Melissa Blair New Mug
Crime, Featured, Local News, McMinn County

School Director talks about the anonymous letter that started the Melissa Blair case

She has been charged with multiple sex crimes for her relationships with 18 teenage boys at McMinn Central High
Collins Parker,

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – Now that Melissa Blair has been charged with even more victims in a high school sex scandal, the school system is talking about how it came to the light of day. Lee Parkison is the Director of Schools in McMinn County. It was in early December when he first learned of the alleged sex acts with…

Ryan Meyung
Crime, Featured, Local News, Regional News

Motocross instructor indicted on federal child porn charges

more cases discovered after his arrest in Chattanooga last December on child rape
Associated Press,

(video story is from the December arrest) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – Federal officials say a motocross instructor who visited states from New York to Georgia has been charged with producing child pornography. The Justice Department says 30-year-old Ryan Meyung is accused of engaging six minors in sexually explicit conduct to produce sexual abuse images and with transporting and possessing images…
East Ridge, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

New Food City supermarket opens in East Ridge

Town, Food City officials excited for further development in city
WDEF News,

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — “It’s a great day for East Ridge.” That was the message from Mayor Brian Williams who believes a new Food City will soon lead to even more new developments. Food City President and CEO Steve Smith says East Ridge was spared no expense with its brand-new grocery store. It spans 5,400 square feet and has…

The Ooltewah Club Gets A Makeover
Hamilton County, Sports - Local Sports News

The Ooltewah Club Gets a Makeover Even Turning First Hole Into a Par Three

Rick Nyman,

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) Renovations have been the name of the game for golf courses over the last few years, and the Ooltewah Club is the latest to get a makeover. General manager Derek Montecalvo gives us a tour of some of the changes. Said Montecalvo:”Just a really beautiful property out here. It’s very peaceful and pretty rural. It had good bones….

Lafayette's Trinity Bell Provides Inspiration For Red Wolves
Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - Soccer

LaFayette’s Trinity Bell Helps Inspire the Chattanooga Red Wolves

Rick Nyman,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF-TV) – The Chattanooga Red Wolves had a very special guest at practice a few weeks ago — one whose story has been quite inspiring for the Wolf Pack. News 12’s Angela Moryan has the story. Said Red Wolves player Carlos Avilez: “After the situations she’s going through, it was a great experience to have her here.” Lafayette’s…

Jan. 6th Hearing
Featured, Government & Politics, Regional News

Testimony on Georgia election at today’s Jan. 6th hearing

Sec. of State and assistant refute election fraud charges
Collins Parker,

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – Today’s testimony at the January 6th hearing involved the Georgia election of 2020. Democrats called two election officials in Georgia and a poll worker who says her life was ruined when Former President Trump accused her by name of rigging ballots. Here is some of their testimony: SCHIFF: did you office investigate claims? did 5,000 dead…

Mercantile
Business, Catoosa County, Chattanooga, East Ridge, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Mercantile Relocates after Alleged Assault, Verbal Abuse

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mercantile is moving to Gateway Antiques Mall in Fort Oglethorpe. But staff say the location they are leaving behind is a building in disrepair. “On a day that it rains, this place is like a sieve. It just, it leaks everywhere — on our furniture; it leaks on our expensive furniture; it ruins our furniture,” said…

Vote Snip
Elections, Government & Politics, Local News, Whitfield County

Low turnout in Northwest Georgia for primary run-off elections

WDEF News,

Virginia, Alabama and Georgia held elections Tuesday. Virginia has statewide primaries, while Georgia and Alabama have runoffs. In Georgia, four Republican congressional races had runoffs. But, the two biggest races are the Democratic contests for secretary of state and lieutenant governor. However Whitfield County registrar Mary Hammontree said she did not expect to see high turnout for the run offs….

Airport
Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Chattanooga airport begins expansion of terminal

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Pardon their mess! The Chattanooga Airport has kicked off construction of Phase Two of their 20 year master plan to expand service. The terminal expansion includes new space and renovating the existing concourse. Airport CEO Terry Hart says “this project allows room for growth within the airport including additional departures and arrivals, so that we can continue…

Library Books
Featured, Local News, Walker County

Walker Co. mother addresses school board over “vulgar” books

Parent says some books available for students are "inappropriate," contain questionable content
WDEF News,

UPDATE: News 12 Now received a response from the Walker County School Board concerning Mrs. Smeiles’ presentation at their June 20 meeting. “The Superintendent and Board members welcome and appreciate feedback from our community.  We will review the details provided in the presentation made available this evening. We currently have a procedure in place for the review of materials in…

Whats Right 1280x720 1
Education, Local News, Walker County, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Rossville Middle School Chorus

Andrew Harrison,

ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) – Rebuilding a school’s chorus program can be a difficult challenge, but at Rossville  Middle School the rewards far outweighed the risk. Macy Swanson is the Chorus and Theater Director. She explains, “So Rossville Middle School, our chorus program, it’s a rebuilding. We unfortunately did not have it last year. So, this whole year has been very…

Solar Windows
Consumer News, Technology, US & World News

New tech: Solar Windows

The windows actually turn sunlight into electricity
CBS News,

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CBS) – At the headquarters of Ubiquitous Energy near San Francisco there are black solar panels on the roof. But the lights in the company conference room are being powered by the windows, which are also acting as solar collectors. “That’s kind of the problem we set out to solve with our technology, is how can you…
COVID-19, Featured, Health, Local News

Parents weigh in on if their toddler or baby should get COVID vaccine

Brian Armstrong,

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved COVID vaccines for Americans younger than 5 years old to as young as 6 months. Pfizer’s vaccine is a three-dose series, with the first two shots given three weeks apart and the third shot at least two months after the second. Each dose is one-tenth of the adult version. Moderna’s vaccine consists…

Parking Lot Shooting
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Police investigate two women shot in Southside parking lot

Collins Parker,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police are investigating the shooting of two women in a Southside parking lot off of Main Street over the weekend. It happened around 1 AM early Sunday morning in the parking lot between the Choo-Choo and Main. Police officers actually heard a loud argument in the parking lot at 1400 Rossville Avenue. And as they headed…

Fvtnekswyamaiqo
Featured, Health, Local News, More To The Story With Staley, Technology

More To The Story: The Tik Tok Therapist

Dave Staley,

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Trey Tucker is a McCallie grad. Class of 1998. He’s now a licensed therapist here in Chattanooga. He’s been helping others for the past decade or so. Helping with anxiety, depression, grief, identity…..all kinds of thoughts and feelings. Just a while back, Tucker decided to enter the world of social media. On a professional level. Tik Tok to…

Chattanoogaredwolves Logo
Sports, Sports - Local Sports News, Sports - Soccer

Lady Red Wolves extend win streak to five

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — In their fifth streak win and fifth streak clean sheet, the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves finished off the weekend with a 3-0 victory over Peachtree City MOBA. Chattanooga ends the weekend gaining six points in the USL W League standings after beating Tennessee Soccer Club Friday night. Categories: Sports, Sports – Local Sports News, Sports –…

Juneteenth Celebrations
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Local News

Juneteenth weekend celebrations: 18th – 19th

WDEF News,

Juneteenth celebrations are happening all around the scenic city this weekend. The Bethlehem Center is hosting their Juneteenth Jubilee tomorrow afternoon from one to four. This free event will have local vendors, music by DJ MCPRO, food trucks, and more. Reginald Smith is the executive director of the Bethlehem Center. He said this is a celebration of freedom and independence….