Collegedale Airport Expands Visitor Services

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Collegedale Municipal Airport is rolling out a series of improvements designed to make the travel experience smoother and more enjoyable for pilots, passengers, and guests alike. One of the standout updates is the addition of courtesy transportation options.  A Kia Soul is now available during business hours for visitors who need to get around town,…

Cybercriminal group at center of campus shooting hoaxes, including here in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Who called in that false shooting call one week ago Thursday that disrupted life at UTC? Cyber security experts say it’s a cybercriminal group that has been causing problems across the globe. According to an intelligence report from the Center of Internet Security, the cyber group “The Com”, short for “The Community”, is the primary cybercriminal…

Paschall Discusses Football with Rotary Club

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Rotary Club began its weekly meeting with a prayer for those affected by the recent Minnesota school shooting. Following the opening, members welcomed longtime sportswriter David Paschall as the guest speaker.  Paschall, who has spent decades covering Southeastern Conference sports, came to discuss the upcoming football season and what fans can expect from both…

Young Professionals Rethink Home Choices

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Young professionals are rethinking what makes a community the right place to call home.  A new survey shows that safety and housing affordability rise to the top of the list, with a large majority of Gen Z and Millennials saying those factors matter most when choosing where to live. But quality of life goes beyond affordability….

Knowles Sworn In as new Chattanooga fire chief

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga officially has a brand new fire chief. Chief Terry Knowles was officially sworn in Thursday  as the city’s 22nd fire chief. He is succeeding former Chief Phil Hyman who retired earlier this year. Chief Knowles was previously the assistant chief of special operations for the fire department, and has been with the Chattanooga Fire Department…

Big Ridge students receive donation to their Chattanooga Future Fund accounts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Big Ridge Elementary students are getting a boost to their future plans. Dr. Dane and Sheila Boyington have donated 50 dollars to each kindergarten and first grade student’s Chattanooga Future Fund account. This program was established last school year that allows families to save money for college and other post-graduation programs. Students learning about the donation of…

DeKalb County corrections officer arrested after internal investigation

DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) —  A DeKalb County corrections officer has been arrested following an internal investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). On August 27, 2025 the DCSO said as a result of this investigation one jail employee was arrested and another was terminated. The next day, the DCSO released more information regarding the employees. The employee who…

Chattanooga police investigating shooting near Market Street

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga police responded to a report of a person shot Thursday morning. The call was made on South Market Street near Alton Park just before 9:00 a.m. Two individuals were seen by a neighbor being placed in cuffs. Police at the scene told us that occupants of two vehicles exchanged gunfire. One vehicle sped away, while…

Union Gospel Mission brings back their Labor Day BBQ Fundraiser for the 11th year

Rev. Jon Rector joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to invite everyone to Union Gospel Mission’s Labor Day BBQ Fundraiser. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Union Gospel Mission is bringing the community together for their 11th annual Labor Day Free BBQ Fundraiser. Community members are invited to 2020 Gunbarrel Road, in front of the Maple Street Biscuit Company, on September 1…

Commissioners upset over audit report on personal travel expenses

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Some Hamilton County commissioners took offense to a report that they had inappropriately used travel funds for routine travel. Every Hamilton County commissioner is allowed $12,500 for reimbursable travel to certain events. However, a report by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press this week raised questions whether or not Commissioners were using those funds to travel from home to…

Ooltewah development revived by commission following developer concessions

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF)- A development in Ooltewah that was rejected last week by the Hamilton County Commission was revived Wednesday. The Thrive Dairy Farms development on Snow Hill and Amos Roads behind Ooltewah High School had been voted against due to concerns on traffic impact and the height of the building. This development would be located near the section of…

Community Signs Erlanger Park Steel

 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga residents had the chance to leave their mark on the city’s future today during a topping off and community signing ceremony at Erlanger Park.  The event marked a visible milestone in the construction of the Lookouts’ new stadium. Neighbors, families, and local leaders gathered at the South Broad site, lining up to sign steel plates…

Social Security’s 90th Anniversary

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This year marks the 90th anniversary of Social Security, one of the most influential programs in American history.  New AARP data shows just how much the program continues to matter for Tennessee families. Across the state, more than 679,000 seniors rely on Social Security as their primary source of income.  For many, it’s the difference between…

CHATT Foundation Receives Food Donation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –The CHATT Foundation received a surprise donation today. Courtesy of CHATT Foundation Today, a vehicle from Renewal by Andersen arrived at the Chatt Foundation on East 11th Street This comes following an employee food drive at the company. The company said that this reinforced a shared commitment to community care and social responsibility CHATT Foundation stands for…

Blood Assurance accepting donations through Labor Day

Caitlin Stanley, the Senior Director of Blood Assurance, reminds everyone that one donation of blood can save up to three lives. They’re in need of donations and are offering gift cards to those who donate in August. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – While blood donations are always in demand, there are times when the need for donations increases, especially around Labor…

Cracker Barrel Unveils New Logo, Sparking Conversation

WDEF- Cracker Barrel is stirring up conversation after unveiling a major brand refresh for the first time in decades. The chain has rolled out a redesigned logo, removing its iconic image of a man sitting by a barrel. The update is intended to modernize the brand while maintaining its Southern roots. Some fans have voiced disappointment on social media, while…

Sentencing hearing for former elementary teacher convicted of child sex abuse delayed

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A former elementary school teacher convicted on 15 child sex abuse charges in June, including aggravated child rape, was back in court Tuesday morning. Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp referred to the seven children who testified they were sexually abused by Duane Sanders inside of his Wallace A. Smith Elementary classroom, as the Heroic Seven. Sanders…

Flood Relief Donation Drive Continues

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Families are still recovering from the flash floods that swept through just a couple of weeks ago, leaving homes and lives turned upside down.  In response, the Chamber of Commerce has launched a major relief effort, extending its donation drive through the end of the week. The list of needed items is wide-ranging but focused on…

New round of school upgrades discussed

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Renovations of several Hamilton County Schools were discussed at the school board’s finance committee meeting. Thrasher Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle School, and Normal Park Magnet were discussed as schools with potential upgrades coming. This would be an additional phase of the school facilities plan. One of the schools in that first phase, Clifton Hills Elementary in…

Ribbon Cut on Special Kids Clinic

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is celebrating a major step forward for families of children with special needs.  Special Kids, a nonprofit founded 27 years ago in Murfreesboro, has officially opened its first pediatric therapy clinic in the city. For families in Hamilton County, access to therapy has long been a struggle.  Waitlists can stretch as long as two years,…