CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Preserve Chattanooga is inviting the public to celebrate the city’s architecture through art. The “Taking a Pen for a Walk in Chattanooga” drawing contest is open to artists 14 and older and is inspired by the pen-and-paper sketches of acclaimed urban designer Ray Gindroz. Submissions should highlight local buildings, streetscapes, or mapped walks that reflect Chattanooga’s…
COALMONT, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds of Grundy County students are starting the school year with brand-new backpacks and school supplies, thanks to Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee. On Tuesday, Lee joined volunteers and school staff at Grundy County’s Back to School Bash in Coalmont. Together, they handed out nearly 2,000 backpacks along with essential school supplies to local students. The…
UPDATE: The TBI has announced that the suspect in this case, 38-year-old Erick Charles Roberson, has died from his injuries in this incident Monday night. The agency says they are currently investigating the incident and will turn over their findings to District Attorney Coty Wamp, who will determine if any charges are to be filed. Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett…
Boyd Buchanan is 32-6 since legendary coach Gary Rankin took over the program in 2022. While the Bucs have enjoyed a lot of victories the last three years, they still haven’t enjoyed the ultimat e prize. A state title. Will 2025 be the season? Brian Armstrong has our 30-in-30 preview of the Bucs. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025,…
Conceptual art for new Oak Street Residence Hall (Courtesy: UTC) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last week, the new chancellor of UTC, Dr. Lori Bruce, said she wants the school to reach a student population of 15,000 by 2030. However, with a waiting list for on-campus housing, that will prove to be one of the key areas to improve upon to reach…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee families looking to stretch their back-to-school budgets will soon get a break at the register. The state’s annual sales tax holiday is set for Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27. During the three-day event, shoppers can purchase a range of school related items without paying state sales tax, whether they are shopping in store…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — A major transformation is underway at the Cleveland Family YMCA. On Monday, July 21, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga officially broke ground on a $5-million renovation project at its Cleveland location. The upgrades are part of the organization’s five-year capital campaign, Vision 2028: Let’s Grow! focused on expanding programs, modernizing facilities, and meeting the growing needs…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Health Department has announced they are bringing back their Back to School Open House event. It is a free event to the public. The Health Department will be providing free vaccine records, free backpacks filled with school supplies, free food from local venders, and pediatric vaccines among other services and activities. They…
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Officials at the Wacker Chemical Corporation have put a number on the layoffs coming to their plant in Charleston. Last week, the plant announced that they were laying off some employees because of market conditions. Since then, they’ve confirm that they have notified 90 workers. The plant employs more than 600 people. Wacker is…
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — A 34-year-old Cherokee County man has been arrested for having alleged indecent liberties with a child. On July 8, 2025, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives launched an investigation after receiving reports of possible inappropriate contact between an adult male and a juvenile. CCSO said after reviewing evidence, a warrant was obtained for the arrest…
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — An Andrews man was arrested after allegedly firing shots during a road rage incident. On Thursday, July 17, 2025, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a road rage incident on US 19. CCSO said a vehicle had rammed another vehicle, and the suspect fired six to seven shots at the victim’s…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Earlier this month, The Public Education Foundation (PEF) once again teamed up with Hamilton County Schools and Volkswagen Group of America. More than 200 educators from 9 states took part in the 7th Annual Chattanooga FAB Institute. The innovative teaching methods they learned should be a far-reaching example of What’s Right With Our Schools. “We are…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tack on some extra travel time and brace for another road closure. The Hamilton County Highway Department will be closing Levi Road in timed closures Tuesday through Thursday. Crews will be replacing storm pipes under the road. The closure will be between 6126 and 6418 Levi Road in Chattanooga. All emergency vehicles and residents in this…
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…
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,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With the school year just around the corner, the Chattanooga community is making sure local children head back to school feeling ready and supported. News 12 spoke with the director of the Nehemiah Project, who shared how the organization is giving back in a big way. At the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, nearly 300 volunteers gathered…
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, 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…
LF O made the playoffs last year, despite having a losing record. This year, they’d prefer a playoff berth with a winning record. The Warriors enjoy our 30-in-30 preview spotlight. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
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…
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…
Marion County captured their first state title in nearly 30 years last season. Now, they’re eager to add another gold ball this season. Brian Armstrong has our 30-in-30 preview of the Warriors. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
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…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- New UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce revealed one of her big goals for the university Thursday. She wants to increase enrollment at the university to 15,000 students by 2030. UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce (From: UTC) Dr. Bruce announced this goal during a speech to the Chattanooga Rotary Club. Currently, the school has an enrollment…
