Tennessee Aquarium Begins Peak Light Replacement Project

 CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium started its first day of renovations for its newest project today, October 21st. This new project is set to replace the LED lights that are placed at the peaks of the aquarium buildings. As the construction and renovations commence, you may be able to look up during the day and catch some of the…

The Turf Tank is making its mark in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – New technology has made its way to the Chattanooga area. One of the newest and most effective being the Turf Tank.  The Turf Tank robots are painting the lines and areas on local athletic fields in and around Chattanooga with the Chattanooga Christian School being its latest project.  When you go to football games, soccer games or…

Witnesses describe frantic rescue effort after Georgia dock gangway collapse killed 7

Orange life jackets bobbed in the water, where bystanders rushed to form a human chain for passing survivors to safety. Others shouldered the task of wrapping bodies in blankets and carrying them to shore. The frantic scene after an aluminum gangway collapsed Saturday at a boat dock on a Georgia barrier island capped what was supposed to have been a…

Two Rhea County men indicted on separate child sex abuse cases

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Two men out of Rhea County have been indicted for sexual abuse of children in two separate cases. Investigators from the Department of Children’s Services and Rhea County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Detective, Rocky Potter, investigated both cases. In June of 2024, the investigators and the 12th District Attorney’s Office of the 12th Judicial District presented…

What’s Right With Our Schools: CCS Tree Day

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – “Today is our tree day. And tree day is an interactive day of learning where we do cross-curricular instruction across lots of different subjects; where the students get to have Hands-On learning experiences learning about trees,” said Kara Kruchinski, a 5th grade teacher at CCS.  One child added, “I think it’s is like a Maple. Maple.”…

Hundreds rescued, sheriff stranded on truck roof after deadly flooding in New Mexico: “Completely surrounded by water”

The New Mexico National Guard continued search and rescue operations Sunday in Roswell after record rainfall produced severe flooding in and around the city and Chaves County and left at least two people dead. The flooding even forced a local sheriff to seek safety on top of his police truck when it became stranded in water that rose up to…

Chattanooga Comic Con welcomes iconic celebrities this weekend

Liz Thornburgh joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview everything nerdy coming to the Chattanooga Comic Con. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Don’t panic if you see the Mystery Machine in Chattanooga this weekend, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo are solving a mystery at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The mystery?  Who’s attending Chattanooga Comic Con. After a full year of planning, Liz Thornburgh…

The Chocolate Box offers no tricks but all the treats this season

The Chocolate Box baker extraordinaire, Nichelle Patel, joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to preview the baked goods she offers this season. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Who knew spooky could taste so sweet? The Chocolate Box is offering an array of different sweet treats with promises of no tricks. From magic cookies to smoking cauldron cakes, there’s nothing baker Nichelle Patel…

House catches fire Monday morning near North Orchard Knob

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Firefighters were on the scene of a working structure fire Monday morning at a house off North Orchard Knob Avenue. They responded to the 1700 block of Jackson Street just after 7:00 a.m. CFD responds to structure fire off North Orchard Knobb Avenue Monday morning. Image courtesy of Lindsey Rogers with CFD. Crews launched an attack…

Chattanooga firefighters respond to series of fires and extrication

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Firefighters were busy overnight with a series of house fires and emergency responses. The first happened at a vacant home undergoing renovations off Dodds Avenue. Firefighters respond to fully involved residential fire off Dodds Avenue Sunday night. Image provided by Lindsey Rogers with the Chattanooga Fire Department. The house is located in the 2800 block of…

Senator Watson hosts the third annual All-American Bash

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Senator Bo Watson and other local and regional GOP members made an appearance at the All-American Bash at the Collegedale Commons. This year marks the third annual, Bo’s All-American Bash, featuring Watson himself, along with other local politicians coming to speak personally with the community. Senator Bo Watson says, “I think that Republican policies have set…

