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Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in Los Angeles home, AP source says
By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and MIKE BALSAMO LOS ANGELES (AP) — Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed…
Pawpaw’s Homeless Ministry hosts annual Miracle on 11th Street
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Pawpaw’s Homeless Ministry hosted its annual Miracle on 11th Street event, bringing food, fellowship, and holiday cheer to Chattanooga’s unhoused community. The holiday season…
Funding and Partnerships drive Alton Park Connector
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - City leaders and community partners gathered over the weekend for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Phase One of the Alton Park Connector, a project aimed at improving…
Red Wolves Foundation hosts Christmas Gift Program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Red Wolves Foundation hosted its annual Christmas gift program at CHI Memorial Stadium, bringing holiday cheer to children and families from across Hamilton County.…
Weather Update: Monday December 15, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast ***COLD WEATHER ADVISORY TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY*** Overnight: Mostly clear. Frigid. Lows: mid teens. Wind chills near zero in some areas. Winds: N @ 5-15 MPH, gusts to 20 MPH. Monday: Sunny. Highs…
Driver rescued after vehicle goes off Signal Mountain
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN. (WDEF) – On Sunday, the Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to a single-vehicle accident on North Palisades Drive around 3:33 p.m. According to the Chattanooga Fire Department, several agencies worked together for an hours-long response after a…
Cowboys Called To Wrangle 13 Escaped Cattle After Highway Crash In Missouri
Missouri authorities summoned cowboys Wednesday after a collision between two tractor-trailers on Interstate 70 in Oak Grove released 13 cattle onto the highway. The Missouri Highway Patrol confirmed the crash caused the bovines to escape from one truck, prompting officials…
Florida Woman Charged Again For Public Sexual Activity In Parking Lot
Sharon Czaplinsky, 45, faces her second public indecency charge in three months after a November 30th incident at a Marathon Winn-Dixie parking lot. Deputies responding to a 911 call about public sexual activity found Czaplinsky with Marshall Lowery, 43, and…
AI Weapon Detection System Triggers Florida School Lockdown Over Student’s Clarinet
Lawton Chiles Middle School in Oviedo entered a brief "Code Red" lockdown after an automated weapons detection system misidentified a clarinet as a gun. The AI system spotted a student carrying the musical instrument like a rifle, prompting the security…
DoorDash Driver Accused Of Dousing Delivery Said She Was Trying To Pepper Spray A Spider
Kourtney Stevenson faces four felonies after allegedly spraying a substance on a customer's food delivery in Evansville, Indiana on December 7th. Doorbell camera footage captured Stevenson using the spray during the delivery. When questioned by Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office detectives,…
Spanish Worker Fired For Repeatedly Arriving 40 Minutes Early Despite Warnings
A 22-year-old employee in Spain lost her job after consistently arriving early for work against company orders. The woman showed up between 6:45am and 7am for two years, despite her 7:30am start time. Her employer told the Social Court of…
Entertainment Tidbits
Amy Schumer announced that she and her husband, chef Chris Fischer, are divorcing after 7 years of marriage. “Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years. We love each other very much and…
LaKeith Stanfield Replaces Jonathan Majors As Dennis Rodman In Film About Infamous Vegas Trip
LaKeith Stanfield will portray NBA legend Dennis Rodman in 48 Hours In Vegas after Jonathan Majors was removed following his 2023 assault conviction. The comedy draws inspiration from Rodman's famous Las Vegas trip during the 1998 NBA Finals while his…
Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo To Appear In Final ‘Fast & Furious’ Film
Vin Diesel announced Saturday on Instagram that soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo will appear in Fast X: Part 2, the franchise's final installment. Diesel posted a photo with Ronaldo and wrote, "Everyone asked, would he be in the 'Fast' mythology ……
Character Actor Peter Greene, Best Known For ‘Pulp Fiction’ And ‘The Mask’ Roles, Dies At 60
Peter Greene, the New York character actor famous for playing villains in Pulp Fiction and The Mask, was found dead Friday in his Lower East Side apartment at age 60. His manager Gregg Edwards confirmed the death to NBC News.…
‘Zootopia 2’ Reclaims Top Box Office Spot After Hitting $1 Billion Milestone
Disney's Zootopia 2 secured the top North American box office position for its third weekend following its achievement of surpassing $1 billion worldwide. The animated sequel becomes only the second Hollywood film this year to reach the billion-dollar threshold, joining…
Shorthanded Men’s Basketball Shows Tough Fight in 92-78 Loss to No. 21 Auburn
GoMocs- Despite entering the game with just 10 available student-athletes, the Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with No. 21 Auburn during an eventual 92-78 defeat inside State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., as part of the Holiday Hoopsgiving event…
Suspect arrested in shooting involving teen
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Saturday, the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) investigated a shooting that happened on December 13, 2025, around 3:33 p.m. in the 2200 block of E. 25th Street Ct. According to CPD, when police arrived, they learned…
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…
East Ridge traffic stop leads to drug charges
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. -- The East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) conducted a traffic stop on Ringgold Road that led to the charging of 2 individuals and a short foot pursuit. The…
What's Right With Our Schools: Hunter Crochet Club
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- There is a certain satisfaction that comes from creating something with your hands. The Hunter Middle School Crochet Club makes everything from oven mitts to…
Tiny Trees makes its annual debut at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Children’s Hospital at Erlanger is inviting locals to participate in the annual Tiny Trees program. The program strives to bring the holiday spirit to pediatric patients. “Erlanger’s Tiny Trees really brighten…
Mental health services to be reintegrated into Hamilton County Schools
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Three months ago, the Hamilton County School voted to terminate their contract with Centerstone to provide mental health services. (more…)
Chattanooga Public Library expansion floated at City Council
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the Chattanooga Public Library expand one day? (more…)
Firearm recovered at Brainerd High School
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HSCO) recovered a firearm from Brainerd High School on November 21, 2025. HCSO says one student has been detained. This comes after…
Second Arrest made in 2023 Orchard Knob Avenue Homicide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) has announced a second arrest has been made in the June 14, 2023 Orchard Knob homicide. CPS says Arterrius Allen is…
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…
Rabies vaccination baits to be dropped throughout Eastern Tennessee
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Signal Mountain Police Department said our region will be getting some help to protect people and pets from the threat of…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland Middle School's "We the People"
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Eighth graders at Cleveland Middle School recently got a civics lesson they won't soon forget. The students marched onto the football…
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…
