Massive Home Catches Fire

RINGGOLD, GA. (WDEF) – Firefighters responded to a large house fire Tuesday morning on The Pointe Drive in Ringgold. The Catoosa County Fire Department was called to the scene just after 7 a.m.  Crews arrived to find a fire burning at a large home on the property and began working to bring the flames under control. The house was vacant…

Golden Apple Award: Alexis Kaczor, Oak Grove Elementary

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – Did you ever have a teacher who made you love going to school. For students at Oak Grove Elementary, Alexis Kaczor is that teacher. She goes above and beyond to make every day a fun learning experience. She also keeps parents in the loop every step of the way. All that earned Ms. Kaczor this week’s…

A Secret Safe Place for Newborns celebrates 25 years

Julie Scruggs and Paloma Stansell join News 12’s Amelia Greer with a reminder of what comfort they provide for newborns in the state. The TN Safe Haven Law went into effect several years ago, and has made a way for parents to safely surrender their newborn without fear of prosecution. The two women speak on the impact of their organization…

Chatt Prep Returning to Murfreesboro After Beating Unicoi Co

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chatt Prep is headed back to the state tournament in Murfreesboro, where they will try to capture their third consecutive state championship. The Sentinels cruised past Unicoi Co in their sub-state game on Monday by a final of 82-58. The Sentinels took charge late in the first quarter when they scored on three consecutive dunks. Categories: Sports – Local…

Pickett Co Defeats South Pittsburg 59-38

South Pittsburg, TN-(WDEF-TV) South Pittsburg was trying to punch their ticket to the state tournament for the first time in 40 years on Monday. The Pirates raced out to a 10-0 lead against Pickett Co,  but they couldn’t h ang on. The Bobcats went on to win the game 59-38. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Prosecutors say Darron Lee used ChatGPT to try to cover February murder of girlfriend in Ooltewah

Darron Lee talking with deputies shortly before his arrest on February 5, 2026 in Ooltewah on Snow Cone Way. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The former NFL player accused of murdering his girlfriend last month was back in a Hamilton County courtroom this afternoon. Darron Lee is charged with the first degree murder of Gabriella Perpétuo last month at their Snow Cone…

Church Affordable Housing Plan Moves Forward

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A proposed affordable housing development connected to Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church is moving closer to construction after the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission approved a key request at its March 2026 meeting. The commission approved the zoning request for Greater Tucker Missionary Baptist Church’s housing development at 1107 North Moore Road, which involved lifting previous…

Second Whataburger Opens in Area

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Another Whataburger is now open in the Tennessee Valley.  The Texas-born chain officially opened its second Chattanooga location Monday, March 9, at 2332 Shallowford Village Drive, the former home of Fazoli’s. Founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Whataburger began as a small burger stand with a simple idea: make each meal fresh, customizable, and served…

What’s Right With Our Schools: GeorgiaFIRST Robotics Competition

DALTON, GA (WDEF) – Creating a working robot requires a strong understanding of mathematics and mechanical engineering. Teams of local teenagers recently showed what the machines could do at the GeorgiaFIRST Robotics competition. We visit the Dalton Convention Center for tonight’s “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Today is the Dalton First Robotics Competition qualifier. This is one of five qualifiers…

River Market Returns For Season

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga River Market is back for the season, bringing local vendors, artists, and small businesses to the Tennessee Riverfront. Some vendors make the drive from outside the area to participate, drawn by the sense of community the market fosters.  As small business owner Brady Williams explained, “Without having a community you don’t really got anything…

Regional Coin and Currency Show

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Coin collectors from across the region attended Camp Jordan Arena this past weekend for a regional coin and currency convention. The event brought together vendors and hobbyists for three days of buying, selling, and trading coins and other collectibles. Inside the arena, tables were filled with U.S. coins, world currency, paper bills, and precious metals…

CommonSpirit Health volunteers partner with YMCA to pack meals for children

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Employees from CommonSpirit Health spent part of their Sunday giving back to the community by partnering with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga to pack meals for local children. More than 50 volunteers gathered to assemble over 1,300 meals, working together along an assembly line to help support families across the Chattanooga area. “The best wraps you’re…

Iranian American Psychotherapist speaks on Iran conflict

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the conflict continues in the Middle East, News 12 spoke with an Iranian American living in the United States who offers another perspective. She now works as a clinical psychotherapist counseling people who were once imprisoned by the Iranian government for political reasons. “I always, as a therapist, think about how desperate the Iranian people…

Americans in Israel wait for flights to resume amid conflict

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Since the start of the conflict following the strike in Iran, transportation for tourists and visitors has become increasingly difficult to obtain. CBS reports that officials in Israel hope to reopen the airport for limited commercial flights on Sunday. One U.S. citizen tells us she has been trapped in Israel since Saturday the 28th and is…

New raised beds bring fresh food opportunities to students and families

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Saturday afternoon, Calvin Donaldson Elementary welcomed dozens of community members and local organizations to campus to help with one of the school’s Restore the Roar outdoor projects. Organizers say the effort is designed not only to benefit students but also the surrounding community. Behavior Intervention Teacher Annie Paden says volunteers gathered to improve the school grounds…

UTC Women Advance to the SoCon Finals

(soconsports.com) — Gianna Corbitt and Caia Elisaldez were dominant on Friday, powering No. 1 seed Chattanooga to a spot in the Ingles Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game. Corbitt, a sophomore forward, and Elisaldez, a junior point guard and the SoCon Player of the Year, scored 29 and 28 points, respectively, in a 76–65 semifinal win over No. 4 Furman at…

Mocs Fall on Last Second Three by the Citadel

(soconsports.com)  – Senior forward Sola Adebisi capped a memorable game with a fantastic shot, hitting a 26-foot 3-pointer that broke a tie with under 10 seconds left and gave No. 9 seed The Citadel an 88-85 win over No. 8 Chattanooga in the opening game of the Ingles Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Friday night at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville….

Mayor Wamp Addresses Primary Ballot Question

Last week, a letter from the Tennessee Republican Party said several republican candidates would be removed from the primary ballot. This letter listed several local candidates including County Mayor Weston Wamp and County Trustee Bill Hullander. Mayor Wamp says there were some key details that voters were not made aware of. Mayor Weston Wamp told us, “What that letter didn’t…

Rotary Club of Chattanooga Hears About Global Disaster Relief Efforts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)— Imagine losing your home in minutes after a hurricane or earthquake. That was the message shared during a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, where members learned how an international organization is helping families recover after disasters. Kihyon “Kim” Kim with ShelterBox spoke to the group about the nonprofit’s mission to provide emergency shelter and…

Duck Duck Goose Sale Underway

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Duck Duck Goose consignment sale started today at Northgate Mall, bringing together families looking to buy and sell children’s clothing, toys, books, and baby gear. Courtney Ibach, the owner who first had the idea for Duck Duck Goose 21 years ago, explained how the event works. “Hundrerds of families drop off their items within a…

1885 Grill Closes St. Elmo Location

ST. ELMO, Tenn. (WDEF) – After more than a decade in St. Elmo, 1885 Grill is closing its flagship restaurant, effective immediately. “We made the difficult decision to close our St. Elmo location,” the owners said in a recent Facebook statement. “Ongoing building challenges and changes involving the property made it clear that we were no longer aligned in vision…