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…
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…
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…
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, 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…
LAKESITE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Dallas Bay fire crews put out a fire caused by an aquarium filter pump Wednesday morning. On September 3, 2025, at 10:29 a.m., crews responded to a residence on Thrasher Trail. According to Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue, upon arrival, crews discovered an aquarium filter pump that had caught on fire and begun to spread up…
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…
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…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Leave it to the Lookouts to add a little ‘catch-up’ on 25-cent hot dog night, as they managed to catch-up and rally for a 4-3 victory against Birmingham on Tuesday. Over 44-hundred fans were in attendance, as Chattanooga sold 25-cent hot dogs all game long. After falling behind 3-2 in the 7th, Cam Collier got an RBI single in…
Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) This time next year Heritage kicker Jake Collett could be teammates with Arch Manning. Collett garnered a scholarship offer from Texas thanks to his booming kicks. He has certainly become a big weapon for the Heritage Generals. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
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…
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…
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…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A softball player at Boyd-Buchanan is looking to win a big honor as a youth athlete.16 year old Peyton Pryor is a pitcher for the Bucs. She is one of five finalists for Sports Illustrated’s Youth Athlete of the Year. Payton Pyror (Courtesy: Youth Athlete of the Year) That award is given out by that magazine, the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Once a month, folks gather at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in hopes of feeding a multitude. Snack Pack Ministry is on a mission to tackle food insecurity in Hamilton County one child at a time. And that’s a fulfilling example “What’s Right With Our Schools”. Janice Robertson is the Founder of Snack Pack Ministry….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Day one of Animeverse Fest transformed the Chattanooga Convention Center into a hub for anime and gaming culture. Fans from across the region gathered to celebrate their favorite shows and characters. The convention floor buzzed with energy as the vendor hall opened, offering everything from collectible figures to handmade artwork. Visitors also had the chance to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Jerri Green, a Memphis City Council member and Democratic candidate for Tennessee governor, made a campaign stop in Chattanooga today as part of her statewide tour. Green, who is in her first term on the council, is meeting with residents across Tennessee to hear their concerns directly. She says issues such as education, childcare, wages, and…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing from parents upset with a recent decision by the Hamilton County School Board to discontinue a partnership with Centerstone Mental Health. Amanda Chenkins’ daughter is in the first grade at Battle Academy. She says her therapist, provided by Centerstone through the school, has been a huge part of her educational journey. However, that…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As the Labor Day holiday approaches, law enforcement is teaming up to make Highway 58 safer. Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Chattanooga Police, and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office are launching Project 58 x 58: Enforcing Safety, Hour by Hour. The operation will cover the entire stretch of Highway 58, from the Georgia…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Tourism Company says tourism revenue reached record breaking figures. The Tourism Company says Hamilton County Ranked number five among the 95 counties in Tennessee. They say that Hamilton County generated a record-breaking $1.8 billion in visitor spending for the year 2024. They say those tourism dollars directly supported over 13,000 jobs in Hamilton…
