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Holiday Package Pirates Awareness
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Package thefts, commonly called porch piracy, are becoming increasingly common as holiday deliveries surge. Thieves take advantage of unattended packages left on doorsteps, leaving residents frustrated and out-of-pocket.…
Man suspected in Brown University shooting and MIT professor’s killing is found dead, officials say
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, ERIC TUCKER and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press A frantic search for the suspect in last weekend’s mass shooting at Brown University ended at a New Hampshire storage facility…
Weather Update: Friday December 19, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Mostly cloudy, rain & thunder. Lows: low/mid 30's. Winds: S turning W after midnight, 10-20 MPH, gusts 30 MPH. Friday: Sunny, colder, dry. Highs: mid/high 40's. Winds: W @ 5-10 MPH.…
Chuck E. Cheese Credit Card Suspect Named Florida Man Of Year
A man arrested while wearing a Chuck E. Cheese costume has earned "Florida Man of the Year" recognition according to The Miami New Times. Jermel Jones, 41, was detained July 23rd in Tallahassee over alleged credit card fraud while working…
Welsh Couple Wins Second Million-Dollar Lottery Prize In Seven Years
Wales residents Richard Davies and Faye Stevenson-Davies won £1,000,000 ($1,337,925) from the National Lottery's November 26th Lotto drawing. The couple matched five numbers plus the Bonus Ball for their second identical jackpot since winning the same amount through EuroMillions Millionaire…
Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.5 Billion After Record 44-Drawing Losing Streak
The Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $1.5 billion following Wednesday night's drawing that produced no grand prize winner. The winning numbers were 25, 33, 53, 62, 66, and red Powerball 17. This marks the 44th consecutive drawing without…
Camel Kicks Woman During Texas Church Christmas Show
A woman was injured when a camel kicked her during Champion Forest Baptist Church's "Christmas Spectacular" performance in Houston. Video footage shows the camel walking down an aisle as part of a parade when it kicked out its hind leg,…
Raccoon Falls Through Restaurant Ceiling, Bites Diner At Wisconsin Resort
A raccoon dropped through the ceiling at Grand Geneva Resort's Ristorante Brissago Sunday night around 7:30 p.m., biting a guest who tried to capture it. Walworth County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the Lake Geneva dining room incident. Wildlife control…
Entertainment Tidbits
Federal officials confirmed that a plane owned by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle crashed around 10:20 a.m. on Thursday while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. Biffle’s friend, fellow driver Garrett Mitchell, said on Facebook that Biffle, his wife…
Former HR Executive Speaks Out About Viral Coldplay Kiss Cam Incident
Kristin Cabot, former head of HR for Astronomer, has broken her silence about the viral Coldplay kiss cam moment that upended her life. Cabot and then-CEO Andy Byron were caught cuddling on the Jumbotron during the band's July 16 concert…
Taylor Swift’s Final ‘End Of An Era’ Episodes Moved Up Three Days Before Christmas
Disney+ announced Thursday that the last two episodes of Taylor Swift's docuseries The End Of An Era will premiere early on December 23rd at 12am PT, instead of the previously expected December 26th release date. "As an early gift to…
Harrison Ford Named 61st SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award Recipient
Harrison Ford will receive SAG-AFTRA's Life Achievement Award at the Actor Awards ceremony streaming live on Netflix March 1st. The 83-year-old Star Wars and Indiana Jones actor becomes the 61st recipient of the honor. SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin announced the…
Lawsuit Claims Travolta’s Son Born From Elvis Granddaughter’s Egg Donation
A lawsuit alleges John Travolta's son Ben is Elvis Presley's great-grandson through an egg donation from Riley Keough. Court filings claim Keough, Elvis's granddaughter and daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, donated eggs that led to Ben Travolta's 2010 birth. The…
Kennedy Center Board Votes To Rename Facility ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’
The Kennedy Center board has unanimously voted to rename the Washington D.C. performing arts venue the "Trump-Kennedy Center," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday. She said the board made the decision "because of the unbelievable work President Trump…
Red Bank presents 'belt tightening' measures in wake of tax mishap
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)-The city of Red Bank unveiled a plan to deal with a nearly million dollar budget shortfall. Red Bank financial officials say now is the…
Chattanooga Library Brings Books to the Neighborhood with Mobile Van
CHATTANOOGA,TN (WDEF)— The Chattanooga Public Library brought the joy of reading directly to the Westside neighborhood today with its mobile pop-up library, Poppy. The colorful outreach…
Person of interest ID'ed in Brown shooting as authorities probe connection to MIT professor's killing, sources say
