CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Chattanooga continues preparing for Independence Day festivities, organizers say the annual Pops on the River celebration is officially moving forward despite rumors suggesting otherwise. The free event is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at Coolidge Park. City officials say they have heard speculation that the event had been canceled, but they confirmed those rumors are…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In partnership with the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation has announced its upcoming “United 250” drone show as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. The free event is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, and will feature a sky filled with patriotic images designed to honor both the nation’s history and the local…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, BAPS Charities launched its 2026 Spirit of Service Walk-Run at Coolidge Park, raising money for Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. Organizers said the event was part of a nationwide effort taking place in communities across the country, while also marking Chattanooga’s first time hosting the fundraiser. Volunteer Meet Patel…
NORTHWEST, Ga. (WDEF) – Northwest Georgia is quickly becoming a hub for local filmmakers, and one director is gaining national recognition for his latest project. Brandon Cannon, director of Soul Purpose Entertainment, recently received a People’s Choice Award at the Pittsburgh Moving Picture Festival for the trailer of his upcoming film, Set Free. The movie, which was filmed locally, draws…
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- “People are losing a lot. Memories, being able to take their kids to places they once got to go to with their families and enjoy.” For decades, Ketner’s Mill has been a popular recreation spot in Marion County. Two centuries ago, some of the first European settlers to what is now Marion County set up a…
Content warning: The topic of suicide is discussed in this story. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The state of the mental health of Hamilton County teenagers was discussed at this month’s Hamilton County Regional Health Council meeting. According to a report from Dr. Gabby Jordan of the McNabb Center, the rate of depression among high school students in Hamilton County has risen…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Chattanooga State have launched a new program to help with workforce development in the region. We are learning more about how Blue Horizon is strengthening the local workforce. This is what makes a great What’s Right With Our Schools. “We are doing a signing day for our Blue Verizon program. The Blue…
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – A memorial bike ride was held for motorcyclist Riley Hairsine, who lost his life in a recent motorcycle crash. The ride aimed to celebrate his life and show support for his family. Before riders took to the road, community members, friends, and family could be heard shouting, “For Riley.” Chloe Beaty, one of the riders and…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As summer gets underway, Erlanger and community partners hosted an event Saturday focused on helping families prepare for the months ahead. The fourth annual Summer Outreach Safety Fest, also known as SOS Fest, took place at the Carver Community Center. The free event brought together local health, public safety, and community organizations to share resources and…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Coolidge Park was transformed Saturday into a medieval-inspired gathering place as Chattanooga hosted its first-ever Renaissance Faire along the Tennessee Riverfront. From 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the North Shore became a bustling festival grounds filled with music, performance, and artisan craft along the riverfront. The event followed a Renaissance-themed Night Market on Frazier Avenue that…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) We’ve heard how much Lookouts fans and officials like the new Erlanger Park. And guess what. The players and coaches love it too. Brian Armstrong reports. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- “These are very well traveled people. They’ve been to a lot of different places and it takes a lot to surprise them.” Hundreds of travel content creators and influencers are in town this weekend for their annual gathering, the Women in Travel Summit hosted by Wanderful at the Chattanoogan Hotel. Beth Santos started Wanderful, a travel community…
LAFAYETTE, GA (WDEF) — A new park is opening soon in Lafayette. Traverse Park on Villanow Street has an official ribbon cutting in June, but it’s opening up for business to coincide with the Honeybee festival this weekend. The park features climbing and bouldering walls modeled after nearby Rocktown, and a skate park. It connects with nearby walking trails,…
MGN LAFAYETTE, GA (WDEF) — The city of Lafayette is kicking off an event that’s been a yearly tradition since 2017. Lafayette becomes a hive of activity for the honeybee Festival, which takes over downtown. People swarm to see the vendors, the kids activities, and the musical acts. Plus, there will be a ton of food trucks to keep you…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Police and Sheriff’s deputies thwarted an equestrian escape earlier this week. A pair of donkeys were spotted by a 911 caller roaming along the area of Morris Hill Road. Responding officers were able to wrangle the donkeys, who were later identified as Oatie Pete and Squirrely Dan. The 9-1-1 call indicates the pair were causing quite…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Spain’s national football team is coming to Chattanooga as its training base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At Thursday’s Chattanooga Rotary club meeting, former U.S. men’s national team general manager Bill Nuttall, who has FIFA World Cup experience, and sports executive Sean McDaniel joined local organizers to discuss how the opportunity was secured. Chattanooga’s community…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts edged Knoxville by a 3-2 final. The Smokies scored twice in the top of the first, but then Chattanooga tied it up in the bottom of the first on a two RBI double by Cam Collier. Lookouts later got the go-ahead run on a walk. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Boyd Buchanan’s Lesley Burton just won the state shotput title for the third year in-a-row. As if being a three-time state champion wasn’t cool enough, Burton also has a cool nickname. Boogie. Brian Armstrong reports. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- How is Hamilton County doing on key issues? New data released is painting that picture. Hamilton Counted is an initiative that tracks various issues across the county such as homelessness, participation in food assistance programs, and crime. One issue that has seen a downtrend is the amount of accidental drug overdose deaths. The number of overdose deaths…
(press release) – The Chattanooga Red Wolves have conquered the Richmond Kickers with a score of 5-0. Rain or shine, it’s game time. There were puddles on the pitch and pressure in the air, but there were also over 1,200 fans in the stands, and that was all the spirit the Wolves needed. Charging onto that damp field as a…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Knoxville Smokies edged the Chattanooga Lookouts 5-4 in 10 innings on Wednesday night at Erlanger Park. Cam Collier and Jay Allen both hit home runs for Chattanooga. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- With the end of the fiscal year coming soon, Hamilton County must adopt a new budget. Mayor Weston Wamp unveiled his proposal Wednesday afternoon. The mayor’s budget is roughly $6.6 million dollars higher than Fiscal Year 2027, with the total budget being over $1.1 billion dollars. Roughly $670 million dollars of that is next year’s school budget….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Summer travel already comes with packed airports, delays, and stormy skies, but this year, climate patterns could shape what some passengers experience in the air. One of those patterns is El Niño, a naturally occurring climate cycle that develops when parts of the Pacific Ocean become warmer than average. While it begins over the ocean, its…
VALLEY HEAD, AL. (WDEF) – Drivers traveling through northeast Alabama should expect delays and changing traffic patterns as a major reconstruction project begins along Interstate 59 near the Georgia state line. The Alabama Department of Transportation says the $47.5 million project is now underway on 16 miles of I-59 southbound in DeKalb County. The work stretches from the state line…