Deeper dive into Garrian King shows several arrests
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - With the arrest, it leads to more questions about who Garrian King is. King has had some run-ins with law enforcement in the past. The latest one puts him on…
Scott Koral
Articles
Ham Co school superintendent, County Commissioner say SROs are not enough to keep kids safe in schools
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Safety in Hamilton County schools are continually being discussed by people in the community. This morning, it was the Hamilton County Commission's turn to ask what is going to be enough.…
Southern Baptist Convention list of accused sexual abusers includes two Hamilton County cases
HAMILTON COUNTY (WDEF) - The Southern Baptist Convention released a database of church leaders who have been accused of sexual misconduct. News 12 went through the long list, and learned two of them…
Big land deal lands 470 news jobs in Whitfield County
DALTON (WDEF) - Back in 1986, Timbuk 3 released a song called "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades." It's 36 years later, and Whitfield County is subscribing to that mantra, now that…
“When are we next?”: Hamilton County School Board member hopes for more school security
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Everytown for Gun Safety says there have been 77 gun incidents on school grounds this year, resulting in 14 deaths. Then came yesterday at Uvalde, Texas. 19 children. 2…
“Justice for Angel:” Show of support by Bradley County for abused dog while teenage suspects are in court
CLEVELAND (WDEF) - Last week, there was a preliminary hearing for two juvenile suspects in the alleged beating and subsequent shooting of a stray dog in Bradley County. That preliminary hearing was delayed until today, and, just like last week,…
Local leaders say public trust in police is the key to ending gang violence in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Grove Street shooting last September opened up old wounds with a new question. Even with a new police chief, how can Chattanooga put an end to gang violence? News 12…
Committed to Justice: CPD chief seeks closure to Grove St. shooting
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga's Chief of police is keeping a promise she made during her introduction a couple months ago. Nearly eight months after a drive-by shooting killed two women on Grove Street,…
Local faith leader, psychologist have simple solution for violence from ‘Great Replacement’ theory
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Buffalo mass shooting suspect Payton Gendron left behind a manifesto, claiming "The Great Replacement" theory motivated his alleged actions of shooting ten African-Americans. The…
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent marks first 100 days by looking ahead to the future
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Not counting weekends, Dr. Justin Robertson has been in the superintendent's office for 20 weeks. 100 days. But he isn't touting any of the successes Hamilton County Schools has…
Bradley Sheriff releases report on jailer sexual harassment investigation
IA_Final_Report (Redacted) CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - A captain for the Bradley County Sheriff's Office has resigned in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him. Captain Jerry Johnson left the force earlier…
Hamilton County Republicans proud of election results; warn more needs to be done
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Republican Party's group in Hamilton County, the Pachyderm Club, held its first meeting since last Tuesday's election. What was said in the meeting was…
The history and future of abortion in our area
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Tennessee is one of 13 states that already have triggering laws on the books, that kick in once Roe V. Wade is struck down. The legal battle didn't end…
Gov. Kemp signs education bills; critics say it’s a ‘solution searching for a problem’
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed seven bills into law Thursday that are aimed at the way education is taught in our schools. The…
‘Addiction to winning,’ out-of-control parents causing shortage of referees
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - State athletic officials recently returned from a conference in Indianapolis, and one told News 12 that a big question that came out of it was "How do…
SB2042 set for governor’s signature; could have unintended consequences for disabled workers
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The fight for minimum wage or better isn't just for fast food workers and the like. It's also for workers with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and the…
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announces new work-release program as a pathway to success
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announces a new work-release program with Southern Spear Ironworks to help inmates to a new pathway to success. Phillip Richard looks like…
Tamarion Johnson convicted of lesser charges; prosecution still sees case as a win
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Two days of testimony ended in a conviction for 21-year-old Tamarion Johnson, but it wasn't for the original charges the prosecutors sought. The prosecution still sees it as a win.…
State lawmaker & local Jewish leader react to Sen. Niceley’s Hitler/homelessness comment
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – When the Tennessee state senate debated the homelessness bill on the floor Wednesday, it didn't take long for people to forget about the actual bill. In only 31…
