Report finds Tennessee among top states for scam calls

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennesseans are being hit hard by robocalls, with new data showing the state ranks among the worst in the country. Robocalls are something most people have had to deal with, and experts say the problem is only getting worse. Ammy Archer, research lead and media specialist with the data company WhistleOut, says the best way to…

Blood Assurance and GoodLabs partnership offers free lab results to donors

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In May, Blood Assurance will launch a new partnership with GoodLabs. The partnership will allow eligible donors to receive free clinical-grade bloodwork when they book and complete a blood donation through the GoodLabs platform. Officials say the goal is to encourage more people in the community to donate while also providing a meaningful incentive. Caitlin Stanley,…

Opponents of undocumented students bill speak out in Red Bank

A group of teachers, students, and activists speaking out against Senate Bill 836 in Red Bank. RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)- A group of teachers, students, and activists came together to protest a bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature. The bill in question is Senate Bill 836, sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hamilton County. It was approved by the Tennessee…

Civil War Battlefield Land Preserved

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The National Park Service has awarded $973,527 to help preserve a 30-acre tract of land tied to the Battle of Wauhatchie, a critical fight during the Civil War that took place on October 27, 1863.   This land connects to the Brown’s Ferry campaign, an operation that played a key role in the Chattanooga campaign and the…

Soddy-Daisy students get to simulate skilled labor as leaders hope they will fill jobs

Students trying out a forklift simulator at Soddy-Daisy High School. SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- How will companies across the Tennessee Valley fill an increasing amount of open jobs in the trades? Leaders hope one kind of outreach will fill that gap. Soddy-Daisy High School Students who took part in the “Be Proud. Be Pro.” career event say that it was eye…

Golden Apple Award: Ashley Edwards, Ringgold Primary

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Being heard in a classroom full of kindergarteners can be a challenge. Ashley Edwards goes out of her way to make sure every student in her Ringgold Primary classroom finds their voice. That kind of dedication earned Ms. Edwards this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Edwards embodies our mission statement. Our mission statement here at Ringgold Primary…

Get the scoop on Clumpies’ newest spring flavors and newest location

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Spring break is here and it’s heating up outside, which means Clumpies is ready for peak ice cream season! Several new and returning flavors are coming to their 2026 spring menu, including flavors like Banana Puddin’, Blueberry Muffin, Carrot Cake, Lucky Charms, and more! Residents saddened by the closing of Clumpies’ St. Elmo location, have no…

Vols Assistant Andrew Jackson Must Fill in For ‘Voice of God’ This Spring

New Vols football assistant Andrew Jackson has a big voice to fill this spring. He has to cover for defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who is sidelined after a medical procedure. Jackson is quite aware of Garner’s old school tactics and booming voice. Jackson jokes when Garner joins meetings via zoom that he sounds like the ‘Voice of God’. Categories:…

Soddy Daisy Rallies to Edge Signal Mountain 4-3

Soddy Daisy, TN-(WDEF-TV) Soddy Daisy rallied to beat Signal Mountain 4-3 on Monday in a district baseball matchup. The Eagles trailed 1-0 going to the top of the 7th when they scored three runs to take the lead.  Trojans got off the deck with three runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh. Noah Berry had the walk-off…

Bikers raise funds for local causes at YMCA Bike-A-Thon

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This morning, the YMCA hosted its first Why I Ride Bike-A-Thon at its downtown family location. The event encouraged participants to raise money for causes they are passionate about. Organizers say each rider chose a specific program to support, with funds going directly toward community initiatives. Mathia Blomstrom, Associate Executive Director, says the event highlights the…

Fort Oglethorpe invites community to free Easter Egg Scramble

FORT OGLETHORPE, Ga. (WDEF) – The City of Fort Oglethorpe will host its annual Easter Egg Scramble this Saturday, March 28, at noon. The event is free and open to the community. Families will also have the opportunity to take photos with the Easter Bunny. Children will be divided into age groups to ensure everyone has a fair chance to…

Chattanooga Nightclub Trial Reaches Verdict

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The trial of Melvin Evans concluded this week in the 2021 fatal shooting of Kenneth Trammell Jr. outside a Chattanooga nightclub, bringing more than five years of investigation to a courtroom resolution. Jurors reviewed testimony from investigators, forensic experts, and the Medical Examiner as prosecutors and defense attorneys presented competing accounts of the events that led…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Dr. Ware Leads Howard

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Leadership is a vital part of any good school. Dr. LeAndrea Ware led Howard for 8 years wonderful. During that time, the school has achieved Level 5 status, and that’s just the tip of the ice burg. See for yourself in tonight’s “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Dr. LeAndria Ware,  executive principle of The Howard School…

Phase two of One Westside breaks ground

New mixed income housing that broke ground on Monday on the Chattanooga Westside. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The next phase of the Chattanooga Westside redevelopment broke ground Monday morning. Phase two of One Westside will feature mixed income housing adjacent to the Gateway Towers. There are seven planned phases to modernize that neighborhood, which currently has housing projects that have been…

District 14 runoff debate between Fuller and Harris held in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (WDEF) – Today, the Congressional District 14 special election runoff debate took place in Atlanta, between candidates Clay Fuller and Shawn Harris. News 12 attended the debate and heard the candidates address issues that constituents care most about. Moderator Condace Pressley opened the discussion by highlighting how the race narrowed to two candidates. “The race started with 22…

Battle of the Badges fundraising competition raises $5,200 dollars

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – For the past few weekends, we have been following how the Rhea County Animal shelter has turned a regular 5K to raise money for their local shelter into a friendly fundraising competition between members of their K-9 tracking team. Together, with the community’s help, they raised $5,200 dollars, with Deputy Cheyenne Swafford and her K-9…

Tickets sold out for Fast and Furriest 5k

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Humane Educational Society is hosting its second annual Fast and Furriest run this Sunday (3/22) at Greenway Farms. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and features a dog-friendly 5K trail race, along with a one-mile fun run and walk. Last year’s event raised $20,000, and organizers say they’re hoping to exceed that total this…

Transgender bill sparks concerns over patient privacy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A bill concerning the future of transgender care in Tennessee is stirring controversy. “Do you think that those decisions will stop with trans people? I’ve got a bridge to sell you. This is absolutely about control.” Callaghan Rudd is a community activist who is passionate about issues affecting the Chattanooga transgender community. Rudd believes that Tennessee House…

TechByte: The Internet has an Infinite Memory

The internet has an infinite memory. On this week’s TechByte I’m going to show you how to use that memory for your advantage. Tell me if this sounds familiar: You’re browsing an article online, and you think it’s pretty interesting. A few days later, you decide to share that article with a friend, and… it’s gone. Pretty frustrating, right? Well,…

City’s Small Business Resource Center opens

The City of Chattanooga’s Small Business Resource Center has opened at 332 East Martin Luther King Boulevard. This initiative is funded with $1.8 million approved by City Council and provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), according to the City of Chattanooga. “Today, building a business in Chattanooga just got a little easier. The Small Business Resource Center will…

Fatal Nightclub Shooting Trial Day Three

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Jurors in Chattanooga followed the unfolding events of a fatal nightclub shooting as testimony continued in the trial of 32-year-old Melvin Evans, accused of killing 28-year-old Kenneth Trammell Jr. outside a nightclub. Investigators first testified that Evans’ cellphone was tracked at or near his Glenwood residence shortly before 4 a.m., helping establish a timeline of his…