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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

UTC restructures student veterans mentoring program

Program to assist student veterans, dependents, military spouses in school needs, transitions
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — UTC welcomed its students back earlier this week. But for one branch of its student body, the school is really stepping up to help them feel at home. UTC recently introduced its new Veteran and Military Affairs Student Ambassador Program, which is meant to serve as a “bridge” for veterans beginning life anew on campus. The program…
Chattanooga, Elections, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

Early Voting Begins for District 8 Runoff

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Beginning today, residents of District are invited to return to the polls to decide who will represent them on Chattanooga’s City Council. The election went to a runoff after none of the three candidates earned the fifty percent plus one majority required to win, confusing some members of the community. But now the race is between Marvene…

Eli Denton Big Leader For Walker Valley
Sports - Local Sports News

Eli Denton a Driving Force Behind Walker Valley’s Defense

Rick Nyman,

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) It doesn’t take long to recogn ize special, and Walker Valley’s Eli Denton is special on the defensive side of the ball. An All state linebacker last year he had over 100 tackles despite missing two game due to an injury. But in his senior year the defensive stand out has new responsibilities and already achieved new accomplishments….

Celeste Murphy
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

“Walk With Integrity”: Community leaders show support for Chattanooga’s police chief

The submission of 15 officers to the U.S. Attorney for "misrepresentation of facts" caused friction with the police union, and a "lack of confidence" vote
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The last week for Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy has been a trying one. After submitting the names of 15 officers to the U.S. Attorney for misrepresenting facts, the police union decried her actions, giving her a “lack of confidence” vote. Today, several leaders in the community came together on the steps of City Hall to say…

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

More To The Story: New Miss Tennessee Agriculture USA Queen is from Ooltewah

Dave Staley,

OOLTEWAH, Tennessee (WDEF) – “I’ve always been around agriculture. I grew up on a farm. And we had an orchard. And I love to ride horses too.” Right around a month ago, Ooltewah’s Christal Majestic found out the good news. She had looked on-line, and decided to enter the Miss Agriculture USA state competition. She won. She has the crown…

Mcminn County
Crime, Local News, McMinn County

Private school staff charged with solicitation of teen

One also charged with sexual assault by an authority figure
WDEF News,

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Authorities in McMinn County say two staff members of a private school near Athens have been arrested on sexual assault charges. 46-year-old Jason Kennedy is facing two counts of Sexual Assault by an Authority Figure and one count of Solicitation of a Minor. 28-year-old Brittany Branham is charged with one count of Solicitation of a Minor….
Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

Local economists analyze new student loan forgiveness plan

Chattanooga-based financial experts see both positives, negatives in Biden Administration's actions
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Many Americans are still celebrating Wednesday’s student debt cancellation announcement by President Biden. But not everyone is optimistic. Regarding the economy, one financial expert believes the consequences of debt forgiveness won’t be inflammatory, another does, but both believe that somehow — something needs to be done. UTC’s Dr. Bento Lobo says nearly 1-in-6 American adults carry some…
Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Health, Local News

Pro-choice rally held in Miller Park

Protests held in response to Tennessee enactment of Human Life Protection Act
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Tennessee’s Human Life Protection Act went into effect Thursday, banning abortion across the state. This prompted a pro-choice rally Thursday night at Chattanooga’s Miller Park. One activist believes most people don’t understand how serious the new laws are and that these new laws could come at the cost of Tennesseans’ lives. “I think a lot of people…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

City Resolves to Evaluate Reassignment of 15 Officers over Alleged Untruthfulness

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Mayor Tim Kelly’s Office has reached a resolution with the Chattanooga Police Department to review the assignments of all policed officers alleged to have been less than truthful on the job. An internal committee of sworn officers will be brought together to evaluate violations allegedly committed by fifteen members of law enforcement. “This was a collaborative approach…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga non-profits participate in human trafficking awareness movement

WDEF News,

The Red Sand Project is a movement that is meant to bring awareness to the sinister reality of human trafficking by packing attention grabbing red sand into the cracks of sidewalks. Several local nonprofits participated in the movement today at The Aloft Hotel in Chattanooga. Experts with the Red Sand Project report there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking…

Walker County
Crime, Featured, Local News, Walker County

Huntsville men charged with Rossville murder

Collins Parker,

ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) – Two Huntsville men have been arrested for a murder in Rossville several weeks ago. Dakota Bradshaw was shot inside his home on Peachtree Street on Monday afternoon, August first. Witnesses were able to give Walker County Sheriff’s Officers a description of the shooter and the vehicle he used to get away. A week later, the GBI…

Marjorie Taylor Greene Testifies
Local News, Regional News

Fake police report made at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s house

