Rare T. rex fossil sells for record $50.1 million at auction
A giant Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton sold for $50.1 million at an auction in New York on Tuesday, marking…
Georgia 2-year-old shot and killed by 4-year-old who found unsecured gun in car, Florida sheriff says
A Georgia family's trip to Florida ended in tragedy when their 2-year-old son was shot and killed by a young relative who found a gun in their car, officials say. The deadly shooting happened on Sunday afternoon at an Osceola…
New York won’t build big data centers for a year as it weighs energy and climate risks
NEW YORK (AP) — No large data centers can be built in New York for up to a year as the state creates rules to protect the environment and the energy grid from power-hungry facilities fueling artificial intelligence. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order…
Initial hearing held for man charged with abuse of woman's corpse found at Lookout Valley motel
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man charged with abusing the corpse of a young woman found dead outside of a Lookout Valley motel had his initial court hearing Tuesday morning. 40-year-old Donte Taylor himself was not physically present for the hearing.…
United's newest premium upgrade guarantees an empty middle seat in economy
United Airlines will soon let travelers pay for one of air travel's biggest luxuries: an empty middle seat. The…
Community Rallies Around Fire Victims
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) - After a fire at the Integra Vista Apartments in Hixson displaced residents, Berean Baptist Church stepped in to collect donations for those impacted. The church began gathering…
U.S. citizens traveling in Congo must spend 21 days elsewhere before entering U.S.
Washington — U.S. citizens who have traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo cannot board a commercial flight to return to the U.S. unless they have spent at least 21 days outside the Central African nation, over heightened concerns about the…
Trump says Reflecting Pool has been drained for repairs
Washington — President Trump said late Monday that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained for repairs, after weeks…
Stocks edge higher on Wall Street after a report on inflation wasn't as bad as expected
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are edging higher on a calmer Wall Street after a report showed U.S. inflation was not as bad last month as economists expected. The gains early Tuesday came even though oil prices continue to jump…
Rock City Barns Get New Life
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - If you’re seeing more Rock City-inspired barn designs around the Chattanooga area, there’s a reason why. Rock City’s Barns2Birdhouses project is bringing a piece of roadside…
Operation Southern Slow Down Kicks Off
RINGGOLD, GA. (WDEF) - Drivers across the Southeast can expect increased speed enforcement after the ninth annual Operation Southern Slow Down campaign kicked off Monday. The week-long effort runs through…
Whitfield County residents voice concerns over potential data center development
WHITFIELD, COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The discussion surrounding data centers continues to grow across northwest Georgia, and on Monday evening, concerned residents gathered outside the Whitfield…
Weather Update: TUESDAY JULY 14, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Early showers / thunderstorms. Mostly clear / hazy, humid. Lows: low 70's. Winds: near calm. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, very warm. Scattered showers & thunderstorms. Highs: mid 80's. Winds: E @ 5…
Charleston residents raising concerns again about possibility of data center
CHARLESTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- “We just want to do our part and leave it better than we found it.” Ryan and Carrie Kertesz have owned the B&B…
Whit's Frozen Custard holds fundraiser for family battling childhood brain cancer
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Each sweet treat sold at a Cleveland frozen custard shop was more meaningful on Monday. Over 20 percent of sales on Monday at Whit’s Frozen Custard are going to…
What's Right With Our Schools: CCA Cording Ceremony
CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - The Catoosa College & Career Academy recently completed its Cording Ceremony. It celebrated students earning industry credentials, scholarships, and awards. That's a great…
Keystone Pipeline operator agrees to pay $26.9 million over 2022 oil spill
The federal government has announced a settlement proposal that would require the owner and operator of the Keystone Pipeline to pay $26.9 million in civil penalties, linked to a major oil spill that dumped nearly half a million gallons of…
Speedboat capsizes off Vietnam, killing 15 tourists; police detain captain
Vietnamese police detained Sunday the captain of a speedboat that capsized off southern Vietnam, killing 15 Indian tourists. The speedboat was carrying 32 Indian tourists and four Vietnamese crew members when it overturned less than half a kilometer from shore…
Sequatchie County's biggest fundraiser for local cancer support reached another milestone
SEQUATCHIE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Sequatchie County's biggest annual fundraiser for its local cancer support network has reached another milestone. This year's Hee Haw fundraiser…
Honoring a local Gold Star Mother and her son's ultimate sacrifice
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As America continues celebrating its 250th year, we sat down with a local Gold Star Mother whose son's sacrifice continues to…
Copperhill raises funds for a new statue
COPPERHILL, Tenn. (WDEF) - Copperhill is raising funds for a new miner's statue in its community. The town is regularly known for its train rides and white-water rafting adventures,…
Family Shares Miraculous Storm Survival
TRION, GA. (WDEF) - For nearly 33 years, Norman and Janice Gaither called their Trion house home. In just moments on the Fourth of July, severe storms changed everything when a…
One pedestrian hit and killed on Lee Highway
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Saturday night, shortly after 11 p.m., the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to a crash on the 6200 block of Lee Highway, that left one pedestrian dead. According to the CPD, a 38-year-old male, was crossing…
HCEMS and Blood Assurance host blood drive for Prehospital Whole Blood Program
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, in partnership with Blood Assurance, hosted the City Saves Lives Community Blood Drive at…