What's Right With Our Schools: School Resource Development Institute at Bessie Smith Cultural Center
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Three Hamilton County schools teamed up to craft strategic funding plans that could change the way they secure…
Chattanooga man arrested in GA after being accused of threatening court judges
GORDON COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Chattanooga man has been arrested after being accused of threatening court judges in Georgia. On March 10, 2025,…
Dunlap authorities apprehend suspected bench thief
UPDATE (3/17/2025): The Dunlap bench thief has been apprehended. The Dunlap Police Department…
Local man who survived tank explosion reunites with first responder
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Eight years after a near-fatal accident, a local man has reunited with the first responder who helped save his life. April…
Prayer request flyers handed out at senator's church amid immigration education bill debate
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial bill being advanced by a Hamilton County lawmaker is continuing to receive pushback. (more…)
Violent tornadoes hit parts of U.S. as severe storms kill at least 40, unleashing winds and fanning wildfires
Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the U.S., wiping out schools and toppling semitractor-trailers, part of a monster storm that has killed at least 40 people across six states. The deaths came as a massive storm…
Tasty Donuts turns green for St. Patrick's Day
Tasty Donuts owner Tony McInnis and his son A.J. McInnis join News 12's Chip Chapman to talk about the donut shop turning GREEN for St. Patrick's Day. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -…
Keeping couples together through Gospel-based workshops
Ms. Rosalyn Hickman with Covenant Keepers brings Pastor Kenneth Ware and Pastor John Geeter to preview a special workshop and class for married couples. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Covenant Keepers…
Construction closes part of South Terrace Road on Wednesday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - South Terrace Road will be closed for construction from South Lovell Avenue to McBrien Road on Wednesday from 9 PM to 6 AM. Traffic will…
Just Between Friends consignment sale supports foster families
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) - From Shoes to Strollers: Just Between Friends consignment sale gives back to families in the local area. Camp Jordan Arena had it all—from…
Deadly Storm Ravages Grundy County
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Last night, a powerful storm system swept through Grundy County, Tennessee, leaving a trail of significant damage in its wake. The community of Palmer was particularly…
CPD responded to a shooting call finding a 44-year-old man dead
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police responded to a shooting call on March 15, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. in the 3700 block of Youngstown Road. Upon arrival, officers found a 44-year-old man dead from an…
CPD responds to pedestrian being struck in the early morning hours
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga Police responded to a call about a pedestrian being struck on March 16, 2025, at 12:15 a.m. in the 4700 block of Highway 58. When officers arrived, they…
A young boy's quick actions brought attention to a structure fire
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- At 10:55 a.m., the Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to a structure fire after a young boy spotted flames and…
Storm causes heavy damage in Palmer
PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing of significant damage Saturday evening in Grundy County in the Palmer community. (more…)
Signal Mountain Hosts Successful REAL ID Event at Town Hall
Signal Mountain residents had the chance to secure their REAL ID at a special event held at the Signal Mountain Town Hall on March 15, 2025. The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., was a convenient opportunity…
Storm shelter to be available in Walker County
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- A storm shelter will be available Saturday evening for residents in Walker County. (more…)
Lightning strike sparks house fire in Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to reports of a possible house fire at 7 Rock Crest Drive. Severe thunderstorms swept through Hamilton County this morning, bringing intense lightning. At 10:56 a.m., the Signal…
Multiple police departments worked to apprehend a fugitive
MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Sheriff Tommy Jones posted that in the late evening hours of March 14, law enforcement officers located and arrested Charles Ballard III. Sheriff Tommy Jones states that officers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, McMinn…
CPD responded to a shooting call
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police responded to a shooting call in the 4900 block of Central Avenue on March 14, 2025, at 2:18 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found a 21-year-old…
Two arrested after joint human trafficking operation
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two suspects in Collegedale have been arrested as a result of a collaborative human trafficking operation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Collegedale Police Department (CDPD) conducted a targeted human trafficking operation aimed…
Chattanooga doctor and Georgia practice settle Medicare fraud allegations
ROME, Ga. (WDEF) -- Dr. Robert Burkich, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his Ringgold, Georgia-based practice, Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc., have agreed to pay $700,000 to settle allegations of submitting false…
American Airlines passengers detail "surreal, exhausting" experience after plane fire, arriving in Dallas
Passengers on an American Airlines plane that caught fire in Denver arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport early Friday morning, nearly 12 hours after initially taking off. The plane, with 178 passengers, caught fire on the…
Disturbing details emerge after man says he was held captive in room for 20 years by father and stepmother
A man rescued from a burning home in Connecticut told a shocking story of cruelty and constant hunger as he was held captive in a single room for 20 years by his father and stepmother,…