Bredesen TV ad says he’s ‘not running against Donald Trump’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen says in his U.S. Senate campaign’s second TV ad that he’s “not running against Donald Trump.” Bredesen says he learned long ago to “separate the message from the messenger.” Bredesen is running as a moderate Democrat who will work across party lines for a red state that strongly supported Trump in…

Country singer advocates for Tennessee anti-harassment bill

By KRISTIN M. HALL Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A country music singer is speaking out in support of a proposed bill in Tennessee that would provide better workplace protections against sexual harassment specifically for those working in the music industry. Singer and songwriter Katie Armiger spoke Monday alongside state Sen. Jeff Yarbro and state Rep. Brenda Gilmore about…

Commentary: Why Scott Israel may be the GOP's new favorite Democrat

Nancy Pelosi should watch out. The minority leader has a challenger for the GOP’s role of favorite Democrat to vilify, and his name is Scott Israel, sheriff of Broward Country. Following the shooting in Parkland, Florida, evidence has been mounting that he and his department likely blew more than one opportunity to stop the shooter from carrying out a rampage…

Video shows quick cop catch boy falling from window

Egyptian police officer  Kameel Fathy Geed, 45, outstretches his arms to catch a five-year-old boy who fell from a third-storey window in Asyut, Egypt, Feb. 17, 2018, in an image taken from security camera video released by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. Handout An Egyptian police officer on patrol outside a bank likely saved a young boy’s life this week…

Commentary: Why do we hate the NRA?

Why do we hate the NRA? Yesterday the hashtag #KillTheNRA started trending on Twitter, inspired by a vandalized billboard in Kentucky bearing the same message.  It echoed comments from student survivors of the Parkland High school shooting on CNN over the weekend. When asked for their message to the National Rifle Association their response was “Disband. Dismantle. Don’t you come…

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar coming to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A new gourmet burger chain will open its first Tennessee location in Chattanooga. Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar just broke ground at a location on Gunbarrel Road. The Denver-based company actually started in Charlotte, North Carolina eleven years ago. Now they have locations in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma and Colorado.. but not Tennessee. The Gunbarrel location,…

Chattanooga Fire honors heroes during annual awards ceremony

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – If you want to see a hero attend the annual Chattanooga Fire Department awards ceremony. You’ll find plenty there. CFD recognized several firefighters and civilians during the event Monday night including Chattanooga Fire Captain Steve Everett. He received CFD’s top award, the Medal of Heroism, for saving a woman’s life while off duty. “We’re trained to help….

Female songwriters in Nashville unite to sing ‘Time’s Up’

By KRISTIN M. HALL Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Female musicians in Nashville have long complained about the lack of representation on country radio, but now a collective of female songwriters are singing “Time’s Up.” Nearly two dozen women, all belonging to the Song Suffragettes collective, sang on the “Time’s Up” song and music video released earlier this month….

16-year-old suspended after anti-bullying video goes viral

LEBANON, Tenn. (AP) – A Tennessee high school student’s anti-bullying video has resulted in nearly 600,000 views on YouTube and a suspension for its creator. Lebanon High School student Emily Gipson said school administrators accused her of “trying to incite violence” and gave her a two-day in-school suspension for the video entitled “Welcome to Lebanon High School,” posted Jan. 22….

Banana Republic leaving Hamilton Place Mall

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – One of Hamilton Place Mall’s longest running retailers has closed up shop here. Banana Republic posted signs encouraging customers to visit their store in Knoxville. Gap announced last fall that they planned on closing about 10% of their Gap and Banana Republic stores. But this closing has been in the works for awhile. Hamilton Place officials say…

Country singer Lari White dies of rare cancer

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – Country singer Lari White Cannon has died after a brief battle with cancer. She was only diagnosed with the rare and aggressive peritoneal cancer in October. White entered a Hospice facility last night. The family had begun a GoFundMe campaign to pay for her medical expenses which has almost met the $100,000 goal. White won the Nashville…

More Tennessee DA’s file lawsuit against opiod producers & clinics

MANCHESTER, Tennessee (WDEF) – Fire more District Attorney Generals have filed lawsuits involving the opiod crisis in Tennessee. They represent counties in the middle part of the state. Their targets are both the companies that make the drugs and the owners of alleged “pill-mills” that distribute them in large numbers. One of the doctors named in the suit is Dr….

Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan dies suddenly in London

LONDON (AP) – Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of Irish band The Cranberries, has died. She was 46. Publicist Lindsey Holmes says O’Riordan died suddenly Monday in London, where she was recording. The cause of death wasn’t immediately available. Holmes says the singer’s family is “devastated” by the news. The Limerick band became international stars in the 1990s with hits including…

Riverbend books rising country star Luke Combs

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Country music rising star Luke Combs will play the Riverbend Festival in June. The 27 year old Ashville, NC native was a frequent competitor to Lauren Alaina for breakthrough artist of 2017. He scored two #1 hits on country radio last year, “Hurricane” and “When It Rains It Pours.” His debut album “This One’s For You” also…

R&B singer-songwriter Denise LaSalle dies in Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) – Singer and songwriter Denise LaSalle, whose hit “Trapped by a Thing Called Love” topped the R&B charts in 1971, has died. She was 78. Musician and producer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, a close family friend of LaSalle’s, said Tuesday that the singer died in Jackson, Tennessee. Media outlets report LaSalle suffered from health issues in recent months…

Bredesen in, Berke out of Tennessee Senate race

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – Former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen is jumping back into politics. He announced on Thursday that he will run for the U.S. Senate. Bredesen has been exploring a run since Bob Corker announced he would not seek re-election. Bredesen was the last democrat to win a statewide election eleven years ago. “We all know Washington is broken,” Bredesen…

Body-cam shows Georgia officer saving life of newborn baby

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) – Savannah police are crediting an officer with saving the life of a choking newborn baby by racing to her apartment and then using chest compressions to restart the infant’s breathing. Dramatic video from an officer’s body-worn camera shows the infant’s desperate mother, Tina Adkins, holding her unresponsive 29-day-old baby on Friday. Savannah-Chatham police Officer William Eng’s…