Bradley County Sheriff's Office drone team locates missing juvenile
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office's (BCSO) drone team located a missing juvenile in a wooded area. On the night of March 24, 2025, BCSO received…
State trooper indicted on tampering with evidence during off-duty incident
BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper has been indicted on multiple charges, including tampering with evidence. Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began investigating allegations into trooper Jeremy…
Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by drought, wind and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene
Dry conditions, wind and trees downed by Hurricane Helene fueled wildfires in North Carolina and South Carolina, where evacuation orders were in effect Tuesday. About 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, officials ordered mandatory…
West Virginia bans 7 artificial food dyes, citing potentially harmful health effects
West Virginia has outlawed foods that contain some artificial dyes or other additives, in one of the most comprehensive statewide bans of its kind. The move cites potentially harmful health effects and comes amid a broader push…
Representative Kevin Raper to return to Tennessee House following liver transplant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- State Representative Kevin Raper (R-Cleveland) will return to the Tennessee House of Representatives on March 27 after successfully undergoing a liver…
Prep Public Schools names new administrative team
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Prep Public Schools has appointed Troy Kemp as Chief Executive Officer and Chad Everett as Vice President of Schools. The Board of Directors introduced…
Man and 2 juveniles found alive after Alaska plane crash
Juneau, Alaska — A man and two juveniles were found with non-life-threatening injuries Monday near the wreckage of a small plane on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula that had been reported overdue the night before, authorities said. The…
CHA Ballet throws a "Curveball" onto the UTC Fine Arts Center stage
CHA Ballet CEO and Artistic Director Brian McSween joins News 12's Amelia Greer to talk about the newest, original ballet coming to Chattanooga called "Curveball." CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga ballerinas are…
Dutch Maid Bakery’s sweet debut on the big screen
TRACY CITY, Tenn. (WDEF) - A new movie is hitting the silver screen, and this time, it has a Tennessee twist. The Holland, an American thriller starring…
Plan Hamilton Sparks Growth Debate
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Community leaders gathered today at the Chattanooga Area Chamber to discuss the future of Hamilton County’s growth, and the challenges that come with it. The growth strategy…
K9 Faith Sniffs Out Retirement Bliss
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A special four-legged investigator is hanging up her harness after nearly eight years of service. Accelerant Detection Canine Faith is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and success in…
Chattanooga police arrest suspect on attempted murder charges
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Police have arrested a man less than 24 hours after an alleged shooting incident. On March 23, 2025, at 4:12 a.m., officers responded to a person shot call at Chattanooga Fire Station 4510 Bonny Oaks…
What's Right With Our Schools: Whitwell Middle Level 5 Status
WHITWELL, TN (WDEF) - One Marion County school has reached the pinnacle of success. We traveled to Whitwell Middle School to learn how their accomplishment is…
People's choice voting opens soon for TVFCU's Idea Leap Grant
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- People's choice voting for Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union's (TVFCU) Idea Leap Grant will soon be open. Starting March 31, 2025 at 8:00 a.m., people's choice vote opens for the community. Voting will close on April…
Hyundai says it will build $5.8 billion steel mill in Louisiana
South Korean auto giant Hyundai on Monday announced a multibillion-dollar investment in the U.S., including a new $5.8 billion steel plant. The plant, which will be based in Louisiana, will create 1,300 jobs in the…
Man arrested, charged for drive by shooting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Authorities have arrested a man facing multiple Attempted First Degree Murder charges. On January 13, 2025, at 3:36 p.m., officers responded to 1819 Foust…
Whitfield County educator named finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- One of the ten finalists for teacher of the year in Georgia is from Whitfield County Beth Taylor teaches K-thru-5 at Varnell Elementary. The state school superintendent flew in to the school by helicopter to…
Two arrested after leading Murray County deputies on a pursuit
MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two suspects were arrested in Varnell, Georgia after leading Murray County deputies on a pursuit a couple weeks ago. On March 11, 2025, deputies with the Murray County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) attempted to…
Two Murray County suspects arrested on child exploitation charges
MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection to a recent investigation involving child exploitation. On March 12, 2025, personnel with the Murray County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) received intel from the Floyd…
Chattanooga police officer arrested for domestic assault, placed on leave
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Chattanooga police officer has been arrested and charged with domestic assault. Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) responded to a…
23andMe files for bankruptcy and will try to find a buyer
23andMe, a formerly high-flying genetic testing company, announced Sunday that it was declaring bankruptcy and that it would seek a buyer. The company also said CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki is resigning immediately and will…
Yellowhorse Powwow Celebration honors a member of the local Native American community
Tammera Hicks with Native American Services of Tennessee gets ready for a special Powwow this April and dedicates the celebration to her husband who passed away in 2019. COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)…
Huge fires on Daus and Smith Mountain
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Plumes of thick smoke blanketed the skies above Daus Mountain and Smith Mountain as fire crews rushed to the scene. Firefighters worked tirelessly to put…
Collegedale Springs Into Community Fun
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) - Spring has officially sprung in Collegedale today as families gathered for the annual Spring Fling at The Commons. The annual Spring Fling at The Commons brought the community together for a day full of family-friendly activities. …