Once-Extinct Sturgeon Released into Tennessee River for Earth Day

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — It’s Earth Day in Chattanooga, and the Tennessee Aquarium is giving back. “We are releasing some Lake Sturgeon that we have grown from little, tiny hatchlings out of the eggs for the past almost year,” said Tennessee Aquarium CEO Keith Sanford. According to the Aquarium, Lake Sturgeon have remained largely the same since the Cretaceous Period, 66…

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announces new work-release program as a pathway to success

The first inmate to come through the program, Phillip Richard, is a success story at Southern Spear Ironworks

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office announces a new work-release program with Southern Spear Ironworks to help inmates to a new pathway to success. Phillip Richard looks like just about every other employee at Southern Spear Ironworks. Handles a welding tool properly. Uses safety gear. He just has one more piece of equipment most don’t have. He wears…

More To The Story: UTC Band program

Dave Staley finds out why the marching band at UTC is growing so much these days

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – 61 year old Randall Coleman took over the reigns as UTC Band Director back in July. Coming from Tuscaloosa. After 14 years as assistant band director at Alabama. Coleman says he was looking for one last career challenge. In this, his 40th year of teaching band. But he was shocked to find out that the Mocs marching…

Earth Day field day

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-Workforces, in Chattanooga, celebrated earth day through team bonding activities that educated them about the environment. EPB partnered with Green Spaces to put on several training and team building exercises that not only built team camaraderie but also educated people about recycling and how bees pollinate. Green Spaces Director of sustainability and events, Madison Rawlings, says the city…

Chatt State Baseball Coach Greg Dennis Celebrates His 1,000th Career Victory

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chatt State baseball coach Greg Dennis notched his 1,000th career win Wednesday. Dennis has been winning ever since his high school days at Notre Dame where he captured a state championship. One-thousand career wins. Yeah kind of hard to believe for Greg Dennis. Said Dennis:”It kind of boggles my mind a little bit because a thousand. When you stop…

East Ridge Unveils New Football Locker Room

East Ridge, TN-(WDEF-TV) East Ridge unveiled its brand new football field house on Thursday. The alumni association raised over $200,000 to help with the cost. The facility includes a state of the art weight room, locker room, showers and laundry facilities. The ribbon cutting was an emotional day for coach Tim James, whose father Raymond was a legendary Pioneers coach….

Tamarion Johnson convicted of lesser charges; prosecution still sees case as a win

Johnson is convicted of 2nd degree murder and aggravated assault; original charges were 1st degree felony murder & especially aggravated robbery

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Two days of testimony ended in a conviction for 21-year-old Tamarion Johnson, but it wasn’t for the original charges the prosecutors sought. The prosecution still sees it as a win. Judge Don Poole: “In regard to the first count submitted to the jury, would you read your finding please?” Jury Foreperson: “We find the defendant guilty of…

Blackhawks help pitch National Guard recruiting at UTC

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Army National Guard landed two Blackhawk helicopters on Chamberlain Field at U-T-C, today. According to service members, the landing was a demonstration of some of what the national guard does. The demonstration was also intended to catch the eye of any students who might be considering service in R-O-T-C or the national guard. Staff Sergeant Jacqueline…

Why have attack ads hit the county mayor’s race?

Weston Wamp defends himself from accusations by his opponents that his campaign is getting dirty

CAHTTANOOGA (WDEF) –  The three Republican candidates for Hamilton County Mayor are raising the stakes, now that supporters of Weston Wamp are running their own commercials. Statements from Matt Hullander and Sabrina Smedley are complaining about what they call “attack ads” from Wamp’s camp. These ads have appeared on flyers and radio spots. However, Wamp told us today that Hullander…

Kane Brown talks about his homecoming show in Chattanooga

He tells our Emily Cassulo that he has a special debut for local fans

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Country music star Kane Brown is bringing his “Blessed and Free” Tour back to his roots in Chattanooga next month. Representatives from Finley Stadium believe the concert will sell out, and expect between 18,000 and 22,000 people to be there on May 7. Kane Brown tells News 12 he’s thrilled to come back home. He’s already…

UTC United Campus Workers Demand Fifteen Dollar Minimum Wage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — This morning, the United Campus Workers Union and its allies presented UTC Chancellor Steve Angle with a 500 signature petition for a $15 dollar minimum wage.” “We do not think that fifteen dollars and hour is a crazy ask, at all, especially since that’s what UTK offers — I believe the University of Memphis offers that —…

Rhea County executive pleads guilty to wire fraud

George Thacker faces a maximum of 20 years when he is sentenced

UPDATE: The Rhea County Herald reports that Thacker has resigned as County Executive.   _______   CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The County Executive for Rhea County has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud.   George Thacker faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.   There was no other sentencing requirement…

News 12 Now This Morning Cornbread Cook-off

National Cornbread Festival coming to South Pittsburg this weekend!

Dave Staley and Kay Blevins spent the morning in the kitchen.  The anchor team made cornbread recipes to celebrate the return of the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg Tennessee.  Kay made a berry cornbread, while Dave cooked up some breakfast cornbread.  See who Amy Rogers, from the National Cornbread Festival, picked as her favorite below plus check out their…

East Ridge Sued Over Alleged Civil Rights Violations, Malicious Prosecution

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — This morning, local attorney Robin Flores filed a lawsuit against the City of East Ridge and two of its police officers on behalf of Ronald Cummins. The lawsuit alleges six counts of civil rights violations, one count of battery, one count of assault, one count of civil conspiracy, and one count of malicious prosecution. In July of…

More To The Story with Staley: New Red Bank Park

Dave takes a look at the new and improved playground in town

RED BANK, Tennessee (WDEF) – The Joe Glasscock Red Bank Community Center certainly has a new look! With Red Bank’s city leaders making it official! Cutting the tape on the new and improved community playground. There wasn’t really much to this community center for quite awhile. Just an old pavilion and a beat up swing set. But not anymore!!! Bright, shiny…

Growing food delivery app shines light on local farmers

CEO, local farmer hope to see next generations stay on the farm

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — With prices still rising from inflation, one food platform with a local branch in Chattanooga believes it can provide a solution to aid struggling small farms. The service’s mission? Lead locals to a wide selection of fresh food growing right in the heart of the community. Nick Carter is a fourth-generation farmer. He’s also the CEO of…