Wear your Denim & Diamonds for a great cause

Chattanooga Medical Foundation CEO Rae Bond joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to invite everyone to their annual Denim & Diamonds fundraiser that aids in funding Project Access. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Time to break out your finest attire…or your most casual attire for a night of fun, food, and great music for a great cause! Denim & Diamonds returns once…

Askins Brothers Murder Trial Continues

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The murder trial of Samuel Askins and Caleb Askins continued in Hamilton County Criminal Court as prosecutors presented more evidence and testimony in the case related to a deadly shooting on Maryland Street in North Chattanooga in August 2023.   Police say officers responded to a shooting scene on September 28, 2023, where they found 48‑year‑old Warren…

Parkridge to be allowed to build freestanding emergency room in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few months ago, the Parkridge Health System announced their intentions to build a new freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. However, they faced opposition from Vitruvian Health, who owns the only emergency room in Cleveland, the Bradley Medical Center. Wednesday, they faced off in front of the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission to decide if that would be…

CVS says they will close all Tennessee stores if anti-Pharmacy Benefits Manager bill passes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Tennessee bill restricting how pharmacies are structured is facing opposition from one major company. CVS says that if Tennessee Senate Bill 20-40 passes, they would be forced to close every single CVS store in the state. This is because the bill would require any company that owns an insurance company, the store, and the pharmacy benefits…

David Pollack Headlines Scouting Fundraiser

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Former University of Georgia standout and ESPN College GameDay analyst David Pollack spoke Tuesday at the 23rd annual Friends of Scouting Luncheon, where his message focused on overcoming adversity and learning from life’s toughest moments. Pollack’s perspective comes from personal experience. His NFL career ended after a neck injury during the 2006 season forced him into…

More than 100 new Citizens sworn in during Naturalization Ceremony

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As immigration continues to dominate headlines nationwide, today in Chattanooga, the focus was on celebration. More than 100 applicants officially became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony held by the Eastern District of Tennessee. Imagine leaving behind everything you have ever known: your home, your language, even your country, for a chance at something better. For…

Cancer Prevention Month focuses on risk awareness

CHATTTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and health experts say understanding your personal risk is one of the most powerful tools you have when it comes to protecting your health. While only about 10 percent of cancers are hereditary, doctors explain that knowing whether you fall into that category can be life changing. Even if genetic…

Local Country Artist Turns Heartache Musical

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Rising singer-songwriter and UTC student Bella Lam just released her new single, Take It Out On My Guitar.  Fans had a chance to join her earlier Tuesday for a live TikTok watch party, where they could hang out, ask questions, and see the music video before its YouTube debut. The song turns heartbreak into a catchy…

Golden Apple Award: Lindsey Flaherty, Allen Elementary

SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – For the best educators, teaching is much more than a job. It’s a passion. That’s certainly true for Lindsey Flaherty. One Allen Elementary school parent describes her as the “Light of the third grade.” Let’s get illuminated in this week’s Golden Apple. “Ms Flaherty is an amazing teacher. She is, she always has a smile….

Virtual Schools Face Possible Closure

BENTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee lawmakers are considering House Bill 2420, a measure that would allow the state education commissioner to close virtual schools that do not meet certain performance standards.  The proposal is being closely watched by families across the state, including students at Volunteer State Virtual Academy, a statewide online public school. Laci, a student from Benton, said…

Bradley Central Wins District Tournament Title Over Cleveland 58-39

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Top ranked Bradley Central pulled away in the second half to beat rival Cleveland 58-39 in their district tournament championship game on Monday night at Jim Smiddy Arena. Both clubs were a menace on defense combining for 25 steals. Bradley Central forward Kimora Fields had 20 points and 14 rebounds in the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports…

Americans caught in escalating violence in Mexico

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Widespread violence unfolding in parts of Mexico is impacting not only local citizens but also tourists, including Americans visiting popular vacation destinations. News 12 spoke with two U.S. citizens who were in Mexico when the violence escalated. As chaos unfolded, one traveler was able to catch a flight back to the United States Sunday night. Another,…

Tennessee ranks 8th worst in nation for dangerous drivers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new Consumer Affairs analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows Tennessee ranks among the worst states in the country for dangerous drivers. According to the data, Tennessee ranks eighth nationwide for the worst drivers across all age groups. Experts explain that while dangerous driving cannot be attributed to just one generation,…

Grier gets sentenced to 62 more years in prison for murder of Bianca Horton

Andre Grier walking into his sentencing hearing on Monday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga gang member who was convicted in the 2016 murder of a mother was back in court Monday morning. Back in October Andre Grier was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2016 killing of Bianca Horton. He was facing the death penalty for that case. However, an…

Construction begins on new Slygo Road bridge

The Slygo Road bridge over I-24 being closed as GDOT prepares to replace it. DADE COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- One Dade County road is set to be closed for months as a bridge over I-24 is replaced. GDOT says they are replacing the bridge on Slygo Road. That is located near the split of Interstates 24 and 59 in the northern…

AAP Shares Childhood Vaccine Guidance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The American Academy of Pediatrics is sharing new guidance this month aimed at helping parents and caregivers understand how routine childhood vaccinations fit into a child’s early development. The organization says infancy and early childhood represent a key period for building immunity, as the body’s defenses are still maturing and the risk for complications from infectious…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Teachers Meet With Medal of Honor Author

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Inspiration is an important part of education. Some local teachers recently completed a workshop where they learned how to incorporate the values associated with the Medal of Honor into their lesson plans. What they learned is an inspiring example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “With it also being Black History Month, we are highlighting a space…

Firefighter Faces Life-Changing Recovery

TRACY CITY, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Manchester firefighter and Tracy City resident, Jay Lankford is continuing a long and difficult recovery after a September motorcycle crash left him with life-changing injuries.  Family members say he underwent multiple extensive surgeries after the wreck. In the moments after the crash, loved ones say their first concern was protecting his children from the…