Jasper Middle School Student Advances in National Competition

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — One Jasper Middle School student is making some major moves. Andrew Dunn is currently in the quarterfinals of the nationwide America’s Favorite Student competition, and now the community is rallying behind him with daily votes and online support. If Andrew wins, he could receive 20-thousand dollars toward his education, appear in Reader’s Digest, and even meet Bill…

Jones Faces Heated Governor Race

DALTON, GA. (WDEF) – Georgia’s race for governor is taking shape ahead of the primary election, with Republican candidates working to define themselves in a competitive statewide contest. Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones is making his case to voters by highlighting his experience in both business and state government.  Jones has served as Georgia’s lieutenant governor since 2023 and presides over…

Chattanooga is off to see ‘The Wiz!’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Scenic City has turned into the Emerald City as the Memorial Auditorium is off to see The Wiz! The Wiz is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a tour around the country, stopping in Chattanooga for a total of 8 shows. There are only a few shows remaining this weekend, with matinee performances on Saturday and…

Vision Loss Awareness Campaign

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and May is Healthy Vision Month, both aimed at encouraging people to focus on protecting their vision. Prevent Blindness is launching its “Best Eyes for Life” campaign during this time to raise awareness about how vision problems can develop without obvious warning signs. The campaign features Iris and…

Yangfeng announces 155 permanent layoffs in Chattanooga

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Yanfeng International released a WARN notice on the 29th announcing they were permanently laying off 155 workers at their Chattanooga Plant on Bonnyshire Drive, likely meaning the closure of the plant entirely. Economists say this is a symptom of a broader shrinkage across industries. Dr. Howard Wall, Director of the Center for Regional Economic Research…

Mayor, police chief speak on resolution to Cohutta dispute

Cohutta Police Chief Greg Fowler giving a statement as Mayor Ron Shinnick watches. COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF)- Has the controversial situation surrounding the small Whitfield County community of Cohutta been resolved? The town’s leaders are saying yes. Allegations had surfaced through an official complaint that Cohutta mayor Ron Shinnick’s wife, Pam Shinnick, was continuing to work as the town’s clerk after…

Polk County Schools say they’ve addressed major issues at Benton Elementary

BENTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- Polk County Schools says that a significant issue at Benton Elementary School has been fixed. You may remember back in January the school received a 68 on a state health inspection report for numerous issues. According to the school district, they say there have been numerous repairs over the past several weeks after they discovered multiple hidden…

Community baby shower held in Dalton

Group of moms doing community yoga outside of the Dalton First Baptist Church. DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Mothers in the Dalton area got to relax a bit Thursday morning. The Women’s Enrichment Center of Northwest Georgia held their annual community baby shower at Dalton First Baptist Church. The event connects moms with resources such as diapers, food, and other items they…

Schools Highlight Student Success and Future

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Bradley County Schools highlighted student achievement, safety initiatives, and future growth during its annual State of Schools event held this morning. Students from across the district took part in the program as schools showcased academic offerings, career and technical education pathways, and student performances designed to highlight opportunities available throughout Bradley County Schools. The event also…

New workforce resource looks to connect Chattanoogans with jobs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Gone are the days of walking into a prospective employer with a resume in hand. Now, virtually all job postings are online, with some downsides. A new resource looks to make new jobs more attainable in the city of Chattanooga. One Chattanooga Works is a new platform designed to connect job seekers directly with Chattanooga based employers. The…

Understanding Schizophrenia And Family Impact

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Approximately 3.7 million Americans are living with schizophrenia, a complex mental health condition that continues to be widely misunderstood and can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms often begin in early adulthood, sometimes appearing as subtle changes in behavior, thinking, or mood.  For many families, those early signs can lead to years of uncertainty before a clear…

Human Educational Society says they’re “at capacity”

Humane Educational Society CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you’re looking to add a furry friend to your family, now is a good time to consider adopting. The Human Educational Society says they’re at capacity when it comes to dogs, with over 150 canines currently at the shelter. Jeanine Cloyd, Director of Development at HES told us, “We constantly are getting…

Mediation leads to resolution in Cohutta

We have an update on a controversy engulfing the Whitfield County town of Cohutta. According to a post from the Cohutta Police Department, there has been mediation in the matter between the town’s mayor, Ron Shinnick, and several members of the Cohutta Police Department along with citizens. Those employees alleged that the mayor’s wife, Pam Shinnick continued to work in…

New Senior Center Plans Announced

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County is moving forward with plans to create its first dedicated senior center, expanding resources for older adults in the Ooltewah and Collegedale communities. The project, led by the Hamilton County Health Department in partnership with Parks and Recreation, will transform the current Ooltewah Health Clinic into a new space focused on connection, wellness, and…

Chattanooga Boys Choir to debut a locally composed song at their spring concert

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Boys Choir is raising their voices one last time for the season with their spring concert Finale! Over 100+ choir members will be blessing the First Baptist Church with their angelic voices with songs from an array of musical genres such as bluegrass, classical, gospel, and traditional folk songs from other countries. Additionally, the…

Stay protected this summer with help from the Chattanooga Allergy Clinic

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Pollen is visible in the air, on pavement, and on cars, which means it’s peak allergy season and Chattanooga Allergy Clinic is ready treat the symptoms. The Chattanooga Allergy Clinic offers many ways to get relief from allergy symptoms that are better than over the counter medicines. Dr. Marc Cromie suggests seeing a board certified allergist,…