Chattanooga Zoo hosts annual Hug a Bunny Day
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Zoo welcomed families this weekend for its annual Hug a Bunny Day event. The event served multiple purposes, bringing the community together…
Reflection Riding launches Campfire Concert Series
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Reflection Riding is kicking off its annual Campfire Concert Series tonight, marking the first of four concerts scheduled throughout the season. The event serves as one…
Weather Update: Sunday April 5, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Mostly cloudy, showers / thunder. Lows: mid 50's. Winds: SW @ 5 MPH. Sunday: Cloud/Sun Mix. Early Showers/Thunderstorms, dwindling into afternoon. Winds: N @ 5 MPH. Overnight: Partly cloudy, chilly,…
Easter Tradition Brings Story of Jesus to Life in Collegedale
Collegedale, TN (WDEF)- A beloved Easter tradition is once again bringing the story of Jesus’ final days to life in Collegedale. The SonRise Resurrection Pageant is a one-mile, interactive walk-through at Southern Adventist University, transforming the campus into the city…
Candidate Shawn Harris meets with voters in Ringgold ahead of runoff
RINGGOLD,GA- (WDEF ) - Today Democrat Congressional Candidate, Shawn Harris made a stop in Ringgold this week, connecting with voters ahead of a key election. Democratic congressional candidate Shawn Harris visited the local coffee shop Book & Barrel, where he shared…
One dead after alleged argument over a bright work light witnesses claim
ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) - On Friday at 9:05 p.m., Walker County deputies responded to a shooting incident at 1108 Ridgewood St., Rossville, GA. According to the Walker County Sheriff's Office, when deputies arrived on scene, they found the victim, 59-year-old…
Funding for Local Food Program Missing from State Budget
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) Tennessee food banks and local farmers are urging lawmakers to bring back funding for the Farm-to-Food Bank program, which helps put fresh, local food on tables while supporting small farms. The program allows food banks to buy…
Chattanooga Renaissance Faire launches May 30th
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new event will be coming to town on May 30th at Coolidge Park The Chattanooga Rennaissance Faire was announced for this year. The event will feature costumes, performers, live music, and more. Organizers say they're…
Union Gospel Mission Prepares for Easter Community Meal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Union Gospel Mission is celebrating Easter differently from most ministries. Instead of a sanctuary, they’re taking their message to the people on the lawn…
'Charlie Kirk Bill' going through Tennessee legislature raises debate on campus free speech
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Does free speech on college campuses need extra protections? A bill named after the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk seeks…
Senate Democrat demands that TSA lift its "shoes-on" policy, calling it a "reckless" safety risk
A key senator is demanding the Transportation Security Administration reverse its decision to let travelers keep their shoes on their feet while passing through airport screening, a controversial policy at the center of a classified security warning — escalating pressure…
McDonald’s tries a simpler approach with its new McValue menu
After two years of tweaks to its value menu, McDonald’s has a new strategy: keep it simple. The fast-food giant’s budget-focused McValue menu will have 10 items that each cost under $3 starting April 21. The…
Trump unveils 100% tariff on some patented drugs on ‘Liberation Day’ anniversary
NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that could slap long-threatened pharmaceutical tariffs of up to 100% on some patented drugs from companies that don’t reach deals with his administration in the coming months. Companies that have signed a…
How high could oil and gas prices go if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed?
President Trump's comments to reporters on Tuesday that he expects the U.S. to end its war with Iran in two or three weeks is buoying investors by easing global oil prices and boosting stocks. Yet such optimism is certain to fade quickly unless Iran…
Georgia legislature approves state income tax cut, raising deductions while dropping some credits
Georgia lawmakers approved a plan to speed up cutting the state's personal income tax on the final day of the legislative session. Thursday night, both the House of Representatives and Senate approved House Bill 463, also known as the Georgia Economic…
CARTA pitches airport shuttle to Hamilton County Commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could there soon be a free shuttle between the Chattanooga Airport and downtown? CARTA CEO Charles Frazier pushed the idea while presenting his budget request…
Trump's 2027 budget asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending, with 10% cuts elsewhere
Washington — President Trump's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 asks Congress for $1.5 trillion in defense spending — a 42% increase — while cutting nondefense spending by $73 billion, or 10%. The White House released the 92-page budget request on Friday, accompanied…
Affiliate of Iranian state TV claims a US pilot ejected from their aircraft over southwestern Iran
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A channel affiliated with Iranian state television claimed Friday that a U.S. fighter pilot ejected from their aircraft over southwestern Iran. The U.S. did not…
Tyson Foods to shut down Georgia prepared food plant, laying off 168 employees
Tyson Foods is shutting down its prepared foods plant in Rome, Georgia, next month, laying off over a hundred employees as part of the closure. According to a notice posted to Georgia's WARN Act…
Iranian media claim U.S. military searching for American fighter jet pilot after shoot-down
There were unconfirmed reports of a U.S. search and rescue operation in the skies over Iran on Friday after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed it shot down a U.S. F-35 fighter jet over the middle of the country. The U.S. military had…
US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February
WASHINGTON (AP) — American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%. The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of…
United raises bag fees, becoming second U.S. carrier to up the price this week
United Airlines is raising its fees for first and second checked bags, becoming the second U.S. airline to up the price this week. United is raising the price by $10 for flights in the U.S., Mexico and…
Iran fires on targets across the Mideast while Israel and US hit Tehran as war nears end of 5th week
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iran fired on targets Friday across the Middle East, damaging a desalination plant and setting a refinery ablaze in Kuwait, while American and Israeli airstrikes hit…
Pro Stampede Rodeo Comes Alive
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Cowboy culture is heading to downtown Chattanooga this weekend with the Chattanooga Pro Stampede Rodeo at First Horizon Pavilion. The event is set for Friday, April 3rd…