NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could Tennessee students soon be tested less? That is the aim of a bill being sponsored by Hamilton County lawmakers. House Bill 2422 would introduce a pilot program that would allow some school districts to reduce the amount of tests they are required to give. Hamilton County superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson testified in front of a Tennessee…
HIXSON (WDEF) –The Hixson Council of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce welcomed Coty Wamp at its monthly networking luncheon on Thursday. Wamp addressed one of Chattanooga’s growing concerns—homelessness—speaking to local business and community leaders about the challenges surrounding the issue. During her remarks, she connected homelessness to broader public safety concerns, including nuisance crimes and repeat offenders. Wamp emphasized that…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) –A recent post office glitch briefly cost the Union Gospel Mission thousands of dollars in donations during one of its most critical fundraising periods. According to officials, nearly 90 P.O. boxes at a downtown Chattanooga facility were shut down due to a system error. One of those boxes belonged to the Mission, which relies heavily on mailed contributions…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium has a brand new exhibit and News 12’s Amelia Greer goes ‘Behind the Curtain’ to discover if the underwater rumors are true! The new Scuttlebutt Reef opened in early March and it showcases some unique creatures, like the Mantis Shrimp that can pack quite a punch in their little claws, or the Frog…
Pepper Raper joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as Rock City welcomes in spring. The area attraction gets even more enchanting as flowers bloom in nature. Learn about their latest activity ‘Gnomes and Gardens’ with a special quest! LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) – Spring is nearly here and Rock City’s gardens are blooming with enchanting flowers, bringing the beauty of nature…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A local nonprofit is working to support individuals facing unexpected pregnancies. Choices Chattanooga provides free medical services, education, and resources aimed at helping parents feel informed and supported. The organization also partners with community groups to extend that support beyond its doors. At its core, Choices aims to be more than just a medical resource. “We…
(press release) — Chattanooga FC came from behind to defeat Kalonji Pro-Profile 2-1 in the First Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup thanks to goals from Darwin Ortiz and Ameziane Sid Mohand on Wednesday evening at Finley Stadium. Chattanooga was aggressive early in the first half, and Nathan Koehler almost struck first for the Boys in Blue with…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of unincorporated Hamilton County will be decided in a different manner going forward. Hamilton County Commissioners voted 7 to 4 to create a separate planning commission to focus on those specific cases. Introduced last week, the Commission will terminate its interlocal agreement with the Regional Planning Agency in lieu of creating a separate planning…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission has once again changed their meeting time. They will now meet on the first and third Wednesdays every month at 5 p.m. This is down to twice a month. They have been meeting at 4 p.m. weekly four times a month, which in itself was a change from the traditional 9:30 a.m. meetings….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The night of January 31, 2021, began like any other outside the Night Owl nightclub in Chattanooga. But the evening ended in tragedy when 28-year-old Kenneth Trammell Jr. was shot and killed. More than five years later, the case is finally in court. 32-year-old Melvin Evans faces first-degree murder charges in connection with Trammell’s death. On…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Ross’s Landing along the south shore of the TN River is going to be getting a major Makeover. Emily Mack, President and CEO of the River City Company tells us. ” “So our riverfront parks which are part of the 21st-century waterfront project will be getting a big refresh and so we will start construction…
Donna Christian-Lowe (left) and Hamilton County Commissioner Dr. Steve Highlander (right) at a Hamilton County Election Commission over Highlander’s challenge of Christian-Lowe name choice on the ballot. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Did a candidate for a seat on the Hamilton County Commission attempt to gain an advantage on the ballot? That was the question in front of the Hamilton County Election…
Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Walker Valley returns to the state basketball touranment for the second conesutive season. With some tournament experience under their belt, the Mustangs are focused on bringing back the gold ball. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, officials say it is known as the third biggest drinking day of the year. News 12 spoke with the company Reframe about how to stay safe during the holiday. Vedant Pradeep, CEO of Reframe, explained, “Having a clear plan. Just telling yourself whether it is two drinks, one drink,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As families prepare for Easter, local shelters are asking the community not to gift bunnies as holiday presents. We spoke with the Humane Educational Society, which says many families get a bunny without realizing the level of care and attention they need to truly thrive. Many rabbits given as gifts around the holiday end up in…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- You may remember a proposed bill last year in Tennessee that would have allowed schools to not enroll undocumented students. It was pulled last year, but now is back on the table. House Bill 793 would require school districts to provide that demographic information to the Tennessee Department of Education. Previously, the bill, which had been introduced…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- New data about gun violence in Tennessee paints a high economic toll across the state. The non-profit Voices for a Safer Tennessee say that firearm violence cost Tennessee over $3.6 billion in 2023, the last year data is currently available for. In Hamilton County, that impact was roughly $183 million dollars, while the rest of Southeastern Tennessee…
ROCK SPRING, GA (WDEF) – The best kindergarten classrooms have an almost magical feel to them, Kara Ledford’s students at Saddle Ridge have seen their room morph into a scene from Swiss Family Robinson complete with a beach and a tree house. Ms. Ledford’s attention to detail and boundless enthusiasm earned her this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Ledford is…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Lookouts celebrated a milestone today, moving their historic home plate from AT&T Field to their future stadium at Erlanger Park in a ceremonial community relay. Fans, local businesses, and community partners joined the walk along Chestnut Street, participating in a special event connecting the team’s past to its future. The relay drew dozens of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is warning drivers about fraudulent text messages claiming recipients have an unpaid traffic ticket and threatening to suspend their driving privileges. Officials say the messages are part of a growing scam designed to trick people into providing personal information or sending money. News 12 spoke with Russell Shoup…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today, the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club welcomed longtime school board member Gary Kuehn as the guest speaker at its weekly meeting. Kuehn has served Hamilton County Schools for more than 40 years. For the past 36 years, he has represented District 9 on the Hamilton County School Board. Now, Kuehn is seeking reelection in the upcoming…
One of the Sitz family’s vehicles destroyed when a tree fell on it Monday morning. (Courtesy: GoFundMe) KIMBALL, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Marion County family is grateful to be alive today following last night’s severe storms. It was 1:30 Monday morning at Josh Sitz’s Kimball home on Grover Hill Road when the severe line of storms made it to his house….
Snow falling Monday in Marion County. SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- Much of the Tennessee Valley saw rare mid-March snow on Monday. The snow occurred just hours after a severe line of thunderstorms had passed through the area. While roads in valley locations primarily stayed clear with temperatures over freezing, some mountainous communities reported snow sticking on the roads causing slick…
(utsports.com) The sixth spring of the Josh Heupel era of Tennessee football has arrived, and the Volunteers kicked things off with their first workout in helmets and shorts on Monday morning inside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. Monday was the first of 15 practices for Tennessee, which culminates with the free-admission Orange & White Game on April 11 in Neyland Stadium. The Vols…