Delinquent Youth in Custody now have options for learning and career development programs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Tennessee youth placed into the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services for delinquent behavior will now have new options for learning and career development that will help prepare them for a successful next chapter in life. “One mistake or a few mistakes that they make as a youth should not define where they are in opportunities…

McKamey Animal Center Flies 64 Kittens to New Homes

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Sixty four kittens from McKamey Animal Center were shipped out this morning to their new homes. McKamey and the ASPCA partnered to find adoptive homes for the kittens. The felines flew out of the Chattanooga Airport to their new homes in Massachusetts. According to McKamey, this helps bring animals to a place that doesn’t have a large…

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologizes after visit to Holocaust Museum

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – The normally fiery northwest Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was subdued in an afternoon press conference in Washington on Monday. She stood outside the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum where she had just taken a tour. Rep. Greene used the event to apologize for previous comments about the Holocaust. She has been roundly criticized after a tweet…

Hamilton County Drug Courts Offer Second Chance Despite Pandemic

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in 2020, according to the CDC. This is the highest number ever recorded. “The opioid epidemic, we’ve been hearing a lot about that over the years,” Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court Judge Alex McVeagh says. “The pandemic only made it worse. The isolation folks felt, health issues, the economic distress many…

Despite 250k jobs, Tennessee employers struggle to find workers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee is reporting around 250,000 jobs available right now, with about 500 new postings being added every day. The problem is, not enough people are taking them. “Jobs that we had before COVID are not coming back. And so you’ve got a whole host of individuals who are working and relient on jobs that are now…

Flag Day Ceremony at Veteran’s Bridge

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “Today is not just about a flag, it’s not just about an individual, it’s about a spirit of love and sacrifice to keep this country protected and keeps it free,” says Chattanooga Police Chief David Roddy. Chattanooga veterans, families, and city officials gathered at Veteran’s Bridge today for a flag raising ceremony to honor some of our…

Local Chef wins Food Network’s hit TV show “Chopped”

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Local Chef and Owner of Neutral Ground, Kenyatta Ashford, was the top winner on food networks hit tv show “Chopped” – after he stunned the judges with his ”Afro-creole” style of cuisine.  “It was unbelievable. It’s still pretty surreal,” says Kenyatta Ashford, Owner of Neutral Ground.  Chef Ashford competed against 2 other skilled contestants under strict time…

College researchers write biographies for those buried in District Hill Cemetery

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF)- On Thursday, we told you about an African-American cemetery that is being restored in Chickamauga. Sunday, we talked to history professor at Covenant College that has a special connection to the project. Dr. Alicia Jackson and some of her students are working hard to write biographies for those that are confirmed to be buried in the…

Blood Assurance recommends donating blood on World Blood Donor Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday is World Blood Donor Day and Blood Assurance is encouraging everyone in the community to give blood, if they can. They are having a two week campaign called Peace, Love, Give Blood. The goal is to collect 6,500 blood donations. Blood Assurance is the only blood blank that provides blood to the Tennessee Valley. Caitlin Stanley…

Lodolo, Lookouts handle Wahoos, 6-1

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Nick Lodolo left Saturday’s game against Pensacola in the fourth inning with a blister on his finger, but not before he was able to strike out seven batters. Lookouts bats handled the rest. Chattanooga won, 6-1. Categories: Sports, Sports – Baseball, Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Chattanooga Lookouts, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Celebrating Pride Month at Sanctuary Cafe

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Sanctuary Cafe and Performing Arts Center celebrated Pride month by hosting three events. Sanctuary is a safe place for the LGBTQ community. Today they hosted a Pride in Persepctive Panel to have real conversations about different topics that affect the LGBTQ community. The Founder of Sanctuary, Kye Sayers, says, “We are trying to cater to every…

Pianist Hargus “Pig” Robbins honored in Spring City

SPRING CITY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Spring City had a special day Saturday. Tennessee Music Pathways unveiled a Hargus “Pig” Robbins marker at the Spring City Museum & Depot. Robbins was born in Spring City in 1938. He is now 83-years-old. He is an accomplished session pianist that has been on many hits including George Jones’ “White Lightning”. City officials say that…

Greene shines, Robinson soars in Lookouts 1-0 Friday win

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Hunter Greene struck out nine in six against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Friday night. The pitchers’ duel eventually broken up when Chuckie Robinson hit a bomb well over the center field fence. Lookouts won, 1-0, and will play the Wahoos again Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Categories: Sports, Sports – Baseball, Sports – Local…

Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition vaccinating the homeless

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition is providing vaccinations to those who have yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, the Hamilton County Health Department, and Olivet Baptist Church have partnered together to provide both the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine to the homeless. “Homeless healthcare, and sell actually anybody can go to…

Travel Agent suggests a pause on European travel until restrictions are lifted

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The COVID-19 vaccine has opened up the door to travel. There are many tough questions that travelers must ask themselves before flying internationally. Do you need your mask? What are the vaccine requirements? Will you need a negative COVID-19 test for when you come back into the United States? Lisa Tanner, of Lisa Tanner Travels, says that…