Blue Cross announces job cuts amid rising health care costs

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — One of Chattanooga’s largest employers is cutting and eliminating more positions. Blue Cross broke the news this morning to its employees. Company-wide it breaks down like this: 95 employees will be cut. 28 open jobs won’t be filled. Most Blue Cross employees work in Chattanooga, but it’s unclear how many of these cuts will be for…

SBA opens disaster loan program after devastating floods

  HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Folks affected by the devastating flash floods last month will soon be able to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. These will be distributed through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for loans of up to 2 million dollars. Residents can apply for up to five…

Kappa Sigma fraternity no longer active at UTC after investigation

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The fraternity at the center of a hazing investigation at UTC is no longer active. Two pledges at the Kappa Sigma fraternity set themselves on fire. UTC suspended all Greek Life on campus while they reviewed their role on campus. That suspension ended this week. The university says the Kappa Sigma suspension was done by…

Veryan Rotational Atherectomy System

This week on Tech Byte, we visit the Vascular Institute of Chattanooga with my friend, Doctor Chris LeSar. We’re going to look at Veryan Medical’s newest Veryan Rotational Atherectomy System, and what it does. According to Dr. LeSar, atherectomy is the removal of a blockage from inside an artery. Instead of opening the body to get to the blockage, medical…

The Chattanooga community shall overcome with an invitation for the “Community Sing”

Vincent Oakes and Sawyer Kennedy join News 12’s Amelia Greer as the Chattanooga Boys Choir gets ready to host a special community event next Tuesday, Sept. 9. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Sing your heart out with the Chattanooga Boys Choir “Community Sing” event! The choir typically hosts kids from over 40 different schools in the area, ages 8-18. Now, they’re…

Phishing Scams on the Rise

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Phishing scams remain one of the most common, and costly, cybercrimes facing consumers and businesses today.  According to the Better Business Bureau, more than 23,000 phishing reports have been filed since 2021, with cases more than doubling in 2023.  Victims are often targeted through emails, text messages, and even fraudulent phone calls designed to steal personal…

This Season Will be Last for Fairmount Orchard

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) — Fairmount Farms has been a Signal Mountain Staple for over 100 years, but this season will be its last. Fruit stand operator Jennifer Tamble told us, “So this property has been an orchard since about 1928. It was one of many orchards that operated across Signal Mountain in the last hundred years. So in the…

Noontunes Returns with Lunchtime Concerts

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lunchtime in downtown is about to get a lot more lively.  The popular Noontunes concert series is back for another season, bringing live music to Miller Plaza every Wednesday in September from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, beginning September 4th. Hosted in partnership with the City of Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors and the Office of…

Downtown Chattanooga Gears Up for World-Class Bluegrass

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Get ready, Chattanooga—the banjos and fiddles are about to take over downtown. At Finley Stadium Thursday morning, the City Center Council welcomed organizers of the IBMA World of Bluegrass® festival, spotlighting a week of music that’s set to put the Scenic City center stage. The five-day event kicks off September 16th, bringing world-class performers, industry leaders, and…

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…