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

City residents hope new police chief meets community members

Celeste Murphy wants to build trust in the community; residents hope she follows through
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Tuesday, Chattanooga will see its first Black, female police chief. While that’s something to be celebrated, the people at College Hill Courts hope it’s not just more of the same as other police chiefs. Back in September, seven women were shot along Grove Street, two of them died, in a gang-related incident. It’s six months later,…

12th St Snip
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

City Continues Work on 12th St. Homeless Encampment

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – On Friday, Mayor Tim Kelly stated his opposition to building sheds for Chattanooga’s growing homeless population. According to the City, such structures would be unsafe. “The solutions that we give these people need to be safe. They need to be something that… we’re not setting them up for more problems down the road,” said Sam Wolfe, Director…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Local News

Celebrating National Pi Day with STEM Activities from Local Learning Center

WDEF News,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF): Today is National Pi Day! There are many ways to celebrate. You can eat pizza or pie, but the best way to celebrate is to challenge yourself mentally. Sylvan Learning in Chattanooga demonstrated Pi Day activities that the whole family can do. They emphasize the importance of STEM activities especially in young students. One demonstration is Circle…

Techbyte Epikos 1280x720
Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Apple Announces Spring Products

Emily Cassulo,

CUPERTINO, Calif. (WDEF) — Apple is bringing tech fans some good luck ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. March means new products for the tech company, including a makeover for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro. It’s already available in several colors, but Apple is adding a new green finish, just in time for St. Patty’s Day. “iPhone 13 looks…

Vets Warriors
Local News

Warrior Freedom Service Dog aided by veterans

Brian Armstrong,

FLINTSTONE, Georgia (WDEF)- Americans rely on the military to protect our freedoms. Then soldiers become veterans sometimes they need to rely on service animals so it’s important for those animals to have that training and a place to be trained. Warrior Freedom Service Dogs trains dogs to become service animals to help veterans in need. Power home remodeling is building…

Still0312 00000
Bradley County, Cleveland, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Weather Overtime

Tennessee Valley locals enjoys snow day

Residents encourage others to get out and enjoy the winter weather
WDEF News,

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Valley’s local communities woke up to the wintery white stuff to begin their Saturday. Sledding and snow angels both left their marks in the cold, and even igloos were raised as the snow day started. 21-year-old Matthew McGarvey was one of many helping put it together, along with his younger sister, Remi. “The rarity of…

Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Local church raising donations for Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainian Gospel Church accepting clothing, baby items, financial donations
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — As soon as the invasion began, so did the Ukrainian Gospel Church’s mission to collect donations for refugees. Everything from clothing, blankets, baby supplies and more will be delivered overseas to provide much-needed relief. Vitaly Skotsen, the church’s missions coordinator, said those who fled are in dire need of help. “You have just thousands of people flooding…

Tom Hart
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

ESPN’s Tom Hart Relives His Call of David Jean Baptiste’s Buzzer Beater For the Mocs

Rick Nyman,

Tampa, FL-(WDEF-TV) ESPN’s Tom Hart is calling games in the SEC basketball tournament. He was also on the mike for David Jean Baptiste’s buzzer beater Monday night that gave the Chattanooga Mocs the SoCon title. Said Hart: “The shot was right in front of our broadcast location. I didn’t think it was going in. It wasn’t a straight up jump…
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

UTC students concerned for future due to rising inflation

Rising costs in gas, food leave some Mocs anxious for entering the workforce
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Graduating college is a massive accomplishment and is often met with optimism about the future. However, with rampant inflation, some students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are concerned about what’s next once their time at school is done. “It’s crazy,” said junior political science student DaVeon Hall. “Two years ago, gas was $1.89 and now…

Voice Of The Vols Bob Kesling Talks Tennessee In Tampa
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UT Vols

Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling Talks Tennessee Hoops Going into SEC Tourney

Rick Nyman,

Tampa, FL-(WDEF-TV) Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling spoke with News 12’s Angela Moryan in Tampa on the SEC Tournament. Kesling discussed what makes the Vols a dangerous number two seed, and why the Vols could possibly end their SEC Championship drought. Tennessee hasn’t won the SEC Tournament since 1979. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UT Vols…

From The Archives: 1982 Worlds Fair
Featured, From The Archives, Regional News

From The Archives: 1982 World’s Fair

We go back 40 years to construction for the upcoming Worlds Fair in Knoxville
Collins Parker,

  KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – If you visit Knoxville these days, pay a visit to World’s Fair Park. It’s a greenway and public performance area downtown. The park is built around the only two remaining pieces from the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Ampitheatre. But 40 years ago, the fair was a big deal for all of Tennessee….
Business, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Local News

Stock market fallout from Russian invasion of Ukraine

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-“Gas prices are rising so dramatically that it has started to cut into the family budget. Other than at the gas pump, consumer spending starts to take a hit,” said Hopkins. In Ukraine, it’s terrifying, shelling and shootings are the number one concern. Thankfully, currently in the US, it’s more subtle as gas prices skyrocket and the stock…

Gas Price Snip
Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Maintains Record High Gas Prices

Impact of Oil Inflation May Hit Supermarket
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The war in Ukraine is keeping Chattanooga gas prices at an all-time high. Here at the Raceway on Broad Street, for example, gas is currently $4.29 a gallon. Only two days ago, it was less than four dollars. “We will continue to see those increases in our local gas stations, here in Tennessee, at least for the…
Chattanooga, COVID-19, Featured, Hamilton County, Health, Local News

Low daily COVID numbers don’t spell the end of the pandemic

COIVD updates have taken a back seat to the Russian escalation in Ukraine and gas prices
WDEF News,

It’s been a while since you’ve heard an update on the new daily case numbers for coronavirus in Hamilton County. For that, you can thank the Russian escalation in Ukraine, and even gas prices. While COVID has taken a back seat in our minds, it’s not gone, and the pandemic may not be an endemic any time soon. Two years…

2011 Murder Scene
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Cold Case Unit arrests suspect in 11 year old Big K murder

Police: Store owner was gunned down trying to shield a clerk
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Prosecutors now think they can make the case against a suspect in a 2011 murder that they couldn’t make back then. In May of that year, Herbert Strickland was gunned down at the Big K Market on Dodson Avenue. He was the owner, and police in 2011 thought he may have been trying to shield a clerk…

Wdef History Young Luther
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Things you might not have known about Luther

Radio Icon would have turned 100 today
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Local icon Luther Masingill would have been 100 years old today. Even after his death, we still salute the impact he had on Chattanooga as a broadcasting legend, voice of the people and our area’s top cheerleader. Chip Chapman has more on his life and legacy. Luther and Ed King Categories: Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News…

Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, Regional News

Chattanooga Gas Prices Hit Record High

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Gas prices in Chattanooga have reached unprecedented highs. “In Chattanooga, you are seeing the most expensive gas prices that you have seen on record,” said Megan Cooper, a AAA representative. Yesterday, President Biden banned oil imports from Russia. US Representative Chuck Fleischmann is in favor of this decision. “We have needed to be sterner. we have needed…

Mocs Fans Welcome Home Socon Champs
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Fans Greet SoCon Champs After Possibly the Greatest Shot in UTC History

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) When you hit an amazing shot that defines March Madness like David Jean Baptiste did for the Mocs Monday night. Surprise. Surprise. A lot of people turn out to see you come back home. Chattanooga returned to campus Tuesday as SoCon tournament champs. Guys are still in a daze over the way they punched their ticket to the Big…