Local tax experts answer questions on expanded child tax credit

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The newly expanded child tax credit is one of the largest expansions in the country’s history. Val Palmer with Urban League explains what it might mean for you and your family. “That’s going to be a lot of money that they can use toward rent, groceries, electricity. And it’s going to help bring children out of poverty,”…

Cause of Volkswagen Plant Fire is under investigation

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s Volkswagen plant was evacuated this morning during a fire in the body shop. A conveyor belt caught fire in a confined space. The machinery in the area was very hot at the time. Volkswagen’s own Fire Department plus the Chattanooga Fire department fought heavy smoke and the flames. The sprinklers helped suppress it. They got it…

Chattanooga artist chosen to create Thaddeus Stevens Monument

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – A Chattanooga artist is making history by creating the second sculpture in the nation of the historical figure Thaddeus Stevens. Artist Alex Paul Loza was chosen to complete this project from a nationwide search by the Thaddeus Stevens Society in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Stevens was a U.S. congressman known for playing a part in the creation of the…

Incentives to donating blood to Blood Assurance during shortage

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – “Blood Assurance says every donation can save up to Three lives but right now not enough people are doing this,” said Brian Armstrong “When you donate with Blood Assurance it stays local. We are the sole supplier to the Chattanooga area hospitals. So when you give with blood assurance it’s going directly to helping patients in need,”…

Defense Team for Convicted Murderer Miranda Cheatham Requests New Trial

BRADLEY COUNTY (WDEF) – The defense team for Miranda Cheatham believes justice wasn’t served and wants a new trial following her 2019 sentence for murdering her husband James “Tooter” Cheatham in 2016. The victim’s brother John Loach secretly recorded the victim’s sister Dana Cheatham Pritchard admitting she had an affair with the District Attorney whose office prosecuted Miranda Cheatham. The…

As summer heats up, car thefts and burglaries on the rise

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In Chattanooga, the temperature isn’t the only thing that’s rising. “If they see a car that’s sitting idly, running in a parking lot and they have access to it, they will take it,” says investigator Nicholas Hayes with CPD Auto Crimes Unit. They say that car thefts and burglaries happen more often in the Summer. “With…

The BLVD committed to improving Rossville Boulevard corridor

 CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A grassroots organization is promising better days for the Rossville Boulevard corridor of South Chattanooga. They call themselves the BLVD. The corridor they are focusing on is the 2.2 miles from I 24 to the Georgia state line. Rossville Boulevard volunteers They are working off of plans developed in a Chattanooga Regional Planning Agency study from 2004….

What’s Right With Our Schools: Summer Reach Program at Dalewood Middle

CHATANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Countless classroom hours were lost during the pandemic. Hamilton County’s Summer Reach program is designed to get kids back up to speed and even give them a head start for next year. Tasha Flowers is a Literacy Coach at Dalewood Middle. She explains, “The Summer Reach Program is a part of an initiative through Hamilton County…

Christmas in July

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF)- Christmas in July will be happening in Cleveland this year through Foundation House Miniseries. The Christmas in July event will take place at the end of the month on July 29th through the 31st. The family event will include carriage rides, petting zoo, and cookie decorating. This helps the mothers the ministry serves by increased opportunities to help…

Chattanooga soccer doesn’t lose Saturday doubleheader

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — After a couple weather delays, both Chattanooga’s soccer teams finish with favorable results Saturday night. USL League One’s Chattanooga Red Wolves took a 1-0 lead over FC Tucson into halftime, before ultimately tying with the Arizona team, 2-2. NISA’s Chattanooga FC hosted a friendly with Atletico Atlanta at Fort Finley. CFC’s Markus Naglestad scored early, and…

Hiking through Chattanooga to prevent veteran suicide

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – “I do it because I won’t be able to help others that’s why I do it,” said veteran Steve Cowart. Irreverent Warriors bring Veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent Veteran suicide. “That’s where the reference comes in for the reverent warriors. We’re trying to find humor and sadness,” said veteran Bobbi…

Get Vaccinated Chattanooga block party

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Get Vaccinated Chattanooga made a stop at East Lake park today to help more people have access to the COVID vaccine. The block party had music, food and of course the COVID-19 vaccine. Matthew Kodsi said these block parties are a way to go to the community directly and help people get access to the vaccine. He said…

Baylor’s Cooper Kinney Expected To Go in MLB Draft

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Major League Baseball Draft gets underway this weekend, and one Chattanooga player who should hear his name called is Baylor’s Cooper Kinney. The left-handed hitter is one of the most decorated players in Red Raiders history. He was recently named the Gatorade high school player of the year in Tennessee. Said Kinney’s Baylor teammate Luke Courdin:”He’s just built…

Mocs Coach Lamont Paris Excited to Field Experienced Team Next Season

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Experience makes a huge difference on sports teams, and the Mocs basketball team should have plenty of experience next season. With the return of guards Malachi Smith and David Jean Baptiste from the NBA draft process, Chattanooga will put a veteran team on the hardwood. That almost has head coach Lamont Paris doing back-flips. Said Paris:”Having so many guys…

CFC Face Unknown Opponent to Kick Off Independent Cup

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The CFC missed out on winning the NISA league title last week. This week, they’ll begin their quest for another title. The Independent Cup. Chattanooga won the Independent Cup last season. They look to defend their crown as they face three teams in the Southeast Region. The Savannah Clovers, Soda City, and Atletico Atlanta. The boys in blue play…