Chattanooga Pride expecting bigger crowds this year

President of Chattanooga Pride Elle Quesenberry joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind the public about festivities supporting our local LGBTQ+ community this weekend.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – October is LGBTQ+ History Month and to celebrate, Chattanooga is kicking off the first week of October with Chattanooga Pride Festival! There are a multitude of fun, diverse, and inclusive events that…

New non-profit SEED aims to help the environment and community with a volunteer opportunity

Rebecca Love with SEED Chattanooga and ‘Do What You Love’ joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind the community about a service event this weekend. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Sustainable Education & Edible Development (SEED) invites everyone to volunteer to clean and improve our environment. On Saturday, October 4 from 9 A.M. – 1 P.M., volunteers can come out to…

Hamilton County Schools Enforce Phone Ban

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County School Board has rolled out a “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban in classrooms across the district. The updated policy is designed to reduce distractions, improve academic outcomes, and encourage more face-to-face interaction among students. This move follows months of discussion and community input.  School leaders began reviewing cell phone use earlier this year after…

Local Actor Turns Pain into Purpose

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Following Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, one Chattanooga man is carrying the message of hope forward. Lorenzo James Darden Jr. is a two-time suicide survivor, actor, and mental health advocate.  Known for his appearances on Oxygen, TV One, Prime Video, and Tubi, Darden’s most impactful role might be the one he’s playing off-screen, helping others realize they…

UTC Markets Highlight Campus Community

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fresh Produce and Student Creativity Shine at UTC Markets UTC students and staff got a double dose of community and creativity today as two campus markets took place. Scrappy’s Market, UTC’s free bi-weekly produce event, returned to Vine Street with fresh fruits and vegetables available to students, faculty, and staff.  The initiative helps support healthy living…

Hamilton County Schools to send out Request for Proposal for new mental health provider

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Schools says they are beginning the process of reintroducing mental health services inside schools. They are sending out a request for proposal later this week. This requires potential partners to submit how they would conduct services and a list of qualifications. Once vetted by administrators, they would send them to the school board for approval…

Fire chiefs to meet with Hamilton County attorney over Hazmat resolution

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  An issue over what is classified as the county’s fire department is being looked into by the Hamilton County Commission. There was supposed to be a resolution voted on Wednesday that would have designated the Hamilton County Hazmat Team as the official fire department for the county. However, there have been concerns raised by fire chiefs of…

County to apply for Rails to Trails grant

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A potential future trail in Soddy-Daisy received a positive vote Wednesday. The Hamilton County Commission approved the county’s park department to apply for a grant to pay for the Rails to Trails Project. It would create a trail on the unused railroad tracks along Sequoyah Access Road. The project would cost roughly 8 million dollars to complete,…

La Paz program helps students get jobs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A local organization is helping members of the Hispanic community reach success. La Paz is a local advocacy group for the Latino Community. They’re launching a new program that helps people through college and into the workforce. This is in partnership with local businesses who are helping to train these students. Lily Sanchez, Director of Communications…

‘brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL’ brings inspirational and fun events to women of color

Rebecca Love, Cheri Hudgins, and Latoia Smith join News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview some of the special events coming up with ‘brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL.’ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – “brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL’ is about to take the beginning of October by storm with a collection of events that will inspire women and cultivate new crafts. Ladies…

Baylor Beats GPS 3-1 in Front of Packed House

Chattanooga-(WDEF) Huge overflow crowd at GPS saw another dynamic match between rivals Baylor and GPS on Tuesday. The Red Raiders won the first two sets, and then the Bruisers claimed the third set. Baylor posted a victory in the fourth set to pull out a 3-1 win. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Two dead in Lookout Mountain hang gliding tragedy

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) – Lookout Mountain Flight Park, a destination for gliders from across the world, turned into the scene of a heartbreaking accident today. Two experienced hang gliders were killed after a tandem jump went tragically wrong. News 12’s Lillian Yi spoke with Alex Case, director of Dade County Emergency Services, who recounted the difficult day. Case explained,…

Haddon Fries All Around Playmaker For Ringgold

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) When Austin Crisp arrived a few years ago as the new Ringgold head coach, he saw sophomore Haddon Fries (Freeze) as a special player and future leader of the tigers. News 12’s Brian Armstrong gives us a special look at how Haddon grew into the playmaker Coach Crisp needed for Ringgold. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Medal of Honor Train Reenactment

RINGGOLD, GA. (WDEF) – The Great Locomotive Chase rolled into Ringgold today, marking the start of the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration. Nearly 20 Medal of Honor Recipients and invited guests retraced the daring April 1862 Andrews’ Raid, boarding a CSX train in Atlanta and traveling along the original Western & Atlantic Railroad line to Ringgold, Georgia. The chase originally…

The Tennessee Aquarium Splashes into ODDtober Fun

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium officially launched ODDtober today with a splash of seasonal fun.  At 11 a.m., two costumed SCUBA divers descended into the River Journey exhibit to carve pumpkins underwater, turning ordinary gourds into glowing jack-o’-lanterns right beside Paddlefish, Lake Sturgeon, Sunfish, and other river creatures. The unusual demonstration, a mix of Halloween tradition and aquatic…

Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Miles, CSLA

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A solid background in computer science can set to the tone for a successful career. Jennifer Miles has a gift for teaching that, sometimes difficult, subject to her students at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts. For putting kindness in every keystroke Mrs. Miles earned tonight’s Golden Apple Award.   Dr. Mary Katherine Gatlin is the…