Chattanooga, Featured, Local News

State representatives hold mental health discussion at Moccasin Bend

Local leaders eager for new mental health facility budgeted for $270 million
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Tennessee Department of Mental Health Commissioner Marie Williams said the impact of the coronavirus pandemic led to a 45% increase in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression throughout the state. With those numbers on the rise, the state believes it’s time to modernize its care at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Moccasin Bend serves mental…

Bessie Smith Music Pathways Marker Dedicated
Chattanooga, Entertainment, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Tennessee Music Pathways unveils marker for Bessie Smith

It will be located at the Cultural Center in Chattanooga named for the Empress of the Blues
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The “Empress of the Blues,” Chattanooga’s very own Bessie Smith, received another honor. This one is a state honor. Smith became the newest honoree as part of the Tennessee Music Pathways. Smith’s music wasn’t just from the 1920’s and 30’s. She influenced jazz, R & B, and even hip-hop in the late 80’s to mid 90’s. Her granddaughter…

New Chief
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

New Police Chief Sworn in for Chattanooga

Celeste Murphy touts a new community relationship for the department
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Melody Maddox: “You can’t serve the people if you don’t love the people. Chief Murphy loves her job, and she loves the people she serves. Law enforcement presents an opportunity to serve with honor.” Celeste Murphy plans to serve as Chattanooga’s police chief with more than just honor. She wants to serve as a police ambassador to the…

Volk Snip
Business, Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Jobs & Economy, Local News, Technology

Volkswagen Adds 1,000 Jobs to Chattanooga Location

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — This summer, Volkswagen is releasing the ID 4, it’s first electric SUV. For some, that means one more option in the electric automotive market, but, for Chattanoogans, that means 1,000 new jobs. “For that vehicle and the growth, due to customer demand, of our Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport, we’re adding a thousand new production positions to…

Hot Slaw Festival
Bradley County, Cleveland, Featured, Local News

Chip’s Good Word: Making Hot Slaw

We get the secrets behind the Cleveland delicacy that has inspired this weekend's festival
Collins Parker,

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – Cleveland holds a new festival on Saturday dedicated to a local dish.   The Hot Slaw festival honors the tradition of slaw with a peppy kick.   The festival will test both the stomachs and kitchens of local residents.   They will have a Hot Slaw dog eating contest to see how much fans can stomach….

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

More To The Story: Teaching our Teens to “Rise Up”

Dave Staley meets the mom behind the program to inspire local students
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Sandy Pricer is a busy woman! Sandy is a wife and mother. Mother of six kids. And she’s a working mother. You see, Sandy started the organization “Rise Up Cooperative” back in late 2020. During the dark days of the pandemic. The goal is to work with various groups and schools. Such as Notre Dame High School….

Cfc Upset Memphis 901 In U.s. Open Cup
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - Soccer

CFC Upset Memphis 901 in U.S. Open Cup

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The CFC upset Memphis 901 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup on Thursday at Fort Finely. The final was 3-1. Memphis belongs to the USL League One Championship division, which is one level below the MLS. Chattanooga FC scored one minute into the match on a goal from Alex McGrath. They went up 3-1 at halftime…

Lookouts Like Their Pitching Staff To Start The Year
Sports - Local Sports News

Lookouts Believe They Have Strong Pitching Staff to Start the Season

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Gorgeous day in the Scenic City to meet the Chattanooga Lookouts. Team held their preseason media day at AT&T Field. Chattanooga’s season opener is Friday as they travel to face the Tennessee Smokies. Normally if you have good pitching, you’ll have a good team. Sounds like the Lookouts might have a good team this year. Said Lookouts pitching coach…

Larry Ward Into Tennessee Radio Hall Of Fame
Sports - Local Sports News

Voice of the Lookouts Larry Ward Voted Into Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The long-time Voice of the Lookouts Larry Ward has been voted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. He’ll be inducted this August. Ward has been the Voice of the Lookouts since 1989. He’s the longest tenured broadcaster in Double-A baseball, Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Chattanooga Lookouts, Larry Ward, Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame

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Featured, Local News, McMinn County

Board of Election Forum held in McMinn County

Candidates respond to question related to "Maus" controversy in January
WDEF News,

McMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — McMinn County Neighbors was formed in January after the local controversy of “Maus’s” sudden removal from the EL curriculum went national. Following the controversy from the novel “Maus” earlier this year and with elections upcoming, the newfound group held a Board of Education forum Thursday night to hear four of the nine candidates’ takes on…

Smart Factory Snip
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Smart Factory Institute, EPB Talk Electric Cars, Supply Chain Issues

