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…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Each March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week reminds homeowners that small leaks in plumbing can waste a surprising amount of water. Household leaks can waste thousands of gallons a year, adding up to higher bills and unnecessary strain on local water systems. About one in ten homes has a leak that can…
DALTON, GA (WDEF) – Students learn at their own pace. The Phoenix School meets Whitfield County students where they are and allows them to set their own graduation path. The results are nothing short of inspiring. We pay a visit to the Northwest Georgia College and Career academy for tonight’s “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Phoenix high school is a…
RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – What began as a simple 5K race to raise money for the Rhea County Animal Shelter has now turned into a friendly competition among the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit. The Rhea County K-9 Tracking Team is going head-to-head and paw to paw to see which handler and their K-9 partner can raise the…
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community members gathered today at the Meigs County Historical Museum for The Weight We Carry, Veterans Stories, a program focused on sharing veterans’ experiences and recognizing those who served. The event featured personal reflections and readings of stories written by Peggy Douglas, performed by local community members for those in attendance. Music was provided by…
ROME, GA. (WDEF) – On Saturday, Shawn Harris spent the day campaigning with supporters in Rome, Georgia, as the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District heads toward a runoff election in April. Shawn Harris, Democratic candidate, shared his confidence in the campaign with supporters as the race continues. “Right now, the Republican Party is still fighting a crowded field. I…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) As warmer weather rolls in, people across Chattanooga are getting back outside—and for many, that means gardening. On Saturday, residents lined up at the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center to pick up free trees and shrubs. The giveaway is part of the Free Tree ReLeaf program, a collaboration between EPB, the City of Chattanooga, and Reflection…
OOLETWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) Tulip season in Chattanooga came with a little extra magic this past weekend. Visitors at Aubie Smith Farms had the chance to enjoy the colorful fields while meeting some familiar fairytale characters. Magic Lamp Entertainment brought several princesses—including Elsa, Anna, Belle, and Tinkerbell—to the farm for a special meet-and-greet. Families were able to walk through the fields,…
Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Heritage raced out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back in beating Ridgeland 8-5 on Friday afternoon. The victory gave the Generals the three game sweep over their region rival. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Bradley Central star Kimora Fields has racked up another prestigious award. On friday, she was named the state’s gatorade player of the year. Fields had a monster season in leading Bradley Central back to the state tournament. During the regular season, she averaged 32 points, 8 rebounds, and three steals a contest. Fields scored over 3,000 points in her illustrious…
Standing pools of water along State Route 304 in Ten Mile two days after the most recent rainfall. MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- In 2023 we brought you the story of a small Meigs County community dealing with chronic flooding issues. The lakeside community of Ten Mile near Watts Bar Dam sits along State Route 304. We were first made aware…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Following the terror attack at a Synagogue in Michigan, many in the Jewish community are upping their security. The Jewish Federation in Chattanooga has heightened security measures and implemented new procedures. As war across the Middle East has increased tensions, faith leaders say it’s more important than ever to have open dialog. Chattanooga Area Jewish Federation…
The audience at the Tennessee Democrats ‘Affordability Tour’ in Chattanoga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tennessee Democrats made a stop in Chattanooga Friday. Representative Yusuf Hakeem and Senator Charlane Oliver talked with voters at the Washington Hills Community Center. This is part of the Democrats’ affordability tour which has also visited Nashville and Memphis, and will visit Knoxville Saturday. They spoke about…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe. When danger strikes, these men and women are the first to respond. Now, it is our turn…
Public Libraries are an important institution. They’re strongholds of information, accessible to everybody. But what if there were a public library that was accessible to everyone on the internet. The internet archive has become the de-facto library of the world wide web. Founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle, almost anything you’ve ever wanted to read or watch or listen to…
It’s been thirty-three years since the Blizzard of 1993 ravaged the southeast. Local officials say that funding for emergency agencies has greatly increased since then. Communication between agencies has also been prioritized, including with the National Weather Service. The Hamilton County government now has a way to directly communicate with the public through its Hamilton Ready program. Amy Maxwell, Public…