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What's Right With Our Schools: Brotherhood Brunch at Pneuma Church
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Teenage boys aren't the best at talking about their feelings. They want to appear strong and tough, but that can take a…
Man hides in barn after fleeing officer
A man got away in a chase last week, only to wreck soon afterwards. Police say Wayne Lynn fled an officer in Scottsboro after providing a bogus drivers license. When the chase…
Child injured in shooting at DeKalb County apartments, brother in custody, police say
A shooting at a DeKalb County home has ended with a child rushed to the hospital and their adult brother in custody, police say. Authorities with the DeKalb County Police Department tell CBS News…
Creature Comforts Beer Garden to open in Chattanooga’s Foundries District
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Creature Comforts Brewing Company has announced it is opening the Creature Comforts Beer Garden in Chattanooga’s Foundries District. They say the Beer Garden will offer locals a gathering place inside the historic foundry building, called “The Shed,”…
Chattanooga Zoo to hold annual Hug a Bunny event
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Chattanooga Zoo says it will be holding its annual Hug a Bunny event on April 3 and 4. They say attendees will meet and pet many different rabbits across Zoo…
Woman and dog killed, 3 others stabbed in road rage incident on D.C. beltway; suspect dead
A 39-year-old woman and a dog were killed, and three other people were stabbed in a road rage incident on the outer belt of the Washington D.C. beltway on Sunday, police said. The suspect was killed by police. Virginia State…
Four arrested in Murray County for drug trafficking
MUURAY COUNTY -- Four individuals involved in drug trafficking have been arrested in Murray County. The individuals and charges are as following according to the Murray County Sheriff's Office. Michael Whaley - 63.8 grams of methamphetamine. - 9 grams…
Erlanger Children’s Hospital providing free firearm safety resources to new parents
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Erlanger Children’s Hospital, in partnership with Voices for a Safer Tennessee (Safer TN), is now providing firearm safety information cards and free cable locks to every parent of babies born…
FBI investigates Texas bar shooting that killed 2 and wounded 14 as possible terrorist act
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A gunman wearing clothes with an…
Chattanooga Chick-fil-A restaurants to offer complimentary nuggets
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Participating Chick-fil-A® restaurants in the Chattanooga area will offer Guests a complimentary 5-count Chick-fil-A® Nuggets entrée via the Chick-fil-A® App from Monday, March 2-Thursday, March 5. The promotion is valid through the Chick-fil-A® app and while supplies last. They say to claim the offer, Guests can open the app and redeem…
Fire Contained After Afternoon Blaze
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Emergency crews quickly contained a fire behind the Food City in St. Elmo this afternoon. A witness called 9-1-1 shortly before 12:40 p.m., reporting thick black smoke…
The Latest: Iranian-backed militias join fight as war on Iran widens
ASSOCIATED PRESS Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait, while Israel and the United States pounded targets in Iran as the war…
Davy Crockett historical pilgrimage from Tennessee to Texas
GREENEVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - A pilgrimage has begun from upper east Tennessee to south Texas. It is honoring the life of Davy Crockett from his birthplace to where he died at the Alamo. The David Crokett Birthplace State Park is…
Iranian American woman shares perspective on protests over Iran Strike
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - An Iranian American woman who fled the Islamic regime nearly five years ago is sharing her perspective as protests continue across the…
Driver arrested for DUI after hitting a utility pole and multiple parked campers
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Early Sunday morning, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), responded to Single Vehicle Crash on Hixson Pike. According to HCSO, around 3:10 AM, deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 7300 block of…
Road reponed after single vehicle accident
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Early Sunday morning, Hixson Pike was Temporarily Closed Due to Single Vehicle Accident. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), the 7300 block of Hixson Pike, between Stonewall Farms Subdivision and Thrasher Pike, was…
Weather Update: Sunday March 1, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Sunday: Mostly to partly sunny. Mild. Dry. Highs: mid/high 70's. Winds: NE @ 5 MPH. Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Chilly. Lows: mid 40's to low 50's. Winds: near calm. Monday: Mostly cloudy, stray…
Chattanooga Convention Center hosts Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The second annual Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival is taking place this weekend at the Chattanooga Convention Center, running February 28 through March 1. Dozens…
What's Right With Our Schools: Brotherhood Brunch at Pneuma Church
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Teenage boys aren't the best at talking about their feelings. They want to appear strong and tough, but that can take a…
Caleb Askins gets reduction in charges on day four of murder trial
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Friday was day four of the Askins Brothers Trial. They are charged with the 2023 murder of Warren Crutcher at a…
Chattanooga City Council tours Erlanger Park
