Supply Chain Issues Hit Local Auto Body Repair Shops
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "People come in to get their car fixed and we tell them it's going to be awhile until we get the parts," says Justin Thomas who is a mechanic at Econo…
Andy Santoro
Articles
TDOT Commits to Immediate but Temporary Fix to Many Chattanooga Potholes
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "This month's back to back winter storms have created several new potholes along our interstates and state routes," says Rae Anne Bradel, Community Relations Officer for TDOT. When water enters cracks…
March for Life Comes to Chattanooga as Roe v. Wade Turns 49
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Today is the 49th anniversary of Roe v. Wade when the Supreme Court legalized abortion. March for Lifes have been taking place all over the country and Chattanooga…
Critics Perceive Lack of Diversity Among Riverbend Headliners
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Riverbend Festival organizers say the lineup selection process is complex but involves community input. "We sent out a survey to around 30,000 people and just ask them straight up, who…
More Information on Teenage Trail Runner Rescue
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "It's kind of like a bowl of spaghetti. It just keeps going. It gets tangled up. It's really easy to get turned around." That's how local experienced trail runner Garrison…
Uber Statement and Neighbor’s Account of Alleged Attack on Driver
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Zachery Richard Johnson was booked Saturday night on charges of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual battery and carjacking following his alleged attack on an Uber driver…
Local Attorney Reaction to Supreme Court Blocking Federal Vaccine Mandate
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked the federal vaccine requirement for businesses of 100 or more employees but they kept the mandate for large health care providers. News 12's Andy Santoro spoke with a local attorney for some legal insight into the decision.
Foundation Offers Full Scholarship in Floor Installation Trade at Technical College in Dalton
A foundation funded by carpet industry titans is giving back in a very unique way in a first of its kind program that offers individuals training and certification in a much needed skill.
Hamilton County Commission to Vote Next Week on Nepotism Pay
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd has been leading the charge for a change in rules that currently allows local elected officials to pay a direct family member that they employ county…
Hamilton County Judge Sends Migrant Youth Worker Sexual Battery Case to Grand Jury
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Three female employees of the Baptiste Group were arrested in 2021 on various charges of sexual misconduct against minors staying at their shelter for migrants in Chattanooga. Today,…
Investigation Into Hamilton County Child Rape Crosses State Lines, Public Assistance Needed
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Ryan Andrew Meyung was arrested in December on multiple counts of child rape, aggravated kidnapping and other related charges. An arrest affidavit says Meyung was a motocross stunt rider. Meyung…
Georgia Governor Visits Lafayette Factory Hiring 600
WALKER COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - "This is just so good for our state because we're strengthening rural Georgia," says Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. "We're making sure sure people have opportunity no…
Salvation Army and Community Kitchen Open Cold Weather Shelters
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "We're getting some pretty nasty weather coming in and some of our neighbors have nowhere to go," says Major Mark Smith who is the Salvation Army's Area Commander for…
Back to School Amidst Omicron
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - COVID-19 infection rates have reached an all time high in Hamilton County. Despite the surge, public schools are open with no virtual learning option and masks are…
Local Restaurants and Food Bank Impacted by National Rise in Food Prices
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Consumer Price Index reports meat prices are up over 20 percent from a year ago. Food prices overall are up 6.4 percent. And the Chattanooga Area Food Bank says more…
Local COVID Numbers Slightly Decrease but Hospitals Fill with Other Respiratory Infections
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - While new Hamilton County COVID cases continue a slight decline following a pandemic all-time high last week, local hospitals report they are still seeing crowds. "So we had anticipated some increases…
Tennessee Highway Patrol and Local Police “Saturate” Roadways to Prevent News Years Eve Drunk Driving
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Drunk driving crashes often involve high rates of speed making the scene of an incident particularly difficult for first responders. "It's a pretty hard thing to deal with, especially hard on some of our younger firefighters in…
Signal Mountain Woman Arrested on Criminal Homicide Following Stabbing Death
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN (WDEF) - "It's a small community so word spread quickly," says land owner and developer of Wild Ridge Jack Kruesi. Signal Mountain is known for being a safe and quiet…
Ooltewah Crash Sends Three to Hospital Reigniting Infrastructure Debate
OOLTEWAH ( WDEF) - "On Snow Hill, there's no give at all. There's nothing. One move and you're either off the road or in the other lane and it's what's causing these accidents,"…
Rapid COVID-19 Tests Scarce in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Late last week, the health department told the community they would have free rapid COVID-19 testing available today. In a reverse of course, they sent out a memo early this morning…
Prison Prevention Ministries Brings Christmas to Children of Incarcerated
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "What a great time of year to give these guys and these women some hope and their children some hope," says Joe Smith who is the executive director of Prison…
Mayor Kelly Returns From White House to Discuss Infrastructure Bill, Senator Hagerty Weighs In
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Mayor Kelly just returned from the White House. "When the White House calls, it's the President so you go." Kelly says of the ten new mayors invited, he represented the smallest…
City Council Approves Major Development to Transform Chattanooga Waterfront
There are big plans for the Alstom plant site along the River downtown. A Canal... a "Cathedral" like music venue... the canal will go through the Cathedral. Here is the update.