Caller later admitted to "swatting" Greene over her transgender stance
Collins Parker,

ROME, Georgia (WDEF) – Rome Police say their officers rushed to the home of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last night on a call that a man had been shot five times in a bathtub. But when they got there, they found it never happened. The call came from a VA crisis line around 1 AM. A police report says the…

Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga preparing to celebrate Parking Day 2022

City wants to see residents engage with, get creative with public realm
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Have you ever wanted to set up an entertainment system, a sofa and a grill on the side of the road while watching college football? In just under a month, that possibility and so many others can become reality. Chattanooga’s upcoming Parking Day next will be the first time that residents will really be able to let…

Biden
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

UTC students, staff respond to student debt relief

Certain borrowers will see $10,000 of their student debt canceled
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — On Wednesday, President Biden announced a three-part student relief plan to cancel $10,000 of student debt for low-to middle-income borrowers. Naturally, there were plenty of students excited to hear that a significant portion of their debt was being addressed by Washington. The Biden administration says the Department of Education will provide up to $10,000 in debt cancellation…

Helicopter Crash Victims
Featured, Local News, Marion County

Trooper and Marion County Commissioner Die Following Helicopter Crash

WDEF News,

MARION Co., Tenn. — Two men died in last night’s helicopter crash — Sergeant Lee Russel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Detective Matt Blansett of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Little is known at this time about Sergeant Russel, but Detective Blansett was a well-known and heavily involved member of the community. In the passing of Matt Blansett, Marion…

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

More To The Story with Staley: New Art Exhibit

The Jewish Cultural Center is debuting a new exhibit on recovering from the pandemic
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s an art exhibit, in all of its color and glory, right when you walk into the Jewish Cultural Center in Chattanooga. Program Director Ann Treadwell culled through over 200 entries, whittling the work down to 36 artists, from nine different states and Israel. The theme is “Out Of Darkness Into Light.” What does it mean? “I thought…
Featured, Hamilton County, Health, Local News, Regional News

Tennessee enacts one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation this week.

WDEF News,

Tomorrow Tennessee is enacting one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation. Under the new Human Life Protection Act, providers that perform an abortion opens themselves up to being charged with a class C felony. No matter the circumstances. A Class C felony is punishable with 3-15 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000. However…

2022 08 24 Epb Nokia 25 Gig J T Shankles Epb Field Services Technician
Business, Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Technology

EPB announces new 25 Gig internet service for Convention Center

Continues EPB's boast of having the fastest internet connections in the country
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Remember when Chattanooga took the nickname “Gig City” because of EPB’s revolutionary Gig internet service? Times and speeds are changing. Today, EPB announced a new 25 Gig Internet Service for the Chattanooga area. And they say it is, once again, the world’s fastest service. “EPB is keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge,” said Vicky Gregg, EPB Board…

Presser
Featured, Local News, Marion County

Two law enforcment officers killed in Marion County helicopter crash

Collins Parker,

WHITESIDE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Officials have now confirmed that a Tennessee trooper and a Marion County Sheriff’s officer were killed in the helicopter crash this afternoon in the Whiteside community. “Today is a very tragic day for law enforcement.” They are not commenting yet on what the Tennessee Highway Patrol chopper was doing at the time of the crash. But…

A Man Named Goose..ooltewah's Goose Manning
Sports - Local Sports News

How an Owl Became a Goose…The Story of Ooltewah Owls Coach Goose Manning’s Nickname

Rick Nyman,

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) It’s not often that you see a bunch of Owls led by a Goose…unless you’re in Ooltewah. Goose Manning is back in his second season as the head coach of the Ooltewah Owls. Chances are you’ll never forget someone whose name is Goose. News 12’s Brian Armstrong went goose hunting for the story on Manning’s nickname. Said Manning:”When…

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Dalton, Featured, Local News, Whitfield County

Georgia’s Attorney General hosts round table discussion on preventing elderly abuse at Dalton State College

WDEF News,

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) – Representatives from several Georgia agencies met at a round table this afternoon hosted by Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr. The meeting was held at Dalton State and the topic of discussion was how to protect the elderly from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Dan Flynn is with the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force. He said complaints…

Helicopter Crash
Featured, Local News, Marion County

Helicopter crash causes major backup on I 24

Collins Parker,

UPDATE: Officials have now confirmed that a Tennessee trooper and a Marion County Sheriff’s officer were killed in the helicopter crash Tuesday afternoon in the Whiteside community. 7PM UPDATE: Officials have found a crash site for the helicopter, traffic on I 24 is now clear. ___________ HALETOWN, Tennessee (WDEF) – TDOT officials now confirm that a helicopter did crash near…