WDEF-TV (Chattanooga, TN)

In the 1950s, various competing businesses came together to secure the first television license for Chattanooga, Tennessee. WDEF-TV began broadcasting on April 25, 1954. At that time, the station provided programs from four major national networks, alongside a variety of local shows. One notable program was hosted by Luther Masingill, a well-known radio personality. He continued to work on both WDEF TV and radio until he passed away in 2014 at the age of 92. Known simply as Luther on air, he boasts an incredible 74-year broadcasting career, covering significant events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942 and the September 11 attacks in 2001. His contributions to the industry earned him two Marconi awards, a spot in the National Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and numerous other accolades.

Local

English

Television

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Global

#301492

United States

#70307

Arts and Entertainment/TV Movies and Streaming

#1644

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Articles

Commissioner says he's heard talks about Rivermont remaining open, mayor refutes

3 days ago | wdef.com | Nick Hill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission approved the next step of a future Hixson school.The commission approved the school to go into the next step of the design process. The school is planned to replace DuPont, Rivermont, and Alpine Crest Elementary Schools. However, the closure of Rivermont and Alpine Crest have sparked backlash from residents, including Commissioner David Sharpe.
Friends come to the defense of Duane Sanders on day five of child sex abuse trial

3 days ago | wdef.com | Nick Hill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tuesday was day five of the Duane Sanders trial. Sanders is charged with 15 child sex abuse charges against seven different children while he was a first grade teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School in Ooltewah. However, Tuesday was the defense’s turn to put on evidence. They called up six character witnesses who all testified in defense of Duane Sanders.
TVA considering Jackson County location for new pumped storage facility

4 days ago | wdef.com | Nick Hill

PISGAH, Ala. (WDEF)- TVA says they’re looking to build a new pumped storage facility in Jackson County, Alabama. This would be located near Pisgah and Flat Rock on the western edge of Sand Mountain and generate up to 1.600 megawatts of energy. This facility would be similar to the Racoon Mountain Reservoir here in Chattanooga, as a reservoir lake on top of Sand Mountain would be constructed and connected to the Tennessee River below.
Prosecution rests in Duane Sanders trial

4 days ago | wdef.com | Nick Hill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday was day four of the Duane Sanders trial as the prosecution has rested its case. Sanders was a first grade teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School when he was arrested on charges of child sexual abuse in March 2023. The prosecution rested their case Monday afternoon after calling up nearly 20 witnesses, 7 of those children. Each one of those saying they were sexually assaulted by their first grade teacher, Duane Sanders.
Chattanooga Housing Authority looking to replace lost federal funding

4 days ago | wdef.com | Nick Hill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Housing Authority says their One Westside project now has a funding gap. They had been given a 50 million dollar grant by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This comes as the renovation project of the James A. Henry Building is already underway. Future plans call for the full demolition and rebuilding of the College Hill Courts and other surrounding public housing projects.
Muffin Man’s Sweet Birthday Tour

5 days ago | wdef.com | Robert Hanley

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a sweet weekend in Collegedale as a beloved snack cake mascot wrapped up his birthday celebration in the city he calls home. The Little Debbie Muffin Man ended his national birthday tour right where it all began in Collegedale, Tennessee. The Chattanooga area food bank was in attendance, accepting donations. We asked a McKee Foods spokesperson just how old the Muffin Man is turning this year.
Flip Card Show Draws Crowds

5 days ago | wdef.com | Robert Hanley

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds of collectors and families packed into Camp Jordan Arena this weekend for The Flip Trade Show. The two-day event brought together more than 230 vendor tables, offering a wide range of items, from sports cards and comics to Pokémon, Funko Pops, and rare memorabilia. Even celebrity photo ops and autographs. We spoke to a former professional wrestler who took us through his career, which led him to Camp Jordan.
Teacher Abuse Trial Enters Day Three

1 week ago | wdef.com | Robert Hanley

Content warning: Many will find the content in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Day three of testimony continued Friday in the child sex abuse trial of former first-grade teacher Duane Sanders. Sanders, who once taught at Wallace A. Smith Elementary in Ooltewah, faces multiple charges tied to alleged abuse of young students.
Could Harvard's foreign student ban affect local colleges

1 week ago | wdef.com | Jesse Farley

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The news on Harvard’s foreign students is causing concern to some. Harvard is not the only place who accepts foreign students. Georgia accepts the 12th most, accepting almost 40 thousand. Tennessee accepts the 23rd most, allowing over 20 thousand to study in the state. Foreign students are starting to feel that they are not welcome in this country. Xiao Wang is the CEO of Boundless Immigration.
Chris Sale Becomes Fastest Pitcher to 2,500 K's in Braves Win Over Phillies in Double Header Night Cap

1 week ago | wdef.com | Rick Nyman

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chris Sale became the fastest pitcher to reach 2,500 strikeouts, pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-3 on Thursday night to split a doubleheader. The Phillies won the afternoon game 5-4. Sale (3-3) struck out Edmundo Sosa in the sixth inning for his eighth strikeout, to reach the milestone. He did it in 2,026 innings, surpassing the record of 2,107 2/3 set by Randy Johnson.