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Today, EPB presented an electronic vehicle battery innovations conference at the TDOT Administration building. Industry manufacturers and innovators were brought together to discuss developments in electric vehicle technology and solutions to supply chain problems. “What this is is to talk about opportunities and innovations with the electronic vehicles and manufacturing that is either just coming to the…

Bessie Smith 2
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Tennessee honors Bessie Smith

Tennessee Music Pathways will unveil a marker for the Empress of the Blues
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Tennessee Music Pathways program celebrates the musical heritage of the state.   Since 2018, they have been placing markers in the hometowns of artists across the state.   There is one in Spring City honoring piano legend Pig Robbins.   On Friday, the Pathway stops in the heart of Chattanooga.   The state will put up…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

EPB charging stations

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Many vehicle and car Experts believe electrical vehicles are the way of the future. Now with EPB’s help, the Gig city is getting EV ready. As gas prices remain high causing a price trip to the gas station, the automotive industry is accelerating toward electric vehicles. The 13 new charging stations are on the first floor of…

Fbi 1
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

FBI not releasing details on Mountain Shadows raid

They confiscated many weapons from home
Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The FBI is not saying much about a raid they conducted in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in East Brainerd.   We counted at least 16 vehicles at the raid of a home on Wednesday morning.   They were at the home in the 9300 block of Mountain Shadows Drive for several hours.   But neighbors tell us…

N German Shooting
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

N Germantown Rd Shooting

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Chattanooga Police Department is investigating a shooting resulting in a man being taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries according to CPD. Chattanooga Police and investigators are working on a shooting incident near the 700 block of Germantown Dr. CPD said a male party shot and ems transported him to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The…

Cfc Unveil New Jerseys
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - Soccer

CFC Team Up With Volkswagen For 2022 Jerseys

Rick Nyman,

(press release) Chattanooga, TN (April 6, 2022)– Two iconic Chattanooga brands, better together. Chattanooga FC is thrilled to announce a collaboration with Volkswagen Group of America that will electrify supporters from their neighborhood pitches all the way to Fort Finley. “Not only will VW’s iconic logo return to the front of all CFC jerseys, but Volkswagen will work with us…

Ga Hospital
Catoosa County, Featured, Local News

Catoosa County Commissioner, residents fed up over hospital dispute

CHI Memorial wants to relocate and build new hospital, Parkridge Health System contests move
WDEF News,

CATOOSA COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) — CHI Memorial Hospital in Fort Oglethorpe has provided medical services to the residents of Catoosa, Walker and Dade Counties for years. But the facility is in need of an upgrade. Memorial wants to build a new, modern hospital on its Battlefield Parkway property. However, according to Commissioner Chuck Harris of the Catoosa County Board of…

Mocs Introduce New Basketball Coaches
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Chattanooga Mocs Introduce Basketball Coaches Dan Earl and Shawn Poppie

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Mocs named their new men’s and women’s basketball coaches last week. Wednesday, we got to meet them. News 12’s Angela Moryan was their for the introductions. Angela: “The next chapter of Chattanooga basketball began today with the introduction of not one but two brand new head coaches for the Mocs. Both Shawn Poppie and Dan Earl walk…

Fentanyl Pills
Featured, Health, Local News, Regional News, Walker County

Fentanyl overdoses on the rise in Walker County, Georgia & Tennessee

Tennessee & Georgia each see synthetic drug overdose deaths rise by 24% from Oct. 2020-Oct. 2021
WDEF News,

WALKER COUNTY (WDEF) – Saying ‘no’ to drugs is harder than ever. Part of the reason is because pills you might get for pain actually may come with something you didn’t expect. The Lookout Mountain Drug Task Force says that little something is fentanyl, and it doesn’t take much to kill you. The recreational drugs of choice have changed throughout…

Rgr Snip
Business, Featured, Local News, Marion County

Governor Lee Visits Marion County, Breaks Ground Alongside Thunder Enterprises

WDEF News,

MARION COUNTY, Tenn. — This morning, property developer Thunder Enterprises broke ground alongside Governor Bill Lee on a new project in Marion County. “What’s happening here is a really important thing in our state,” said Governor Lee. The project, which overlooks the Tennessee River, is called River Gorge Ranch. “The planning commission just approved 398 lots in this first phase,…

Tuba Girl
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, More To The Story With Staley

More To The Story: Female Tuba Player

Dave Staley meets a rare female tuba player at UTC
Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – It’s the wind ensemble class at UTC. One of three meetings per week on campus. Sophomore Ember Evans is on the scene, getting ready to join the party! As the old saying goes, “no one is an island. No one stands alone.” Well my friends, Ember stands alone. In a figurative sense, she sits alone. Because you…