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- It is less than 50 days from now when the Chattanooga Lookouts will take the field at their brand new stadium in the South Broad District. Tuesday, Chattanooga City…
Golden Apple Award: Lindsey Flaherty, Allen Elementary
SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) - For the best educators, teaching is much more than a job. It's a passion. That's certainly true for Lindsey Flaherty. One Allen Elementary school…
Grier gets sentenced to 62 more years in prison for murder of Bianca Horton
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga gang member who was…
What's Right With Our Schools: Teachers Meet With Medal of Honor Author
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Inspiration is an important part of education. Some local teachers recently completed a workshop where they learned how to incorporate the…
Hamilton County commission to get final say on term limits
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The topic of whether or not Hamilton County elected officials should have term limits was up for a vote at Wednesday afternoon’s commission…
McDonald Farm set to become 70th Tennessee state park
SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF)- Ever since Hamilton County acquired McDonald Farm in 2021, there have…
Victim's family sues Darron Lee for $50 million over suspected homicide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) The family of the victim of a suspected homicide in Ooltewah is suing a former NFL player. Darron Lee is charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Gabriella Perpetuo. A Hamilton…
Playing field goes in as Erlanger Park is two months from Opening Day
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The construction of the newest stadium in Chattanooga is rounding third base. The sodding of the future home of the…
Chattanooga Tourism Company faces criticism from commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Tourism Company is facing some criticism from the Hamilton County Commission. They are considering a resolution to transfer some funds from the Chattanooga Tourism Company…
Lee denied bond as Wamp says she may seek the death penalty
Darron Lee standing with his public defender in front of Hamilton County Judge Tori Smith on Wednesday at his initial…
Term Limits resolution for Hamilton County mayor, commissioners, introduced
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A resolution that would create a referendum on term limits in Hamilton County government was formally introduced Wednesday. If passed, voters would get to…
Kelly, Chambers respond to criticisms levied at city over immigration enforcement
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The debate over ICE continued in Chattanooga Tuesday. This after the Chattanooga Police Department…
Brainerd High School Fight Under Investigation
HAMILTON COUNTY -- A large fight that broke out at Brainerd High School on February 9 is being investigated by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). They say the fight broke out around 10 a.m. The situation eventually got under…
Pet of the Week: Patton!
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Join us at Prime News at 7 to meet this week's Pet of the Week: Patton! Patton is a handsome young-adult hound mix with a loving temperament and a gentle demeanor-- a perfect pup looking for…
Stab Wound, Bitemark Found on Victim Allegedly Killed by Former NFL Player Darron Lee
MORE: We have also learned the identity of the…
Darron Lee Arrested on First Degree Murder Charges
MORE: Investigators were still at the crime scene late Friday evening on Snow Cone Way, which is near Ooltewah Elementary School. We are learning more about Lee's past, as he has…
Hamilton County Reports 43 Arrested with Unknown, Unlawful Citizenship Status in January
Hamilton County has reported their unknown citizen status arrests for January. They made 43 arrests, with more than half of them being Guatemalan. Eight were Mexican and all were from Latin American countries.…
Paving to Prompt Lane Closures on I-75
HAMILTON COUNTY -- Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will implement temporary lane closures on I-75 near mile marker 3 to facilitate paving work. This comes as part of Phase 2 (the second of…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office warns of scam involving social media groups
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals about a scam involving social media groups. The scam is about local social media groups involving an individual claiming to need assistance…
Parkridge to be allowed to build freestanding emergency room in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few months ago, the Parkridge Health System announced their intentions to build a new freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. However, they faced…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office Warns of Local Scam
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals about a circulating scam that could affect individuals. The BCSO says they have received an increase in reports of scam calls where…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office Partners with Blood Assurance for Blood Drive
The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) says they are partnering with Blood Assurance to hold a blood drive. The blood drive will take place Monday, February 9, 2026 from 12 to 4…
Aggravated Domestic Assault Suspect Caught with Drone Assistance
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- An individual has been apprehended following an aggravated domestic assault incident in Cleveland, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). At approximately 5:50 a.m., deputies responded to a residence on Bent Tree Drive North West. BCSO…
Cleveland to utilize school bus cameras with AI to deter stop sign violators