Law enforcement is investigating possible connections between the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon and the targeted killing of an MIT professor two days later, sources tell CBS News. Prior, multiple sources familiar with the investigation at Brown University told…
Hamilton county superintendent gets mixed reviews from board members
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Reviews of the Hamilton County Schools superintendent were released Thursday. All board members have reviewed and rated Dr. Justin Robertson across multiple categories. The board graded the superintendent on the following categories: Strategic Planning, Student Achievement/Performance,…
Red Bank presents 'belt tightening' measures in wake of tax mishap
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)-The city of Red Bank unveiled a plan to deal with a nearly million dollar budget shortfall. Red Bank financial officials say now is the…
Hamilton county superintendent gets mixed reviews from board members
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Reviews of the Hamilton County Schools superintendent were released Thursday. All board members have reviewed and rated Dr. Justin Robertson across multiple categories. The board graded the superintendent on the following categories: Strategic Planning, Student Achievement/Performance,…
Resolution to establish unincorporated planning commission withdrawn
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposal to create a brand new planning commission for unincorporated Hamilton County has been withdrawn. Commissioner Jeff Eversole proposed this last week. He said that the purpose of such a commission would be to remove…
Sheriff announces new jail medication program
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - Sheriff Austin Garrett is launching a new Medication program at the Jail. It’s been two years in the making. The program treats inmates with substance abuse disorders. They will provide FDA-approved drugs along with counseling and…
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Brewer, Boyd Buchanan
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A-P Calculus is one of the most challenging classes on any high school curriculum. Jennifer Brewer has a gift for making her students at Boyd…
What's Right With Our Schools, Silverdale Academy Fills Stockings for the Salvation Army
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's the season of giving, and that's a lesson students at Silverdale Academy learn at a young age. First…
Upgrades to Come to Soddy Daisy Middle School
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Renderings for upgrade plans that will come to Soddy Daisy Middle School have been released. The approximate…
Debate ensues at Hamilton County school board over diversity policy
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A debate over a Hamilton County School Board policy over hiring strategy turned tense. (more…)
Jeff Eversole Proposes Separation of the Regional Planning Commission from unincorporated Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- District 10 Commissioner Jeff Eversole has proposed the separation of the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) from unincorporated Hamilton County. This means that unincorporated areas would have their own tailor made regional planning commission. This includes areas such…
Toys for Tots drive-through Toy Drive
CHATTANOONGA, TN (WDEF) - The Tennessee Valley's generosity was on full display this (12/3/25) afternoon! News 12 and Scenic Community Credit Union teamed up for our first Toys for Tots…
Finley Stadium unveils new amenities
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Finley Stadium has announced some new amenities for fans. (more…)
Golden Apple Award: Eric Barth, Hunter Middle School
OOLTEWAH, TN (WDEF) - Eric Barth has a gift for inspiring students both in the classroom and on the football field. The Ohio native has spent the last decade…
What's Right With Our Schools: College Quest at UTC
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -The transition from high school to college is a big adjustment for most students. Knowing exactly what to expect certainly helps. That's the idea…
Laurel Graefe Appointed to Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly announced Laurel Graefe has been appointed to the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners. Graefe is a former Regional Executive and…
City of Chattanooga Holiday Ornament Revealed
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Mayor Kelly has unveiled this year's Holiday Ornament for the City of Chattanooga. The ornament celebrates Chattanooga being named as America's first National Park City. The ornaments are available for…
Blood Assurance in Critical Need of Donations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Blood Assurance is offering extended hours and an incentive through November 30 to encourage the community to donate blood. From November 23 to November 30, O-negative blood donors and platelet…
26th Annual Grateful Gobbler Set for Thanksgiving Morning
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A beloved Thanksgiving tradition returns tomorrow (11/28/25) morning at Coolidge Park. The 26th annual Grateful Gobbler gets rolling at 8 a.m. It's a 5k. You…
Golden Apple Award: Kathlina Alford, Hixson High School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Kathlina Alford spends every school day making sure that students at Hixson High School get all the support they need to succeed. From her…
