Athens City Fire Department welcomes new Safe Haven Baby Box
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Athens City Fire Department is celebrating a new addition—not to their team, but to their mission: a Safe Haven Baby Box,…
The Chattanooga Zoo is saying goodbye to Pilatus the Red Panda
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Zoo is saying goodbye to Pilatus, the red panda, as he prepares to move to a zoo in Connecticut.…
Red Bank approves funding to continue CARTA Care-A-Van services in 2026
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The City of Red Bank has approved $30,000 in funding to continue CARTA’s Care-A-Van service for eligible residents, securing the program’s future beyond federal grant support. The funding, included in the city’s FY2026 budget, helps…
CPR call turns into arrest after nearly $500,000 in drugs seized
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- What started out as a CPR called turned into an arrest after Hamilton County authorities located a large amount of cash and drugs. On June 27, 2025, deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO)…
Firework shows happening across the News 12 viewing area
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The fourth of July is a week from today, and we've compiled a list of firework shows happening around our area. The list is by date, here are the following shows…
Walker County woman sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking 44 grams of meth
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Walker County woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after selling 44 grams of methamphetamine. On September 3, 2024, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit (LMJC) Drug…
Two arrested after stealing wake boards from broken down boat
DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) -- Two people have been arrested after stealing wakeboards from a broken down boat in DeKalb County. On June 23, 2025, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) received information from the Fyffe Police Department…
New $25 weekend parking pass aims to boost downtown Chattanooga visits
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Parking Authority (CPA) has launched a new Weekend Parking Pass to make visiting downtown easier and more affordable. For an introductory rate of $25, the pass offers unlimited access to all CPA-managed parking, including…
Supreme Court, in birthright citizenship case, limits judges' use of nationwide injunctions
Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday limited the use of nationwide injunctions, reining in federal judges' ability to issue sweeping orders that have in recent years stymied implementation of policies from Republican and Democratic…
East Ridge approves first sanitation fee increase in over a decade
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- For the first time in more than 13 years, the City of East Ridge is increasing its sanitation fees to help cover rising service costs. The updated rates will go…
Smokey Bones brings the heat...and the ribs!
Kristie Pratt with Smokey Bones joins News 12's Chip Chapman as many families get ready to celebrate the 4th of July around the corner. Learn how you can fill up your stomach…
Fireball seen as meteorite streaks through sky over Georgia and South Carolina
A fireball, or a bright meteorite, was seen across…
Uptick in Whooping Cough Cases Prompts New Warnings from Health Officials
It’s a sound no parent wants to hear—that relentless cough that just won’t go away. Now, health officials are warning of a sharp rise in whooping cough cases, especially among vulnerable children. “We’ve recently seen a big increase,” said Dr.…
Summer Surge: Moving Weekend Tips
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - If you are planning a move, you are not alone. This weekend is expected to be the busiest moving weekend of the entire year, with thousands of…
District 6 Summit Highlights Progress
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Community members gathered for a summit hosted by Councilmember Jenni Berz to reflect on progress and priorities in District 6. The event focused on economic development, housing,…
Weekend traffic delays expected as I-24 East near I-75 closes for construction
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Drivers near the I-75 and I-24 interchange should prepare for major traffic changes this weekend due to ongoing roadwork. As part of Phase 2 of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT)…
19-year-old arrested for sexually abusing a child under 12 in DeKalb County
FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) -- A 19-year-old from Marshall County has been arrested after allegedly sexually abusing a child under the age of 12. On June 23, 2025, a DeKalb County Sheriff's Office…
DeKalb County man arrested for first-degree sexual abuse of a minor
FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) -- A DeKalb County man has been arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a minor. On June 23, 2025, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) received a…
Dalton police searching for person suspected of stealing tools from Christian Heritage School
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is asking the public for help in identifying a man who stole tools from Christian Heritage School. Surveillance cameras first captured the suspect at 2:00 a.m., June 8, 2025. He…
Walker County woman sentenced to 5 years in prison for fentanyl trafficking
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Walker County woman was sentenced for trafficking fentanyl. On June 5, 2024, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit (LMJC)…
Scottsboro man arrested on multiple drug charges after police response
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) -- A Scottsboro man has been arrested for drug possession after authorities responded to a call for service. Officers with the Scottsboro Police…
Nestle says it will stop using artificial dyes in U.S. foods, beverages by mid-2026
Nestle said Wednesday it will eliminate artificial colors from its U.S. food and beverages by the middle of 2026. It's the latest big food company making that pledge. Last week, Kraft Heinz and General Mills said they would remove…
Road Rage Ends in Conviction
CHICKAMAUGA, GA (WDEF) - A Walker County jury has returned a guilty verdict in a deadly road rage case that ended in gunfire outside a Dollar General in Chickamauga. Jeremy Dewayne…
New indictment leads to arrest in 2020 Hamilton County murder case
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett and District Attorney Coty Wamp announced the indictment and arrest of Sanel Durakovic for a…