CDC calls emergency meeting on rare heart inflammation following the vaccine

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – The CDC announced Thursday that it will convene for an “emergency meeting” of its advisers on June 18th to discuss rare but higher-than-expected reports of heart inflammation following the second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. “Pericarditis actually only involves the outer sac of the heart. Myocarditis can actually affect not only the sac which…

Rent and housing prices continue to soar and could continue to increase

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – Finding a reasonably affordable place to live continues to be a struggle for many Americans as rents and home prices continue to rise. “I jokingly say even offering your first child’s naming rights just as a joke,” said Ethan White with Heritage Homes & Lands. Anyone looking for a house right now knows the housing market…

District Hill Cemetery in Chickamauga is being restored

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF)- The District Hill Cemetery is an African-American cemetery here in Chickamauga. It had been neglected many years. But now, family members of those that are buried here and many volunteers are working hard to restore the dignity.” Time, research and volunteer hours has gone into the restoration of the cemetery where Mark Thrash, a slave and a…

Rhea County Child Advocacy Center has grand opening

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Rhea County’s first child advocacy center is now open to the public. There was mix of optimism and sadness in the air at its grand opening . “It was really important for these rural counties to be served and for the children and the victims to be served,” says Laura Travis, lead coordinator. The Children’s…

My Hero Wears a Badge: 2 year old meets Deputy who helped save his life

MIDDLEY VALLEY, Tenn (WDEF) – This past week, Kyler finally got to meet his hero and thank her for saving his life. Last year, 2 year old Kyler Nerren almost lost his life when he accidentally overdosed. “My life flashed before my eyes,” says Alicia Nerren, Kyler’s Mom. Kyler’s mom, Alicia Nerren says Kyler somehow gained access to adult medicines,…

Lookouts Rock the Blue Wahoos 16-3

(lookouts.com) The Chattanooga Lookouts scored a season-high 16 runs in a runaway victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The offensive deluge began right away when the Lookouts scored on a single and a two-run Yoel Yanqui home run. The score remained 3-1 until the seventh inning, due to a fantastic pitching performance by the Lookouts bullpen. Starting pitcher Connor Curlis…

Tennessee Announces $500-Million ‘My All’ Campaign to Upgrade Athletic Facilities

(utsports.com) Tennessee athletic director Danny White on Wednesday announced the launch of the “My All” Campaign, a comprehensive fundraising initiative to ensure Tennessee’s ability to provide a transformational student-athlete experience for current and future Vols and Lady Vols. The campaign aims to impact each of Tennessee’s 20 varsity athletic programs by providing championship resources to support student-athletes’ academic and competitive…

Direct Flooring giving back to the community

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) -A Chattanooga flooring company is selling rugs to helping out the areas community. After years of working with builders Direct Flooring opened its doors in April to the public. Direct Flooring’s owner Jordan Parker said the store opened to the public help out the community after the pandemic. Parker and Jonathan Rodriguez also with Direct flooring is…

$7.5 Million Loan Fund aims to help local minority-led businesses and small businesses grow

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – In an effort to grow and strengthen Chattanooga’s small and minority-led businesses and those that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pathway Lending is launching a new $7.5 million loan fund that will support economic growth and recovery. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of a community. Typically entrepreneurs start a business by using home wealth…

Oliva Reeves Making International Waves in Weightlifting

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) One of the strongest female weightlifters in the world hails from the Scenic City, and she’s just a teenager. Recent Notre Dame grad Olivia Reeves competed in the IWF Junior World Championships last month in Uzbekistan. The 18-year-old returned home with one silver and two gold medals. News 12’s Rick Nyman has more Reeves tremendous weightlifting career. Oliva Reeves…

Katie Boyd Britt officially announces run for Senate in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Republican Katie Boyd Britt has entered the race for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat. In a Tuesday announcement video, Britt stressed her work for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and her leadership of a state business group, and promised to put Alabama first. Britt is a former chief of staff for Shelby with deep ties to the…

What happened to the cicada eruption?

KNOXVILLE (WDEF) – After over a decade, Cicadas have finally started to emerge again throughout Tennessee. This brood of Cicades, known as Brood X, last emerged in May 2004. But a horticultural specialist at the University of Tennessee explains that these noisy insects might not be seen as frequently throughout the Tennessee Valley. “We’re on the southern edge of their…

FDA approves new drug for Alzheimer’s Disease

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Alzheimer’s disease affects over 5 million people nationwide. On Monday the Food and Drug Administration approved a first of its kind treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s the first drug to be approved to help treat the disease in nearly 20 years. “A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s truly does change everything not only for the individual but also for…