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Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team Earns State Accreditation

Timbrel Williams,

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team has officially received state accreditation. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick Sheehan presented the certificate Tuesday morning at the Chattanooga Police and Fire Training Center. The 26-member team has spent years preparing for this recognition, training extensively and putting their skills into practice during recent emergencies. Just days ago, they…

John Dennis Hoover
Crime, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Man sentenced for starving disabled son

WDEF News,

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A father has been sentenced for starving his son to death. Three years ago, 69-year old John Hoover reported his son had stopped eating. He said his son had a mental disability and that he and his wife had had to move in to care for him. The son was hospitalized and died several months…

This Morning Love's Arm Outreach
Featured, Local News

Boogie down for a great cause with Love’s Arm Outreach

Khristine Arnold,

Chrissie Holland with Love’s Arm Outreach joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to raise awareness about the newest community fundraising event on September 12.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Go back in time and party in style while supporting a great cause with the “I Will Survive: Benefit for Trafficking Survivors” put on by Love’s Arm Outreach. The event will be on…

Local Tenant Calls Out Housing Authority Over Overgrown Lawn
Featured, Local News

Local tenant calls out housing authority over overgrown lawn

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – One Chattanooga woman says her government housing complex has let her down. Denise Morris, who is visually impaired, says she has been waiting for months for crews to cut her grass. She tells us the tall, overgrown lawn isn’t just frustrating—it’s become dangerous. For Morris, even stepping outside her home is a challenge. She says the…

Senator Watson Breaks Down New "right To Try 2.0" Law
Featured, Local News

Senator Watson breaks down new “Right to Try 2.0” law

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee State Senator Bo Watson (R–District 11) is drawing attention to a new state law he authored, the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act (SB 282), also known as Right to Try 2.0. The legislation expands access to individualized treatments for Tennesseans facing terminal or debilitating illnesses once all FDA-approved options have been exhausted. Under…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Roberts sentenced to 90 years in prison for 2023 murder of Christopher Wright

Nick Hill,

Nearly 50 family and friends of Chris Wright attending the sentencing hearing of his murderer, Darryl Roberts, all wearing a red button in memory. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The man convicted of second degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of a Baylor alum in downtown Chattanooga learned his sentence Monday. Nearly 50 family and friends showed up to Hamilton County…

Screenshot 2025 08 18 174124
Featured, Local News

Judge Presses Ahead in Liner Case

Robert Hanley,

  CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – Bradley County murder suspect Charlton “Craig” Liner was back in court Monday as questions continue over his legal representation. Liner is charged with first-degree murder in the January shooting death of his ex-wife, Karen Liner.  Prosecutors also say he later tried to hire a fellow inmate to kill his former mother-in-law while in jail, leading…

Bradley County Commission Approves $75k Fire Hall
Featured, Local News

Bradley County Commission Approves $75K Fire Hall

Robert Hanley,

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Bradley County Commission has officially weighed in on a debated project at the Minnis Road fire station. Earlier this month, the county’s Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend against funding the proposal, citing tight budgets and limited resources.  That recommendation went before the full commission today, where members ultimately voted 12–1 to back the Finance…

Whats Right With Our Schools Food City
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools: Tyner Academy Early Learning Center

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Tyner’s new Early Learning Center officially opened with the new school year. It provides affordable childcare for faculty and staff and a career pathway for students looking to get into the childcare field. That’s a far-reaching example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “It is a childcare facility for our faculty and staff here at the…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Ribbon cutting held for new Tyner Academy building

Nick Hill,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Hamilton County’s newest school has officially been christened. The ribbon cutting for the brand new Tyner Middle-High Academy was held Monday morning. The Tyner Pride marching band along with the school’s cheerleaders and dance team celebrating the ribbon cutting of the new Tyner Middle-High Academy building. Monday’s ceremony was held four years to the day a group…

Arson
Crime, Featured, Grundy County, Local News

Grundy County authorities searching for suspect linked to suspicious fires

Rainey Randolph,

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Grundy County authorities are asking for the public’s help after putting out two suspicious fires. The first incident occurred on August 17, 2025 at 7:39 p.m. The Palmer Fire Department (PFD) responded to a structure fire involving a fifth wheel camper. Upon arrival, crews found the camper fully engulfed in flames. PFD extinguished the fire…

Shooting
Chattanooga, Crime, Featured, Local News

Chattanooga police investigating Brainerd Road homicide

Rainey Randolph,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) is investigating a homicide that occurred on Brainerd Road over the weekend. At 4:02 a.m., August 17, 2025, CPD responded to the 3200 block of Brainerd Road on reports of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers found a 29-year-old male suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a hospital where…

This Morning Rock City
Featured, Local News

Getting to “gnome” the new Rock City rebrand

Khristine Arnold,

Pepper Raper with Rock City joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the historic attraction enters a new era at the Gardens. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The tourist destination Rock City has been on Lookout Mountain for nearly 100 years and now they are entering a new era with a rebranding that focuses on their fan-favorite guests, the gnomes. The choice…

Community Rallies Together After Historic Flooding
Featured, Local News

Community rallies together after historic flooding

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the wake of historic flooding in Chattanooga, community members are stepping up to help their neighbors near and far. District 5 Councilman Dennis Clark and Brainerd High School Principal Dr. Crystal Sorrells have partnered to organize a flood relief donation drive — one open to everyone in need. Bob Nevil, a community contributor, says the…

Fort Oglethorpe Family Left With Nothing After Flooding
Featured, Local News

Fort Oglethorpe family left with nothing after flooding

Lillian Yi,

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) – In Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, one family is left picking up the pieces after floodwaters destroyed everything they owned. Timothy and Lauren Gipson, along with their three-year-old daughter, say navigating this hardship has been overwhelming. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, they are now asking the community for support—whether through donations or simply by…

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Chattanooga, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Damage assessments continue in Brainerd as residents continue to pick up pieces

Nick Hill,

Damage to and undernath the floorboards of a home in Brainerd due to Tuesday’s devastating floods. (Courtesy: Kayla Anderson) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Damage assessments are continuing across our area following Tuesday’s deadly floods which killed four. Friday, those efforts focused on neighborhoods in Brainerd. Kayla Anderson says she along with her family have lived on Haney Drive near I-24 for…