Amaero Plant Temporarily Closed After Third Explosion

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Amaero has temporarily shut down operations at its Cleveland facility after another incident Tuesday morning, marking the company’s third emergency response this year. The incident happened while workers were removing a PVC pipe during cleanup work tied to a previous event. Bradley County emergency leaders say the pipe had a flash fire, and residual material inside…

New Treatment Targets Resistant Hypertension

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The FDA has approved Baxdrostat, the first aldosterone synthase inhibitor, as an add-on treatment for adults with hypertension that remains uncontrolled despite standard medications.  The drug works by inhibiting aldosterone synthase, an enzyme involved in the production of aldosterone, a hormone that can contribute to elevated blood pressure when present at high levels. Hypertension affects an…

Memorial Day Taps Ceremony Honors Fallen Service Members in Ringgold

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – A special ceremony honoring service members took place tonight at Ringgold City Hall. Community members gathered in remembrance of the men and women who never made it home from service. News 12 spoke with Stephen Price, the bugler who performed Taps during the ceremony. Price explained that the tradition holds deep personal meaning for him because…

Murph Tradition Marks Memorial Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For the 16th year, Brigade Athletic Club and CrossFit Brigade hosted its annual Memorial Day Murph workout, continuing a local tradition of remembrance. The Hero workout, known as “Murph,” is named after Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005 during Operation Red Wings.  Murphy was posthumously awarded the Medal of…

Community Gathers for Memorial Day Observance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Memorial Day ceremony was held at Chattanooga National Cemetery as local leaders, families, veterans, and community members gathered for the annual observance. The program opened with a musical prelude before attendees stood for the presentation of colors and the national anthem, marking the beginning of the morning’s events. Speakers throughout the program focused on honoring…

Fairies and Mermaids Bring Weekend Magic

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fairies, mermaids, and magic filled Audubon Acres this weekend for the Chattanooga Audubon Society’s Fairy and Folk Festival. From fairy wings to Creekside mermaids, families spent the weekend stepping into a storybook setting, with two mermaids at South Chickamauga Creek interacting with children and adding to the festival experience. It was a busy Memorial Day weekend…

Students from Ooltewah High School hosts fundraiser to help local teen detained by ICE

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Wrapping up our coverage on Daniel Garzon Romero, the recent graduate of Ooltewah High School who is currently in ICE custody after waiting four years to enter an asylum program, students at his school organized a fundraiser to help cover legal fees. Students, teachers, friends, and family members gathered in support of Romero, saying they simply…

Car partially submerged in rising floodwaters

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 was on the scene just outside Finley Stadium on 20th Street, where a car became partially submerged in rising floodwaters. While on scene, we spoke with the Chattanooga Police Department, who stated there were no injuries and that the driver was able to safely return home. A short time later, we met the driver,…

Local teen detained by ICE after waiting four years to enter ICE’s asylum program

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Continuing our coverage on Daniel Garzon Romero, the recent Ooltewah High School graduate currently being detained by ICE, News 12 spoke with Romero, his parents, and local translators about how the situation unfolded. News 12 was able to make contact with Romero while he remains in ICE custody. The family spoke through translators, including Romero’s teacher,…

Local tattoo shop hosts benefit for families of fallen riders

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the past two weeks, two young men lost their lives in separate motorcycle accidents. One crash happened on Highway 153 and claimed the life of Riley Hairsine. The second happened on Hixson Pike and claimed the life of Dathan Thomas. Inked Moto Garage Tattoo Shop hosted a benefit honoring both riders, showing support for their…

Nightfall continues under cover to the First Horizon Pavilion

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.(WDEF) – Nightfall will continue in Chattanooga tonight, but with a twist. Due to rain, tonight’s concert was moved under cover to the First Horizon Pavilion. Organizers explained this is the first time the event has ever been relocated to the pavilion. Anyone planning to attend tomorrow’s concert should also head to the pavilion, as the same concert schedule…

Local veteran nominated for national fundraiser

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) Jimmy Grimes is a local veteran who was recently nominated for the 50 States 50 Veterans Gofundme campaign. The campaign was started by an Australian philanthropic influencer named Sam Weidenhofer. Jimmy is a Marine veteran, serving in a unit that suffered heavy losses overseas. Now, he and his wife are facing a new struggle. Their young…

Chamber Celebrates Small Business Leaders

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Small business leaders were recognized Thursday in Cleveland as the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual luncheon at the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points. The event featured economist Dr. Howard Wall as keynote speaker, who took questions and spoke about tariffs as well as the local economy. The focus of the afternoon, however,…

Then and Now: Brown’s Ferry

Long before there were any permanent bridges over the Tennessee River, the only way for merchants and locals to cross over was either in their own boat or through a ferry service. That’s where John Brown comes in. Not the John Brown of Harper’s Ferry fame. John Brown the Cherokee businessman and chief. In the 1820’s and 30’s, he owned…

Fairy and Folk Festival happening rain or shine this weekend

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The annual Fairy and Folk festival at Audubon Acres will be taking place “rain or shine”, according to organizers. It’s a family friendly event with many professional fairies, a wishing well, vendor booths, food trucks, and more. It takes place at Audubon Acres in East Brainerd on May 23rd and 24th. Tickets can be purchased on…

East Hamilton’s Spring Fling Ride Comes to a Close

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) The East Hamilton softball team saw their season come to an end on Thursday at Spring Fling. The Hurricanes fought off elimination early against Summitt winning 5-0. Emmaline Davis threw a complete game one-hitter. But East Hamilton later lost to Maryville 4-3 to see their season come to a close. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Notre Dame Falls 3-1 to Knox Grace in State Finals

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) Notre Dame saw their magical season finish just short of a state title on Thursday. The Irish lost 3-1 to Knox Grace in the state finals. It was Notre Dame’s first loss of the season. The match was tied at one at halftime before Knox Grace found the net twice in the second half. Categories: Sports – Local…

CARTA warns Incline Railway could close if Lookout Mountain ordinance passes

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- “These are absolutely stunning developments.” The Incline Railway is at the center of a brewing controversy between the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and the town of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. CARTA leaders raised some concerns they had with some recent ordinances proposed by the Lookout Mountain, Tennessee town commission. The commission is looking to enact…