Spend "An Afternoon of Holiday Cheer" in Downtown Chattanooga this weekend!
Carmen Davis with Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors joins News 12's Amelia Greer as the city gets ready to put on a festive event ahead of Christmas. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)…
Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent Peter Arnett, who reported on Vietnam and Gulf wars, has died
By JOHN ROGERS Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) - Peter Arnett, the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who spent decades dodging bullets and bombs to bring the world eyewitness accounts of war from the rice paddies of Vietnam to the deserts of…
Georgia Senate committee questions Fani Willis over Trump prosecution
ATLANTA (AP) — Fani Willis jousted with a Republican Georgia state senator Wednesday about the motives of a special committee in a testy hearing Wednesday as they tried to pin down details about how Willis decided to prosecute Donald Trump and pay for that…
Orange Grove Center Faces Transition After Recycling Contract Ends
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — For decades, the Orange Grove Center has helped keep Chattanooga clean while creating meaningful jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, that long-standing recycling program is in transition following the end of its contract…
Resolution to establish unincorporated planning commission withdrawn
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposal to create a brand new planning commission for unincorporated Hamilton County has been withdrawn. Commissioner Jeff Eversole proposed this last week. He said that the purpose of such a commission would be to remove…
State no longer pursuing Bradley County site for mental institution
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- For months, the state of Tennessee has been searching for a replacement for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. (more…)
Gas Prices Fall Across Southeast
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Drivers across the Southeast are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to trend downward nationwide. For the third straight week, the national average…
Weather Update: Thursday December 18, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Rain developing. Lows: low 40's. Winds: near calm WDEF News 12 WINTER WEATHER OUTLOOK - AVAILABLE NOW! Our annual look at the winter season is here with the…
2 big unions balk at merger that would create first U.S. transcontinental railroad
The proposed $85 billion merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads has lost the support of two of their biggest unions that represent more than half their workers because they're worried the deal would increase safety risks, lead to higher shipping…
Trump administration sanctions Mexican cartel and its leader, "the sledgehammer," for oil theft
The Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on a violent Mexican fuel-theft cartel and its imprisoned leader, amid the Trump administration's crackdown on cartels backing operations through stolen oil and gas. The Treasury's Office of…
Viewer worried that we continue to reject a new mental health facility
CHATTANOOGA (ANONYMOUS) - Bradley County became the latest local community to reject building a new mental health hospital in their neighborhood. The background is that Tennessee has agreed to replace the Moccasin Bend facility with a new one in a…
Senate passes NDAA in 77-20 vote, sending $900 billion defense policy bill to Trump
Washington — The Senate approved a $900 billion defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, sending it to the president's desk for his signature. The measure cleared the upper chamber with broad bipartisan support in a…
The Salvation Army distributes Angel Tree Gifts in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Salvation Army of Chattanooga is working to make Christmas a little brighter for local families as it reaches the distribution phase of…
Tennessee Bill Proposes accessible parking for pregnant women
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - State Representative Gino Bulso has filed House Bill 14-57, which would allow women in their second or third trimester, as well as those with…
Driver Arrested After Early Morning Pursuit
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- A driver has been arrested after an early morning pursuit around the East Brainerd and Gunbarrel areas of Chattanooga. A silver Toyota 4Runner driving…
Valerie Health Announces Expansion and New Jobs for Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Valerie Health has announced its plan to expand to Chattanooga. Valerie Health is an AI front office for independent provider groups. The company uses AI agents with human-in-the-loop operations directly inside a clinic’s existing workflows and systems…
Give the gift of discovery with a Creative Discovery Museum Membership
Mackenzie Steele joins News 12's Amelia Greer as the Creative Discovery Museum hopes to bring the gift of discovery to families this year. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Give the gift of…
Several Soddy Daisy Schools close due to a water main break
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Due to a water main break in the Soddy Daisy area, several schools are closed on Wednesday, December 17. The following schools are closed: -Soddy Daisy High School -Soddy Daisy…
Trump expands travel ban and restrictions to include an additional 20 countries
By REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration announced Tuesday it was expanding travel restrictions to an additional 20 countries and the Palestinian Authority, doubling the number of nations affected by…
Sheriff announces new jail medication program
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) - Sheriff Austin Garrett is launching a new Medication program at the Jail. It’s been two years in the making. The program treats inmates with substance abuse disorders. They will provide FDA-approved drugs along with counseling and…
After months of delaying, Fani Willis should finally testify today on Trump prosecution
ATLANTA (WDEF) - It could be the final act in a months long drama involving Georgia Republicans, President Trump and D-A Fani Willis. She is scheduled to testify today before a Georgia state Senate committee. Willis brought indictments against the…
Large fire at Lumberjacks Hardwood Center
UPDATE 12/17/2025 7 AM Chattanooga Fire Department says the fire was put out by 3 AM. CFD continues to monitor the scene. The fire was marked out at 3:09 AM. There are still areas…
Shoppers Seek Holiday Value Over Deals
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Holiday shopping often centers on sales and discounts, but many consumers are taking a different approach this year. …
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Brewer, Boyd Buchanan
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A-P Calculus is one of the most challenging classes on any high school curriculum. Jennifer Brewer has a gift for making her students at Boyd…
