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…

Titans Report For Voluntary Workouts Trying to Forget Last Year’s Miserable Ending

The Tennessee Titans are more like the Tennessee Volunteers right now. That’s because voluntary workouts have begun, and a couple of veteran players addressed what’s happening with the team. Even though the Titans are starting anew, it’s still hard to forget that stinkin’ home playoff loss last January to the Bengals. Said safety Kevin Byard:”More tough because just dealing with…

Chattanooga attorney drafts complaint against East Ridge city, police officers

Former police officer says pair of East Ridge cops used "excessive force" on client

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — The NAACP is raising questions over a police tasing incident in East Ridge last week. Video surfaced on Youtube that appeared to show three officers tasing a man while trying to arrest him. In a separate case, a local attorney has drafted a complaint against the city of East Ridge and two of its police…

NASCAR Driver Austin Dillon Discusses His Racing Roots in Chattanooga

Bristol last weekend. Talladega this weekend. We’re in the heart of NASCAR season. Driver Austin Dillon is getting very close to his first win of the season. News 12’s Angela Moryan talked to him about momentum and his ties to Chattanooga, in an exclusive interview. Austin Dillon might be the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress — but…

Chattanooga Airport, CARTA Buses Lift Mask Mandate

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Following a Florida federal judge’s ruling to strike down mask mandates on public transport, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport has announced that customers will no longer be required to wear masks. CHA’s Statement: “In accordance with the federal ruling striking down the CDC mask mandate, the TSA will not continue to enforce the mandate at this time. In addition,…

What’s Right With Our Schools: College Prepping

Graduating high schoolers take a trip to Chattanooga State

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – For students about to graduate high school, knowing what the possibilities are for what college can offer is extremely valuable. See how students from Howard gained some of that understanding in tonight’s What’s Right With Our Schools. DR. MITCHELL: Today’s program is great because we again we always say you can’t be what you can’t see in…

Concerns growing for mobile payment app

Numerous Zelle users scammed out of thousands, per online search

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) — An online search by News 12 Now shows several Zelle payment app users were scammed out of thousands of dollars. Victims report they believed cyber thieves behind the scams were actually representatives from their banks. George Wilson, the CEO of Southern Payroll & Benefits, says security should be “stepped up across the board” for the app and…

Pipe bomb explosion leaves Grundy Co. resident with serious injuries

PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are investigating after a man detonated a pipe bomb on his property. Deputies responded to a home on Stagecoach Road in Palmer Saturday night. Investigators say 33-year-old Carl James Arnold had to be airlifted to the hospital with severe injuries to his left hand, abdomen and face. They…

More To The Story: Australian Rules Football

Dave meets some guys trying to start up a team in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Australian Rules Football is by far and away the most popular team sport “Down Under.” It’s been around since the mid 1800’s. But only an organized sport here in the USA for the past 25 years or so. North Georgia has a small league. And a group of men are now attempting to put together a team here…