What’s Right With Our Schools: Cleveland High Aviation Grant

CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) —  TDOT has awarded $22,000 to Cleveland High School’s Aviation Program. The money will go be used to prepare future pilots, engineers and aerospace professionals. That’s a high aiming example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “It’s rare to have an aviation program in high school so we have them across the state of Tennessee and Cleveland…

New artificial turf to be installed at some Camp Jordan fields amid opposition

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) —  New artificial turf was approved for the fields at Camp Jordan in East Ridge, but not without controversy. The $3 million project was approved by the East Ridge City Council. It’ll replace the soccer and four baseball slash softball fields at the complex with the turf. Officials say the artificial turf should mitigate weather delays…

Apple Simplifies Family Connection

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As families gear up for a new school year, many are turning to technology to help keep things running smoothly at home and in the classroom. This week, Apple team members shared tips to help parents make the most of their devices, especially when it comes to managing their children’s screen time, staying organized, and protecting…

Lake Winnie Awarded Historic Plaque

ROSSVILLE, GA. (WDEF) – Lake Winnepesaukah just earned a national honor.  On Sunday, July 27th, the National Amusement Park Historical Association presented the Chattanooga-area amusement park with a commemorative plaque recognizing 100 years of family ownership and community fun. The award was part of NAPHA’s annual ParkHop tour, which celebrates historic amusement parks around the country.  Since opening in 1925,…

Better Together is back in Hamilton County

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The initiative brings schools, families, and volunteers together to create safe and welcoming spaces just in time for the new school year. At Calvin Donaldson Elementary, volunteers are rolling up their sleeves and transforming the back of the school into a refreshed outdoor learning space. Cora Fisher, Principal of Calvin Donaldson Elementary School, says the project…

Pack the Bus helps everyone prepare for the school year

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Pack the Bus was in full swing this weekend, where volunteers came together to collect school supplies for local students in need. The goal is to support teachers and families by making sure classrooms are fully stocked, especially during Tennessee’s tax-free weekend. Shoppers were encouraged to drop off items such as notebooks, pencils, and paper…

Mutts on the Mountain Foster hosts adoption day

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) – A splash of fun and a chance to find a forever friend brought smiles to the Signal Mountain Town Pool this weekend. Some furry friends are now looking for loving homes after a rough start in life. Mutts on the Mountain Foster brought a group of playful puppies to the pool, hoping to connect them…

The Walker County African American Museum ribbon cutting Ceremony

  LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) – A special celebration took place in Walker County today as community members gathered to honor the past and inspire the future. A new museum is now open, showcasing African American history and heritage in the heart of the community. News 12 was at the Walker County African American Museum Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, where people came…

Chattanooga marks 35th anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act passage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 35 years ago this weekend, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disabilities. The All-Access Fair on Friday at Coolidge Park highlighted multiple local resources available to local disabled residents. It was organized the Chattanooga Mayor’s Council of Disability For Lyndi Locke, the secretary of that…

Heart Hub unveiled at Glenwood Community Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Those who frequent the Glenwood Community Center will have a new resource to check their health.The American Health Association has placed a Heart Hub inside of that center in collaboration with the Office of Community Health and the Journey Health Foundation. It is the second such hub inside of a Chattanooga public center, joining one that was…

The Hilarious Side of AI apps

Chattanooga, TN – This week is one of my favorite episodes because it involves viewer mail.  I think I can speak for all the journalists we have here and say that we love to hear your feedback and know that you’re watching the things we are creating for you. Our friend Sam wrote in and had used an app called…

Fresh Food, Families, and Wellness

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Wellpoint Tennessee, in collaboration with the YMCA Mobile Market, hosted Wellness with Wellpoint Thursday morning in Chattanooga, an event designed to support healthy lifestyles and improve food access for local families. Held from 10 a.m. to noon, the community event provided free produce, healthy snacks, and recipe cards to attendees, while also connecting eligible SNAP recipients…

Including Eye Exams This Schoolyear

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As families prepare for back-to-school season, eye doctors are reminding parents not to overlook their child’s vision. Experts say comprehensive eye exams with an optometrist should be part of every child’s annual routine, especially as screen use continues to rise in and out of classrooms. Studies show that vision screenings done in schools or pediatric offices…

Sledge to be evaluated for competency as two cases are pending including 2022 East Ridge High School incident

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man once the center of a controversy at East Ridge High School was also back in court Thursday morning. Tauris Sledge is facing a charge of domestic assault after a fight with his girlfriend back in May according to an affidavit. In that affidavit, the girlfriend accused Sledge of hitting her several times after asking him…

Pilgrim’s to build $400M chicken plant in Walker County

MGN WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  Pilgrim’s is planning to building a $400 million multi-phase prepared foods facility in Walker County, Governor Brian Kemp says. This new facility will be built at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette, providing more than 630 new jobs at full capacity. “Georgia’s No. 1 industry of agriculture continues to drive growth with companies…

Chattanooga firefighters rescue two from smoke-filled elevator during hotel basement fire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Two people were rescued from a hotel basement fire by Chattanooga firefighters Wednesday. On July 23, 2025, at 7:41 p.m., crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to 100 West 21st Street on reports of a commercial fire. Upon arrival, CFD crews located the fire in the basement of the hotel, with people trapped inside…

Bojangles brings back the “Bird Dog” and Peach Cobbler!

Brenda McConathy and Cliff Harris join News 12’s Chip Chapman to talk about the return of two popular summer items and a special fundraiser to help support military families. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s the middle of summer which means its time for fan-favorite seasonal items to make a return to Bojangles with a great cause! Bojangles has brought back…