Rep. Yusef Hakeem endorses Nathaniel Doss III for Congressional Seat

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Nathaniel Doss the third is running for congress. Doss will be the first African-American candidate to run for District 3 against Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. Representative Yusuf Hakeem endorsed Doss this morning. Hakeem is Doss’ mentor. Doss plans to focus on rural citizens who might have been left out of the political conversation. Hakeem says, “He has the…

President Biden signs Juneteenth Bill into law

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thursday, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Bill. This is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Junior Day in 1983. Juneteenth is now the 12th federal holiday in the United States. President Biden says, “In short, this day just doesn’t celebrate the past, it calls for action today. I wish all Americans…

Planned Parenthood debate at Hamilton County School Board meeting

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Several people including Calvary Chapel Pastor Frank Ramseur spoke out against potentially Planned Parenthood education coming into Hamilton County Schools. “Respectfully just know that there are a lot of people that are rightly aware and rightly concerned of anything other than what we’ve got in terms of sex education for our kids in Hamilton County,” said Ramseur. Co-founder…

Hamilton County Schools host Roundtable with Education Commissioner

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Hamilton County School officials, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn and community leaders all came together Thursday to discuss how the  Hamilton County school system is working to accelerate student achievement.” As Part of the Learning loss remediation and Student Acceleration Act, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn is touring 50 of Tennessee’s school districts and Hamilton County was stop #…

Red Wolves Big Jumbotron Up and Running

The Chattanooga Red Wolves Jumbotron is officially up and running at CHI Memorial Stadium. The 2,000 square foot board will be lit up for Sunday’s match against North Carolina. This is one of the largest digital scoreboards in Tennessee, standing 60-feet high, with over 700,000 LED lights and 4K resolution. The Jumbotron has created a major buzz around the club…

Julio Jones Gives Titans QB Ryan Tannehill Another Big Target

Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill may be the happiest man in Nashville after Tennessee traded for receiver Julio Jones. Jones is a big target at 6-4 220 pounds, and he’s one of several big guys Tannehill will now be able to throw to. Said Tannehill:”Tannehill:”Honestly there are a lot of benefits to having a big target. You get range. Bigger catching…

No tax increase in Hamilton County but how will they put officers in every school?

Hamilton County, TN (WDEF) – After a lengthy discussion Wednesday morning, Hamilton County Commissioners passed Mayor Jim Coppinger’s $833,000,000 balanced county budget with no tax increase. It was approved by an 8 to 0 vote with Commissioner Geter absent. Mayor Coppinger pointed out that the county faced some significant financial challenges due to the coronavirus and tornadoes over the past…

Walker County StormReady helping save lives in a potential natural weather disaster

WALKER COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) – Walker County has taken another step in continuing to protect its residents during extreme weather events. Walker County is now designated as a StormReady county by the National Weather Service. “We would have notifications going out and our outdoor sirens depending on what location it is and then reverse 911 what’s going to affect. The…

Salvation Army opens up “Blessing Place” shop that’s free to the Homeless

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Salvation Army has found yet another way to help better serve our local homeless population.  As of Wednesday, the Salvation Army has Opened up the “Blessing Place.” The Blessing Place is a place that the homeless or needy can go and feel like they are truly shopping.  They will be able to get clothing, shoes, hygiene…

Volkswagen Employees Volunteer During Production Shutdown

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Volkswagen Chattanooga needed to pause production due to a global semiconductor shortage. Management came up with a creative idea to make good use of the hundreds of employees affected by the interruption. “We don’t like to have shut downs, but when we do and we’re paying employees, we obviously want to get out in the community and…

CPD unveils new Virtual Ride Along program to engage with community members

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department announced the creation of a Virtual Ride Along program as a way to increase community connection and inclusion. The CPD Virtual Ride Along program was an idea CPD Officer Sydney Hamon initiated in  her rookie year after noticing a disconnect between the community and local law enforcement.  “It was breaking the community apart….

Welcome home Wes Kean

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – Several hundred people lined up to welcome home Wes Kean from the hospital. A moment tough for his family and friends to describe. “It’s huge. He got burned bad 11 1/2 weeks ago. Lucky to survive,” said Wes’ brother-in-law Chris Blansit. “Since 15 years old, loved him for a long time. I’ve got kids following him…

Dade County Nursing Home Owner Charged With Cruelty

(TRENTON, Ga.) – A charge of Cruelty to Person 65 Years of Age or Older has been brought against 55-year-old Kent Allen Womack of Lafayette, owner of Woodhaven Senior Living in Trenton. Dade County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Woodhaven Monday on reports that a one hour eviction notice was given to the residents who range in age from 61…

EPB, Hamilton County schools hope to “bridge the digital divide”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Thanks to a partnership between EPB and Hamilton County Schools, lower income students will have access to free broadband internet. Through EdConnect, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can qualify for the free service, and so far, about a third of Hamilton County students have benefited. “We go in those homes and connect the…

Chattanooga Tourism Co. Accepting Applications for New Grant Program

Chattanooga Tourism Company is launching their first ever grant program. This will support projects that are designed to bring visitors into the city. “Why do we want a grant and why do you guys deserve a grant? It’s to strengthen the visitor experience, to drive visitor demand, and to also increase more brand awareness especially for our culture and tourism…

Firefighters rescue driver in overturned truck hanging on Missionary Ridge

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A truck flipped on the top of Missionary Ridge this afternoon, hanging in a precarious situation. It happened after 1PM on South Crest Road at the Shadowlawn Drive intersection. The 28 foot box truck flipped and then slid down the ridge. Firefighters found the driver handing upside down in his cab. Crews used cable wenches to secure…

Elder Abuse Awareness Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Tennessee’s older adults often become the targets or scammers, financial con artists and abusers.  That’s why June 15th is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  The main signs of elder abuse include the senior’s guardian acting in their own best interest at the expense of a senior member of the family, The second is if the…