what you want to do is scoop that ice cream…
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton Co. School Board responds to controversial comments

Chairman Tucker McClendon says he will "always stand" with educators
WDEF News,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Recent comments by Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn concerning teachers’ intelligence have sparked national controversy. Earlier this month, Arnn claimed that teachers “are trained in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges.” This put Tennessee Governor Bill Lee in the hot seat with some on the board for failing to rebuke his comments. On Thursday,…

Whats Right 1280x720 1
Chattanooga, Education, Local News, Technology, UTC, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: UTC Tech Symposium

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – At its most pure, technology should be used to improve our lives. To that end, UTC’s College of Engineering and Computer Science hosts a Technology Symposium.   Bright local minds coming up with innovative solutions are a perfect exampled of What’s Right With Our Schools. Dr. Daniel Pack is the Dean of the College and Engineering and…

Operation Southern Slowdown
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Operation Southern Slowdown puts crackdown on speeders on roadways

Police agencies from five states are part of the joint effort to decrease traffic deaths at the wheel of drivers going over the speed limit
WDEF News,

RINGGOLD (WDEF) – Rock star Sammy Hagar once sang “I Can’t Drive 55.” He wrote that song in 1984 after getting a ticket in upstate New York for driving 62 miles an hour in a 55 zone. It’s almost 40 years later, and the speed limit in Tennessee and Georgia jumped to 70. This summer, police this summer are going…