City leaders thank Fleischmann for bringing Federal Investment to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga leaders met at City Hall this morning to highlight new federal funding headed to the area and to thank Congressman Chuck Fleischmann for helping secure it. The investment is expected to support housing, riverfront projects, healthcare resources, and research work at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Representative Chuck Fleischmann explained, “Let’s all come together,…

Fleischmann addresses new developments in Epstein files

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – While at City Hall covering Representative Chuck Fleischmann’s latest financial funding announcement, reporters also asked about new information released in the Epstein files. Representative Chuck Fleischmann said “That’s why I was so adamant when we went through that government shutdown that should not have occurred. I was almost out there every day preaching against that. I…

Golden Apple Award: Arlene Slaughter, Dupont Elementary

CHATTANOOOGA. TN (WDEF) – Her fellow educators at Dupont Elementary describe Arlene Slaughter as an excellent role model. Her patience and kindness extend far beyond the classroom to every member of the Dupont Community. Ms. Slaughter’s passion for teaching and making the world a better place earned her this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Slaughter is one of the best…

Candidate Highlights Plans for Tennesseans

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee Governor candidate Jerri Green visited Chattanooga on Tuesday to meet with local residents and voters. The event took place at the Chattanooga Masonic Center. Green, a lifelong Tennessean who has lived in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, spoke about her campaign priorities, including housing, public schools, and healthcare.  During the luncheon, she observed a moment of…

E. coli cases associated with raw milk consumption rise locally

Hamilton County Health Department The Hamilton County Health Department (HCHD) has shared they have identified an unexpected increase in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases in 2026. This is associated with the consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk. They say raw milk can carry harmful bacteria that may cause severe or life-threatening illness, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant individuals…

Women Build Home Dedication Held

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga dedicated a new home on February 14 for a local mother and daughter, marking the completion of their journey through the Women Build homeownership program. Sherry and Shirley Pitner were selected as the 2024 Women Build homeowners and broke ground on their home in March 2025.  Since then, they have…

Father of Destiny’s Child, Dr. Mathew Knowles, to visit UTC

Dr. Mathew Knowles will be making his journey back to UTC before the end of the month! The esteemed university lecturer is also the proud Dad of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. UTC Vice Chancellor Stacy Lightfoot brings News 12’s Chip Chapman up to speed about the upcoming fireside chat on campus. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – University of Tennessee of Chattanooga…

North Georgia special election begins

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF)- Last month, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene officially resigned from her seat in Congress. Now, the election to determine her replacement is here. Monday marked the first day of early voting across our North Georgia counties. Early voters in Walker County like David Currie had a new place to vote on this President’s Day.  Currie said, “I’ve always…

Youth Rally at State Capitol calls for Tobacco Retail Licensing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tuesday a Tennessee youth rally will take place at the State Capitol, where advocates are calling for tobacco retail licensing to protect kids. News 12 spoke with the coalition coordinator about their hopes for the event. Jeremy Kourvelas, coalition coordinator for Smokefree Tennessee, says nicotine use among young people can have long term consequences. “Nicotine use…

Heritage Center honors Medal of Honor recipient George Jordan

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today the Heritage Center highlighted Medal of Honor recipient George Jordan as part of its continued celebration of Black History Month. Tina Cahalan Jones, founder of the Slaves to Soldiers Project, gave a presentation focused on African American military service. The project raises awareness and honors the lives of nearly 400 Black men from Williamson County,…

McDonald Farm Set For State Park

SALE CREEK, TN (WDEF) – McDonald Farm, a historic property spanning more than 1,300 acres in Hamilton County, is set to become Tennessee’s 70th state park.  The plan includes roughly $45.3 million in state investment to develop the park, preserve natural areas, and provide recreational opportunities. Planned amenities include trails, a visitor center, and camping, and the park will connect to…

What’s Right With Our Schools: NWGA College and Career Academy

DALTON, GA (WDEF) – The Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy is continuing its mission to develop a 21st century workforce. They do that through focused and relevant instruction to help high school students land good jobs. Let’s take a closer look in tonight’s “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Everything we do here is is focused on be beyond graduation,”…

Hope Grows for Myeloma Patients

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – What began as a broken femur to a life-changing diagnosis for one man now working to raise awareness about multiple myeloma. Dave was diagnosed several years ago with the rare blood cancer, which forms in the bone marrow and is known to return even after treatment.  After going through several treatment regimens that eventually stopped working,…

Teen uses birthday to remind seniors they are not forgotten

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today News 12 spoke with a local teenager who is asking for the community’s help to make her 15th birthday one to remember. Autumn Perez says she wants to use her special day to brighten the lives of others. “I want to take my special date and make other people’s days special.” Perez describes herself as…

McDonald Farm set to become 70th Tennessee state park

McDonald Farm (Courtesy: Office of Mayor Weston Wamp) SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF)- Ever since Hamilton County acquired McDonald Farm in 2021, there have been a lot of discussions about how to best utilize that land in Sale Creek along the Hamilton-Rhea county border. Initially, the county acquired the property to industrialize it. However, many residents wished for the land to…

Chattanooga Carriage Company hosted its Valentine’s Day event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today in Chattanooga, horse carriages gently trotted through the streets as the Chattanooga Carriage Company hosted its annual Rides and Roses Valentine’s Day event. News 12 visited the company workshop to learn how the business began and what makes the Valentine’s Day tradition special for the community. The Chattanooga Carriage Company offered romantic and family friendly…

Mocs women and men fall in Valentine’s Day double header

GoMocs-(WDEF)-The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team fell behind early and put together another strong second half run, but ultimately fell short during an 81-76 loss to Western Carolina in Southern Conference action on Saturday evening inside McKenzie Arena. Following the defeat, Chattanooga falls to 10-17 overall and is now 4-10 inside SoCon play while sitting ninth in the league standings….

Walker Valley Edges Chatt Prep 62-61

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) In a battle of two teams with state title aspirations, Walker Valley edged Chatt Prep 62-61 on Friday night. The Mustangs entered the contest ranked 5th in Class 4A, while the Sentinels are number one in Class 2A.   Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Mocs Win Game One of Chattanooga Challenge on Walk-Off Homer Before Losing Game Two

(gomocs.com)  The Chattanooga softball team split a pair of games Friday at Jim Frost Stadium on the opening day of the Chattanooga Challenge. The Mocs picked up a 5-3 walk-off win over Bellarmine in the first game before falling 7-1 to Ohio in the nightcap. GAME 1: Chattanooga 5, Bellarmine 3 Mia Leone smashed a two-run walk-off homer to deep…