Chickamauga’s 52nd annual Down Home Days Festival

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) – Down Home Days Festival returned to Chickamauga today for its 52nd year of celebrating community traditions and local entertainment. The annual festival featured live music, food vendors, family activities, a KidZone, and entertainment throughout the day, drawing community members and visitors to downtown Chickamauga. Residents said the festival continues to be one of Chickamauga’s longest-running community…

Motorcyclist dead after serious crash on Hixson Pike

UPDATE: On Sunday afternoon, close family members and friends gathered at a memorial created in honor of their loved one. Friend Michael Wright reflected on the emotional loss. “We are here at the memorial of our best friend and fallen friend, Dathan Thomas. You don’t get to say goodbye at the end of the day. So being able to do…

Pensacola Defeats the Lookouts 9-3

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Pensacola Blue Wahoos had the bats working against Chattanooga on Friday, as they defeated the Lookouts 9-3. The Blue Wahoos built a 3-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back in collecting the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Family of fallen Hamilton County deputy given proclamation, assurance of help at Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Those who have fallen in the line of duty were honored Friday in downtown Chattanooga. The annual ceremony held a special significance after the recent death of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Landon Faulkner in an April crash in Sequatchie County. A declaration made by the Hamilton County delegation in the Tennessee General Assembly was given to the…

East Hamilton Student Earns Award for Short Film

OOLTEWAH,TN (WDEF) – An East Hamilton High School student is receiving national recognition for a short film she created. Rayna Wright took third prize in C-Span’s Student Cam Documentary Competition. Her film “A Long way from Prosperity” looked at ways to solve the homeless crisis in America. Wright earned a $750. Today, the student body got to watch her film….

Competitors check in for IronMan triathlon

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Iron Man 70.3 Kilometer triathlon starts on Sunday, bright and early. Friday was check-in day for the competitors at Ironman Village on Riverfront Parkway. Hundreds of competitors from Chattanooga and beyond came in droves to attend an orientation and purchase gear. Talking to the competitors, one thing was clear: Everyone loves Chattanooga. Competitor Julie…

First Responder Hero Award: Battalion Chief Eric Bowen

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether they serve as EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, or police officers, the award honors the unwavering dedication these first responders show every day to keep the community safe. When danger strikes, they are the first to answer the…

Then and Now: The Old Brainerd Mission Cemetery

Long before Eastgate was the focal point of Brainerd Road, this area of Tennessee and much of Northwest Georgia was a part of the Cherokee Nation. A group of missionaries commissioned by a board in Massachusetts was sent to the area now called Brainerd to minister to the local Cherokee population. The Brainerd Mission was located where Eastgate currently sits….

Annual CPD Report Shows Violent Crime Declines

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department says violent crime continued to decline in 2025, according to the department’s newly released annual report. The report shows homicides dropped nearly fifty percent compared to the previous year, while non-fatal shootings and crimes against persons also decreased across the city. During an interview with News 12, Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers…

Playset Fundraiser Helps Young Cancer Fighter

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Virginia nonprofit is working to bring a bit of relief to a local family as their young son continues his fight against leukemia. The Roc Solid Foundation is raising money to build a backyard playset for Sebastian, a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2025 and is currently receiving treatment at…

Erlanger adding major expansion to East campus

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A major expansion is coming soon to Erlanger East on Gunbarrel Road. The multimillion-dollar project will add new facilities and beds. Tyler Winks Executive VP, CEO Erlanger Health tells us, “This is the most significant investment that Erlanger has made in East Hamilton County since the hospital was built and it’s a response to the…

Volunteers Needed for Cemetery Flag Placement

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — As Memorial Day approaches, local groups are preparing to honor our nation’s fallen. Retired Navy Captain Mickey McCamish put out a call this week requesting volunteers. They will be placing American flags at gravesites in the National Cemetery in Chattanooga. They will begin bright and early on Saturday, May 23rd. Captain McCamish tells us, “We…

Reaction to Tennessee redistricting, explusions

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  We are hearing reaction to the recent expulsion of some Tennessee House Democrats from committees. That decision was made by Republican Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton in response to various disruptions during last week’s special session in Nashville regarding redistricting. We caught up with Representative Greg Martin at Thursday’s Chattanooga Republican Women’s meeting, who said that…

HCEMS launches whole blood program to bring lifesaving transfusions directly to trauma scenes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) At the Blood Assurance Warehouse in Chattanooga, community leaders and emergency officials unveiled a new program they say could change the future of trauma care in Hamilton County. The initiative places whole blood directly into the hands of Hamilton County EMS crews, allowing paramedics to begin transfusions in the field for critically injured patients before they ever…