Freedom Sings USA hosted an Open House Event for Veterans

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Freedom Sings USA hosted an open house in Lookout Valley filled with music, camaraderie, and support for the Veterans.  This event was hosted to create a great opportunity for Veterans to connect with fellow service members as well as local songwriters, while exploring the benefits of music in day to day living.  Participants for this event included…

Golden Apple: Ivy Academy, Skillern Elementary, Cara Stepp

SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – Most good teachers have a way turning their classrooms into a warm and inviting place to learn. At Ivy Academy, Cara Stepp helps the youngest students have a great kindergarten experience. That kind of personal attention earned Ms. Stepp this week’s Golden Apple Award. Ryan Dixon is the Principal at Skillern Elementary. He says, “We’re…

Cumberland Trail to expand in Hamilton County

Part of the Cumberland Trail at the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge. HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Cumberland Trail is one of Tennessee’s most unique state parks. It stretches for hundreds of miles along Walden’s Ridge. However, there are gaps within that trail. The Cumberland Trail in Hamilton County will soon be expanding. The Chattanooga Audubon Society has agreed to a…

Chattanooga comes togethers for 1st Annual Violence Summit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga and Hamilton County Elected Officials and Community Members came together for the first annual Violence Summit on Tuesday.   “So we have been meeting for months just to sit down and plan what is violence, what does violence look like from a city as well as a county perspective, and how to impact the lives of people…

TikTok sued by 14 attorneys general alleging its app is harming children’s mental health

TikTok was sued Tuesday by 14 attorneys general who allege the social media platform is misleading the public about its safety. The app, they say, is harming children’s mental health, with some kids getting injured or even dying because of TikTok’s viral “challenges.” The lawsuits, filed Tuesday, also claim that TikTok relies on “addictive features” that keep users glued to its platform,…

Hurricane Milton on path for Florida landfall as a potentially historic major storm

UPDATE:   Hurricane Milton restrengthened into a Category 5 storm Tuesday evening as it barreled across the Gulf of Mexico’s warm waters on a path for the west coast of Florida, where mass evacuations clogged highways as people prepared for a potentially historic storm to make landfall as early as Wednesday night. Some communities, like those in and around the Tampa Bay…

Chattanooga Tourism Summit Discusses future industry growth

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Businesses heavily invested in the state of Chattanooga tourism came together for a discussion Tuesday. The Chattanooga Tourism Summit is an annual seminar held by the Chattanooga Tourism Company at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Those with a vested interest in this industry discussed how to continue to market the Scenic City to prospective tourists. The Tourism Company…

Mom to Mom – Ghost Throw Pillows

Today on Mom to Mom, we are creating cute little DIY ghost throw pillows! You know how you go to the stores and you always see those cute little Halloween pillows? They can be a tad expensive. Well, this is fairly inexpensive, and you did it yourself! And the best part: there’s no sewing involved! What you’re going to need…

Tivoli Theatre Foundation celebrates a centennial milestone with annual gala

Tivoli CEO, Nick Wilkinson, joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the annual gala with the centennial celebration of The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium and the kick off to the 2024-2025 Broadway season. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s nearly time to pull back the curtains in the Tivoli Theatre Foundation’s annual gala which celebrates a massive milestone for their…

Teacher, attorneys maintain innocence after arrest on child cruelty

Kimberly Malone (Courtesy: Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office) FORT OGLETHORPE. Ga. (WDEF)- A Catoosa County teacher is facing charges after an alleged incident last week. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office says that Kimberly Malone, a teacher at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, has been charged with one count of cruelty to children. They did not provide further updates on their investigation, as…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Ivy Academy helping Ukrainian Students

SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – The war in Ukraine continues to drag on with devastating consequences. Many Americans are doing what they can to help. That includes students at Ivy Academy. They’ve created a way for students in Ukraine to have a portable power supply. That’s a far-reaching example of what’s right with our schools. “Open her up you see…

