Bradley County, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Tennessee graduation rates on the rise

Hamilton County, Bradley County Schools reflect on growing graduate numbers
WDEF News,

NASHVILLE (WDEF) — The Tennessee Department of Education released the graduation rate data for the last school year yesterday and the numbers are climbing. Statewide, 89.8% of high school students graduated on time and 78 districts’ graduation rates improved from last year. Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn says the graduation rate numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels which show,…

Electric vehicle charging
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

TVA Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Seven States

WDEF News,

Many car manufacturers are moving toward the widespread production of electric vehicles. As electric cars become more common, the Tennessee Valley Authority is establishing a network of charging stations to accommodate EV owners. “We’re developing a charging network across seven states. Our goal is to have 80 locations along major highways and roadways, so you’re never 25 miles of a…
Featured, Local News

Local food insecurity on the rise; President Biden announces White House plan to address hunger

WDEF News,

  Chattanooga, TN  (WDEF) – This week, The White House held a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health for the first time in 50 years. The Biden administration said it aims to end hunger and increase physical activity and healthy eating by 2030. Announcing an $8 million dollar investment towards the goal. According to Feeding America, in Tennessee 1 in…

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Local News

Ringgold High School Performing Arts program launches new nonprofit initiative: ‘Center Stage’

WDEF News,

Ringgold, GA (WDEF) – Last year The Ringgold High School Performing Arts program raised nearly $30,000 for a nonprofit with their performance of “Catch Me If You Can.” The program had so much success, program officials say they’re now making it a regular activity. The RHSPA has announced the creation of “Center Stage.” Each season, the program will select one…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Humane Society Warns Owners about Ongoing Canine Flu Outbreak

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Humane Educational Society is warning pet owners about an ongoing strain of canine flu that is causing many dogs at their shelter to get sick. Canine flu causes several symptoms in dogs including a cough that sounds like a goose honk, sneezing, and a lack of energy among other symptoms. Rebecca Bryan, executive director at the…

Cfc Clinch Home Playoff Berth
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - Soccer

CFC Clinch Home Playoff Berth With 2-1 Win Over Albion San Diego

Rick Nyman,

(press release) Chattanooga FC picked up a paramount three points with a 2-1 win over Albion San Diego on Wednesday night. Goals from Brett Jones and Markus Naglestad confirmed Chattanooga’s position as hosts of the NISA semifinals on Sunday, October 30 at Finley Stadium. Chattanooga and San Diego met just a few weeks prior in California, where the boys in…

Howard Finding Motivation In New Jerseys
Sports - Local Sports News

Howard Finding Motivation in New Jerseys

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Howard has a super motivational word in their nickname…the Hustlin’ Tigers. Now they have even more inspirational words pressed on the back of their new jerseys. Howard coach Dedric Maffett told his players they were getting new jerseys this year, but he didn’t tell them everything. Said defensive lineman Roy Miles:”He told me he wanted to do a retro-look,…

Coolio 3
Entertainment, US & World News

‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ rapper Coolio dies at age 59

Collins Parker,

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. and ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writers LOS ANGELES (AP) – Coolio, the rapper who was among hip-hop’s biggest names of the 1990s with hits including “Gangsta’s Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage,” has died. Manager Jarez Posey tells The Associated Press that Coolio, whose legal name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died at the Los Angeles home of…

Basilica Of Saints Peter And Paul Interior
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga celebrates Fr. Patrick Ryan Day

Local Basilica reflects on life, road to sainthood of historic priest
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly declared September 28, 2022, as Father Patrick Ryan Day throughout the Scenic City. Fr. Patrick Ryan served as the pastor of Saints Peter and Paul’s parish from 1872 to 1878, preaching to and serving those suffering from the yellow fever epidemic. He eventually died from the fever, himself, one day before turning 34…

Naples Firefighter
Featured, US & World News, Weather Overtime

Naples Fire Department shows how deep Ian’s storm surge is

3 feet in the station, deeper outside
Collins Parker,

(VIDEO FROM TARIN NAGEL/NAPLES FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT) NAPLES, Florida (CBS) – Hurricane Ian covered southwest Florida with the sea as it cut across the state this afternoon. One of the most powerful storms to ever hit the U.S. knocked out power to 1.6 million people and trapped untold numbers in their homes. The Hurricane center came ashore near Cayo Costa,…

