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…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Snack Pack Ministry East Brainerd Church of Christ

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….

Animeverse Fest Begins in Chattanooga

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…

Jerri Green Visits Chattanooga Voters

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…

Parents upset with school board over Centerstone decision

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…

Law Enforcement Cracks Down Highway 58

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…

Tourism Revenue Hits Record Numbers

  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…

YMCA Steps Up for Hunger Action Month

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  September is Hunger Action Month, and organizations across the community are stepping up. The YMCA says they want to make an impact in the community. You can help by donating food items to your local Y. Paula Irwin, Executive director of James A Henry YMCA told us, “Here at the YMCA we’re currently packing meals for…

Signal Mountain mayor blasts Hamilton County Commission over Plan Hamilton vote

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- The mayor of Signal Mountain had some choice words for Hamilton County Commissioners this week. This was in response to Commissioners’ recent decision to vote for a version of Plan Hamilton that increased density limits. Signal Mountain Mayor Elizabeth Baker during this week’s town council meeting said she felt this vote was a slap in the…

Verizon brings Tech to Tailgating!

CHATTANOOGA, TN – It’s that time of year, the jerseys are being sewn, the fields are being manicured and you can almost smell the barbecue in the air.  Let’s face it, in every game, half the fans didn’t get the outcome they wanted because we can only have one winner.  Verizon’s Winnie Wright stopped by to make sure that no…

The Howard vs. Brainerd Football Game is Cancelled This Year

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – High School football in our area is in full swing, but just a reminder: there is one game that will not be played tonight or this weekend. Brainerd and Howard have battled on the gridiron for decades. The two schools will not be playing Saturday. The game has been cancelled. Officials say it’s because of safety…