Stolen vehicle stop leads to Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer charge
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A man is facing multiple charges after deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) located a stolen Hyundai Sonata on Highway 58 on November…
Black Friday Safety Tips from HCSO
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Sheriff Austin Garrett is offering the following tips to help make sure your “Black Friday” outing is enjoyable and safe for you and others. The tips are as…
State no longer pursuing Bradley County site for mental institution
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- For months, the state of Tennessee has been searching for a replacement for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. (more…)
Bradley County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Eric Wayne Helton, owner of the Aquatic Den, has pled guilty to tax evasion after an investigation by The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Helton's charges stem from his failure to remit collected…
BCSO Asks for Public's Assistance Regarding Stolen Trailer
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is asking the public for its help locating a stolen trailer. A black and silver 24-foot 2019 Formula Triumph Slope Nose…
Golden Apple Award: Kaitlyn Foulks, Charleston Elementary School
CHARLESTON, TN (WDEF) - Kaitlyn Foulks is living her dream as a Charleston Elementary School teacher. She may be new to the job, but her enthusiasm and dedication more…
Bradley County Firefighter Pay Increases
TENNESSEE -- Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis has redirected a total of $76,000 in vacancy savings to firefighter salaries, prompting an increase in pay. This adjustment increased pay for…
Chemical Exposure at M&M Mars Facility Prompts Emergency Response
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Around 9:00 a.m., a chemical exposure at the M&M Mars facility prompted an emergency response on December 5. Bradley County EMS and the Cleveland Fire Department responded to the incident. Seven individuals…
Bradley County woman arrested after dog reportedly shot
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Bradley County deputies responded to a residence after a report of a dog had been shot on November 23, 2025. Witnesses reported that Crystal Palmer got a firearm and shot multiple rounds at the dog. The dog…
Single-engine aircraft incident leaves one uninjured
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- Bradley County EMS responded to a single-engine experimental aircraft after it experienced a hard landing after performing a touch-and-go maneuver. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without…
Local judge reportedly assaulted in residential neighborhood
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An arrest has been made after the Bradley County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported assault on a local judge in Cleveland,…
Bradley County firefighters push for more pay
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County firefighters are asking their county commission to increase their pay. (more…)
Man fires shots at drones assisting deputies in resolving mental health crisis
UPDATE: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office has identified the individual who shot at the drones as 47-year-old John David Possien. Possien is being held at the Bradley County Jail without bond.…
Parkridge announces plans to open new emergency room in Bradley county
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Parkridge Medical Center announced plans to build a freestanding Emergency Room in Bradley County. The ER would have 11 rooms, including…
Parkridge Medical Center plans freestanding emergency room in Cleveland
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Parkridge Medical Center has announced plans to apply for a Certificate of Need with the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to establish a new $17.4 million freestanding emergency department…
Local YMCA serving free meals to children at 46 sites
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga…
Rockslide causes major backups on Monteagle
MONTEAGLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A rockslide on Monteagle caused major backups on November 4. TDOT reports debris on roadway at Mile Marker 137. The rockslide was reported at 2:33 p.m CST. The slide has caused all westbound lanes and…
What's Right With Our Schools: Walker Valley STEM DAY
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Walker Valley students recently got to look into their possible futures at STEM Career Day. Employers from throughout our region were on…
Solid Orange Drive Thru in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) -It's Tennessee Alabama week! With both teams ranked in the top 11, the stakes could not be *any* higher for Saturday night's showdown in Tuscaloosa. More…
Bail bondsman shootout in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland Police report an arrest after a dramatic confrontation between a bail bondsman and suspects this morning. They say the bondsman from Cumberland County tried to apprehend Jacob…
SK Foods celebrates grand opening of Cleveland plant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County’s newest…
