Start your morning off with ice cream for breakfast!

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is on Saturday, February 7 and Clumpies is opening early to celebrate! From 9 AM to 1 PM, Clumpies located on Northshore will be hosting their annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! Customers can enjoy breakfast themed ice cream flavors that all pair well with their coffee to create an…

TechByte: AI Changing the Game for Weather Forecasters

Generative AI is both a hero and a villain depending on the application. On this week’s Techbyte we highlight one area where it could save lives. Over in Hong Kong, typhoons are a common occurrence. They whip through at rapid rates, causing flood damage, wind damage, and general destruction. Researchers in the Chinese territory say they’ve developed an AI tool…

Mocs Walk-On Houston Holland Scored 12 as UTC Beat Mercer 79-75 to Snap Four Game Losing Skid

(gomocs.com) – The streak is snapped. The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team ended its four-game skid with a physical and gutty performance during a 79-75 victory over Mercer in Southern Conference action on Thursday night inside an energetic McKenzie Arena. Chattanooga improves to 10-14 and 4-7 inside SoCon play after halting its slide with tonight’s win. Mercer, who entered the…

Local Musician Super Bowl Spotlight

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga musician Nick Lutsko is stepping onto the national stage in a big way.  Known for his playful internet songs and viral videos, Lutsko is bringing his signature humor and catchy melodies to this year’s Manscaped Super Bowl commercial.  Not only did he write the melody, but he also voiced two characters in the ad, giving…

Volkswagen and UAW Reach Tentative Agreement

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The UAW and Volkswagen have reached a tentative agreement. The UAW says 3,200 workers at Volkswagen Chattanooga have won a tentative contract deal that provides 20 percent across-the-board wage increases, affordable health care, real job security, and more. The agreement holds the following, according to the UAW: Major Wage Increases – 20% GWI Substantial raises that begin to…

Chatt Prep’s Marquis Gardner Makes School History Signing With Navy

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chatt Prep running back Marquis Gardner signed with Navy on National Signing Day, becoming the school’s first ever division-one signee. A Naval academy recruiter said Gardner is the first player to sign with their school from Chattanooga in the past 20 years. Gardner accounted for over 2,200 yards in his senior season. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

J.R. Hardrick and Xavier Reviere Among Those Signing at South Pittsburg

South Pittsburg, TN-(WDEF-TV) Since South Pittsburg won a state football title last year, you know they’ve got good players. No surprise the Pirates had a few guys ink college papers on national signing day. Defensive end J.R. Hardrick highlighted the group. He’s headed to the ACC to play for Clemson. Another Pirates signee was defensive end Xavier Reviere, who is…

Bill Expands Pediatric Cancer Research

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Congress has passed, and President Donald Trump has signed the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act, a new law aimed at giving children fighting cancer and rare diseases more hope and more options.  The law expands research on childhood cancer, strengthens the Food and Drug Administration’s oversight of pediatric drug studies, and encourages the development…

City council, commission say they don’t have authority in sheriff partnership with ICE

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The debate over immigration continues here in Chattanooga, especially over the Hamilton County Sheriff Office’s partnership with ICE. The Sheriff’s Office partners with ICE via the 287 (g) immigration enforcement program. This authorizes some deputies to take on immigration related duties normally reserved for ICE agents. City council members such as Ron Elliott and Jenny Hill say…

Dog Killed After Eating Neighbor’s Chickens

Summerville, GA(WDEF)-Summerville resident Corey Allen Lanye has been charged with animal cruelty under a city ordinance after allegedly shooting and killing his neighbor’s dog. According to the Smith family, their dog Roman got loose from their property after his shock collar stopped working. Josh Smith, dog owner, described the scene:”At first, I didn’t really realize what was going on. He…

Thrift Shop Reopens Supporting Moms

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – Good Foundations Thrift in Cleveland recently reopened after a week‑long remodel made possible by donated items and volunteer efforts from two groups from First Baptist Church.  The thrift is part of Foundation House Ministries, a nonprofit that walks with mothers trapped in crisis lifestyles, including overcoming addiction, homelessness, or economic hardship, as they pursue stability, life…

Kelly comments on Watson’s property tax bill

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly is responding to a proposed bill in the Tennessee legislature. Senate Bill 2064, proposed by Senator Bo Watson, would cap how much municipalities can raise property taxes over a multi year time period. Senator Watson told us earlier this week that the intent behind this bill is to protect taxpayers from unexpected tax…

Seniors Targeted in Romance Scams

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Valentine’s Day approaches, new national research from AARP reveals a significant digital threat to older Americans.  Nearly one in ten adults aged 50 and older have been targeted by an online romantic connection who ultimately asked for money or promoted a cryptocurrency investment.  The study finds that these scams are increasingly sophisticated, often originating from…

Chattanooga Zoo reveals names of Tamarin Twins

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Zoo has officially announced the winning names for its emperor tamarin twins: Basil and Sage. The two male tamarins were born in October and quickly became favorites among zoo visitors and staff. Shortly after their birth, News 12 received an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the newborn primates, with masks required to help protect the…

Salvation Army announces Mardi Bra donation supporting unhoused women

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Major Douglas McClure with The Salvation Army in Chattanooga is announcing the organization’s annual Mardi Bra donation drive. This donation event focused on providing undergarments and other essential goods to women experiencing homelessness. The Mardi Bra event will take place Tuesday, February 12. Organizers say the drive is designed to support women in the unhoused community…

First project helped by Chattanooga affordable housing PILOT program breaks ground

The groundbreaking of 702 Manufacturers Road. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For many who work in Chattanooga, finding housing can be a challenge. The city approved a new program last year that looks to put a dent in that issue. That program approved last year was the affordable housing payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT program. This gives developers tax incentives…

School board approves capacity expansion for Skillern Elementary amid opposition

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County school board approved an expansion of capacity for a Soddy-Daisy charter school. They are allowing Skillern Elementary at Ivy Academy to expand their capacity by nearly one hundred students, or a 20 percent expansion over the next two school years. Skillern is the elementary wing of Ivy Academy, which is privately run but publicly…

New Cookie Hits the Menu

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Winter weather and freezing temperatures weren’t enough to delay the highly anticipated 2026 Girl Scout cookie season.  Over the weekend, Girl Scouts, troop leaders, and families gathered at the regional distribution point to pick up their massive supplies of cookies, ensuring the community’s favorite treats stay on schedule despite the icy conditions. Volunteers worked through the…

Golden Apple: Taryn Painter, Apison Elementary

APISON, TN (WDEF) – Each school day Taryn Painter walks into her third-grade classroom at Apison Elementary with energy, patience and a genuine love of teaching. Her students know she believes in them. That makes them work hard and have the confidence to try new things. Ms. Painter’s boundless positivity earned her this week’s Golden Apple Award. “She goes above…