Celeste Murphy
Chattanooga, Featured, Government & Politics, Hamilton County, Local News

Celeste Murphy confirmed as Chattanooga’s first female police chief

She plans to visit higher crime communities as her first order of business
WDEF News,

The Chattanooga City Council made history this evening when they confirmed Celeste Murphy as the city’s new police chief. She is the first female, and Black female chief in the city’s history. History means nothing to Murphy if she can’t get the community to stop seeing police as the enemy. Celeste Murphy was confirmed 8-to-nothing by City Council. It’s a…

Mccallie Tennis Team Ranked Number One In The Country
Sports - Local Sports News

McCallie Tennis Team Ranked Number One in America

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The number one ranked high school tennis team in America resides in the Scenic City. McCallie was recently voted number one in the Universal Tennis Poll rankings. The Blue Tornado captured a state title last season, and now it seems their talent has captured the eyes of the country. Even though Jeff Clark is the head tennis coach at…

Goldenapple 1280x720
Chattanooga, Education, Golden Apple Award, Hamilton County, Local News

Golden Apple Award: Shannon Seigel, Stem School Chattanooga

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – When cutting edge technology is combined with hard work and kindness, learning is sure to follow. Those qualities merge seamlessly in Shannon Seigle’s classroom at Stem School Chattanooga. Tony Donen is the Principal. He says, “Ms. Seigel is a wonderful teacher. She is what we call ‘The Science Beast’. She is a science educator of the…

Lee University Ocoee Street
Cleveland, Featured, Local News

Petition created at Lee University in response to student accident

Lee student was hit by car while crossing the street in February
WDEF News,

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — More than 1,500 Lee University students have signed an online petition for safer campus crosswalks. Last month, a freshman student at the school was hit at the Medlin Hall crosswalk on Ocoee Street by a driver who told Cleveland police that “she couldn’t see the road due to heavy rain.” Junior history student Ezekiel Coventry believes…

Gas Price Snip
Business, Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Residents still concerned for gas prices despite price drop

Oil nationally drops below $100 a barrel for first time in two weeks
WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — On Monday, U.S. oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since March 1 — more than an 8% plunge in cost. Some of Broad Street’s gas stations dropped 20 cents in price per gallon at the pump, but average prices in the city remained unchanged over the past week. For Isaac Swert, an…

Whats Right 1280x720 1
Education, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Harrison Elementary Black History Museum

Andrew Harrison,

HARRISON, TN (WDEF) – Black History Month came to life at Harrison Elementary School. Third graders became historic figures in a living wax museum. Students and visitors both learned a lot. Kyle Powers is in charge of Student Success at Harrison Elementary. He explains, “All through February, they do Black History projects and do some research, and then they get…

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…

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Local News, Tech Byte, Technology

TECH BYTE: Apple Announces Spring Products

WDEF News,

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…

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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…