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…
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…
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, 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…
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…
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…
