CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The YMCA Community Action Project, known locally as Y‑CAP, is an early‑intervention and prevention program in Chattanooga that serves young people ages 10 to 15 who have been referred by the Hamilton County school system or the juvenile court system because of academic, behavioral, or social challenges. Since its founding in 1998, the program has provided…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Church bells rang across Chattanooga this morning as parishioners gathered at the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul to mark Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season. The service brought together people of all ages for reflection and prayer. Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of 40 days and 40 nights of reflection, repentance, and spiritual…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – West Star Aviation leaders and Hamilton County officials broke ground on a major expansion that will significantly increase the company’s operational capacity. West Star Aviation operates multiple facilities across the U.S. and has been expanding its presence in Chattanooga to meet growing demand. The project includes a 40,000-square-foot hangar, 50,000 square feet of shop and office…
Dr. William Warren joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to discuss heart health during ‘American Heart Month’ in February. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – February is Heart Month and the Chattanooga Heart Institute is reminding everyone that they provide care for various individuals with heart concerns. Heart issues are caused by factors like obesity playing a serious role in overall health and…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students at St. Nicholas Elementary School celebrated Shrove Tuesday with their third annual pancake race, a tradition that blends faith, learning, and hands-on fun. The morning began with a chapel gathering introducing the meaning of Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent in many Christian communities. Following the reflection, fifth-grade…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Boyd Buchanan cruised into the region semifinals on Tuesday with an easy 83-53 win over Providence Academy. Bucs head coach Matt Hoppe was back on the bench for the first time since suffering a heart attack nearly a month ago. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
South Pittsburg play-maker Dayon Cooper has been receiving plenty of big time college offers. Now you can add Tennessee to the list. Hard for schools like T ennessee to overlook Cooper’s versatility. He had over 15-hundred yards of offense and over 20 touchdowns last year in helping lead the Pirates to the state championship. He was also voted the state’s…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Notre Dame got over the region tournament quarterfinals hump on Monday with a 52-38 win over Concord Christian. The Lady Irish had lost three straight years in the region quarters before getting the big win over the Lions. Notre Dame was up only two points at halftime, but they expanded the lead to 19 after the third quarter. Erin…
A piece of piping removed from the inside of Benton Elementary School, which recently failed a health inspection. BENTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few weeks ago, Benton Elementary School in Polk County received a 68 on its health inspection due to a variety of issues. Monday night, their school board met for the first time since that news caused many questions…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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,”…
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,…
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 (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…