International Bacon Day is sizzling up August 30, giving food lovers everywhere another reason to celebrate

Chattanooga, TN-  (WDEF)- Celebrity Chef Marcel Cocit is sharing creative ways to enjoy the savory holiday, including bacon bouquets, edible straws, and even bacon-wrapped watermelon rinds. Chef Marcel says the goal is to make food fun, flavorful, and a little unexpected. “I’m always thinking of different ideas of what you can do with bacon,” Cocit said. “You can add it…

Traffic stop leads to drug and gun seizure in East Ridge

  EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The East Ridge Police Department (ERPD) seized a sizeable amount of drugs and firearms following a traffic stop. ERPD stopped a white BMW near the Bachman Tunnels for a minor traffic violation. After further investigation, ERPD determined the two occupants of the vehicle were in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm. Both Shawn Unruh…

Car Show Fills Chattanooga Pavilion

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Engines, chrome, and community spirit came together in Chattanooga today as the King of Chatt Car Show II filled the First Horizon Pavilion with cars, bikes, and family fun. The event, which ran from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., drew crowds from across the region and out of state.  Organizers featured more than 25 categories of…

Crash Survivor Chooses to Give Back

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Years after a devastating crash nearly claimed his life, Jeremy Ray Kell is turning his pain into purpose.  In May of 1996, at age 20, Kell was critically injured when his car left Highway 56 near the DeKalb-Warren County line, flipping several times before coming to rest.  He was airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga…

Behind the Curtain – Clumpies Ice Cream Co.

News 12’s Amelia Greer goes Behind the Curtain with Ashley Bottoms at Clumpies to learn how the popular local ice cream staple makes their delicious treats. For this collab, the duo got to make an exclusive News 12 This Morning pint inspired by breakfast items (featuring maple bacon)! *This batch will not be available in stores.  If you’re looking for some…

UTC Students Face Lockdown Scare

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga endured a frightening afternoon after receiving an emergency alert of a possible active shooter on campus.  The message, sent at 12:42 p.m., warned of a threat inside the University Center or the campus library and urged students to “Run, Hide, Fight.” Many students immediately locked doors and sheltered…

James Dobson, founder of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, dies at 89

Dr. James Dobson, a child psychologist who founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was a politically influential campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, died on Thursday. He was 89. His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. Dobson started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents and founded Focus on…

Hamilton County commissioners float meeting time change

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the Hamilton County Commission’s meeting time change? During Wednesday’s meeting centered on the controversial Plan Hamilton vote, several residents voiced how inconvenient the 9:30 a.m. meeting time of the County Commission has been throughout this process. They argue it freezes out many citizens from attending and participating in this political process due to being at work,…

‘Dream’ nightclub sanctioned for third time in 2025 by Beer Board

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga nightclub has been sanctioned for the third time this year by the Chattanooga Beer Board.The Dream on Glass Street has had a series of issues dating back to December 2024. A shooting had occurred inside the club then injuring one person. Afterwards, a shootout occurred outside of the club in January that was caught on…

Spots are filling up for “Golf for Good!”

Kevin Lusk with Project Access and Joel Henderson with Volunteers in Medicine join News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview a special fundraiser between the two organizations. ‘Golf for Good’ offers patients and physicians alike the opportunity to enjoy time on the golf course — all for a good cause. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Project Access and Volunteers in Medicine are collaborating…

‘Memphis’ kicks off Chattanooga Theatre Center’s 102nd season

Executive Director Rodney VanValkenburg and Musical Theatre Director Michael Howard join News 12’s Chip Chapman to preview their newest musical next month titled ‘Memphis.’ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Theatre Center’s 102nd season is right around the corner with the play Memphis kicking off in September on their main stage. Memphis is musical about a white DJ with a…

Vols QB Joey Aguilar Thought He Was Headed to be a Fireman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Joey Aguilar is half of college football’s wildest flip-flops. When Nico Iamaleava departed Tennessee in April for UCLA, the quarterback left the Bruins to join the Volunteers. Now Aguilar has Iamaleava’s old starting job. “Coming out here and being the starting quarterback for this program is nothing but excitement, and that’s all I can say,” Aguilar said Wednesday. “I’m…

Version of Plan Hamilton passes amid disapproval from residents

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial plan to guide future growth in unincorporated Hamilton County took the next step Wednesday. The contention over Plan Hamilton came to a head Wednesday morning as residents and developers squared off over what they want the future of Hamilton County to look like. Much of the audience were displeased with the Hamilton County Commission’s decision…

Ooltewah Development Rejected by Commission

  OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — A development we’ve previously reported in Ooltewah has been rejected by the Hamilton County Commission. The Thrive Brooks Dairy Farm had been previously approved by the Regional Planning Agency. It was to be located off of Amos Lane and Snow Hill Road behind Ooltewah High School. It was voted down after some commissioners said they felt…

Second student charged in connection with gun recovery at East Hamilton High School

UPDATE:  A second juvenile has been charged after a gun was recovered from a car at East Hamilton High School. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced this Thursday afternoon. The HCSO says the second student is being charged with the following: •  Possession of a Weapon on School Property •  Possession of Stolen Property OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A…