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New York City police officer convicted of manslaughter in cooler throwing death
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City police officer was convicted Friday of second-degree manslaughter after he tossed a picnic cooler filled with drinks at a fleeing suspect, causing the man to fatally crash his motorized scooter. Judge Guy Mitchell handed…
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.…
Weather Update: Friday February 6, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Friday: Sunny, dry, mild. Highs: mid/high 50's. Winds: W @ 5-15, gusts 20-30 MPH. Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Windy. Chilly. Lows: low 30's. Winds: N @ 10-15 MPH, gusts to 20 MPH. Saturday:…
Alabama Mother to Serve Life in Prison for Kidnapping, Murder
A northeast Alabama mother will serve life in prison on charges of kidnapping and murdering another young woman. Investigators say that Loretta Carr and her daughter kidnapped a woman in 2021 that…
Actor Timothy Busfield indicted on 4 counts of sexual contact with a child
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico grand jury has indicted Timothy Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced the…
Luigi Mangione has outburst in court as judge sets June state trial date
The judge in Luigi Mangione's state trial set a June 8 trial date for New York's case against him for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, leading to Mangione to have…
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Seeks Theft Suspect
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Grand Junction was broken into on February 3 and the suspect is being sought for stealing donations from their donation boxes. They say the funds directly support their mission and were…
Alabama sets nitrogen gas execution date for man in 1991 killing, even though he didn't pull the trigger
Alabama has scheduled a March execution date for a man sentenced to death for a fatal shooting during a 1991 robbery even though he didn't pull the trigger. Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday set a March 12 execution using nitrogen gas for…
Suspect in 2012 Benghazi attack arrested and brought to the U.S.
Washington — The FBI has arrested one of the "key participants" behind the terrorist attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012 that led to the deaths of four Americans, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Friday.…
No Injuries Following Azalea Dale Drive House Fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A house fire on Azalea Dale Drive on February 6 prompted an emergency response and left behind no injured people despite damage to the structure. Firefighters responded to the 300…
Girl Scout Cookie Season is here!
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Girl Scout Cookie Season is here, with booths setting up this weekend! New this year are the Exploremores which is a Rocky Road inspired cookie flavor!…
Start your morning off with ice cream for breakfast!
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is on Saturday, February 7 and Clumpies is opening early to celebrate! From 9 AM to 1 PM, Clumpies located…
New drug more powerful than fentanyl pops up in East Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Officials in Knoxville are warning that a new drug has suddenly popped up in East Tennessee that is more deadly than fentanyl. It is an opioid called N-Propionitrile Chlorphine, or cychlorphine for short. The Knox County…
Greg Marting proposes bill to protect churches from demonstrations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - Lawmaker Greg Martin has proposed a bill in Tennessee in reaction to a protest in Minneapolis. His bill would strengthen state protections in Tennessee for places of religious worship. It would create a state offense for…
TechByte: AI Changing the Game for Weather Forecasters
Generative AI is both a hero and a villain depending on the application. On this week’s Techbyte we highlight one area where it could save lives. Over in…
SEC Commissioner Backs NCAA Case Against Alabama's Charles Bediako
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey released an affidavit backing the NCAA in its eligibility case against Alabama’s Charles Bediako, who is playing in the SEC for the Crimson Tide over two years after signing an NBA two-way contract. “I respectfully…
Matthew Stafford Earns NFL MVP Award
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matthew Stafford edged Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003. Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while…
Mocs Walk-On Houston Holland Scored 12 as UTC Beat Mercer 79-75 to Snap Four Game Losing Skid
(gomocs.com) – The streak is snapped. The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team ended its four-game skid with a physical and gutty performance during a 79-75 victory over Mercer in Southern Conference action on Thursday night inside an energetic McKenzie Arena.…
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…
Kelly comments on Watson's property tax bill
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly is responding to a proposed bill in the Tennessee legislature. Senate Bill 2064, proposed by Senator Bo Watson, would cap how…
Jason Chen seeking retrial in Jasmine Pace murder case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man convicted in the 2022 murder of a young woman on the Chattanooga Northshore is asking again…
First project helped by Chattanooga affordable housing PILOT program breaks ground
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For many who work in Chattanooga, finding housing can be a challenge. The city approved a new program last…
School board approves capacity expansion for Skillern Elementary amid opposition
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County school board approved an expansion of capacity for a Soddy-Daisy charter school. (more…)
Golden Apple: Taryn Painter, Apison Elementary
APISON, TN (WDEF) - Each school day Taryn Painter walks into her third-grade classroom at Apison Elementary with energy, patience and a genuine love of teaching. Her students know she…
Courthouse site letter stirs opposition
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The federal government has been searching for a spot to place their new federal courthouse for some time here in Chattanooga. The General Services Administration says they have…
Update given on two Chattanooga wastewater projects
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We received an update on a pair of wastewater…
What's Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga IT Pathways Hackathon
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Some of the sharpest local minds recently came together for the Chattanooga I-T Pathways Hackathon. It was a chance to shape the future of…
Local Author Encourages Children to Reach for the Stars
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A local author held a special book signing on Wednesday. Rita Lorainne Hubbard wrote “It’s Possible, The Story of Ronald McNair”. Ronald McNair…
June Scobee Rodgers Keeps Challenger Memory Alive
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) --The 28th of January marks 40 years since the Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster that claimed the lives of seven astronaut crew members. It was supposed to be a routine…
CARTA for vehicle booting ordinance to enforce parking tickets
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- CARTA says they are looking to solve the increasing issue of unpaid parking tickets. CEO Charles Frazier says they are speaking with the city of Chattanooga about crafting an ordinance that would allow them to boot vehicles…
Woman Apprehended After Financially Exploiting Elderly Man
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A woman has been apprehended after financially exploiting an elderly man, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) says. On January 14, 2026, the HCSO responded to a complaint involving the fraudulent use…
Signal Mountain recovering from ice storm
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- Many of our mountainous communities saw up…
What's Right With Our Schools: Tennessee Aquarium STREAM Center
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - The STREAM learning Center opened at the Tennessee Aquarium late last year. The Aquarium's classrooms, educator offices and programming are all housed in…
American Airbus to Fly Between Chattanooga and Dallas
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - More people will be able to fly from Chattanooga to Dallas starting this May. American Airlines is upgrading to an Airbus320 for two of its four daily flights. It's a bigger plane with nearly twice as…
Honor Roll Celebration Uplifts Students
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Orchard Knob Middle School honored academic excellence with a special celebration recognizing 90 students who earned a spot on the honor roll, bringing families, educators, and community…
Historic Choo Choo terminal building up for sale
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The main portion of the Chattanooga Choo Choo has been listed for sale. It has been listed on the investment firm’s Berkeley Capital Advisors’ retail offerings page. It has been owned by the firm Northpond Partners since…
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport asking City Council for subsidy for potential Houston flight
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is asking the City Council for help to land a new flight. The airport is asking for a $150,000 subsidy to convince United Airlines to fly weekly from Chattanooga to Houston, Texas. United…
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.…
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…
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: *…
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…
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…
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…
