Hamilton County Mayor And Senator Speak On Challenges Ahead Of Governor's Race
Featured, Local News

Hamilton County Mayor and Senator speak on challenges ahead of Governor’s Race

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Saturday night, three Republican gubernatorial candidates campaigned at the Hamilton County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner. The event brought Senator Marsha Blackburn, Representative John Rose, and Representative Monty Fritts to Chattanooga, where each candidate shared their vision for Tennessee’s future and their plans for the governor’s office. Before the dinner, the candidates spoke about why…

Tennessee Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Campaign At Annual Lincoln Day Dinner
Featured, Local News

Tennessee Republican gubernatorial candidates campaign at annual Lincoln Day Dinner

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 spoke with three Republicans hoping to become Tennessee’s next governor. Each candidate discussed their vision for the state’s future at the Hamilton County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner. “It’s the primary, and we need to be certain that everybody gets out and votes.” Republican gubernatorial candidates Marsha Blackburn, John Rose, and Monty Fritts…

Rock City Kicks Off Summer With Dog Days Of Summer Event
Featured, Local News

Rock City kicks off Summer with Dog Days of Summer event

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Rock City kicked off the start of summer with its annual Dog Days of Summer event, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy the gardens while meeting adoptable pets. The attraction partnered with several local rescue organizations, including the Humane Educational Society, to help connect animals in need with potential adopters. Throughout the event, guests explored the…

Bessie Smith Cultural Center Hosts The 2026 Big Nine Music Fest
Featured, Local News

Bessie Smith Cultural Center hosts the 2026 Big Nine Music Fest

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The community came together as the Bessie Smith Cultural Center hosted the 2026 Big 9 Music Fest. The free event celebrated the legacy and culture of Chattanooga’s Historic Big Nine, once known nationwide as “The Big 9” for its influence on music, business, and African American culture. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed live entertainment while learning…

Residents Gather In Chattanooga To Celebrate Juneteenth
Featured, Local News

Residents gather in Chattanooga to Celebrate Juneteenth

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Communities across the nation celebrated Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth marks the historic day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved people that the Civil War had ended and they were free. In Chattanooga, residents gathered to celebrate freedom, culture, and unity through live music,…

Hamilton County Schools Will No Longer Issue Students In Grades K 8th Grade Individual Laptops.
Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

HCS to no longer issue elementary and middle school students individual laptops

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Schools have made a policy change regarding technology. The board approved that change as schools will no longer issue students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade individual laptops. Instead, teachers will keep devices in their classroom.  Proponents say this will protect the county from financial losses related to device damage, but others say they’re concerned…

Goodine Claims He's Not Being Allowed To Exchange Legal Materials With Attorney In Jail
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Goodine claims he’s not being allowed to exchange legal materials with attorney in jail

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An ex-Chattanooga police officer is getting close to his trial on first degree murder charges in the 2023 death of his girlfriend. However, Thursday he questioned if he is being allowed to put together a fair defense. Lawrence Goodine is facing a first degree murder charge for the death of Kara Akins at a house on Carr…

Chattanooga Film Fest Returns
Events, Featured

Chattanooga Film Fest returns

Mackenzie Johnson,

CHATTANOOGA, TN.-  The Chattanooga Film Festival is back for its 13th annual event at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. The Festival consists of filmmakers from all over the country coming in to represent films from all over the world. Films aren’t the only things that will be showcased, you can see podcast recordings, live performances, and storytelling hours One thing that…

Community Forward Hosts Village Celebration
Featured, Local News

Community Forward hosts Village Celebration

Mackenzie Johnson,

CHATTANOOGA, TN.- Community Forward hosted its very first, Village Celebration, at Orchard Knob Middle School. Community Forward does a lot of their work during the school year, in mid-town schools and at high need schools The event was to celebrate what they have done for the students and their families. Community forward leaders continue to push past barriers and keep…

Local Karate Champion Continues To Make History
Featured, Local News

Local karate champion continues to make history

Mackenzie Johnson,

CHATTANOOGA, TN.- Joel Westbrook, a Rossville, Georgia native and student at Green’s Karate, continues to make history in American karate. “When he came into the dojo 10 years ago, I was like I’ve never taught anyone in a wheelchair before, but I thought it’d be a really good challenge and it’d be fun and that’s how it started and ever…
Chattanooga, Featured

IRONMAN makes 5-year commitment to Chattanooga

McKenzie Hughes, Nick Hill,

IRONMAN CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — IRONMAN says they are making the Scenic City a racing destination for the next 5 years. This comes as they select Chattanooga as the host city for the 2027 Precision Fuel & Hydration IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship triathlon on August 28 and 29, 2027. Held annually, the event expects to welcome 7,000 of the very best…

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Collegedale, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

UPDATE: Collegedale homicide suspect pleads not guilty as police search for victim’s body

Nick Hill, Khristine Arnold,

Kian Neal at his arraignment hearing in Collegedale Wednesday. UPDATE 6/19/2026: Collegedale Police announced that the decision has been made to conclude any further recovery efforts for Robert George Locke. Police and federal partners spent two days searching for Locke’s body at the Birchwood Landfill. They also say that there is no evidence to support a connection between Locke and…

20 Years Serving Local Families
Featured, Local News, Serving Our Community

20 Years Serving Local Families

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For 20 years, LifeSpring Community Health has worked to provide affordable healthcare for children and families who may otherwise struggle to access it. Founded in 2006, the Chattanooga nonprofit began with just two people on its team. LifeSpring founders said teachers were noticing some children had not seen a doctor or received physicals, highlighting a growing…

Fjc Institute Promotes Inclusivity
Featured

FJC event promotes inclusivity

Mackenzie Johnson,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- For Pride Month, the FJC held an event that teaches about how they can be more inclusive in their everyday lives. At this event people learned what inclusivity looks like in the workplace and how people can be better neighbors Different organizations that attend this event were able to present what they do for the community. People got…
Crime, Featured

Darron Lee appears in court following criminal court indictment

Nick Hill,

Darron Lee standing with his public defender in front of Hamilton County Judge Tori Smith on Wednesday at his initial hearing. A former NFL player charged with killing his girlfriend made his first appearance virtually on June 17, 2026 in Hamilton County Criminal Court. Darron Lee is charged with first degree murder in the death of Gabriella Perpetuo at their…
Chattanooga, Education, Featured

Hamilton County Schools, Hamilton County Mayor’s Office, & EPB announce Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center partnership

McKenzie Hughes,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Hamilton County Schools (HCS), the Hamilton County Mayor’s Office, and EPB have announced the new Energy and Quantum Industries Academy, a Future Ready Pathway set to open at the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center. The new academy is expected to serve approximately 400 students each year across grades 9-12. The new Energy and Quantum Industries Academy is designed…

This Morning Don's Meat Shop
Featured, Local News

Grill up something delicious for Dad this Father’s Day

Khristine Arnold,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Sometimes Dad wants a great, grilled steak to celebrate Father’s Day and Don’s Meat Shop has all the best cuts for that perfect meal. Owner Donnie Raines and News 12’s Chip Chapman go over the different cuts of meat and which cut is best suited for specific meals, because not all cuts of meat are created…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

City council discusses recommended investment in sports facilities

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Should the city of Chattanooga help fund new sports facilities? A recent report from the Chattanooga Tourism Company is recommending that a brand new indoor sports facility among other facilities be built to attract new tournaments. The report from the Tourism Company, previously presented to the Hamilton County Commission, calls for a roughly 60 million dollar investment…