Advocates Rally for Tougher Laws in Marion County Following Dog Shooting
JASPER, TN (WDEF) - "It's just very kamikaze over here. I feel like it's the old Wild West sometimes," says April Bowden who is the Director of Operations for Marion Animal Resource Connection.…
School Board Challenges Status of $750,000 in State Funds for Howard School
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "The state doesn't have a very good history of taking over under-performing schools and turning them around," says Hamilton County School Board member Joe Smith. The state of Tennessee proposed…
Shallowford Apartment Fire Displaces 17, Third Apartment Fire in Ten Days
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A resident of Waterford Place Apartments off Shallowford Road said he was cooking fish in his kitchen when he and his brother went outside. Moments later, smoke was billowing from the…
School Board Chair Proposes Committee to Review Students’ Books, Receives Bipartisan Support
The Hamilton County School Board has a solution surrounding questionable books in schools and getting more input on what kids have access to.
Skill Up I.T. Program Celebrates College Hill Courts Graduates
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "Yes, I can be successful. It's not always about surviving," says Skill Up I.T. graduate Victoria Gray. Some residents of the College Hill Courts community of Chattanooga began a new…
Silverdale Detention Center Offers Inmates Hope With Job Fair and Training
HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) - "Been doing this for over 20 years, in and out, and it's getting old." Randy Harris is about to finish an 11 month sentence at the Silverdale Detention Center…
Mayors, Police Chief, and NFL Player On Hand for Lung Cancer Awareness Proclamation
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "We hereby proclaim the month of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month," said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger to a full Courthouse lobby. The lobby was filled with officials, police…
Chattanooga’s Annual Grateful Gobbler Sees Record Participation
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - More than five thousand people - and dogs - woke up early Thanksgiving Day morning to participate in the annual Grateful Gobbler 5K that benefits the…
Store Manager Who Received Salvation Army Help As A Child Hosts Angel Tree Fundraiser
From living in poverty to now running his own store, a local Walmart manager shares his story of growing up poor and benefiting from the Salvation Army.
Cleveland Police Investigating Tuesday Afternoon Stabbing, Victim Airlifted
CLEVELAND, TN ( WDEF) - The Cleveland Police Department has confirmed to News 12 that 30-year-old Shutonia Smith was stabbed at 3:05 p.m. at 742 12th St. SE. He was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital. Police are not releasing suspect information…
Three Years Later, a Maclellan Shelter Family Thrives
Three years ago, LaKyshia and James Robinson with their baby were staring down homelessness. They found help at the Maclellan Shelter for Families.
Health Department Says They Are Stocked Up and Ready to Administer Booster With Full Approval
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Friday morning, the FDA approved the COVID vaccine booster for all adults. And a few hours later, an outside panel of the CDC voted unanimously to recommend allowing all adults…
Beer Board Revokes The Blue Light Bar License, Owner Appeals
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - "I think what we've all witnessed here conclusively is a witch hunt and my beer permit was just revoked for no reason," says The Blue Light…
City of Chattanooga Proposes Funding Immediate Enclosed Encampment for City’s Homeless
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The city of Chattanooga is hoping to set up an enclosed encampment off 12th Street for the city's growing homeless population. "We're really just trying to come in with an…
Human Trafficking Operation Results in a Dozen Arrests in Hamilton County and Region
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has sent out a press release stating that a two-day undercover operation by special agents with the TBI Human Trafficking Unit, Chattanooga Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Tennessee Human Trafficking Task…
Cleveland Police Use Robot and SWAT to Apprehend Man Barricaded Inside Home
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - "It's got retractable arms, extendable arms that can open doors and move stuff out of the way." A robot with the Cleveland Police Department played a vital role in…
Chicken Coop Fire Inside Hamilton County Line Renews Fire Hydrant Concerns
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN (WDEF) - An attempt to keep outdoor animals warm caused a devastating fire early Monday morning at the 1900 block of Suck Creek Road. "It appears it may…