CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Package thefts, commonly called porch piracy, are becoming increasingly common as holiday deliveries surge. Thieves take advantage of unattended packages left on doorsteps, leaving residents frustrated and out-of-pocket. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says these thefts follow a predictable seasonal pattern, with spikes occurring during the holiday season. Austin Garrett, Hamilton County Sheriff, said: “We always…
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)-The city of Red Bank unveiled a plan to deal with a nearly million dollar budget shortfall. Red Bank financial officials say now is the time for ‘Belt Tightening.” This is after the tax snafu following this year’s appraisals, which saw the average value of a Hamilton County home rise by 57 percent. However, certified tax rates…
CHATTANOOGA,TN (WDEF)— The Chattanooga Public Library brought the joy of reading directly to the Westside neighborhood today with its mobile pop-up library, Poppy. The colorful outreach van was filled with children’s books, all available for checkout on the spot. Families could browse the shelves, sign up for library cards, and take books home—without needing to visit a library branch. “The…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Reviews of the Hamilton County Schools superintendent were released Thursday. All board members have reviewed and rated Dr. Justin Robertson across multiple categories. The board graded the superintendent on the following categories: Strategic Planning, Student Achievement/Performance, School Leadership, Community Relationships, Business and Finance, Board Relationship, Staff and Personnel Relationships, Integrity, Fairness, and Ethics, Facilities/Safety, and District…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For six years, Silverdale Baptist Church has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to help local families achieve homeownership through the organization’s Faith Built Homes program. This week, volunteers from Silverdale were back on the build site, working alongside Habitat staff to help bring a new home to life for a local family. The…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Leaders from across Southeast Tennessee gathered in Chattanooga Wednesday for a roadway safety summit hosted by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, focused on preventing distracted and impaired driving, particularly among young drivers. The foundation was created after Mike Lutzenkirchen lost his son, Philip, an Auburn football player, who was killed in a crash caused by unsafe driving…
Carmen Davis with Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the city gets ready to put on a festive event ahead of Christmas. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – One more weekend til Christmas and the best way to celebrate it is by taking a stroll in downtown Chattanooga and enjoy “An Afternoon of Holiday Cheer.” The Chattanooga Parks…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — For decades, the Orange Grove Center has helped keep Chattanooga clean while creating meaningful jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, that long-standing recycling program is in transition following the end of its contract with the City of Chattanooga. The nonprofit has provided recycling services for the city since the late 1980s, offering steady…
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- For months, the state of Tennessee has been searching for a replacement for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Their search has expanded outside of Hamilton County. However, this is not with much success. Both the Bradley County Mayor’s Office and State Senator Adam Lowe tell us that they were in conversations with a property owner…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Drivers across the Southeast are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to trend downward nationwide. For the third straight week, the national average price of gasoline has fallen reaching its lowest point in several years. Analysts say increased refinery output and growing fuel supplies along with lower crude oil prices are helping…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Salvation Army of Chattanooga is working to make Christmas a little brighter for local families as it reaches the distribution phase of its Angel Tree Program. After months of preparation, families in need lined up in their cars as volunteers distributed gifts during a drive-through style event. Organizers say the program would not be possible…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – State Representative Gino Bulso has filed House Bill 14-57, which would allow women in their second or third trimester, as well as those with high-risk pregnancies, to use accessible parking. If approved, the legislation would add pregnant women to the list of individuals eligible for temporary accessible parking placards in Tennessee. Under the proposal, qualifying pregnant…
Mackenzie Steele joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the Creative Discovery Museum hopes to bring the gift of discovery to families this year. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Give the gift of experience with a Creative Discovery Museum memberhsip! A membership comes with a full year of unlimited access and there’s different tiers for each family needs. The most a family…
Red Bank, TN-(WDEF-TV) After trailing by six at halftime, Red Bank rallied to beat rival Signal Mountain 73-68. The Lions improved to 7-0 with the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Major depressive disorder (MDD), also called clinical depression, affects an estimated 22 million U.S. adults, representing about 8% of adults in a given year, with higher rates among women and young adults. MDD can cause persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest in activities, along with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration that interfere…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Holiday shopping often centers on sales and discounts, but many consumers are taking a different approach this year. Shoppers are looking for gifts that are practical, useful, and intentional. A recent survey finds that half of Americans with rewards cards plan to use cash‑back rewards for gifts, while nearly 8 in 10 cardholders expect to use…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A-P Calculus is one of the most challenging classes on any high school curriculum. Jennifer Brewer has a gift for making her students at Boyd Buchanan understand and even appreciate the subject. Her outstanding problem-solving skills earned Mrs. Brewer this week’s Golden Apple Award. “She is so passionate about teaching math and critical thinking skills…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the wake of a deadly terrorist attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia, News 12 spoke with a local Jewish leader about the impact the violence is having thousands of miles away. Michael Dzik, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, says he is heartbroken by the attack and calls it a clear…
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Memorial Hospital hosted a job fair in the lobby of its new hospital in Ringgold, giving community members a chance to explore career opportunities ahead of the facility’s opening. Attendees were encouraged to bring multiple copies of their résumés and had the opportunity to connect directly with hospital representatives to learn more about the wide range…
Alison Pryor brings the holiday spirit and joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the aquarium heads into peak holiday activities. ‘Holidays Under The Peaks’ featured SCUBA Claus and festive attractions for the whole family. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Plenty of family and friends are coming to the Scenic City, so spend time with them with the Tennessee Aquarium’s ‘Holidays Under…
News 12 at Noon: Ted Gocke with J103 joins News 12’s Amelia Greer in hopes of furthering a late mother’s mission. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Sign-ups are still needed to get a specialty license plate made in Tennessee. A local mom was one of the key proponents for getting a childhood cancer awareness tag created for the state. After her recent…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee’s economy is expected to continue growing into 2026, though at a slower pace than in recent years, according to a new report from the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The 2026 Economic Report to the Governor projects the state’s inflation-adjusted economy will grow about 2% next year….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With airfare and hotel costs on the rise, family vacations are becoming more challenging, especially for military families, but military spouses are finding ways to keep trips affordable. According to the U.S. Travel Association, airfare rose nearly 6 percent in August while hotel rates also increased, putting added pressure on household travel budgets. Military spouses Jen…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – It’s the season of giving, and that’s a lesson students at Silverdale Academy learn at a young age. First and third graders recently filled 160 stockings for local seniors with things like lip balm, puzzle books and new socks. That’s a big-hearted example of What’s Right With Schools. “Our senior stockings is a program that we…