Day of Caring held in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Friday was a Day of Caring across Chattanooga. Sponsored by United Way of Chattanooga, there were numerous projects spearheaded by volunteers across the city. A group of volunteers working at Warner Park to build a hammock on the Day of Caring. One such project was the construction of six frames for hammocks to be placed inside of…

Voices for a Safer Tennessee discusses firearm safety advocacy efforts

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)-  The latest advocacy efforts on firearm safety were discussed Friday morning at the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club. The presentation was put on by Voices for a Safer Tennessee. They are an advocacy group that was created in the wake of the 2023 Covenant School Shooting in Nashville. Their main policy goals are to expand background checks…

New Tech Keeps Old Species Thriving at Chattanooga Zoo

CHATTANOOGA, TN – This weeks Tech Byte takes us behind the scenes at the Chattanooga Zoo into the bio secure area of the Hellbender Headstart Program. Most often we enjoy zoos and aquariums without taking the time to think of how do these animals survive here in the south where we might have four seasons in one day.  This is…

Friends of Special Children and Signal Centers come together for their 20th annual ABC Event

Angeline Fairchild with Friends of Special Children and Donna McConnico with Signal Centers share their collaboration with a special community event and auction. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Friends of Special Children and Signal Centers are working together for their 20th annual All aBout Children (ABC) Event fundraiser! Friends of Special Children brings recreational and support programs for children with special…

Hamilton County School Board tables Centerstone MOU

Some school board meeting attendee holding signs in support of Centerstone. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last month, the Hamilton County School Board voted to terminate an agreement with Centerstone to provide mental health services to students. That sparked outrage in the community, leading to a packed house for Thursday’s meeting. It was a very emotional night inside of the Hamilton County…

Mocs Win SoCon Opener 4-0 Over Wofford

(gomocs.com) The Chattanooga Mocs women’s soccer team kicked off their Southern Conference schedule emphatically Thursday, securing a 4-0 shutout victory against Wofford at Finley Stadium. The win extends the Mocs’ start to the season, bringing their overall record to 7-2-1 and 1-0 in conference play. Wofford moves to 3-5-3 overall and 0-1 in league action. The Mocs’ offense exploded for…

Katie Lamb Library Reopens Doors

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – After months of renovations, the Katie Lamb Public Library has reopened with a community celebration. The Grand Reopening event and ribbon cutting were held Thursday, September 18th, from 4 to 6 p.m.  Guests were treated to light refreshments, a “Get to Know the New Library” Scavenger Hunt, and a first look at the building’s new features….

Hamilton County Invests in Students Futures

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools, UTC, Volkswagen Group of America, and the Hamilton County Mayor’s Office announced a multimillion-dollar partnership to support the upcoming Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, set to open in the 2026–2027 school year. The investment will fund the Volkswagen Engineering Preparatory Program, a new initiative designed to introduce students to engineering concepts and technical skills…

Luxury cars destroyed in semi-truck fire at Chattanooga gas station

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A semi-truck fire in Lookout Valley resulted in several luxury cars being destroyed. On Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 9:45 a.m., crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the QuickTrip gas station off of Browns Ferry Road for a call regarding a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, crews found a transport trailer fully involved. According…

Athens police make arrest in fatal June motorcycle accident

ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Athens Police Department (APD) has made an arrest in connection to a deadly motorcycle crash back in June. On July 18, 2025, the APD located an arrested 53-year-old Eileen Stapler. According to the APD, Stapler was brought in for questioning and then released into the custody of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for an arrest…

Chattanooga’s newest cosmetologist making waves (and curls!)

Cosmetologist Becca Dzik joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to highlight services in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Dzik is a part of The Strand Salon, offering quality haircare for various hair types! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new cosmetologist in Chattanooga shares how The Strand Salon and her work can help everyone with all hair types and help the environment….

Vols Announce Changes to Hopefully Ease Congestion at Gates of Neyland Stadium

(utsports.com) University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced updates for fans coming to Neyland Stadium in 2025. To ease congestion, gates will now open for all fans two and a half hours before kickoff at 10:15 a.m. Gate 20 will reopen to all fans, and students will continue to enter the stadium at the southeast corner at…

Hamilton County Commission votes to change meeting times to evenings on trial basis

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission has seen a series of controversial votes pass through their chambers this year. This has prompted many citizens to show up to voice their opinions on these topics, a process they say made cumbersome by when these meetings were held. For decades, the Hamilton County Commission here at the courthouse have been held…

Red Bank to get new basketball court, park; Signal Mountain to get new playground from county grants

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)- A pair of Hamilton County towns will be receiving a pair of park upgrades. The towns of Red Bank and Signal Mountain received approval from the Hamilton County Commission for $250,000 each. Signal Mountain is upgrading their city park to make the playground more inclusive. The unused lot next to Red Bank City Hall that will…

Chattanooga Library Celebrates Constitution Week

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Public Library and the Daughters of the American Revolution invited the community to join in celebrating the 70th anniversary of Constitution Week with a day of events at the downtown branch. Constitution Week was established in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and this year’s observance featured activities connected to the American Revolution Experience,…

Community Honors K9 Diesel’s Service

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This morning, the Chattanooga Police Department escorted K9 Diesel to the Animal Hospital of Signal Mountain, where he was humanely euthanized. Diesel, three years old, was injured in the line of duty on September 15, 2025.  He was stabilized on scene by a Tactical Paramedic with K9 training and transported to the Veterinary Care and Specialty…

Madisonville police searching for vehicle involved in deadly hit-and-run

MADISONVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Madisonville Police Department (MPD) are searching for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run earlier this week. On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. a pedestrian was struck on Oak Grove Road near Lincoln Drive. According to the MPD, the pedestrian unfortunately died from their injuries. At this time, no information is…

LaFayette Softball on the Rise

LaFayette has always fielded solid softball teams. But they’ve always been stuck in a region with either Gordon Lee or Heritage, who keep winning state titles. This year the Ramblers are going full-on Ric Flair. To be the man, you gotta beat the man. Our man Brian Armstrong reports. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Georgia residents invited to panel discussion with lawmakers

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Georgia community members will have a chance to hear directly from their state lawmakers for free tomorrow night. Americans for Prosperity Georgia is hosting a panel discussion with Representatives Mike Cameron, Steve Tarvin, and Mitchell Horner. The event will focus on Georgia’s economic future, reviewing what was accomplished in the 2025 legislative session and what lies…