Community Comes Together For Hamilton County's Stars And Stripes Celebration
Featured, Local News

Community comes together for Hamilton County’s Stars and Stripes Celebration

Lillian Yi,

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community members gathered at the Collegedale Commons for Hamilton County’s Stars and Stripes celebration. Families, veterans, elected officials, and residents from across the area came together to celebrate America’s history and look ahead to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Many attendees embraced the spirit of the event, wearing patriotic clothing and sharing their appreciation for the…

City Councilman Jeff Davis Hosts Meeting To Discuss Plans To Revitalize Northgate Mall
Featured, Local News

City Councilman Jeff Davis hosts meeting to discuss plans to revitalize Northgate Mall

Lillian Yi,

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Plans to revitalize Northgate Mall were the focus of a town hall meeting held at the Hixson Community Center. Chattanooga City Councilman Jeff Davis hosted the meeting to discuss upcoming improvements and gather feedback from residents about the future of the longtime Hixson landmark. In March, the Chattanooga Industrial Development Board approved a tax increment financing…

Chattanooga Fire Department Rescues Injured Hawk Following Storms
Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Fire Department rescues injured hawk following storms

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As storms across the area begin to wind down, it seems the severe weather was a bit much even for some of our feathered friends. While responding to a downed tree, crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department discovered an injured hawk hopping around nearby. Firefighters said the bird appeared unable to fly because of an injured…

Large Tree Falls On Vehicle Off Burning Bush Road
Featured, Local News

Large tree falls on vehicle off Burning Bush Road

Lillian Yi,

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Strong storms moved through the area Saturday evening, bringing down trees and power lines in parts of Ringgold. A resident living off Burning Bush Road told News 12 that a large tree fell onto a neighbor’s vehicle during the storm. According to the resident, a transformer was struck, causing a power line to fall and ultimately…

Mckamey Animal Center Hosts Paw Palooza In Hopes Of Finding Dogs Forever Homes
Featured, Local News

McKamey Animal Center hosts Paw Palooza in hopes of finding dogs forever homes

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community members gathered at Coolidge Park on Saturday for Paw Palooza, an annual event hosted by the McKamey Animal Center. The event, often referred to as Chattanooga’s ultimate celebration of pets, featured adoptable animals, local pet related businesses, and resources ranging from training and boarding services to animal health and wellness education. Mary Klinghard, Director of…

Chattanooga Parks And Outdoors Celebrates Father's Day Early At Miller Park
Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors celebrates Father’s Day early at Miller Park

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors celebrated Father’s Day early Saturday with a community event at Miller Park. The free event gave fathers, and father figures a chance to relax and enjoy an afternoon filled with food trucks, haircuts, and family friendly activities. Community Events Manager Malisha Carter explained that the event was designed to recognize and celebrate…

Bethlehem Center Hosts Southside Juneteenth Jubilee
Featured, Local News

Bethlehem Center hosts Southside Juneteenth Jubilee

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Bethlehem Center is hosting the Juneteenth holiday where community members are celebrating a day full of joy, music, and unity. Organizers said the event serves as an opportunity for the community to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans while honoring their history, culture, and heritage. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed live music, food trucks,…

Restoring Swallowing With New Care
Featured, Local News

Medical advances are transforming treatment for cancer patients

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A major shift in esophageal care is helping patients regain the ability to swallow, eat, and return to normal daily activities without undergoing traditional surgery. Carol Smeja is an early esophageal cancer survivor who received treatment through Northwestern Medicine after experiencing months of unexplained weight loss. Doctors discovered Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition caused by chronic…

Sweet Treats Safari Style
Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Zoo celebrates 10th annual Ice Cream Safari

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families spent the afternoon enjoying frozen treats and animal encounters as the Chattanooga Zoo hosted the 10th annual Ice Cream Safari. The popular summer event gave guests the opportunity to enjoy unlimited ice cream and popsicles while exploring zoo exhibits and participating in special activities. The frozen fun was not limited to visitors. Several zoo animals…

Soccer Live! Takes Over Downtown
Featured, Local News

Soccer Live! Takes Over Downtown

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – SOCCER LIVE! Chattanooga is bringing a free, three-day community watch party to the Chattanooga Green June nineteenth through the twenty-first. Hosted by the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, The Sports & Events Corporation and Chattanooga Tourism Co., the event will feature international soccer matches shown on a large outdoor screen in partnership with Telemundo. The free…

Heritage Park Reopens After Major Upgrades
Featured, Local News

Heritage Park Reopens After Major Upgrades

Robert Hanley,

ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially reopened Heritage Park in Athens Friday morning following major renovations to the longtime community space. City leaders joined the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the reopening and highlight upgrades aimed at improving recreation, accessibility and safety for families. The renovated park now includes an 1100-foot asphalt walking trail that loops…