Drivingforwardchatt 1280x720
Driving Our Economy Forward, Education, Local News

Driving our Economy Forward: Wacker

WDEF News,

CHARLESTON, TN (WDEF) – The Wacker Corporation is a major manufacturer of silicon products for everyday life. The company is looking to expand its operations in the Tennessee Valley and has teamed up with Chattanooga State.   Jim Tharp is the Senior Director of Operations at Wacker. He explains, “Wacker is an international company, and we specialize in taking silicon,…

Chattanooga Police Department 512x512bb
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

CPD presents weekly crime report update

Police Chief Celeste Murphy says city experienced two shootings over past week
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Police Department held its latest crime update meeting this morning and discussed the past week’s crime report and further crime prevention. Overall, Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy delivered mostly positive news Wednesday morning. Murphy says there were two shootings in the city over the past week. The first occurred Sunday night, resulting in the death…

Jazz And Barbecue
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

More To The Story With Staley: BBQ

Dave learns where the money goes for the Jazz and Barbeque event
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Mimi Nikkel and the rest of her organization is getting ready for the big day in October. It is “Love’s Arm’s” fourth annual Jazz and Barbeque Event. A fundraiser to be held on the 27th of next month. Love’s Arm works with women survivors of human trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Money raised will make a huge difference….
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton County announces deal raising Sheriff’s Office starting pay

starting pay for sworn employees will be $50,000
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Hamilton County leaders have worked out a deal to give a pay-raise to new deputies in the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Austin Garrett, County Mayor Weston Wamp and Commissioner Chip Baker worked out the deal. Beginning next week, starting pay for sworn employees will be $50,000. Starting pay for sworn-certified employees will be $51,500. Current officers will also…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Blood Assurance, UTC Team Up for “Bloodanooga”

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  The scene inside the Tennessee Room at UTC’s University Center was “metal” on Wednesday morning. Blood Assurance and the university teamed up for the semi-annual “Bloodanooga” blood drive. The theme of the blood drive was 1980’s metal rock music, inspired by Eddie Munson, a popular character from the Netflix hit show “Stranger Things”. The event usually occurs…

Heritage Volleyball Improves To 24 3
Sports - Local Sports News

Heritage Volleyball Improves to 24-3 After Knocking Off NW Whitfield

Rick Nyman,

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Heritage volleyball team continued their impressive season on Tuesday night winning two matches to improve their record to 24-3 on the year. They defeated Central Carrollton 2-0 and Northwest Whitfield 2-0. The Generals are 9-0 in their region standings. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Game, heritage, local sport, NW Whitfield High School, Volleyball, Win

Mocs Look To Get Back On Track In Rail Rivalry Against Etsu
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Hope to Get Back on Winning Track in Rail Rivalry Against ETSU

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Mocs went off the rails a bit last week losing 31-0 to Illinois. Time to get back on that winning track with the ‘Rail Rivalry’ against ETSU. For the ‘Rail Rivalry’ , maybe the Mocs should bench-press the rail road tie trophy to prepare for the Bucs. Said linebacker Ty Boeck:”It’s heavy though. (chuckles) I picked it up after…

Hamilton County Health Department
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Syphilis cases rising in Hamilton County

Local doctor says help is available at county health department
WDEF News,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Dr. Stephen Miller with the Hamilton County Health Department says syphilis cases are on the rise and that case numbers are even greater right now than they were a year ago. Miller says the rise in syphilis cases isn’t just happening here in Hamilton County, it’s happening nationwide and has been steadily increasing since the…

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Featured, Local News

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Herschel Walker visits Calhoun, GA

WDEF News,

CALHOUN, Georgia (WDEF) – Republican Candidate and American Football Star Herschel Walker made a stop at Calhoun’s City Pool this morning. The venue was strategically picked as a backdrop for Walker’s main topic of discussion, Title IX. He shared his views on President Joe Biden’s Executive Order clarifying text in Title IX to include protections for transgender athletes. “But they’re…