Storm causes heavy damage in Palmer
PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing of significant damage Saturday evening in Grundy County in the Palmer community. (more…)
Signal Mountain Hosts Successful REAL ID Event at Town Hall
Signal Mountain residents had the chance to secure their REAL ID at a special event held at the Signal Mountain Town Hall on March 15, 2025. The event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., was a convenient opportunity…
Storm shelter to be available in Walker County
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- A storm shelter will be available Saturday evening for residents in Walker County. (more…)
Lightning strike sparks house fire in Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to reports of a possible house fire at 7 Rock Crest Drive. Severe thunderstorms swept through Hamilton County this morning, bringing intense lightning. At 10:56 a.m., the Signal…
Multiple police departments worked to apprehend a fugitive
MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Sheriff Tommy Jones posted that in the late evening hours of March 14, law enforcement officers located and arrested Charles Ballard III. Sheriff Tommy Jones states that officers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, McMinn…
CPD responded to a shooting call
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police responded to a shooting call in the 4900 block of Central Avenue on March 14, 2025, at 2:18 a.m. Upon arrival, officers found a 21-year-old…
Two arrested after joint human trafficking operation
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two suspects in Collegedale have been arrested as a result of a collaborative human trafficking operation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Collegedale Police Department (CDPD) conducted a targeted human trafficking operation aimed…
Chattanooga doctor and Georgia practice settle Medicare fraud allegations
ROME, Ga. (WDEF) -- Dr. Robert Burkich, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and his Ringgold, Georgia-based practice, Preventive Medicine Anti-Aging & Chelation, Inc., have agreed to pay $700,000 to settle allegations of submitting false…
American Airlines passengers detail "surreal, exhausting" experience after plane fire, arriving in Dallas
Passengers on an American Airlines plane that caught fire in Denver arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport early Friday morning, nearly 12 hours after initially taking off. The plane, with 178 passengers, caught fire on the…
Disturbing details emerge after man says he was held captive in room for 20 years by father and stepmother
A man rescued from a burning home in Connecticut told a shocking story of cruelty and constant hunger as he was held captive in a single room for 20 years by his father and stepmother,…
Bradley County authorities apprehend wanted fugitive
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Bradley County authorities have apprehended a wanted fugitive from Georgia. Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) deputies arrested Donald Crouch March 13, 2025. Crouch had multiple outstanding warrants out of…
Tennessee lawmakers consider bill to lower school bus driver age
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Should Tennessee lower the age to drive a school bus? A bill is moving through the Tennessee legislature to drop the age of drivers from 25 to 21. The higher…
Chattanooga firefighters knock down Valley Bridge Road fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga firefighters knocked down a house fire Thursday night. At 9:29 p.m., March 13, 2025, crews responded to the 600 block of Valley Bridge Road on reports of the fire. Upon arrival, crews found…
Celebrate Pi day with pies from the Cookie Jar Cafe!
Sue Anne Lockhart joins News 12's Amelia Greer to talk about the community rebuilding of the Cookie Jar Café and all delicious desserts they offer. DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) - Today…
TBI Silver Alert for man from Ooltewah, TN
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issues a Silver Alert for a man from Ooltewah. The TBI and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is looking for 71-year-old Alvin Clemons. He's 5'3" tall, weighs…
First Responder Hero Award: Tyler Ellis, Puckett EMS
News 12 is recognizing first responders for their dedication to the community. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, their service plays a crucial role…
Hamilton County Schools comment on Chatt Prep's graduating class
UPDATE (3/14/2025): We're now hearing from Hamilton County Schools regarding Chattanooga Preparatory School's graduating class. "Our top priority is supporting the students at Chattanooga Prep and safeguarding their academic progress.…
Dollar General says some customers can no longer afford basic necessities
Dollar General has a particularly clear view into the pocketbooks of low-income Americans, given those shoppers are the discount retailer's core customer base. And some are so financially pinched they can no longer afford basic…
Why will the moon be shades of red, orange and yellow tonight? Here's what causes a "Blood Moon."
Those who glance up at the sky tonight will have an opportunity to catch the March 2025 "Blood Moon," a phenomenon that colors the full moon in shades of red, orange and yellow during a total lunar…
Early morning vehicle fire, crash on I-75 leaves two injured
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) responded to a vehicle fire on I-75 early Thursday morning. At 5:10 a.m., March 13, 2025, deputies…
Chattanooga Prep charter in jeopardy over licensing
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Preparatory School is facing big problems from the Kenya White investigation. The Hamilton County School System has begun the process of revoking their…
Chattanooga man arrested for dropping meth in North LaFayette Elementary School
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Chattanooga man has been arrested after accidentally dropping meth inside an elementary school in Walker County. On Tuesday, March…
Fire crews battle multiple wildfires across region
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Fire personnel in our area are working around the clock to fight and contain wildfires. Red Bank At 12:30 a.m., The Red Bank Fire Department…
UAW files suit against Volkswagen after they announce production cuts and voluntary layoffs
UPDATE: Employees voiced their frustration with the layoffs at a rally Thursday afternoon in front of Volkswagen's main entrance. A year ago, workers…