Sen. Bo Watson previews 2024 Tennessee legislation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee state legislature returns on Tuesday, January 9th at noon for the second half of the 113th general assembly. 1,500 bills or more will be…
Ringgold has plans for renovation in 2024
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) -- A new year is upon us, and the winds of change are blowing in North Georgia. The city of Ringgold is about to look a little different. "We have a lot of beautifications going on in the city…
Monteagle truck stop project facing legal, community backlash
MONTEAGLE, Tenn. (WDEF) - Johnny Cash once sang about the dangers of trucking down Monteagle Mountain. However, residents on top of the mountain are warning about the dangers…
The Supreme Court will decide if Donald Trump can be kept off 2024 presidential ballots
By MARK SHERMAN and NICHOLAS RICCARDI WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide whether former President Donald Trump can be kept off the ballot because of his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, inserting the…
Increased renewal fees for all Electric Vehicles in Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An increased fee went into effect at the beginning of the year for electric vehicles in Tennessee. This includes All-Electric, Hybrid Electric and…
Rising Country Artist, Musician Talk 2024 Plans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Both Grace Bowers and Jackson Dean are looking ahead to a busy 2024. News 12 caught up with the rising musician and country artist, ahead of their performance with Lainey Wilson at CBS' NEW YEAR'S EVE…
Nude man nabbed by police after 'cannonball' plunge into giant aquarium at Bass Pro Shop in Alabama
LEEDS, Alabama (AP) — A man crashed his car outside a Bass Pro Shop in Alabama, stripped down to his birthday suit and plunged into the giant aquarium inside the store, police said. The ordeal happened Thursday night in front…
Local musician published for scientific breakthrough
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A local musical researcher developed a way for people with disabilities to learn how to play piano through the use of colored blocks. In her Notes2Blocks…
Florida can import prescription drugs from Canada, US regulators say
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday cleared the way for Florida's first-in-the-nation plan to import prescription drugs from Canada, a long-sought approach to accessing cheaper medications that follows decades of frustration with U.S. drug prices. Republican…
Upcoming roadwork around Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Department of Transportation released a list of current and upcoming lane and road closures due to construction or maintenance. Concrete repair Construction crews will be doing concrete repair on I-24 from Monday night…
Alabama man arrested for child torture, authorities say
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WDEF) -- A Sylvania man is behind bars for child torture, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrested Tracy Lee Ray, Jr., 30, on Thursday. Tracy Lee Ray, Jr. / DeKalb…
Cleveland woman charged with stealing $97,000 in lottery tickets
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Cleveland woman is being charged with stealing more than $97,000 in lottery tickets from a gas station she worked at. Cleveland police officers arrested Kathaleen Yarber on Tuesday, January 2. Kathaleen…
Homeless man arrested for stealing box of driver's licenses
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga police arrested a homeless man on Wednesday for stealing from the Homeless Health Care Center/CHATT Foundation in Chattanooga. The homeless center on East 11th Street reported a theft, and officers responded at around 5 p.m.…
Free CARTA Fridays started January 5 in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- CARTA is offering free bus rides to anyone for three days over the next three months. January 5th was their first 'Free Friday' day. It's a promotion to convince the public of the benefits of taking…
Hamilton County lawyer censured for third time
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Hamilton County lawyer Charles Gammons Wright, Jr. was censured on Friday. The Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court censured Wright for his delay in representing his client in a civil claim. Additionally, they…
Chairman Eversole confirms date for South Broad project meeting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- District 10 Commissioner Jeff Eversole confirmed that the meeting regarding the South Broad Projects will be held on January 11th. It will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the downtown Chattanooga…
Rep. Martin files bill to create tax holiday for baby products
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee Rep. Greg Martin from Hamilton County filed a bill on Thursday to create a tax holiday for some baby products. He hopes, if passed, this will ease the cost of parenthood. House Bill 1637 would…
David Soul, the actor who portrayed the blond half of TV's 'Starsky and Hutch,' dies at 80
LONDON (AP) — Actor-singer David Soul, a 1970s heartthrob who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting duo “Starsky & Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don't Give Up on Us," has died at the age…
From the Archives: 1980s Ice Storm
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- We remember the big snowfalls from the past. But sometimes a thin layer of ice can be even more trouble. 40 years ago, we survived a tough week of weather. It started with a Christmas morning low…
Roberts pleads not guilty in September murder
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The suspect charged with murdering a Chattanooga Businessman and Baylor alum had his arraignment hearing Friday morning. Darryl Roberts…
TECH BYTE: Apps That Pair With Your Tech Products
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- If you got a cool tech gift over the holidays, you might need a smartphone to be able to use it. If your…
School board argues about future of Hamilton County schools
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Hamilton County School Board discussed major changes coming to their school facilities Thursday. One change was where to put a Red…
All Hamilton County Schools will soon have school resource deputies
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office announced that their School Resource Deputy (SRD) unit is now fully staffed. The HCSO recently hired three new SRDs. However, they must first go through weeks of training before receiving…
Public can meet newly elected Dalton mayor at reception
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Newly elected mayor of Dalton Annalee Sams will be sworn into office on Monday, the city announced. Sams will be sworn in at the Mayor and…