First Responder Hero Award: Lt. Justin Small
VARNELL, Ga. (WDEF) - News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic,…
Lillian Yi
Articles
Humane Society needs help to save six dogs from deadly deadline
MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Less than two weeks after rescuing more than 40 Yorkies from a puppy mill, the McMinn Regional Humane Society is…
Faith based film under production in Cohutta
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEDF) - In Cohutta, Georgia, a new movie is in production titled Set Free. News 12 went behind the scenes to bring you a closer look at what…
Two suspects charged in disturbing case involving children and dozens of animals
MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Grundy County authorities are asking for the community’s help after a disturbing case involving children and dozens of animals.…
UPDATE: CPD arrests 64-year-old in Lee Highway homicide
UPDATE (8/28): The Chattanooga Police quickly located and arrested 64-year-old Guster Harfield in connection with a homicide on the 7700 block of…
Wanted man is killed after producing a firearm in attempts to flee
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn (WDEF) - The TBI special agents are continuing to investigate the circumstances of a Friday morning fatal shooting in Reagan involving the United States Marshals Service. According to the…
Cleveland’s Inman street project earns state recognition
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - City leaders from across Tennessee came together in Chattanooga for the Tennessee Municipal League Conference, a three-day event focused on collaboration, innovation, and celebrating the…
CPD urges Safe Exchange Zone use after teen shot during sale
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - After a 17-year-old was shot while attempting to complete an online transaction arranged through a social media marketplace, the Chattanooga Police…
New Medicare Program offers fully covered dementia caregiving in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A new Medicare initiative is now providing fully covered caregiving support for individuals living with dementia, including right here in Chattanooga through…
WTCI PBS faces major funding cut
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - One of Chattanooga’s public television stations are facing a significant financial setback. WTCI PBS says a major loss in federal support could impact both local programming…
Jackson man charged with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder
MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Friday, Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) arrested a Jackson man and charged him with Accessory After the Fact to 1st Degree Murder in connection to the ongoing search for Austin…
17-year-old shot attempting to complete a marketplace meet up
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) is investigating a robbery in the 6500 block of Pine Manor Drive that resulted in one person being shot. On Saturday, around 3:06 p.m., Chattanooga Police Robbery Investigators began interviewing the…
More than 40 dogs rescued from hoarding situation
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) - More than 40 dogs are now safe after a major animal rescue effort in Athens, Tennessee. Officers say the dogs were found living in…
Polk County suspect attempts to detonate devices upon officers’ arrival
POLK COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Friday, Detectives and Deputies of the Polk County Sheriff’s went to 129 Amber Way Old Fort, TN 37362 in attempt to locate Kevin Wade O’Neal. According to the Polk County Police, O’Neal had…
Jamestown man accused of violating the Tennessee Computer Crimes Act
FENTRESS COUNTY, Tenn, (WDEF) – An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Jamestown man accused of violating the Tennessee Computer Crimes Act. According to police, in December of 2023,…
Dangerous heat threatens health across the Tennessee Valley
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As the Tennessee Valley braces for heat index values nearing triple digits, local emergency officials and medical experts are urging the public to take…
Extreme heat poses deadly risk to pets
Hamilton County, Tenn. (WDEF) - As dangerous heat continues to blanket the Tennessee Valley, it’s not just people who need protection, our pets are also at risk. Local veterinarians…
Officials urge precautions as temperatures soar
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Dangerously high temperatures are settling in across the Tennessee Valley. Emergency officials are urging the public to take precautions. The Hamilton County Emergency Services say the…
EXCLUSIVE: Local K9 Teams head to Texas to help with flood recovery
RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - This evening, in a News 12 exclusive, we are hearing from two local K9 teams who have been selected…
Better Together is back in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The initiative brings schools, families, and volunteers together to create safe and welcoming spaces just in time for the new school year. At Calvin Donaldson…
Pack the Bus helps everyone prepare for the school year
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Pack the Bus was in full swing this weekend, where volunteers came together to collect school supplies for local students in…
Mutts on the Mountain Foster hosts adoption day
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) - A splash of fun and a chance to find a forever friend brought smiles to the Signal Mountain Town Pool this weekend. Some…
Vacant house fire in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Early this morning, 911 received reports of a burning residence, on the 4100 block of forest acres. According to the CPD, when arriving on scene, they found it was a vacant Chattanooga home. Crews found…
The Walker County African American Museum ribbon cutting Ceremony
LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) - A special celebration took place in Walker County today as community members gathered to honor the past and inspire the future. A…
Erlanger hosts career fair to fill key positions
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - At Erlanger’s Career Fair, job seekers had the opportunity to walk in, no resume required and explore a variety of open positions across the…
Chattanooga volunteers pack 10,000 backpacks through Nehemiah Project
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - With the school year just around the corner, the Chattanooga community is making sure local children head back to school feeling ready and supported.…
Police make second arrest in connection to Read Avenue homicide
UPDATE: Chattanooga police have arrested a second suspect in connection to the Read Avenue homicide. The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) say 18-year-old Mauricio Velasquez was arrested on Monday, July 21, 2025 Velasquez is currently…
Dayton brings the Scopes Trial back to life
DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) - Nearly 100 years after the infamous Scopes “Monkey” Trial put evolution and education on the national stage, Dayton, Tennessee is bringing the courtroom drama…
One dead after fatal accident involving submerged vehicle
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Friday, deputies responded to the 6800 block of Highway 58 near Wolftever Bridge for the report of a vehicle crash with entrapment. According to law enforcement, when arriving on scene, deputies located a…
Honoring the Fallen Five: Healing the mind after tragedy
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As we reflect on today's ceremony honoring the Fallen Five, it serves as a powerful reminder that trauma affects not only our physical…
Ten Years Later: Chattanooga Honors the Fallen Five
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Ten years after a domestic terrorist attack shook the heart of Chattanooga, the community is coming together to remember the five servicemen who lost…
Deputies rescue driver after crash and suspected overdose
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Saturday, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy Greg Buck observed a vehicle leave the roadway at 3298 Wilcox Boulevard and crash…
Annual Peach Festival draws a crowd
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - It’s sweet, it’s sunny, and it’s all about the peaches. The annual Peach Festival brought out both locals and visitors this weekend, filling the air with…
Community rallies around young survivor Khloie
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) - A community came together today to support a young girl who’s been through the unimaginable—but continues to show the heart of a true fighter. Earlier this…
Protesters rallied in Dalton against the Big Beautiful Bill
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - In Dalton, protesters gathered once again in front of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s office, this time to voice opposition to the Big Beautiful…
Four injured in Tyner Community Center Shooting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - This afternoon, Chattanooga Police responded to reports of multiple people shot in the 6800 block of Ty Hi Drive. Four individuals were taken to the…
First Responder Hero Award: Luke Meeks, Grundy County EMT
GRUNDY COUNTY, TN (WDEF) - News 12 continues to recognize some of the bravest members of our community through the "First Responder Hero Award". This month's nominee's…
All Gas No Brakes: Benefit for Khloie
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) - A young girl’s strength is inspiring hearts across our region after surviving a devastating car crash that changed her life forever. On January 12, 2024,…
Red white and blueberry pie eating contest
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - During the summer months, the First Horizon Pavilion fills with locals enjoying everything the Chattanooga Market has to offer. This weekend, however, things got a…
The Peach festival is right around the corner
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Market is getting ready to go all-in on one of summer’s sweetest fruits. The Peach Festival returns next weekend, bringing fresh flavor,…