Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. (WDEF) – Continuing our coverage of the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, News 12’s Lillian Yi spoke with former FBI undercover operative Eric O’Neill about the intelligence and planning behind the operation known as Operation Absolute Resolve. O’Neill, the author of Spies Lies and Cyber Crime, emphasized just how fragile the mission was from the start and…

Special election on deck following resignation of Marjorie Taylor Greene

DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Monday, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene formally resigned from Congress. This after increasing tension between her and President Trump over the release of the Epstein Files. With Representative Greene stepping down, there is not currently a Congressional representative for our North Georgia counties. However, that will change quickly, and election officials such as Whitfield County election supervisor Shaynee…

New Partnership Expands Housing Affordability

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Invest Chattanooga is partnering with American South Capital Partners to fund new mixed-income housing projects in Chattanooga.  The nonprofit, operating for just six months, provides early, lower-cost capital to help developers move projects forward that might otherwise be too expensive to build. The partnership leverages the city’s $20 million investment to attract additional private, mission-aligned capital,…

What’s Right With Our School: Signal Centers STEM Program

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A solid background in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is becoming more essential every day.  Signal Centers are helping some of their youngest students get a head start on a bright future. That’s a far-reaching example of “What’s Right With Our Schools”. “Here at Signal Centers, we are a DHS licensed child care facility. And we…

Protest Held Over Venezuela Conflict

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Demonstrators gathered at Miller Park on Sunday in response to the ongoing conflict involving Venezuela and the United States. The gathering followed recent international developments involving the Venezuelan government and U.S. actions that have drawn global attention. The situation continues to evolve. At the park, participants held signs and shared opinions about U.S. involvement overseas. We…

Venezuelan Citizen speaks out following U.S. operation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Following recent events in Venezuela, News 12 connected with a Venezuelan citizen who currently lives in the country and describes taking cover during the strike. She recalled hearing explosions nearby as the situation escalated overnight. “I promise you, Lillian, I was trembling. It started at two a.m. A plane flew so close to the buildings that…

Artificial Womb could save premature babies

Premature babies could have a better chance of survival – and be healthier long-term – all thanks to this new technology, and it’s all right here on this week’s tech byte. Doctors are developing an artificial womb that tries to replicate the conditions inside the mother’s body. This could save the lives of very premature babies. The technology, known as…

Countdown to Fun at the Creative Discovery Museum

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families packed the Creative Discovery Museum to celebrate the new year a little earlier than usual during the annual New Year’s at Noon event. The family-friendly tradition has been part of the museum for 30 years, giving children a chance to celebrate without staying up until midnight. As the ball dropped, balloons rained down over the…

January Sees Peak Gym Memberships

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As a new year begins, gyms and fitness centers nationwide experience measurable changes in membership activity, including community organizations such as the YMCA. Industry reports show that about 12% of all new gym memberships nationwide occur in January, a proportion higher than in most other months of the year. Attendance trends also indicate that roughly half…

New Option for Rare HPV Disease

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Adults living with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, or RRP, have long relied on surgery to manage this rare HPV-related disease.  Caused by chronic infection with HPV 6 or HPV 11, RRP leads to the growth of benign tumors in the airway, which can cause severe voice changes, breathing difficulties, and, in rare cases, cancer. For many patients,…

Battle continues over proposed Bradley County emergency room

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The debate over a proposed new emergency room in Cleveland is continuing to heat up. Despite there being over 110,000 people in Bradley County, the Bradley County Medical Center operated by nonprofit Vitruvian Health remains the only emergency room in the Cleveland area. They are petitioning against the addition of a second emergency room from Parkridge Medical…

Apple Watch Flags Hidden Hypertension

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Millions of Americans live with chronic high blood pressure and don’t realize it, often because the condition shows few noticeable symptoms.  Now, a new Apple Watch feature could help bring those hidden risks to light. Apple’s latest software update introduces a health metric that analyzes heart-rate data collected over time to detect patterns associated with hypertension. …

Flu Activity on the Rise Across the Tennessee Valley as Hospitals Prepare for Busy Winter

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)-Flu activity is increasing across the Tennessee Valley, with local hospitals preparing for a particularly busy winter season. Erlanger Health System reports a rise in patients showing flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. Health officials warn that the flu spreads easily through respiratory droplets, especially in schools, workplaces, and crowded indoor spaces during the…

Domestic violence registry to launch Thursday in Tennessee

Savanna Puckett, the Robertson County corrections deputy who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2022. State lawmakers named Savanna’s Law after her, creating a domestic violence registry. (From: Robertson County Sheriff’s Office) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tennessee is set to make history when the calendar flips to 2026 this week. A tool to hold those convicted of domestic violence accountable. In…

Northshore Businesses Parking Struggles

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Local businesses in the Northshore district say traffic, accessibility, and rising operational costs are creating challenges for both employees and customers. Richard Hardin, owner of Stone Cup Cafe, said employee parking costs are significant. “I’m not a city planner, and I’m in no way affiliated with the city government however, I would think that when you’ve…

Local Singer Finishes Second Nationally

LAFAYETTE, GA. (WDEF) – A North Georgia singer with decades of experience is gaining national attention after a strong showing on the first season of the CBS music competition “The Road.” Channing Wilson, who hails from LaFayette, Georgia, emerged as a finalist on the show, which followed artists from city to city as they performed in front of live audiences…

Taconooga Closes After 12 Years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A restaurant on Chattanooga’s North Shore has closed its doors for good. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Taconooga shut down on December 26th.  The announcement did not include a reason for the closure. Taconooga first opened in March of 2014 and served the North Shore community for nearly 12 years.  The restaurant…

Virtual Reality Expands Beyond Gaming

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Virtual reality technology continues to grow beyond its gaming roots as device use expands into broader entertainment and media experiences.  Industry reports project that the global VR market will reach approximately $20.8 billion in 2025, up from about $16.3 billion in 2024, with a forecasted surge in value over the next decade as applications diversify and hardware improves.  …

Holiday Christmas Lights Train Returns

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Holiday Christmas Lights Train is a seasonal evening excursion offered by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga from December 26, 2025, through January 11, 2026  This relaxed after‑Christmas experience lets riders enjoy softly illuminated displays and classic railroad charm aboard heated vintage railcars. Passengers can book tickets for 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM, and on select evenings, 8:00 PM departures, giving families…

Gun safety, mental health of first responders highlighted following tragic Walker County Christmas shooting

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- We’re learning more about a shooting Christmas morning that left a toddler in critical condition. Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson confirmed the child survived surgery Thursday. What should have been the most fun morning of the year quickly became tragic yesterday in the Rock Spring area of Walker County on Tarvin Road shortly before 10 am….