CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s been almost a year since Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered by José Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant. Riley was attacked on February 22, 2024, while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Her body was found in Oconee Forest Park near Lake Herrick. Twenty-six-year-old José Antonio Ibarra entered the United…
Rebekah Latham with House of Colour helps News 12 and Chattanooga turn pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s Color Chattanooga Pink Week in honor of MaryEllen Locher and House of Colour is decking out the city in pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. House of Colour, a UK franchise, helps people fit into…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga guard Kamora Moore is certainly one of the top girls basketball players in our area with one of the best nicknames. MoMo Buckets. Moore is just a freshman, but she averages over 30 points a game. It’s not surprising she has multiple D-one offers. Brian Armstrong picks up the story. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball,…
Red Bank, TN-(WDEF-TV) In a battle of top ten teams on Tuesday night, Walker Valley knocked off Red Bank 72-67 in overtime. The Mustangs were up 15 points at the end of the first quarter, but the Lions fought back to force the overtime period. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, Red Bank High School, Walker Valley High…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – 2025 is off to a new political start, with Donald Trump as the 47th President. As he begins his work in office, one of the most debated issues on the table has been immigration. Statistics show there have been more than 10.3 million “illegal entries” nationwide since 2021. In one of President Trump’s speeches, he tells…
Chickamauga, GA (WDEF) – The best teachers always seem to go the extra mile for their students. Lisa Crowley does that every day, without ever losing her smile. That kind of dedication at positivity earned Ms. Crowley’s this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Crowley is a true success story. She, worked here for a while as a Paraprofessional before she…
“It’s an all-encompassing experience, and I get to look at the impacts in our community, like the reduction of gun use—things that make real-world, tangible differences,” said Ellie Yates, a graduate student involved in the initiative. UTC has launched a new initiative focused on combating gun violence in Chattanooga. UTC Foundation Associate Professor Rick Dierenfeldt, a former police officer, worked…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As temperatures drop and winter weather sets in, it’s crucial for drivers to take steps to prepare their vehicles for the cold and potentially hazardous conditions. With low wind chills expected over the next few days, now is the time to ensure your car is ready for the chill as winter weather can take a toll…
Photo of Jasmine Pace (Courtesy: Catrina Bean) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday, a Nashville based jury convicted Jason Chen of first degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the November 2022 killing of Jasmine Pace. They came to that verdict after hearing testimony that proved Chen stabbed Pace 60 times, and then left her body inside of a suitcase off…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A nonprofit organization has just announced the launch of a study to assess the need for a community Performing Arts Center in the city. ArtsBuild, the nonprofit dedicated to supporting arts and culture in the region, says the study will involve extensive community input, including feedback from local artists, organizations, and residents. The initiative aims to…
CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga and Midtown Community is hosting the annual State of the youth address next month. Organizers have put on this event for more than 8 years. Chattanooga and Midtown Community is gearing the state of youth address towards college education. “It’s more of a learning journey and exposure from something that is possibly different, and when you see…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — EPB and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have issued a ‘power advisory’ for the morning hours of January 22, 2025. Both organizations say they are asking customers to reduce power from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. January 22, due to extremely cold temperatures. This power advisory has been issued a day early to give customers enough notice. EPB…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) delivered a win for Chattanooga residents today by rejecting Tennessee American Water Company’s proposed 19.7% rate increase for city water users. Instead, the Commission approved a significantly smaller 1.45% increase. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly applauded the decision, emphasizing the importance of affordability for residents amidst rising living costs. “This is…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With multitudes gathering in DC for Trump’s Inauguration, we interviewed local Trump supporters, asking their thoughts on this historic event. January 20, 2025, marks the end of President Biden’s time in office and welcomes Donald Trump as the 47th President. Kyah Dollinger, a well-versed young local, explains why he believes this is a strategic move in…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- After seven days of testimony, a verdict has been reached in the murder trial of Jason Chen. The Pace family has had to experience grief for well over two years, that no family should ever have to endure. Their daughter, Jasmine Pace, was killed on the night of November 22, 2022. They have long awaited to hear…
Today, history comes alive at the historic Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Chattanooga Preparatory School and the Chattanooga Girls Leaderships Academy held an event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both schools hosted a student-led debate and a living wax museum. Today, we take a look at how the discussion is just another example of What’s Right With…
Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Benjen! Benjen is a dog at the Humane Educational Society (HES) ready to find his forever home. Benjen / HES HES says Benjen is a 9-year-old fluffy, sweet, chow mix and is searching for a not-so-quiet retirement home. Benjen is fully housebroken, does great with other dogs, and would likely do well…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – From freezing pipes to black ice on the roads, the impact of winter weather can be serious if you’re not ready. Whether it’s your house, your vehicle, or simply how you dress, being prepared for cold weather is about more than just comfort… It’s about safety. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga honored the Late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with various events on Monday. “This is the 55th annual MLK Day Parade in March that we’ll be having. So we have been doing this for a number of decades,” said Eric Atkins, Unity group of Chattanooga. As a part of the MLK Day Parade, The Unity group…
UPDATE (1/21/2025): The body found in Ringgold down an embankment near South Chickamauga Creek has been identified. Joseph Shannon Mays / Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office The GBI released they have identified the body with 37-year-old Jamie Lauren Wiley. The GBI also announced they’ve arrested Joseph Shannon Mays in connection to this incident. Mays is being charged with one count of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Today, we spoke with three viral influencers to hear their thoughts on TikTok’s “ban” and its immediate comeback. For weeks, TikTok users prepared themselves for January 19th—the day the app was expected to be banned in the United States. The potential loss of the platform caused widespread concern in the TikTok community, whether among viewers or content…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This weekend, our city hosted the 50th annual Chattacon, a premier science fiction and fantasy literary convention. This weekend, the city was buzzing with excitement as Chattacon, one of the Southeast’s premier science fiction and fantasy conventions, returned for its 50th year. “Chattacon is a Chattanooga staple, being the one of the first Science Fiction Conventions…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Saturday was day six of the Jason Chen murder trial. Chen is charged with the first-degree murder of Jasmine Pace in November 2022. Today, the defense began their side of the case by calling a surprise witness and attempting a tactic that led to a tense debate. The defense called Jasmine Pace’s father, Travis Pace, to…
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Today around 10 a.m., the GBI reported that a woman’s body was found near South Chickamauga Creek off Emberson Drive. Law enforcement says the body was discovered by an individual walking in the area. The City of Ringgold’s mayor, Nick Millwood, released a statement saying: “We assure the community that all necessary resources are being utilized…