“Smart Is Cool” Day

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – This Sunday the Chattanooga Market hosted STEM organizations in celebration of the 24th annual National “Smart is Cool” Day.  STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, focuses on logical thought processes and problem-solving that allows students to develop mental habits that will help them succeed in any field. The Market hosted several outside organizations wanting…

Coolidge Park is hosting The Grateful Gobbler Walk

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s time to start preparing for Chattanooga’s annual Grateful Gobbler Walk, where all proceeds go to the MaClellan Shelter. This walk is an annual tradition in Chattanooga, where community members gather on Thanksgiving Day to raise money for the MaClellan Shelter for Families. This shelter is so special to this area, because it is the only…

No. 19 Football Wins Fourth-Straight, Dominates Wofford 37-5

GoMocs– The No. 19 ranked Chattanooga Mocs football team used a dominating and balanced effort to help capture its fourth-straight win after claiming a lopsided 37-5 victory over Wofford during Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon inside Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. Following the victory, Chattanooga improves to 4-3 overall this season and enhances its SoCon record to 3-1. Wofford drops to…

Kelsey’s Christmas for Kids

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF)- Chickamauga hosted their Pumpkin festival which included lots of shopping and learning about “Kelsey’s Christmas for Kids” organization. Residents from the Chickamauga community and Chattanooga came to see all that the festival had to offer. The block was lined with vendors selling sweet and salty treats, fun knick-knacks from local vendors, big and small pumpkins, and even…

Brazzell, Sampson lead No. 11 Tennessee to 24-17 victory over No. 7 Alabama in SEC clash

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Brazzell II made a diving 16-yard touchdown catch from Nico Iamaleava midway through the fourth quarter as No. 11 Tennessee beat No. 7 Alabama 24-17 on Saturday. Dylan Sampson rushed for 139 yards and two touchdowns for the Volunteers (6-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference). The victory keeps Tennessee in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot. The Crimson Tide…

EPB Free Tree ReLeaf Program

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Over 1,000 trees were given away this weekend as the Free Tree ReLeaf event took place.  EPB customers were given the opportunity to obtain two native plants for their home as supplies lasted.  The event took place this weekend at the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center Native Plant Nursery where customers were able to select from…

25th Anniversary of Coolidge Park

 CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – One of Chattanooga’s most beloved landmarks and parks is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  This is a celebratory weekend full of fun-filled activities for all ages to enjoy.  The activities this weekend included vendors, food trucks, art festivities, ice cream, outdoor games, and more.  Coolidge Park, which got its name from Medal of Honor recipient Charles…

Alabama’s “Million Dollar Band” Performs at Finley Stadium

  CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Alabama Million Dollar Band came rolling and marching through Chattanooga on their way to the upcoming Alabama Crimson Tide versus our very own Tennessee Vols in Knoxville.  The band performed at Finley Stadium to continue the tradition that started back in 1992 started by a woman who goes by Bama Gene.  Both Roll Tide fans,…

McKamey Animal Center and Crown Subaru’s pet adoption event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The McKamey Animal Center Adoption and Crown Subaru are teaming up to host a pet adoption event tomorrow. This event is a part of Subaru Loves Pets month in October, and they will be covering the adoption fees and providing adoption care kits for 30 new pet owners. While they will be waving fees for 30 pet…

TVA receives $250 million clean energy grant

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that the Tennessee Valley Authority was selected for a $250 million grant. They were selected for a $250 million grant from DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program to fund 84 energy security projects to ensure local communities have access to affordable, reliable and clean electricity.  Jeff Lyash, TVA…

Is that a real voice or is that Artificial Intelligence?

Legendary Voice actors weigh in on AI in voice acting

CHATTANOOGA, TN – If you’re a kid or a parent of a kid from my generation, you know that Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of chocolate frosted sugar bombs simply couldn’t be beat. Now as we hear those voices from years ago, it brings back memories of those Saturday mornings from long ago.  With Artificial Intelligence being such a…