Local Actor Turns Pain into Purpose

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Following Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, one Chattanooga man is carrying the message of hope forward. Lorenzo James Darden Jr. is a two-time suicide survivor, actor, and mental health advocate.  Known for his appearances on Oxygen, TV One, Prime Video, and Tubi, Darden’s most impactful role might be the one he’s playing off-screen, helping others realize they…

UTC Markets Highlight Campus Community

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fresh Produce and Student Creativity Shine at UTC Markets UTC students and staff got a double dose of community and creativity today as two campus markets took place. Scrappy’s Market, UTC’s free bi-weekly produce event, returned to Vine Street with fresh fruits and vegetables available to students, faculty, and staff.  The initiative helps support healthy living…

Hamilton County Schools to send out Request for Proposal for new mental health provider

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Schools says they are beginning the process of reintroducing mental health services inside schools. They are sending out a request for proposal later this week. This requires potential partners to submit how they would conduct services and a list of qualifications. Once vetted by administrators, they would send them to the school board for approval…

Fire chiefs to meet with Hamilton County attorney over Hazmat resolution

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  An issue over what is classified as the county’s fire department is being looked into by the Hamilton County Commission. There was supposed to be a resolution voted on Wednesday that would have designated the Hamilton County Hazmat Team as the official fire department for the county. However, there have been concerns raised by fire chiefs of…

County to apply for Rails to Trails grant

SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A potential future trail in Soddy-Daisy received a positive vote Wednesday. The Hamilton County Commission approved the county’s park department to apply for a grant to pay for the Rails to Trails Project. It would create a trail on the unused railroad tracks along Sequoyah Access Road. The project would cost roughly 8 million dollars to complete,…

La Paz program helps students get jobs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A local organization is helping members of the Hispanic community reach success. La Paz is a local advocacy group for the Latino Community. They’re launching a new program that helps people through college and into the workforce. This is in partnership with local businesses who are helping to train these students. Lily Sanchez, Director of Communications…

‘brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL’ brings inspirational and fun events to women of color

Rebecca Love, Cheri Hudgins, and Latoia Smith join News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview some of the special events coming up with ‘brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL.’ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – “brown girls can: THE FESTIVAL’ is about to take the beginning of October by storm with a collection of events that will inspire women and cultivate new crafts. Ladies…

Baylor Beats GPS 3-1 in Front of Packed House

Chattanooga-(WDEF) Huge overflow crowd at GPS saw another dynamic match between rivals Baylor and GPS on Tuesday. The Red Raiders won the first two sets, and then the Bruisers claimed the third set. Baylor posted a victory in the fourth set to pull out a 3-1 win. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Two dead in Lookout Mountain hang gliding tragedy

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) – Lookout Mountain Flight Park, a destination for gliders from across the world, turned into the scene of a heartbreaking accident today. Two experienced hang gliders were killed after a tandem jump went tragically wrong. News 12’s Lillian Yi spoke with Alex Case, director of Dade County Emergency Services, who recounted the difficult day. Case explained,…

Haddon Fries All Around Playmaker For Ringgold

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) When Austin Crisp arrived a few years ago as the new Ringgold head coach, he saw sophomore Haddon Fries (Freeze) as a special player and future leader of the tigers. News 12’s Brian Armstrong gives us a special look at how Haddon grew into the playmaker Coach Crisp needed for Ringgold. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Medal of Honor Train Reenactment

RINGGOLD, GA. (WDEF) – The Great Locomotive Chase rolled into Ringgold today, marking the start of the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration. Nearly 20 Medal of Honor Recipients and invited guests retraced the daring April 1862 Andrews’ Raid, boarding a CSX train in Atlanta and traveling along the original Western & Atlantic Railroad line to Ringgold, Georgia. The chase originally…

The Tennessee Aquarium Splashes into ODDtober Fun

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium officially launched ODDtober today with a splash of seasonal fun.  At 11 a.m., two costumed SCUBA divers descended into the River Journey exhibit to carve pumpkins underwater, turning ordinary gourds into glowing jack-o’-lanterns right beside Paddlefish, Lake Sturgeon, Sunfish, and other river creatures. The unusual demonstration, a mix of Halloween tradition and aquatic…

Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Miles, CSLA

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A solid background in computer science can set to the tone for a successful career. Jennifer Miles has a gift for teaching that, sometimes difficult, subject to her students at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts. For putting kindness in every keystroke Mrs. Miles earned tonight’s Golden Apple Award.   Dr. Mary Katherine Gatlin is the…

Chattanooga Family Justice Center hosts community Fall Festival

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With spooky season just around the corner, the Chattanooga community is preparing for an evening filled with fun, connection, and plenty of candy. The Family Justice Center will host its fall festival on October 25th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 5704 Marlin Road. The event promises something for everyone. Families can enjoy local food trucks,…

Health professional advocates for clarity amid Tylenol discussion

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – President Donald Trump’s recent statement, “Don’t take Tylenol” has sparked national debate this week. The comment comes as renewed discussions swirl around the possible links between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. A conversation also fueled by presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy added fuel to the fire with his vow for aggressive research. He…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Montessori Elementary Family Literacy Night

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -A love of reading really helps children excel in the classroom. Montessori Elementary at Highland Park worked to instill that love in their students at their recent family literacy night. Let’s turn a few pages in tonight’s what’s right with our schools. Nova Holeva is the Assistant Principal at Montessori Elementary at Highland Park. She says, “We…

Man sentenced to 68 years in prison for multiple aggravated abuse incidents

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) — A man was sentenced to more than 50 years behind bars for several charges including Aggravated Assault. 43-year-old Jarvis Jackson was recently convicted in two separate cases. In the first case, evidence presented in court revealed in early 2024, Jackson assaulted his long time girlfriend. According to the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office, Jackson doused…

Make-A-Wish brings Disney dreams to life for brave Ooltewah boy

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – Inside Chattanooga Sewing Machines, the community came together to stitch a little magic for Cam, a young boy from Ooltewah who has been bravely battling visceral myopathy. Cam has spent much of his young life in and out of hospitals. He shared, “The longest time I’ve been in the hospital was 91 days.” His parents explained that…