Larry Ward to throw last first pitch at AT&T Field Sunday

News 12 Exclusive Interview

News 12 at Noon: Veteran voice of the Chattanooga Lookouts Larry Ward joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as the Lookouts get ready to close a chapter at AT&T Field.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The veteran voice of the Chattanooga Lookouts will be celebrating the end of an era Sunday afternoon. Larry Ward is scheduled to throw the last first pitch…

Sheriff Austin Garrett announces re-election bid for 2026

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett has announced his campaign for re-election. The announcement came on the morning of September 4, 2025. “Serving as your Sheriff is the honor and privilege of a lifetime.  That is why today I am announcing my campaign for re-election.  Together, we will keep Hamilton County the greatest place to work,…

Spirit Airlines ending service in 12 cities, including Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Spirit Airlines has announced its ending service in 12 cities, including Chattanooga. Spirit Airlines filed for its second bankruptcy on August 29, 2025. The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) said they were notified this week that the service to Chattanooga would be discontinued along with several other cites. The service will be effectively discontinued October 4. “While…

Local author shares her grief in a new collection of poetry

Local author and former educator in the Sequatchie Valley, Natalie Kimbell joins one of her former students News 12’s Amelia Greer to feature her newest publication. DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – Natalie Kimbell shares her newest publication called And the Weather Remains the Same. The former educator’s chapbook is made of poems inspired by grief and life itself. Kimbell taught English…

Collegedale’s city manager resigns during commission meeting

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The city of Collegedale is experiencing a sudden change in leadership. The city manager in a community such as Collegedale is important for ensuring that day to day operations are smooth. However, a curveball was thrown at Collegedale commissioners on Tuesday evening. Collegedale city manager Waylon Hines announced, “Unfortunately, I have lost trust and faith in some…

Tennessee Drinking Rates Rise Unexpectedly

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Alcohol use in the United States is falling, but not in Tennessee.  A new report from food and beverage software company Trace One, using data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), shows that just 52.3% of American adults reported drinking alcohol in 2023, a nearly 90-year low.  That’s down from 56.7% in…

Mother in Court Following School Incident

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County deputies say a mother is facing charges after an incident at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy last month. On the morning of Tuesday, August 19, a student went to the school office reporting that her mother, identified as Misty Sue Coleman, became upset after she missed the bus.  The student told staff that while exiting…

Shipley clarifies stance on commissioner travel fund controversy

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Hamilton County commissioner who was angry over a report of inappropriate travel reimbursements issued an apology Wednesday morning. Commissioner Gene-O Shipley was one of five Hamilton County commissioners who was found to have been reimbursed for traveling between their homes and the Courthouse for Commission meetings. Commissioner Shipley was outraged at last week’s meeting, which…

Hamilton County Commission announces leadership changes

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission has made some leadership changes. Ken Smith is now the Commission’s chairman after being the Vice Chair. Jeff Eversole had been the chairman for the previous two years. The chairman of the commission runs the meetings along with helping determine what resolutions get placed on the agenda. Chairman Smith thanked Commissioner Eversole…

Traffic stop leads to arrest in major electric grid vandalism case

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A traffic stop helped close a major investigation into critical infrastructure vandalism and theft in our region. On August 31, 2025, at 2:00 a.m., HCSO deputies arrested Joel Donald Brown during the stop. Brown was wanted in connection to widespread damage and theft involving local electric grid components. According to the HCSO, between 2024 and…

Fall favorite events return to the Chattanooga Zoo

Jake Cash and Cole Abbott are back from Warner Park to highlight some of their exciting fall attractions for kids and adults. ‘Reptar’ joins the crew and News 12’s Amelia Greer as one of the Zoo’s special ambassador animals. Learn how you and the family can take advantage of fun and educational events this fall! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The…

Volkswagen announces the furloughs of 160 employees

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For the second time in a year, Volkswagen is scaling back the production of the electric vehicle made in Chattanooga. Back in March, Volkswagen announced they were cutting production down to a two shift model, and asked for voluntary layoffs. Now six months later, they are furloughing 160 employees in late October.  The company says they are…

Levi Shines in Times Square

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This Saturday, September 6, Chattanooga’s own Levi Darr will be featured on the bright screens of Times Square during the National Down Syndrome Society’s annual video presentation.  The one-hour showcase includes more than 500 photographs of children, teens, and adults with Down syndrome from all 50 states and 11 countries. Levi’s photo was selected from more…

Students Return for New Year

CHATSWORTH, GA (WDEF) — Students in Murray County, Georgia are back in the classroom today for their first day of the new school year. This morning, buses picked up children across the county as families said their goodbyes and students carried backpacks full of fresh supplies.  Teachers welcomed their classes, excited to start a new year of learning. Parents can…

Tennessee Aquarium awarded for efforts to save endangered Laurel Dace

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Tennessee Aquarium is getting more recognition for their work to save a small, endangered fish. The Tennessee River Basin Network gave the Aquarium a “River Champions” award last week. The award was for their “Laurel Dace Day” celebration in Spring City. The event got local and national news coverage plus plenty of attention on social…

Trump to announce Space Command headquarters moving from Colorado to Alabama, sources say

President Trump is expected to announce Tuesday afternoon that U.S. Space Command headquarters is moving from Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Huntsville, Alabama, according to a U.S. official and two sources familiar with the planning. Mr. Trump signed an executive order in 2018 reestablishing U.S. Space Command, after it had been absorbed in 2002 into U.S. Strategic Command. Its main goal is…

Nosh-A-Nooga returns for its second year in a row

President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga Michael Dzik joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to highlight their latest event in Miller Plaza.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nosh-A-Nooga returns for the second year and the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga is making it bigger and better! Guests can grab a nosh (a small bite) at the event where…

Mayor Wamp launches re-election bid alongside Blackburn, other Tennessee Republicans

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The 2026 campaign is off to a start as Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp formally announced his reelection campaign at the Wamp Labor Day Picnic at Chester Frost Park. Joining him was Senator Marsha Blackburn who made her first major stop in Chattanooga for her own gubernatorial campaign. Mayor Wamp says that he is looking to…