Better Business Bureau aware folks of holiday scams

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Scam experts are raising caution to potential scams during the holiday season.  “With Cyber Monday coming, we know that’s the busiest online shopping day of the year, and actually, online shopping scams have become the number one thing reported to us on our scam tracker page. So we know that there’s already a lot of scams working,”…

Walker County mother charged in infant death

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Walker County mother has been arrested for the death of her infant son. Ana Alissa Guice Deputies with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) were dispatched to a residence on Mustang Street in Rossville, GA for a report of an infant death. WCSO says that during the investigation, detectives determined the mother, Ana Alissa…

Asian Lantern Festival kicks off at Warner Park

News 12 This Morning: Jake Cash joins News 12’s Amelia Greer with the Chattanooga Zoo to highlight the debut of the Asian Lantern Festival for 2024-2025. He also brings animal ambassador, Chip the Box Turtle– not to be confused with News 12’s Chip Chapman. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Zoo has been lit up once again with the start…

No one is too cool this season for Clumpies holiday flavors

Ashley Bottoms with See Rock City Inc. joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview Clumpies 2024 holiday flavors. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – While it might be starting to get a little cold, no one is too cool for Clumpies ice cream. Ashley Bottoms came into the studio to unveil the 2024 Holiday Collection pint pack. This year’s collection features returning…

Golden Apple Award: Ayanna Esdaile, Orchard Knob Middle School

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Parents describe Ayanna Esdaile as dedicated, determined and dependable. Her Science class at Orchard Knob Middle is challenging, but with healthy dose of fun blended in. Let’s take a closer look in tonight’s Golden Apple Award. Dr. Amara Alexander is the Principal at Orchard Knob Middle . She says, “Miss Esdaile has been here um for…

Giraffe subspecies marked endangered

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Fish and Wildlife Services recently announced a new proposal to list three different subspecies of giraffes as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.  The proposal comes after a petition from 2017 to list these three in the ESA.  Jake Cash, Chattanooga Zoo Director of Marketing and Communications, stated that “US fish and wildlife service put…

United Way teams up with Food City

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – United Way teamed up with Food City to host the 18th annual Celebrity Bagging Event this afternoon.  At locations across the county, Food City hosted local celebrities including UTC athletes to partner with United Way to raise money for those in need of help during the holidays.  Participants at the grocery stores were able to make…

Health experts see upsurge in depression during Thanksgiving

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF)-  Thanksgiving is Thursday, and health experts are stressing the importance of Thanksgiving depression.  “This forced sense of happiness, and you feel that you are being left out, almost like social media pressure. And when you see advertisements, you see all these commercials and everybody around you, you just feel as if are you being left out,” said Dr….

Officials warn against racial profiling in relation to TDA

TBI Director David Rausch (left), Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett (middle), and Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers (right) discussing concerns regarding Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The revelation that an arrest last week in Chattanooga was related to a gang from Venezuela is causing a lot of reaction. Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal gang, who…

Thanksgiving meals donated to 200 Bradley County families

The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office and Cleveland Police Department teaming up with the Lynn Jones Foundation to give 200 Thanksgiving meals to families in need. CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- 200 families in Bradley County will have a meal for Thanksgiving thanks to a donation. The Lynn Jones Foundation teamed up with Bradley County and Cleveland School Resource Officers to take meals…

Mom to Mom – Candy Turkey

Today on Mom to Mom, we are making Thanksgiving party favors for kids! It’s almost turkey time, and we’ve got a fun way to keep your kids occupied on Thanksgiving. And it can also be used as a cute little party favor for those kids! We’re making Candy Turkeys, filled with all types of goodies for your kids to enjoy!…

Trey Bonham Scores 28 to Lead Mocs Over Tennessee St 85-78

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA (November 25, 2024) – The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team erased an early double-digit deficit with a strong second half performance to win its fourth-straight game, defeating in-state foe Tennessee State 85-78 on the opening day of the Coke Classic MTE event Monday night inside McKenzie Arena. Trailing 37-31 at the halftime break, Chattanooga (4-3) out-scored Tennessee State…

Election Results for Collegedale Commissioner

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The public were invited to the Collegedale City Hall at 5:00 pm this afternoon where the Board of Commissioners met to decide the winner of the historic split decision election.  Last week, the two candidates, Billy Burnette and Debbie Baker, received an equal 2,282 votes in the recent election which was officially counted by the Hamilton…

Karsen Murphy and Caia Elisaldez Lead Mocs Over Lipscomb 66-60

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA — Chattanooga women’s basketball picked up a statement win on Monday in the Roundhouse, as the Mocs picked up a 66-60 victory over Lipscomb to hand the Bisons their second loss of the 2024-25 season. Career performances from Karsen Murphy and Caia Elisaldez, alongside solid outputs from Brooke Anya and Gianna Corbitt proved the difference for the Mocs…

Meigs County’s press conference on Deputy Leonard and Tabitha Smith

MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Today, General Russell Johnson conducted a press conference detailing the Deputy RJ Leonard and Tabatha Smith incident from February 14, 2024. The district attorney who represents Meigs County has provided updates on the death case of Deputy Robert Leonard and Tabatha Smith. On February 14, Deputy Leonard went missing while on a call near the…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Students Visit Sequoyah

SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – Great things are happening at Sequoyah High School.  Students are learning the skills that employers want. Now, kids from across Hamilton County are taking a closer look.  It’s a practical example of what’s right with our schools. Amanda Baron is the Co-Principal for Early Tech at Sequoyah High School. She explains, “We are hosting what…

TBI describes process of arresting TDA gang members

TBI Director David Rausch (left), Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett (middle), and Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers (right) discussing concerns regarding Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A hot topic of conversation over the past week is the potential presence of a Venezuelan gang here in the Chattanooga area. Monday, officials confirmed there have been arrests made related…

Who are the Tren De Aragua?

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tren De Aragua, or T.D.A has been making headlines all across the state. T.D.A has a long history. David Rausch the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director said “The history of this gang is that they started in the Venezuelan prisons. That is where they started. In those prisons they had so much power the government…

Chattanooga hosts Medal of Honor Convention next year

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF)-  Local city and state officials came together Monday to celebrate the kick off for events for next year’s Medal of Honor Convention.  “Overall, I would say it is a celebration of service, sacrifice, community, love for our great nation, and to remember and honor those that served and sacrificed to build this great nation,” said Kyle Carpenter, Medal…

Bells are ringing for the Salvation Army Angel Tree

Major Douglas McClure joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to encourage everyone to give back and help provide a memorable Christmas to families in need. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Once again, the Salvation Army bells are ringing in the season of giving with calls for volunteers and Angel Tree adoptions. Angels trees are appearing across the Chattanooga area at multiple Wal-Marts,…

R & R Farms in Lafayette Georgia

  LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF)-Today, we spoke with Bill and Lisa Rector, owners of R & R Farms, about what it takes to maintain healthy livestock and produce the freshest beef around. With the holidays quickly approaching—and Thanksgiving just days away—community members are searching for the freshest produce and meat to serve on their family’s table. We had the opportunity to…