Sheriff Steve Lawson of Bradley County announces bid for re-election
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Sheriff Steve Lawson has announced on Thursday that he will be seeking re-election as Bradley County Sheriff. "In 2018, the people of Bradley County allowed me…
Whitfield County Man Arrested on Child Exploitation Case
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has announced they have arrested a man for child exploitation. On December 10, Trevor Lee Teasley was arrested for a child…
Neighbors come out against proposed neighborhood near Varnell
VARNELL, Ga. (WDEF)- Rapid development…
Qcells to furlough one-third of its workers at Georgia plant
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The company "Qcells" has announced they are furloughing a thousand workers at their two plants in Georgia. And one of those plants is in…
Whitfield County scam alert
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) --Whitfield County law enforcement is warning residents of several scams going around their community now. They say scammers are posing as employees of the Sheriff's Office. They say they have…
Whitfield County man sentenced to 30 years for violating sexual offender registry statute
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Whitfield County jury found Vincent Michael Harper guilty of violating the sexual offender registry statute, leading to a sentence of 30 years in prison…
Residents pack meeting on Whitfield County property tax rate proposal
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Could Whitfield County property taxes soon go…
Property tax increase proposed by Whitfield County Board of Commissioners
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners have announced a proposed property tax increase. They say it would be roughly 23 percent higher than the rollback millage rate. The commissioners say…
12 kilograms of cocaine found during traffic stop in Whitfield County
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) conducted a traffic stop on I-75 in Whitfield County, resulting in 12 kilograms of cocaine…
Georgia Bureau of Investigation promotes Dalton native, Daniel Nicholson
DALLAS, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has announced that they are promoting Dalton native Daniel Nicholson to assistant special agent in charge of the…
Man fatally stabbed in Whitfield County
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- During the night of October 1st, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) responded to a call at the Dollar General on Beaverdale Road about a female covered…
Calhoun man sentenced for attempted murder after stabbing his girlfriend
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Calhoun man will be behind bars for three decades after being convicted of attempted murder. On October 24, 2025, Terry Lee Chamlee purchased a knife from a…
Dalton parents arrested after toddler dies in car seat at home
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two Dalton parents have been arrested and charged after their 22-month-old son was found dead in a car seat inside their home earlier this summer. On June 5, 2025, police were…
Dalton Police searching for suspect who used counterfeit money at local store
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying a suspect who allegedly used counterfeit money to make a purchase. On Friday, August 22, 2025, shortly before 7:00…
Whitfield County authorities make arrest in New Zion Hill Road murder
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A man was arrested in connection to a murder on New Zion Hill Road. In the evening hours of August 19, 2025, deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office…
Whitfield County authorities arrest suspect in connection with armed robbery at Dixie Corner
UPDATE (8/5/2025): Authorities in Whitfield County have made an arrest in regard to the armed robbery Tuesday morning. Whitfield…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office donates hundreds of backpacks
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office gave back to their community on Friday. Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce wants the community to know that…
Early morning fire destroys vacant Dalton home, fire officials say
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Crews with the Dalton Fire Department (DFD) responded to a house fire on Fairview Drive early Wednesday morning. DFD arrived at 500…
Whitfield County authorities arrest known gang member following major drug bust
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) uncovered, what they're calling, one of the largest drug busts in Whitfield County history.…
Fire crews knock down fire at Cohutta Dollar General
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Fire crews responded Monday to a working fire at the Dollar General located at 4525 Cleveland Highway. Crews were able to bring the fire under control after confirming the primary search of the building…
Cohutta Police Department searching for driver in Apison Road hit-and-run
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Police are asking for help identifying the driver of a truck involved in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday morning. The incident happened between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. on June 29, 2025…
