Monkeypox
Local News

Is Hamilton County prepared for Monkeypox?

We ask a local health officer about our supply of treatment and vaccines
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Although Monkeypox has been around since around 1958, it’s only recently been labeled as an outbreak. Hamilton County Health Officer Dr. Stephen Miller says if Monkeypox makes it way into the County, he’s confident there’s enough treatment and vaccinations available. “We do have an effective vaccination for it. And even in Tennessee, we have an appropriate amount…

Dancing Cowboy00000000
From The Archives, Local News

From The Archives: The Dancing Cowboy

We go back 10 years for a profile of the fan who danced at Lookouts games with his giant cowboy hat
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s the job of Louie The Lookout to entertain fans at the ballpark. But ten years ago, a guy in the stands helped him out. Longtime Lookouts fans may remember him. Brian Shubert whooped it up between innings, dancing for fans and waiving a giant blue cowboy hat. Eventually, kids would join him for his dances and…

Catoosa Fatal Crash
Catoosa County, Local News

One person killed in wreck near Ringgold

Collins Parker,

UPDATE: The Georgia State Patrol identifies the victim as 21 year old Damien Crum. Investigators say he was driving the car that crossed the centerline and hit a Dodge Ram 2500 head on. A 20 year old woman, a three year old boy and a six month old child were in the car with him. A mother and son were…

Snip
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Westside Neighborhood to be Redeveloped

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — A major redevelopment of Chattanooga’s Westside Neighborhood is being planned by the Chattanooga Housing Authority. Hamilton County is poised to approve a two million dollar contribution to the project, whose investments may total nearly a billion dollars. “It’s basically an eight to ten year plan that contemplates to revitalize one hundred and thirty acres in downtown Chattanooga,”…
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton Co. District Attorney candidates address upcoming state abortion law

New state law would ban all abortions in Tennessee unless otherwise necessary to save mother
WDEF News,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee’s “Human Life Protection Act” is expected to become law in August — a month that will feature a slew of local elections. The new state law would ban all abortions in Tennessee, except those necessary to save the life of the mother. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has left both Coty Wamp and…

Chamber Of Commerce On Wheland Project
Local News

Chamber of Commerce backs the Wheland Project for Chattanooga

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce is endorsing the plan to build a new stadium in the South Broad District. Chamber C-E-O Christy Gillenwater referred to the potential new stadium as a “gleaming gateway into Chattanooga. She said she is elated about the economic benefits the project could bring to the South Broad District and Chattanooga as a…

Wheland
Business, Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

County Commission Discusses South Broad Stadium Funding

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “Am I for development? Absolutely. Am I for taking a risk with taxpayers’ dollars? Absolutely not,” said County Commissioner Tim Boyd. Boyd is expressing concern about the South Broad Lookouts Stadium Project. Boyd says he believes unknown factors could leave taxpayers on the hook for the project’s bonds at some point during the thirty year financing plan….

20220713 152726
Local News

Uncle Nearest 100 Cities in 100 Days Whiskey Tour ends in Chattanooga

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – This afternoon the founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest Whiskey visited Chattanooga’s Common House as her last stop on her 100 cities tour, The Nearest Green Distillery opened in Shelbyville, Tennessee just a few years ago. The distillery produces Uncle Nearest whiskey and is one of the only distilleries in the country owned and operated by a…

Snapshot
Featured

Volkswagen “What Fuels You” road trip series closes in Chattanooga, promoting EV travel

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) –  There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the Volkswagen’s new ID.4. To promote the ease and environmental sustainability of driving an EV, filmmaker Erika Goldsorf hit the road in the vehicle for a road trip series. Erika Goldsorf is a known film maker, with a passion for showcasing companies and individuals’ efforts towards sustainability. She has teamed…

Loves Arm
Featured, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story with Staley: Love’s Arm

Dave meets the woman who founded the organization dedicated to survivors of human trafficking
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – The organization “Love’s Arm” has helped people since its inception back in 2005. It does all it can to meet the needs of survivors of human trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Offering all types of services. It was founded by Mimi Nikkel, herself a survivor of human trafficking. Nikkel says she’s somewhat amazed, and certainly gratified, as…

Hixson Weightlifter Olivia Reeves Dominates At U.s. Junior Nationals
Sports - Local Sports News

Hixson Weightlifter Olivia Reeves Enjoys Dominating Performance at U.S. Junior Nationals

