Tivoli Theatre Foundation brings national and local award-winning talent this week!

Tivoli Theatre Foundation CEO Nick Wilkinson brings the talented Jewel Award winner, Jazhel Arostegui, to talk about all the exciting news and new shows coming to the Memorial Auditorium. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Award-winning talent is coming to the Memorial Auditorium while the Tivoli Theatre Foundation continues to foster award-winning local talent! A dream of high hopes and a life…

Erlanger hosts career fair to fill key positions

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – At Erlanger’s Career Fair, job seekers had the opportunity to walk in, no resume required and explore a variety of open positions across the health system. From patient care to support services, the event aimed to connect people with meaningful work that serves the Chattanooga community. Traci Jennings, Vice President of Operations for Erlanger Medical Group,…

Police make second arrest in connection to Read Avenue homicide

Mauricio Velasquez UPDATE:  Chattanooga police have arrested a second suspect in connection to the Read Avenue homicide. The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) say 18-year-old Mauricio Velasquez was arrested on Monday, July 21, 2025 Velasquez is currently being held at the Catoosa County Jail, but will be extradited to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center at a later date. He…

Dayton brings the Scopes Trial back to life

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nearly 100 years after the infamous Scopes “Monkey” Trial put evolution and education on the national stage, Dayton, Tennessee is bringing the courtroom drama back to life. Inside this historic courtroom, the clocks roll back to 1925. Actors are reenacting the Scopes Trial — a pivotal moment in American history that questioned whether evolution could be…

CADAS breaks ground on new 36 bed rehab facility

The groundbreaking of a new $6 million, 36 bed, women’s addiction treatment facility. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Overcoming alcohol and drug addictions is a tall task, but those who suffer do not have to recover alone. A new women’s addiction treatment building at CADAS on the Chattanooga northshore will represent 36 new beds that will provide recovery options for those recovering…

Verizon Brings New Tech for Summer Travel

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Verizon joins us this week to help with the summer heat and take the headache out of international travel. Normally traveling overseas or on a cruise means you need a different cellphone or have outrageous fees.  Verizon Tech Expert Winnie Wright came in to give us some insight as to how they can help. Winnie Wright is…

Preservationists criticize hotel’s decision to demolish historic Car Barn

The Car Barn in the 1970s when CARTA used it to store buses. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Public Library) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed hotel in downtown Chattanooga has preservationists up in arms. They say a building, the Chattanooga Car Barn building, that dates back to the 1880s, is in danger of being completely demolished. It is on the National Register of…

Grant Fuels LIFT’s Creative Growth

  RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – LIFT Youth Center is getting a creative boost thanks to a new grant from Georgia Council for the Arts. The nonprofit, which offers free afterschool programs to middle and high schoolers in Catoosa County, has been awarded an Arts Education Program Grant for 2026.  It’ll help expand their LIFT Art Lab, which provides free workshops…

Clyde Stubblefield Plaque Unveiled

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga native made global waves with nothing but sticks, rhythm, and soul.  Miller Park is now permanently honored with a plaque in his honor. Clyde Stubblefield, the original Funky Drummer, is one of the most sampled musicians in history, his iconic beats appearing on over 1,500 recordings. From LL Cool J to Ed Sheeran, his…

Whitfield County authorities arrest known gang member following major drug bust

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) uncovered, what they’re calling, one of the largest drug busts in Whitfield County history. On July 15, 2025, detectives with WCSO’s Narcotics division conducted an undercover drug operation following a month-long investigation. As a result, WSCO said they seized the following: 201 grams of Fentanyl 3,060 grams of Marijuana…

ArtsBuild training program now accepting applications

Brianna Jones and Harlan Lovestone join News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind local artists about the artist entrepreneur training program through Artsbuild. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Calling all local artists! ArtsBuild’s Periscope training program is accepting applicants to be part of their transformative, year long program that helps working artists’ careers. The program operates with three parts. There’s a business…

CFD battles a house fire overnight in East Lake

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga firefighters battled a damaging house fire overnight in East Lake. CFD was dispatched to the 3500 both of 6th Avenue at almost 2 A.M. Thursday morning. Police officers began knocking on doors to get everyone out. When no one answered, firefighters quickly launched an attack and search of the structure. Fortunately, no one was in…

Honoring the Fallen Five: Healing the mind after tragedy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As we reflect on today’s ceremony honoring the Fallen Five, it serves as a powerful reminder that trauma affects not only our physical safety but also our mental well-being. We spoke with a local expert about the lasting emotional effects of the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack and the resources available to those still healing. Dr….

Retired Naval Commander recalls moments of 2015 Chattanooga terrorist attack that killed five

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Ten years ago Wednesday, horror struck Chattanooga as a terrorist killed five service members. These were four U-S Marines; Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Lance Corporal Skip Wells, and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, along with Naval Second Class Officer Randall Smith. Tributes lay at the site of where Chattanooga’s worst nightmare began on July 16,…

Bohannon confirmed as new Hamilton County health director

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County officially has a new health director.Beka Bohannon has been confirmed to the position by the Hamilton County Commission. Bohannon is Mayor Weston Wamp’s pick to replace Sabrina Novak, who was fired last November from that role. There were questions raised by Commissioner David Sharpe on if the Commission could appoint Bohannon to the role, saying…

Ten Years Remembering Fallen Five

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On the banks of the Tennessee River, beneath a bright summer sky, the city of Chattanooga gathered Wednesday morning to mark a solemn milestone, ten years since the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack that claimed the lives of five U.S. service members. Hosted by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, the “Ten Year Remembrance Tribute to the…

Terry Knowles selected as new chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has selected Terry Knowles to be the next chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD). Since 2022, Knowles has served as CFD’s assistant chief of special operations. Mayor Tim Kelly’s Office says Knowles began his career with CFD as a firefighter in 2005. Throughout the years, he’s served as a Lieutenant, Captain,…