New Restaurant Torikaya Brings Modern Japanese Inspired Dining To Chattanooga
Featured, Local News

New restaurant Torikaya brings modern Japanese-inspired dining to Chattanooga

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new restaurant has opened in downtown Chattanooga this week. Torikaya has officially opened its doors, bringing a modern Japanese-inspired dining experience to a nearly century-old building. Inside the newly renovated space, the building’s original brick walls and flooring remain intact, while nearly everything else has been completely rebuilt. Executive Chef Erik Cielo explained that the…

Da Reflects On Guilty Resolution
Featured, Local News

DA Reflects on Guilty Resolution

Robert Hanley,

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – District Attorney General Stephen Hatchett indicated the conclusion of the Craig Liner case brings a difficult but meaningful sense of closure after a guilty plea brought the courtroom proceedings to an abrupt end. Speaking on Mix 104.1, Hatchett reflected on how the case reached its resolution just as jury selection was about to begin.  He said…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

New details released on planned amphitheater on the Chattanooga Westside

Nick Hill,

Image of the planned amphitheater along with the rest of The Bend. (Courtesy: Urban Story Ventures) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last week, we learned that plans were in the works for a large amphitheater on the Chattanooga Westside at The Bend. Tuesday, we are learning more about what that entails. Urban Story Ventures has revealed that the proposed 12,500 seat venue…

Lake Levels Expected To Be Lower: Tva
Featured, Local News

TVA says that lake levels are below normal due to drought

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- TVA says that those planning to enjoy our lakes this summer should prepare for them to be lower than normal. This is because of the drought the Tennessee Valley finds itself in, as the National Weather Service says that we are in a severe to extreme drought. Chickamauga Lake as an example is running roughly 2-3 feet…

Dalton Draws Big Home Crowds For Their Soccer Team
Sports - Local Sports News

Dalton Draws Big Home Crowds For Their Soccer Team

Rick Nyman,

Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) When you’ve won seven state championships like the Dalton soccer program has, you can expect great support. That’s why big crowds have become the norm for the Catamounts home matches at Harmon Field. Dalton just wrapped up another successful season on their home turf. They qualified for the state championship game this Friday in Atlanta. Nothing new for…

New Tennessee Law Expands Emergency Care For K 9 Officers
Featured, Local News

New Tennessee law expands emergency care for K-9 Officers

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – New legislation aimed at helping injured police and canine officers in the field has officially passed through the Tennessee General Assembly. The Tennessee Canine Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act now allows trained EMS personnel to provide emergency care and transportation to injured canines serving in the line of duty. “For me, this was a really…

Gas Prices Surge Nationwide

Gas prices surge nationwide

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – President Trump announced Monday morning, following a phone interview with CBS News, that he plans to suspend the federal gas tax for a period of time. According to AAA, studies show gas prices have skyrocketed more than 50 percent since the start of the Iran war. On Sunday, prices reached more than $4.52 per gallon. Experts…

Cleveland Man Pleads Guilty In Murder Case
Featured, Local News

Cleveland Man Pleads Guilty in Murder Case

Robert Hanley,

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Charlton Craig Liner has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing his ex-wife, Karen Liner, according to the 10th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office. Liner entered guilty pleas to first-degree murder, felony murder, and aggravated burglary, bringing the case to a close without going to trial.   Authorities say the charges stem from…

Whats Right With Our Schools Food City
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools, Chattanooga Library Story Time

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – The foundation for life-long learning is often laid in pre-school, but for people that young, learning has to be fun. That’s exactly where Preschool story time comes in. Let’s head to Chattanooga’s Downtown Public library for a page turning example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Preschool story time focuses on early literacy skills, pre-literacy skills,…

Cfc To Take On Inter Miami Ii
Featured, Local News, Sports - Local Sports News

CFC Brings Soccer to Erlanger Park

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Football Club is preparing to take the field at Erlanger Park for a milestone event in the club’s history. CFC will host Inter Miami CF II in the first soccer match ever played at the stadium. The game is part of the club’s “Summer of Soccer” celebration taking place across Chattanooga. The match comes as…

Liner Could Face Death Penalty If Convicted Of Cleveland Realtor And Ex Wife's Murder
Bradley County, Cleveland, Featured, Local News

Craig Liner pleads guilty to 2025 murder of ex-wife

Nick Hill, McKenzie Hughes,

UPDATE: Craig Liner has pleaded guilty of the 2025 killing of his ex-wife Karen Liner and has been sentenced to life in prison. Liner entered pleas of guilty to First Degree Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Burglary for killing Karen Liner at her home, according to the District Attorney General, Tenth Judicial District. CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Back on January 27th, Karen…

Mother’s Day Paddle Through Downtown
Featured, Local News

Mother’s Day Paddle Through Downtown

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families spent part of Mother’s Day on the water Sunday morning during a special kayaking adventure hosted by Outdoor Chattanooga. The guided paddle took participants through downtown Chattanooga along the Tennessee River, passing landmarks including Maclellan Island, Ross’s Landing, the Bluff View Art District, and several historic bridges. The event welcomed both beginners and experienced kayakers…

Sunscreen Confusion Raises Melanoma Concerns
Featured, Local News

Sunscreen Confusion Raises Melanoma Concerns

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and a new national survey is highlighting growing confusion surrounding sunscreen safety and daily sun protection. The survey, released by the Melanoma Research Alliance, found many Americans remain skeptical about sunscreen despite medical recommendations encouraging regular use to help prevent skin cancer. According to the findings, 53% of Americans say they…

Dayton Celebrates 79th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival
Featured, Local News

Dayton celebrates 79th Annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival

Lillian Yi,

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Downtown Dayton celebrated its 79th annual Strawberry Festival with an entire week of events for the community. The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Molli Tallent, said this year’s festival brought one of the biggest crowds yet. “Perfect turnout. Bigger than it’s ever been for the 79th Tennessee Strawberry Festival. Woo!” Talent exclaimed. One attendee, Annette…

Mocs Rally To Beat Western Carolina 7 6
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - UTC Mocs

Mocs Rally to Beat Western Carolina and Stay Alive in SoCon Tournament

Rick Nyman,

(gomocs.com) — Baileigh Pitts delivered a career night at the plate and Chattanooga rallied late with a four-run seventh inning to defeat Western Carolina 7-6 on Friday in the Southern Conference Softball Tournament at Jim Frost Stadium. The fifth-seeded Mocs erased a late deficit behind timely and aggressive hitting and strong pitching from senior Taylor Long, who struck out 11…

Screenshot 2026 05 08 224940
Featured, Local News, Whitfield County

Cohutta Town Council reinstates police department, tables decision on mayor’s future

Nick Hill,

The Cohutta Town Council dealing with a power outage in the middle of a special meeting discussing the ongoing controversy over Cohutta mayor Ron Shinnick and his disbandment of the town’s police department. COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF)- “So that’s it? We don’t get any answers or anything?” The controversy in a small Whitfield County town took another turn Friday evening, as…

Trion Teen In Ice Custody Following Traffic Stop
Local News, Regional News

Trion High School Senior in ICE Custody

Russell Stroud,

TRION, GA (WDEF) — A High School Student from Trion, Georgia was arrested after a traffic stop, and reports say he’s now in ICE custody. An arrest report from Walker County says Elder Yuvini Aguilar-Macario was charged by the Georgia State Patrol with failure to maintain lane and driving without a license, which is a misdemeanor. A gofundme established by…