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Hixson weightlifter Olivia Reeves is back home after a dominating performance at the U-S Junior Nationals two weeks ago. The 19-year-old blew away the competition making her a legitimate contender for the Olympics in two years. When Olivia Reeves arrived at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas, just her presence alone, carried a lot of weight. Said her coach Steve…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga City Council hears presentation on Southside development proposal

Project developer has history with Atlanta's Ponce City Market, other landmarks
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — The announcement behind the development of the former U.S. Pipe site and Wheland Foundry has sparked both excitement and controversy here in the Scenic City. Tonight, that very topic was discussed in front of Chattanooga’s City Council. The task of development on the Southside project has been handed to Jim Irwin of New City Properties. He, alongside…

Crowder Interview 1
Entertainment, Featured, Local News

Crowder to Perform at the Caverns

WDEF News,

PELHAM, Tenn. (WDEF) — GRAMMY award nominated Christian music artist Crowder is returning to the Caverns later this month. He’ll be performing at the venue’s outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, July 23. Crowder talked to News 12 about his upcoming show. This is his third time playing at the scenic venue. His first show in 2019 was inside of the cave….
Featured, Local News

Commissioner Tim Boyd Proposes Alternative Financing Plan for South Broad Stadium

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Many Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials are confident in their plan to finance the South Broad Lookouts Stadium project, which would require bond payments of one point five million dollars from the county and the city. “We feel confident that we have prepared a pretty conservative outlook of the amount of investment that would be required in…

Mentz
Featured, Sports - Local Sports News

Rafa Mentzingen lives up to the name ‘Quad-Father’

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- “But I’ve seen two Christmas hams that big,” said Jimmy Obleda. Rafa Mentzingen massive quads have taken over social media He puts a picture of his quads and he gets 1 million likes. Rafa’s thigh game extends into the pitch as well. “It makes you more explosive like acceleration, speed, stuff like that. It definitely helps,” said…

Chattanooga Fire Boats
Featured, Local News

Man in sinking kayak rescued from Tennessee River

Collins Parker,

( “This was our first rescue using our newly acquired fireboats. The two boats are to protect citizens and visitors on the water and today, the boat that was used in the response was a life-saving asset.”) CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A kayaker was rescued from the Tennessee river this afternoon. And he can probably thank a driver on the Chickamauga…

Wheland Project
Featured, Local News

Weston Wamp issues poll on Stadium Funding

Mayor Coppinger calls poll a "desperate attempt"
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Weston Wamp campaign has released a poll suggesting that the majority of Hamilton County voters are opposed to using taxpayer money to fund a new Lookouts Stadium on South Broad. The poll was conducted by Spry Strategies, and surveyed four hundred and six Hamilton county residents. Thirty four point seven percent of respondents say they strongly…
Collegedale, Featured, Local News

Collegedale residents speak out against land rezoning

WDEF News,

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Collegedale Planning Commission is looking to potentially rezone land for a new development of a few hundred homes. Seemingly all of Collegedale appeared at City Hall tonight and sent a clear message — they’re not interested. The commission voted unanimously, 7-0, to defer the zoning request and PUD pending completion of a traffic study and…

Merchandise Sales Become Big Deal For Chattanooga Lookouts
Sports - Local Sports News

Merchandise Sales Prove a Big Hit For Chattanooga Lookouts

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Merchandise sales are a staple for minor league baseball teams like the Chattanooga Lookouts, but it wasn’t always the case. Now it’s big business for the Lookouts, who will sell just about anything. Minor league baseball gift shops didn’t always look like this. Just ask Lookouts general manager Rich Mozingo. Said Mozingo:”My first job in minor league baseball was…
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Whitfield County

BA.5 COVID-19 variant is the new dominant strain in the local area

BA.5 represents 53.6% of new cases nationwide; 54% in Georgia and the Southeast region
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – There is a new dominant strain of the COVID-19 virus in town. It’s called the B-A-5 variant. The transmission level of the B-A-5 variant in Hamilton County is high, according to the C-D-C. It’s the only county in our viewing area with that designation. Remember when Omicron started? Its transmission was far beyond Delta. B-A-5 is that…

Wrwos: Ben Carson Reading Room
Catoosa County, Education, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Battlefield Elementary Ben Carson Reading Room

Andrew Harrison,

FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Young scholars have a great place turn a few pages at Battlefield Elementary School. The Ben Carson Reading Room is now open. Candy Carson is a Co-Founder for the Carson Scholars Fund. She explains, “Actually we started back in 2000 with these reading rooms, because our board of Carson Scholars Fund decided they wanted to…