Derrick Davis Returning to Coach Polk Co Football Team

Derrick Davis is going home. The veteran high school football coach is returning to serve as the head coach at his high school alma mater in Polk Co. Davis served as the Wildcats head coach for nearly 20 years before leaving in 2018. He coached recently at McMinn Central and Rhea County. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Derrick…

Protests tonight over Supreme Court ruling on abortion

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Protesters hit the streets, parks and even the Supreme Court on Friday to show their displeasure with the ruling overturning Roe V. Wade on abortions. Here in Chattanooga, a few hundred people from the area attended a protest at Coolidge Park. A few hundred people from the Tennessee Valley area and North Georgia protested against Roe VS…

Reaction to Roe Vs. Wade being overturned

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) “It’s been a precedent for a long time and I think it’s kind of crazy how quickly everything happens since Texas,” said Elliot. Jill Zemmour says she was surprised by the decision but supports pro-life decisions. ‘I was very surprised. I really didn’t think (it) would ever get overturned.  I’m against abortion,” said Zemmour. Tennessee governor Bill…

Former Braves Star Freddie Freeman Gets Emotional During His Return To Atlanta

Atlanta-(WDEF-TV) Former Braves star Freddie Freeman returned to Atlanta for the first time since leaving in the off-season. Freeman may wearing Dodger Blue now, but his heart still bleeds for the Braves. News 12’s Angela Moryan joins us live from Truist Park for more on Freeman’s emotional homecoming. Rick, there’s no doubt that former Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was…

What Does Tennessee’s Trigger Law Do?

With Roe v. Wade Overturned, Most Abortions Will Be Outlawed in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — With Roe vs Wade overturned, the “Human Life Protection Act” has been triggered in Tennessee, outlawing most abortions. The law prevents abortion at any point between fertilization and birth, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The only exception is for situations in which abortion is necessary to prevent the serious injury or death of the pregnant…

More To The Story: Cherokee leader’s nephew

Dave Staley talks to a local dentist who is a great nephew of the Cherokee leader Wilma Mankiller

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The United States Government is releasing five new quarters this year. Honoring five American women. Five women who’ve made a difference in our country. One of them is Wilma Mankiller. One of the most powerful women in the history of the Cherokee Nation. THIS Chattanooga man knew her. Really knew her. And he knows teeth as well….

American Academy of Pediatrics Advocates for Teen Suicide Screening

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — “One simple ‘how are you’ could really help save somebody’s life,” said Jennifer Hynes, CEO of Teamcare Behavioral Health. The American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising depression and suicide risk screenings for all adolescents 12 and older. These screenings identify suicidal ideation, intent, and risk factors. “Number one we need to screen for depression and the…

From The Archives: 1988 Heat & Drought

We look back on one of the hottest summers in memory

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Tuesday, the temperature hit 99 degrees. Patrick tells us that’s the hottest day we’ve seen since 2019. So is it unusual for temperatures to get so hot so early in our area? Yes, it is. But we have seen worse. In fact, this week 34 years ago was much hotter. There are the highs and lows…

Chattanooga Red Wolves Score League Record Seven Goals in Beating Charlotte

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Red Wolves set a USL League One record on Wednesday by scoring seven goals in beating Charlotte Independence 7-1 at CHI Memorial Stadium. Chattanooga actually fell behind 1-0 before the goal scoring party started. Rey Ortiz drilled a shot high into the corner of the net that banked in to tie the match. Then Juan Galindrez had…

School Director talks about the anonymous letter that started the Melissa Blair case

She has been charged with multiple sex crimes for her relationships with 18 teenage boys at McMinn Central High

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Now that Melissa Blair has been charged with even more victims in a high school sex scandal, the school system is talking about how it came to the light of day. Lee Parkison is the Director of Schools in McMinn County. It was in early December when he first learned of the alleged sex acts with…

Motocross instructor indicted on federal child porn charges

more cases discovered after his arrest in Chattanooga last December on child rape

(video story is from the December arrest) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – Federal officials say a motocross instructor who visited states from New York to Georgia has been charged with producing child pornography. The Justice Department says 30-year-old Ryan Meyung is accused of engaging six minors in sexually explicit conduct to produce sexual abuse images and with transporting and possessing images…

New Food City supermarket opens in East Ridge

Town, Food City officials excited for further development in city

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — “It’s a great day for East Ridge.” That was the message from Mayor Brian Williams who believes a new Food City will soon lead to even more new developments. Food City President and CEO Steve Smith says East Ridge was spared no expense with its brand-new grocery store. It spans 5,400 square feet and has…

The Ooltewah Club Gets a Makeover Even Turning First Hole Into a Par Three

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) Renovations have been the name of the game for golf courses over the last few years, and the Ooltewah Club is the latest to get a makeover. General manager Derek Montecalvo gives us a tour of some of the changes. Said Montecalvo:”Just a really beautiful property out here. It’s very peaceful and pretty rural. It had good bones….

LaFayette’s Trinity Bell Helps Inspire the Chattanooga Red Wolves

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF-TV) – The Chattanooga Red Wolves had a very special guest at practice a few weeks ago — one whose story has been quite inspiring for the Wolf Pack. News 12’s Angela Moryan has the story. Said Red Wolves player Carlos Avilez: “After the situations she’s going through, it was a great experience to have her here.” Lafayette’s…

Testimony on Georgia election at today’s Jan. 6th hearing

Sec. of State and assistant refute election fraud charges

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – Today’s testimony at the January 6th hearing involved the Georgia election of 2020. Democrats called two election officials in Georgia and a poll worker who says her life was ruined when Former President Trump accused her by name of rigging ballots. Here is some of their testimony: SCHIFF: did you office investigate claims? did 5,000 dead…

Chattanooga Mercantile Relocates after Alleged Assault, Verbal Abuse

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mercantile is moving to Gateway Antiques Mall in Fort Oglethorpe. But staff say the location they are leaving behind is a building in disrepair. “On a day that it rains, this place is like a sieve. It just, it leaks everywhere — on our furniture; it leaks on our expensive furniture; it ruins our furniture,” said…

Low turnout in Northwest Georgia for primary run-off elections

Virginia, Alabama and Georgia held elections Tuesday. Virginia has statewide primaries, while Georgia and Alabama have runoffs. In Georgia, four Republican congressional races had runoffs. But, the two biggest races are the Democratic contests for secretary of state and lieutenant governor. However Whitfield County registrar Mary Hammontree said she did not expect to see high turnout for the run offs….

Chattanooga airport begins expansion of terminal

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Pardon their mess! The Chattanooga Airport has kicked off construction of Phase Two of their 20 year master plan to expand service. The terminal expansion includes new space and renovating the existing concourse. Airport CEO Terry Hart says “this project allows room for growth within the airport including additional departures and arrivals, so that we can continue…