Then And Now: First Presbyterian Church
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Then And Now

Then and Now: First Presbyterian Church

Russell Stroud,

First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga is a local landmark known to most, especially the students of UTC. What many don’t know is the church has roots going all the way back to the Brainerd Mission, which we covered in a previous episode. David Cooper is a church member, passionate historian, and former newspaper man. He picks up the story where…

Lamar Alexander Visits Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

Lamar Alexander Visits Chattanooga

Russell Stroud,

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — He is a former governor, senator, secretary of education, and served under ten presidents. Lamar Alexander released a book detailing his life, which is already a New York Times Best seller. Senator Bob Corker interviewed Senator Alexander at the rotary club today at the convention center. Before his appearance at the rotary, Senator Alexander sat…

Pat Summitt Foundation Hosts Weekend Of Giving
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

Pat Summitt Foundation hosts weekend of giving

Russell Stroud,

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — This year will mark a decade since legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt passed away. The Pat Summitt Foundation is hosting a weekend of giving to encourage donations and raise awareness of the disease that claimed her life. Alzheimer’s disease research has progressed rapidly in the last ten years, thanks in part to the research…
Cherokee County, Crime, Featured, Local News

Cherokee County officer-involved shooting leaves one injured

Nick Hill,

Trista Hughes \ Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office UPDATE: CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF)- Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood says that his department is fortunate no one else was injured in Thursday’s officer-involved shooting incident outside of Peachtree. Sheriff Wood said, “This is not the outcome that anyone wants. It is not what this deputy wants. It’s not what the sheriff’s office…

Inside Spain’s World Cup Preparation
Featured, Local News

Inside Spain’s World Cup Preparation

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Spain’s national team continues training in Chattanooga ahead of the World Cup, another team is working behind the scenes to help keep everything moving. News 12 got a closer look at the role of a FIFA Team Services Venue Officer, or TSVO, a position that serves as a liaison between FIFA, the national team and…

This Morning Creative Discovery Museum
Featured, Local News

Creative Discovery Museum introduces NoogaRoo, the family friendly Bonnaroo

Khristine Arnold,

Mackenzie Steele joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as CDM kicks off a busy summer. They’re doing several interactive events for families this June. The museum is also unveiling a new exhibit called ‘Measurement Rules’ to keep students learning during summer break. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Plenty of events are happening at the creative Discovery Museum that will create the perfect…

First Responder Hero Award: Captain Matt Cole
Featured, First Responder Award, Local News

First Responder Hero Award: Captain Matt Cole

Lillian Yi,

DADE COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responder Hero Award. Whether they serve as EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, or police officers, the award honors the unwavering dedication these first responders show every day to keep the community safe. When danger strikes, they are the first to answer the…
Featured

Two local students head to NYC to showcase their musical theatre talents

Jesse Farley,

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Two lucky students will be heading to New York City to showcase their musical theatre talents. Tytus Hayes will represent Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts. He won the best actor award at the Jewel Awards for his performance as Seymour in Little shop of Horrors. RC Moore will represent Chattanooga Christian School. She won…

This Morning Tivoli Theatre Foundation
Featured, Local News

Say “Oh, heeellllooo!” to ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ at the Memorial Auditorium

Khristine Arnold,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tivoli Theatre Foundation’s 2025-2026 season of Broadway is about to come to an end, with Mrs. Doubtfire the musical taking center stage at the Memorial Auditorium. Based on the popular 1993 film featuring Robin Williams, the musical adaptation tells the story of an out-of work actor going through a divorce and still trying to find…

Screenshot 2026 06 11 001508
Featured, Local News, Walker County

Lookout Mountain Planning Commission votes against ordinance to allow Rock City to build gondola station

Nick Hill,

The room full of mostly Lookout Mountain residents dressed in red shirts and bandanas opposed to Rock City’s proposed gondola project. LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF)- “Well I was ecstatic. I think the people really did their homework. I think they studied the whole issue at hand.” Daniel Fisher and Leslie Davenport, both residents of Lookout Mountain, say that the Georgia…

Hamilton County Passes Fy 2027 Budget
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton County passes FY 2027 budget

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission has approved a new budget. It was approved 9 to 1 Wednesday evening in a special called meeting. The total budget is over $1.1 billion dollars, roughly $6.6 million higher than last year. Mayor Wamp says in a statement that, ““I am grateful to the County Commission for approving our fourth consecutive balanced…

This Morning Tennessee Aquarium
Featured, Local News

New and exciting things happening at the Tennessee Aquarium

Khristine Arnold,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium is kicking off the 2026 summer season with plenty of exciting events to help make the best of your visit. Coming up on Friday, June 12, the Tennessee Aquarium is partnering with the Chattanooga Lookouts for a special Conservation Night game. The baseball players will be wearing special jerseys, there’s fireworks, and special…