Soddy Daisy helps flood victims in Northwest Tennessee

SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Community Members in Soddy-Daisy are coming together to provide aid to folks in Northeast Tennessee.   “We now have two tractor trailer loads, big flatbed load, five cargo trailers and Cash that we are going to be going to Newport, Tennessee in the morning,” said Hamilton County Commissioner Gene-o Shipley   They have collected these items and more…

Hurricane Milton surges to Category 5, expected to hit Florida as a major hurricane this week

Hurricane Milton has grown into a powerful Category 5 storm, less than two days after it developed in the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane was expanding and intensifying quickly Monday while tracking eastward over warm Gulf waters, with the latest growth happening much faster than forecasts suggested. Milton’s winds surged to 160 mph Monday morning, according to the latest update from the…

Nonprofit spreads word about new childhood cancer license plate

News 12 This Morning: Gloria Moser with The Grayson Foundation joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to highlight the importance of pediatric cancer awareness and spread the word about a new Tennessee license plate in the works. They need your help to reach their goal for pre-orders! CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — A foundation for pediatric cancer victims and survivors in Bradley…

The Hamilton County Home Show in East Ridge

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Camp Jordan Arena hosted The Hamilton County Home Show in East Ridge to help vendors showcase their products or services and get them out into the community. Those who came got to meet with local vendors face to face and talk about their housing plans and projects and discuss what services would best fit their needs….

Elder’s Ace Hardware Joins Forces with the Salvation Army

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Elder’s Ace Hardware Store has decided to join forces with the Salvation Army and support Hurricane Helene Victims. In support of Hurricane Helene victims, Elder’s Ace Hardware has launched a fundraising campaign to aid the Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts to help hurricane survivors. Community members are coming together demonstrating its commitment to supporting each other and…

Chattanooga 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and 3.43 Mile Walk

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Today marked the 10-year anniversary of the Chattanooga 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and 3.43 Mile Walk at AT&T Stadium.  This is a heartfelt event honoring the 343 brave heroes who sacrificed their lives 23 years ago attempting to save the lives of others.  Participants of the community including firefighters in full gear from the Chattanooga Fire Department…

Oktoberfest on Signal Mountain

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- Today a celebration of German heritage was hosted at the Mountain Arts Community Center on signal mountain for Oktoberfest. The venue was filled with diverse groups of food vendors, tables were set showing various items for sale, and individuals who were selling handmade pieces of art, had their work set out for show. There was live…

Signal Mountain cornhole tournament

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Signal Mountain Fire and Police Department came together and hosted a cornhole tournament where all proceeds are poured back into the community. While the Mountain Arts Community Center hosted a celebration of German Heritage for Oktoberfest, the Signal Mountain fire and police department thought this was the perfect time to come together and host a cornhole…

New Bricks and Minifigs store in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Bricks and Minifigs, an aftermarket LEGO toy shop, had its grand opening of its newest location today in Chattanooga in the Waterside Lifestyle Center. The Chattanooga location will specialize in both new and used LEGO items as well as buying, selling, and trading all LEGO products. At today’s grand opening, the store offered race car races, LEGO…

Lake Winnie’s history tour

ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WDEF)- Many residents of the Thrive at Brow Wood senior living community spent their afternoon on a field trip visiting Lake Winnepesaukah. This tour included a nice train ride and an opportunity to learn many fun facts about the park.  Along with the roller coasters and treats, the tour was led partly by their fellow resident, Adrienne Rhodes,…

Chattanooga Fire Department Lowers Hiring Age to 18 to Boost Recruitment Efforts

The Chattanooga Fire Department has received approval to lower their hiring age to 18. This new policy aims to broaden the department’s recruitment efforts and impact a younger demographic. “This is going to give kids the opportunity to become firefighters, especially those whose parents or grandparents have inspired them. Now we are opening up those dreams for them to follow…