State senate passes bill to exclude transgender females from competing in athletics
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The state senate is making things harder for transgender females to participate in college athletics. Two bills were passed yesterday, specifically because of a transgender swimmer's win just a couple…
New Police Chief Sworn in for Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Melody Maddox: "You can't serve the people if you don't love the people. Chief Murphy loves her job, and she loves the people she serves. Law enforcement presents an opportunity to…
“Iso” – The new designer drug that has law enforcement on high alert
(Photo courtesy: National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators) CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - On Wednesday, News 12 was in LaFayette doing a story on the amount of fentanyl overdoses there were in Walker County and the surrounding…
Fentanyl overdoses on the rise in Walker County, Georgia & Tennessee
WALKER COUNTY (WDEF) - Saying 'no' to drugs is harder than ever. Part of the reason is because pills you might get for pain actually may come with something you didn't expect. The Lookout…
Local missionaries still seek help in aid for Ukraine
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Russian escalation in Ukraine isn't just something that's worried all of Europe or the United States government. There are people right here in…
Hatching Out a Compromise: City chicken ordinance has family crying foul
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The term "urban chicken" is not a reference to a chicken sandwich at a fast food restaurant. It refers to raising chickens in a city. Chattanooga allows for urban chickens,…
From aesthetics to economics: Rossville puts banners up to start city makeover
ROSSVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) - The city of Rossville wants to restore its former glory. The question isn't how, but when. It's beginning with an aesthetic change, and with a new look comes a new…
Strides of March
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-When you hear the term ‘The Ides of March,” it usually refers to the 74th day of the calendar year. It roughly translates to about March 15th. Today, in Renaissance…
Want an electric car due to gas prices? Good luck finding one…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Gas prices are on their way down, but some people across America are already fed up with gas, and are looking for electric vehicles. They're learning that the cost of getting…
City program could help you save on annual water quality bill
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - It's spring time, and that means showers are likely in our forecast. Sometimes, those showers bring so much rain they overwhelm drains, and that brings sewage and liter into our…
Chemical leak on Highland Park Ave. leads to police investigation
UPDATE: The nineteen barrels were not initially in the dumpsters seen in the story. They were lined up in front of the residence's garage to the street. The EPA put the drums…
Parents share stories of bullying with school board
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Reports of bullying in Hamilton County Schools is on the rise this year, thanks to schools being back full-time during the pandemic. The stories of bullying, though, are horrific, and some…
Chattanooga gets bad news on Lookouts Stadium project
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Lookouts begin their season April 8th on the road in Knoxville to play the Smokies. But each day that passes is one more day…
Celeste Murphy confirmed as Chattanooga’s first female police chief
The Chattanooga City Council made history this evening when they confirmed Celeste Murphy as the city's new police chief. She is the first female, and Black female…
City residents hope new police chief meets community members
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - On Tuesday, Chattanooga will see its first Black, female police chief. While that's something to be celebrated, the people at College Hill Courts hope it's not just more of the…
Low daily COVID numbers don’t spell the end of the pandemic
It's been a while since you've heard an update on the new daily case numbers for coronavirus in Hamilton County. For that, you can thank…
Pollen Season is back in our area
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Atop Lookout Mountain, it is beautiful...and stunning! We've had great temperatures. In the mid- to high-70's for most of the week, and a high of 81 on Thursday -…
Cleveland & Bradley County show their ‘spirit’ in helping Ukraine
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Russian invasion of Ukraine is now in its eighth day. While many around the world have renounced the Russian aggression, the people of Cleveland and Bradley County have…
“Karma’s a …”: Comptroller report on DA Pinkston has Boyd calling for his resignation
The state comptroller's office wrapped up an investigation into the hiring and continued employment of relatives in the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office. The conclusion?…
Several couples take advantage of ‘Twosday’ by getting married in Ringgold
Not only is today Tuesday, but it's also "Twos-day." Get it? No? OK...It's Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022. If you write that out, it's 2/22/22 on a Tuesday. Some people used this opportunity to get married at the Wedding Capital of…
Republicans tee up similar ideas at Hamilton County Mayoral debate; vastly different implementations
The Republican field for Hamilton County Mayor is not very large: Sabrena Smedley; Weston Wamp; and Matt Hullander. While they all have similar ideas as to what they want Hamilton County…