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Getting kids to and from school everyday is a top priority for school districts.…
5 Vehicles Involved in Crash that Shut Down I-75 in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY -- Five vehicles were involved in a crash on I-75 at mile marker 24 in Bradley County, which temporarily shut down the roadway. One person was extracted and transported to a local hospital with non life threatening…
Battle continues over proposed Bradley County emergency room
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The debate over a proposed new emergency room in Cleveland is continuing to heat up. Despite there being over 110,000 people in Bradley County, the…
Vitruvian Health petitioning against new Cleveland Parkridge emergency room
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A battle is brewing in Bradley County over a proposed new hospital. Vitruvian Health, who operates the Bradley Medical Center, has posted a petition opposing Parkridge's plans to open a freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. They argue…
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.…
Driver in custody following foot chase
The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) says they are on scene in the area of Eugenia Drive and Zell Drive regarding a foot chase. They say deputies stopped a black passenger car and…
Dalton man arrested for child molestation, aggravated sodomy
A Dalton man has been arrested on multiple charges, including child molestation, according to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). On February 19th, 2026, Whitfield County Sheriff's Office detectives served a warrant…
What's Right With Our Schools: NWGA College and Career Academy
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - The Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy is continuing its mission to develop a 21st century workforce. They do that through focused…
Whitfield Co. Sheriff's Office Receives “Adventure Bags” to Support Children in Crisis
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) says they have been the recipient of "adventure bags" that are able to help children in crisis. They say this is a resource…
Who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress?
14th DISTRICT, Ga. (WDEF) -- On January 20, the Walker County Republican Party held a meet and greet for the Republican candidates vying for the open 14th Congressional District seat in Georgia. There are 22 candidates who have qualified for…
Golden Apple Award: Janet Robbins, Northwest Whitfield
TUNNEL HILL, GEORGIA (WDEF) - Janet Robbins has a knack for growing things. From the endless rows of flora lining the Northwest Whitfield greenhouse to the young minds inside…
What's Right With Our Schools Northwest Whitfield AG Program
TUNNEL HILL, GA (WDEF) - Traditional classrooms are great places to learn, but sometimes students need to get their hands dirty. That's exactly what happens at the…
Whitfield County Drug Bust Leads to One Arrest
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following a drug bust. Eric Underwood was arrested and charged with the following: • Trafficking in Methamphetamine • Trafficking in…
Theft Ring Disrupted in Whitfield County Possibly Linked to Multiple States
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- A theft ring has been disrupted in Whitfield County following the discovery of $4,000 of merchandise in a vehicle. On Monday, February 2nd, 2026, deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office made arrests involving shoplifting at…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office to Host Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Course
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has shared they are hosting a free Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Course (CRASE). They say the CRASE training will cover: *…
Whitfield Co. Coroner's Office Identifies Pedestrian Struck and Killed on South Dixie Highway
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Coroner's Office has identified the pedestrian who was struck and killed on South Dixie Highway on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They say the person was identified as 43-year-old Daniel…
Discovery of container leads to Whitfield County hazmat response
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- A surprising discovery led to a large police presence in Whitfield County Wednesday. Whitfield County Sheriff's…
What's Right With Our Schools: 11th Hour Theater
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - A new, non-profit performing arts organization is up and running in Dalton. 11th Hour Theater and Creative Studio is a great place for kids…
Concerns rising over reintroduction of Georgia PFAS shield law
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- As Georgia legislators prepare to head back to Atlanta next week, the Whitfield County Republican Party says they are opposing the reintroduction of a controversial…
UPDATE: Resident Suffers Burns Following Cohutta House Fire
UPDATE: A resident suffered burns in a house fire this morning in Cohutta, Georgia. It happened around 6 a.m. at a home on Chattanooga Road. The Whitfield County Fire Chief tells us the victim suffered burns to the hand…
Runners excited for Haig Mill Lake Park improvements
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- The city of Dalton is working to replace one of its primary walking trails. Their Parks and Recreation Department announced that portions of the Haig…
Two Locals Arrested for Meth Trafficking
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- Two individuals from Whitfield County were busted after the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office conducted a drug investigation on December 18, 2025. The drug investigation resulted in the arrest of Niya Destiny…
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…
