Community welcomes young survivor home after near-fatal crash
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) - It’s a homecoming four months in the making — and one many feared would never happen. On January 12, 2024, a young girl named…
Lillian Yi
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TWRA responded to three serious incidents
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. — On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officers responded to three serious incidents in Campbell County, including a fatal boating accident on Norris Lake and two off-highway vehicle (OHV) crashes on the North…
One dead: Rossville Boulevard homicide
ROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) arrested 19-year-old Roberto Carlos Meja-Chakate and 23-year-old Jerry Juarez-Bernabe in relation to the Rossville Boulevard homicide that occurred on May 17. On May 17, 2025, at 11:14 p.m., CPD responded…
Fatal motorcycle crash left one person dead
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Saturday, an early morning motorcycle crash in the Soddy Daisy community has left one person dead. First responders were called to the scene…
Tennessee Aquarium hosts Laurel Dace Day
SPRING CITY, Tenn. (WDEF) - They’re small, bright, and fighting to survive. The Laurel Dace, a striking freshwater fish found only in a few streams atop the Cumberland Plateau, is…
Siskin Children’s Institute Launches Pediatric PT Program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Siskin Children’s Institute is expanding its continuum of care with the launch of a new Pediatric Physical Therapy Program, now available at its Chattanooga location. The…
Rezoning request withdrawn
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A controversial plan to bring a micro-home community to the area near Garner Road is now on hold — at least for the time being. Developer Michael Kenner withdrew his…
High Point Farms hosts Mother’s Day event
FLINTSTONE, Ga. (WDEF)- High Point Farms in Flintstone hosted a special Mother’s Day event that included goats, garden strolls, and handmade bouquets. Many families began Mother’s Day with breakfast…
Northbound I-75 incident involving a multiple vehicle crash
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Today around 5:20 in the afternoon, East Ridge Police and Fire responded to a call on Northbound I-75 regarding a multiple vehicle crash. Officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel responded quickly and began immediate lifesaving efforts.…
Single-vehicle crash sends one to hospital
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Saturday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., first responders responded to a single-vehicle accident involving extrication between a building and a retaining wall in the 200 block of Woodland Avenue. Firefighters helped remove two passengers from…
Miller Park hosts Barbecue Music Festival
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The aroma of smoked meats and the rhythm of live music filled the air today at Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga, as the All Star Foundation…
Chattanooga house fire sends one person to hospital
UPDATE: The victim, an adult male, was found in a back bedroom. Firefighters had to knock flames down as they made their way through the home to get to the victim and then bring him out. He is in…
Vehicle and a bicyclist crash ends in traffic fatality
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Friday morning, around 7:17 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist at the intersection of the 4400 block of Oakhill Road and Sterchi Drive. When arriving on scene, officers…
First Responder Hero Award: Lexie Mcnabb
South Pittsburg, Tenn. (WDEF) - News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responder Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter,…
2025 Carson Scholars honored in celebration of excellence
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - An elite group of young changemakers was honored this weekend at the largest Carson Scholars Fund celebration in the organization’s…
Hamilton County focuses on health and education
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A local council meeting this week brought renewed attention to the future of children’s health and education in Hamilton County. Presenters introduced two key programs—each aiming to build a…
Fur Mama nonprofit specializes in saving the tiniest lives
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - In the heart of our community, Fur Mama is doing more than just rescuing animals—it’s providing a specific kind of care that’s often…
Student rescued after falling in Blue Spring Cave
SPARTA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A weekend cave expedition in Middle Tennessee turned dangerous for a Nashville man, prompting a successful multi-agency rescue mission. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue Service joined forces with the Sparta-White County Rescue Squad and White County…
Congrats UTC Grads – And one of our own
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Congratulations to all of the graduating students from UTC! We posted on our social media asking for photos and videos of you or…
Community heroes clear fallen tree on Ochs Highway
Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) - This evening, a tree came crashing down into the middle of Ochs Highway blocking traffic heading up and down Lookout Mountain. But before road…
