Bells are almost ringing for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program!

Major Douglas McClure with the Salvation Army of Chattanooga joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as registration for Angel Tree is kicking off.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It isn’t too early to get in the holiday spirit, especially with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree registration starting on Monday, September 29 and runs through October 10. Families can start to register at…

Rolls Royce Hosts Event at ChattState

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Rolls Royce was on ChattState’s campus today with a great opportunity for students. Rolls Royce doesn’t just make luxury cars. They also make jet engines and atomic reactors. Thursday, they hosted an event at ChattState encouraging students to come work for them. Rolls Royce says they need Non-destructive testing specialists. Those specialists would get to inspect…

“Defunded, not defeated” WTCI PBS hopes to regain funding through a new fundraiser

Bob Culkeen with WTCI PBS shares how the recent government defunding is affecting their programming and invites everyone to help the station by participating in their “Ale tRail” fundraiser. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – WTCI PBS aims for their inaugural “Ale tRail Off the Track Beer Festival” fundraiser to fill in the gaps from losing funding from recent government budget cuts….

Burglar suspect shot in officer-involved shooting on Hamill Road

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga police were involved in a shooting Thursday morning in Hixson. Around 2:15 a.m., CPD officers responded to a burglary call in the 2100 block of Hamill Road. Two officers were placed on administrative leave following an officer-involved shooting in Hixson early Thursday morning. The suspect was shot after hitting a police vehicle and nearly running…

Rails to Trails project in Soddy-Daisy brought back for discussion

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed new trail in Soddy-Daisy was back up for discussion Wednesday. The Rails to Trails project would transform the railroad tracks alongside Sequoyah-Access Road into a six mile walking and biking trail. The railroad tracks were built to service the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant during its construction in the 1970s, and have been dormant for years. Discussions…

Flying Pickle Breaks Ground in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga welcomed the start of a new sports destination today as The Flying Pickle officially broke ground at 2105 South Lyerly Street. The 46,000-square-foot complex will be dedicated to pickleball, one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports.  The facility is being led by professional players Susannah Barr and Nick Petterson, who say their goal is to create…

Training, Fuel, and Focus for IRONMAN

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Preparing for IRONMAN Chattanooga is a year-round commitment for athletes.  The event demands discipline, endurance, and attention to both body and mind. One athlete, Todd Crandall, explains how the week leading up to the race is about resting more than pushing: “Race week I do practically nothing other than a couple of very small runs. It’s…

Hamilton County Coalition Hosts ‘Recover Together’ Event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Opioid addiction crisis slammed the southeast over the last few decades, with many communities ravaged by overdoses and deaths. Here in Hamilton County, multiple groups have been working to make sure people suffering from addiction, and their families, get the help that they deserve. The Hamilton County Coalition hosted a Recovery Happens Together event at…

Lawsuit filed against Sewanee: The University Of The South over mold in dorms

SEWANEE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The University of the South is facing a lawsuit seeking more than $35 million over toxic mold found in student dorms. Current and former students claim toxic black mold in their dorm made them sick and disrupted their education. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Franklin County Circuit Court. It accuses the university…

Fall fun comes to Dollywood this season!

Ellen Liston with Dollywood joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to highlight some of the exciting attractions at the park this fall. A new ride is also in the works for next spring- like you’ve never seen before! PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Witness the beauty of the great Smokey Mountains during the fall and capture great views at Dollywood! The…

Health professionals react to President Trump’s autism announcement

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Monday, President Donald Trump made announcements regarding a potential cause of autism. President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy claimed that there is a link between Tylenol and autism. The President said that taking it during pregnancy increases the likelihood of their children developing it. This is a claim that numerous health organizations argue has…

IRONMAN Faces Potential Rain Threat

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is preparing to welcome the IRONMAN triathlon for its 11th year this weekend, drawing thousands of athletes from across the country and around the world.  Race weekend begins Thursday, Sept. 25, with athlete check-in at IRONMAN Village on Ross’s Landing. The full course includes a 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River, a 112-mile bike ride…

Golden Apple Award: Ellie Whitaker, Battlefield Primary School

FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Ellie Whitaker has a gift for bringing out the best in her first-grade students at Battlefield Primary School. It starts with building a relationship with each child and learning the how they learn. That kind of dedication earned Ms. Whitaker this week’s Golden Apple Award. Julie Robbins is the Principal, Battlefield Primary School. She says,…

Man arrested for attempted murder after shooting in Soddy Daisy

SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Soddy Daisy man has been arrested for attempted murder following a shooting Monday night. On September 22, 2025, at 11:10 p.m., officers with the Soddy Daisy Police Department (SDPD) responded to the 11000 block of Davenport Road in regards to a shooting call. Upon arrival, officers located the victim walking towards them with an…

Scottsboro police make arrests after search warrant uncovers drugs

SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) —  The Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) made multiple arrests after a search warrant uncovered drugs. In the early morning hours of September 20, 2025, SPD officers executed a search warrant in the 100 block of South Broad Street. According to the SPD, offices uncovered two different types of controlled substance pills, marijuana, and several items of drug…

Recovery Happens Together with Hamilton County Coalition

Hannah Dalton with the Hamilton County Coalition invites everyone to their Recovery Happens Together event and how the organization can help your recovery journey. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Coalition invites everyone to their Recovery Happens Together event to celebrate everyone’s recovery journeys, service providers, allies, and more! The free event will be held on Wednesday, September 24 from…

Walker County Animal Shelter temporarily shuts down due to parvovirus case

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  The Walker County Animal Shelter is temporarily closed after a stray animal tested positive for parvovirus. Staff said a juvenile stray came in less than a week ago and later showed signs of the virus. The shelter will stay closed until October 6, 2025, for deep cleaning and monitoring. While all animals are vaccinated upon…

Requirements for SNAP benefits to be tightened

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Some may soon lose their SNAP benefits due to new federal rules. The potential loss of benefits for some is because of the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill back in July.  It tightened requirements for SNAP benefits for adults from 18 to 65 without disabilities or children under the age of 14. The new rules…

Forecast: fall foliage weeks away from peaking in Chattanooga area

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday is the first full day of fall. Even if it hasn’t completely felt like it in recent weeks, we will soon see leaves changing across the Tennessee Valley. It won’t be an immediate change, but climatology experts with the Tennessee Climate Office at East Tennessee State University say beginning in early October, you’ll begin to see…

Pet of the Week: Chester

Meet News 12’s pet of the week, Chester! Chester is a young pittie mix with a big heart. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says he’s as sweet as they come and he’s always ready for the best day of his life. Chester is a pro at having fun, he loves hikes, playtime, tug toys and ball. He also loves to…