Wildfire Grows Rapidly In Remote Terrain

POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A wildfire burning in Polk County continues to expand across remote forest land. The Appalachia Fire was first reported on Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Forest Service property near McFarland and the Hiwassee River. Since then, the fire has grown to approximately 200 acres, spreading through rugged terrain that is difficult to access. Around 40 U.S….

Historic Center Supports Youth and Families

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For more than a century, The Bethlehem Center has remained a part of the Alton Park community, working to support generations of local families. Founded in 1911, the center was established to serve children and families in Chattanooga, with a focus on education and community-based support. Today, that mission continues through youth-focused programming, including after-school and…

Free Treats Ease Tax Day Stress

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On a day that often brings deadlines and stress, one company is flipping the script.  Kona Ice is once again celebrating National Chill Out Day on Tax Day, offering free shaved ice to communities nationwide. The annual tradition has become a fan-favorite, with Kona Ice trucks popping up in neighborhoods, workplaces, and public spaces to hand…

Three new fire trucks unveiled for Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department

The new fire trucks unveiled by the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department. (Courtesy: Jeff Eversole) OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF)-  The Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department has some new tools to keep their community safe. They unveiled three new fire trucks that will go into service. These are a pumper, ladder, and air truck designed for various emergencies. The fire department was…

Erlanger Park spillover causes parking headaches on South Broad

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Opening day of Erlanger Park was a sold out success. However, the parking situation brought a challenge for some southside businesses. Social Media posters report their vehicles being towed after parking in the lots of nearby businesses. One local business transitioned its lot to paid parking, partially in anticipation of increased traffic from Erlanger Park Caitlyn…

Early Voting Begins in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Early voting in Tennessee began today. Early extends until April the thirtieth, and the voter registration period has already passed. After Early voting, the official primary election day is Tuesday, May 5th. Voters will decide on who will proceed to the General Election, which is coming up in November. Nate Foster, Assistant Administrator of Elections at…

Skillets at the ready for the 29th annual National Cornbread Festival

Wesley Brewer gets everyone excited for the 2026 National Cornbread Festival. As Entertainment Chair, he shares what performances to expect alongside some delicious sweet or savory cornbread. SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. (WDEF) – Skillets are sizzling as South Pittsburg gets ready for the 2026 National Cornbread Festival happening on April 25-26! The volunteer driven event will feature 100 arts & crafts…

Cooper Kinney Spoils Lookouts Debut in New Stadium as Biscuits Win 2-1 in 10 Innings

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Montgomery Biscuits second baseman and Baylor grad Cooper Kinney helped spoil the Chattanooga Lookouts debut in their new ballpark, as the Biscuits beat the Lookouts 2-1 in 10 innings at Erlanger Park. With Montgomery trailing 1-0 in the top of the 9th with two outs, Kinney worked the count full before launching an opposite field home run that barely…

Incubator Future Sparks Business Concerns

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – An announcement made by county staff at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday involved a discussion of a proposal related to the Hamilton County Business Development Center. The proposal involves the possible sale of the county-owned building that houses the INCubator program, which supports dozens of small businesses and startups. Tenants say the idea was…

Chattanooga City council elects new chairperson

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga City Council elected a new chairperson during today’s meeting, selecting Councilman Jeff Davis for the leadership role. Davis, who represents the Hixson area, will now serve as the council’s chairperson and oversee meetings for the coming year. Councilwoman Jenny Hill, who represents the North Shore district, previously held the position over the last year. Davis…

Ballpark Expected to Spur Growth

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly says the city’s new ballpark represents more than a sports venue, it’s part of a longer-term push to shape economic growth in surrounding neighborhoods. He says the project is expected to draw investment into nearby areas while supporting continued revitalization in communities that have historically been overlooked.  Kelly also points to the…

History of the Lookouts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Lookouts are a professional minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, named for nearby Lookout Mountain following a fan contest in 1909.   The franchise’s roots trace back to Chattanooga baseball clubs in the late 19th century, but the modern Lookouts emerged when local owners relocated a South Atlantic League team to the city…

Golden Apple Award: Madison Limburg, Walker Valley High

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – Madison Limburg is a proven teacher at Walker Valley High. Her course load incudes English Language Arts and Journalism. She has also served as an assistant director on a Jewel Award winning a musical. Her students love her. Her colleagues admire her. All that earned Madison Limburg tonight’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Limburg’s fabulous. She does…

Where to park at Erlanger Park

A map of the parking lots at Erlanger Park. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Lookouts) A map of the routes to the parking lots. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Lookouts) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As fans make their way to Erlanger Park, a question many have is where exactly they are going to park. There will be two main parking lots that the Lookouts are directing visitors…

Catoosa County Firefighters support ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) – Catoosa County firefighters are out in the community this week supporting a long-standing tradition. Crews with the Catoosa County Fire Department are collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association through their annual “Fill the Boot” campaign. You can find firefighters outside the Walmart in Fort Oglethorpe, where they are accepting donations from shoppers throughout the week….

K-9 Teams compete in Regional Trials in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – K-9 teams from across the Southeast are in Chattanooga this week for a major regional competition and certification event. Handlers and their dogs from Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee are taking part in the Region 22 United States Police Canine Association field trials, with top teams earning a chance to advance to the national level. The event,…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Eastgate Library Young Authors

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Being a good writer is a great skill to have. But you need to work at it. Third through 8th grade students are getting that vital training each Monday at Eastgate Public Library. Let’s put pen to page in tonight’s “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “For the name of the program is the Eastgate authors and…

Tennessee Riverwalk, W 26th Street Trailhead now open

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —  The Tennessee Riverwalk and the W. 26th St. Riverwalk Trailhead outside Erlanger Park and within the Foundries District are now open to the public, according to the City of Chattanooga Public Works. They say the Riverwalk, which serves as the ‘front door’ to Erlanger Park, has been enhanced with new lighting and landscaping that incorporates native trees…