Turn Around, Don’t Drown: A risk taken, a car lost
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDE) - Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to flash flooding across parts of Chattanooga, leaving multiple drivers stranded — including one whose car…
Elderly couple lost their home in a fire
HARRISON, Tenn. (WDEF) — An elderly couple lost their home in a devastating fire this morning in the Harrison area. At 9:53 a.m., the homeowner called 911 to report a fire at their residence located at 8733 Bethany Lane.…
HCSO SWAT responds to domestic incident
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Saturday at 10:30 p.m., deputies were called to the 6580 block of Charbell Street in response to a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they determined that the suspect, Zachariah Legate, had committed aggravated assault…
From online to in-person: Ali Kay brings Fresh Paint Live to Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The vibrant world of art is taking center stage in Chattanooga this week. Inside the Convention Center, nearly 250 artists…
Chattanooga Zoo welcomes rare Pied Tamarin babies
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - There's something worth celebrating at the Chattanooga Zoo, a baby boom among one of the world's most endangered primates, the pied tamarin. The zoo recently…
Chattanooga Seafood Bash serves up a taste of the coast
CHATTANOGOA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Seafood lovers from all around the region flocked to downtown Chattanooga this weekend for the annual Seafood Bash, an event that brings…
ST. Elmo structure fire
ST. ELMO, Tenn. (WDEF) - Sunday morning around 11:54, firefighters responded to the 1700 block of W 39th Street after multiple callers to 911 reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the structure. Responding units spotted smoke as they…
IBMA is coming to Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - It’s official: Chattanooga will soon become home to one of the largest bluegrass music events on the planet. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has selected the…
National Work Zone Awareness Week
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — This week marks National Work Zone Awareness Week across Tennessee and the rest of the country—a campaign focused on reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert, and move…
Hamilton County launches Traffic Task Force
You said You said: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has officially launched a new initiative aimed at improving roadway safety across Hamilton County. On Monday, officials announced the creation of…
Missing dog: owner offers cash reward to reunite mother with puppies
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - A local dog named Reece went missing last night around 6 p.m. in the Chattanooga area. Her owner, Jayden Larson, says time is of the essence, as Reece has a litter of puppies who need…
Heavy police presence on Igou Gap
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - This morning, there was a heavy police presence on Igou Gap Road. Sgt. Victor Miller from CPD tells us that a search and arrest warrant were being served at that time. On-duty SWAT and HNT…
Easter morning Chattanooga house fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Witness reports of a house fire on Easter morning led to an extended response from the Chattanooga Fire Department and other agencies. At 8:30 AM first responders were called to the 2700 block of Shepherd…
From one chapter to the next: A mother’s path to sweet success
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — There's a new sweet spot in town — The Milky Cow Bakery. There's a new bakery bringing sugar, joy, and…
Collegedale Police hosts annual Easter egg hunt
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - HAPPY EASTER… well, almost! Families from across Collegedale gathered this weekend at the Ooltewah Youth Association Ballfields on Little Debbie Parkway for a beloved spring…
House fire in St. Elmo
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - On Sunday, firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire in a residence in the 5100 block of Lynnwood Avenue at 11:05 AM. When arriving on scene, officials reported light smoke showing. A quick interior attack…
Spring into the Carnival at the Northgate mall
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - It’s that time of year again—bright lights, sweet treats, and nonstop fun. The magic is back in Chattanooga as the annual carnival has officially rolled into…
First Responder Hero Award: Justin Cannon, Assistant Chief
PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF) - News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responder Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic,…
Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy wins National IMPACT Award
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy is officially on the national stage — and for all the right reasons. The all-girls public charter school has been…
Grundy County storm recovery efforts
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. — A powerful line of severe weather tore through the Tennessee Valley early Sunday morning, leaving behind a path of destruction that impacted homes, infrastructure, parks, and the…