Major credit cards place guns under new merchant category
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Major credit cards are adding a new merchant category for firearms retailers, much to the celebration of gun-control advocates. Visa, Mastercard and…
Governor announces grants to improve internet access in rural areas
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - Governor Lee announced grants today to improve internet access across Tennessee. The $446 million dollars comes from the American Rescue Plan. And the goal is to extend broadband connections in rural areas of the state. Here…
County Mayor vetoes new dais to make room for him and new commissioner
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp is vetoing plans to add an additional seat to the County Commission's Dais. At last week's meeting, it was announced that the expansion would cost…
Renowned jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis has died, age 87
CHICAGO (AP) - Renowned jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis has died. He was 87. His son, Bobby Lewis, says Ramsey Lewis died Monday at his Chicago home. Lewis’ music entertained fans over a more than 60-year career. He’s revered in jazz…
Murder suspect arrested after daylong search in Franklin County
WINCHESTER, Tennessee (WDEF) - A search for a morning murder suspect covered two counties on the other side of the Cumberland Plateau today. Quentin Nathaniel Stacey was shot and killed before dawn on Norwood Creek Road in Winchester. The Franklin…
What's Right With Ours Schools: Hamilton County Schools eLabs
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's a sign of the times, eLabs are a vital part of education at all levels these days. Thanks to PEF and Volkswagen Chattanooga, Hamilton County Schools has cut…
Police investigate shooting on busy section of Gunbarrel road
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - A shooting this evening has caused the traffic snarl along Gunbarrel Road below Hamilton Place Mall. Chattanooga Police responded to a call of multiple parties shot in the 1700 around 5:30. They say a 23 year old…
Two Men Recognized for Heroism in Rustic Village Apartment Fire
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- Fire Department Operations Chief Rick Boatwright was on his way to work when he saw black smoke billowing over Highway 58. The Rustic Village Apartment Complex was on fire, and…
Alabama's Teddy Gentry arrested on marijuana charge
(This story was altered to correct the location of the arrest) FORT PAYNE, Alabama (WDEF) - A core member of the group Alabama has been charged with marijuana possession near his hometown. Bass player Teddy Gentry was arrested on Monday…
More To The Story With Staley: Aquarium Educator Retires
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - It takes about....oh......30 seconds to clearly see that Julia Gregory loves her job. But after 25 years at the Aquarium, Julia, the senior educator, is retiring. As of…
Plea deal for man accused of molesting young relative
RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) - A Catoosa County man has been convicted of incest and child molestation. 42 year old Jeffery Lee Zelko pleaded guilty to molesting a young female relative. He will get a 15 year prison term plus 25…
Country Star John Michael Montgomery Injured in Bus Wreck
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Country music star John Michael Montgomery is recovering from a crash involving his tour bus Friday afternoon. It happened on I-75 South in Campbell County, near the Tennessee-Kentucky state…
New charges against man in Hixson fentanyl overdose case
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Hamilton County investigators now have a new list of charges against a man from Lake View, Alabama. About two weeks ago, they issued warrants for the arrest of Christopher Clay Garrison in connection with a fentanyl overdose…
Georgia Young girl testifies against her molester
SUMMERVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) - It didn't take a jury long to side with a young girl who took the stand to testify that her mother's boyfriend had molested her. They convicted 33 year old Jonathan Michael Culberson of molestation and…
Nearly 400 people participate in the Chattanooga Stair Climb Memorial to honor 9/11 first responder victims
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The first plane struck the World Trade Center at 8:43 in the morning on this day in 2001. Today at that time, New York…
Hamilton County EMS worker honored for 40+-years of service...and he's not done
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It's also…
Two coal train cars derail near Lindale, GA; engine car hits another train near Rome
ROME, GA (WDEF) - The Floyd County Police Department reported two coal train cars were off the track in the Rome area early this morning. This is video and photos from a viewer in the area. The report explains the…
Two Dalton men under arrest for DUI in separate incidents around Interstate 75
DALTON (WDEF) - Two Dalton men are under arrest for DUI in separate incidents on Interstate 75 in Catoosa County. Police responded to a crash at Tyler Street at North Hamilton in Dalton, and learned Emmanuel Jacobo fled the scene.…
Single-car crash in Chattanooga causes the death of 36-year-old woman
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Police Department says a single car crash this morning caused the death of a 36-year-old woman. Public Information Officer Sydney Hamon tells News 12 it happened in the 5300 block of Fairview Road around 7…
Local Fire Departments mark 9/11 with Stair Climb Memorials
CHATTANOOGA/DALTON (WDEF) - Local firefighters will mark the anniversary of 9/11 on Sunday. In Chattanooga, the annual Memorial Stair Climb will be at the Lookouts AT&T Field. It starts with a ceremony open to the public at 8:30. Then firefighters…
Summerville water flowing again
SUMMERVILLE, Georgia (WDEF) - After a week of water insecurity from the weekend flooding, Summerville is finally getting some of its water back. The water system had been knocked out by the…
Arrive early if you are flying out of Chattanooga for the next 2 weeks
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - TSA improvements at Chattanooga's Metro Airport will create a temporary inconvenience for flyers over the next couple of weeks. They are upgrading their screening equipment. Unfortunately, that means they will be down to just one lane for…
Scottsboro store celebrates 50th Anniversary
JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. (WDEF) -- Scottsboro's Unclaimed Baggage, America's only lost luggage retail store, celebrated the end of its 50th Anniversary Road Tour today. The store's road tour team…
Chattanooga State hosts in-person college and career fair
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) -- For the first time since 2019, Chattanooga State Community College held its college and career fair in person today. One member of the city chamber noticed a lack of…