Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Hamilton county superintendent gets mixed reviews from board members

Jesse Farley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Reviews of the Hamilton County Schools superintendent were released Thursday. All board members have reviewed and rated Dr. Justin Robertson across multiple categories. The board graded the superintendent on the following categories: Strategic Planning, Student Achievement/Performance, School Leadership, Community Relationships, Business and Finance, Board Relationship, Staff and Personnel Relationships, Integrity, Fairness, and Ethics, Facilities/Safety, and District…

Silverdale Partners To Build Homes
Featured, Local News, Serving Our Community

Silverdale Partners To Build Homes

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – For six years, Silverdale Baptist Church has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to help local families achieve homeownership through the organization’s Faith Built Homes program. This week, volunteers from Silverdale were back on the build site, working alongside Habitat staff to help bring a new home to life for a local family.  The…

Roadway Safety Leaders Unite Locally
Featured, Local News

Roadway Safety Leaders Unite Locally

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Leaders from across Southeast Tennessee gathered in Chattanooga Wednesday for a roadway safety summit hosted by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, focused on preventing distracted and impaired driving, particularly among young drivers. The foundation was created after Mike Lutzenkirchen lost his son, Philip, an Auburn football player, who was killed in a crash caused by unsafe driving…

Orange Grove Center
Featured, Local News

Orange Grove Center Faces Transition After Recycling Contract Ends

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — For decades, the Orange Grove Center has helped keep Chattanooga clean while creating meaningful jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, that long-standing recycling program is in transition following the end of its contract with the City of Chattanooga. The nonprofit has provided recycling services for the city since the late 1980s, offering steady…

State Withdraws Moccasin Bend Replacement Facility
Bradley County, Featured, Local News

State no longer pursuing Bradley County site for mental institution

Nick Hill,

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- For months, the state of Tennessee has been searching for a replacement for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. Their search has expanded outside of Hamilton County. However, this is not with much success. Both the Bradley County Mayor’s Office and State Senator Adam Lowe tell us that they were in conversations with a property owner…

Gas
Featured, Local News

Gas Prices Fall Across Southeast

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Drivers across the Southeast are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to trend downward nationwide. For the third straight week, the national average price of gasoline has fallen reaching its lowest point in several years.  Analysts say increased refinery output and growing fuel supplies along with lower crude oil prices are helping…

The Salvation Army Distributes Angel Tree Gifts In Chattanooga
Featured, Local News

The Salvation Army distributes Angel Tree Gifts in Chattanooga

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Salvation Army of Chattanooga is working to make Christmas a little brighter for local families as it reaches the distribution phase of its Angel Tree Program. After months of preparation, families in need lined up in their cars as volunteers distributed gifts during a drive-through style event. Organizers say the program would not be possible…

Tennessee Bill Proposes Accessible Parking For Pregnant Women
Featured, Local News

Tennessee Bill Proposes accessible parking for pregnant women

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – State Representative Gino Bulso has filed House Bill 14-57, which would allow women in their second or third trimester, as well as those with high-risk pregnancies, to use accessible parking. If approved, the legislation would add pregnant women to the list of individuals eligible for temporary accessible parking placards in Tennessee. Under the proposal, qualifying pregnant…

This Morning Creative Discovery Museum
Featured, Local News

Give the gift of discovery with a Creative Discovery Museum Membership

Khristine Arnold,

Mackenzie Steele joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the Creative Discovery Museum hopes to bring the gift of discovery to families this year.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Give the gift of experience with a Creative Discovery Museum memberhsip! A membership comes with a full year of unlimited access and there’s different tiers for each family needs. The most a family…

Depression Affects Millions Nationwide
Featured

Depression Affects Millions Nationwide

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Major depressive disorder (MDD), also called clinical depression, affects an estimated 22 million U.S. adults, representing about 8% of adults in a given year, with higher rates among women and young adults. MDD can cause persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest in activities, along with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration that interfere…

Holiday Shopping Could Look Different This Year When It Comes To Rewards And Discounts
Featured, Local News

Shoppers Seek Holiday Value Over Deals

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Holiday shopping often centers on sales and discounts, but many consumers are taking a different approach this year.  Shoppers are looking for gifts that are practical, useful, and intentional. A recent survey finds that half of Americans with rewards cards plan to use cash‑back rewards for gifts, while nearly 8 in 10 cardholders expect to use…

Golden Apple Award
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Golden Apple Award, Golden Apple Award 2025-2026, Hamilton County, Local News

Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Brewer, Boyd Buchanan

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – A-P Calculus is one of the most challenging classes on any high school curriculum. Jennifer Brewer has a gift for making her students at Boyd Buchanan understand and even appreciate the subject. Her outstanding problem-solving skills earned Mrs. Brewer this week’s Golden Apple Award.   “She is so passionate about teaching math and critical thinking skills…

Chattanooga Jewish Community Reacts To Hanukkah Attack
Featured, Local News

Chattanooga Jewish community reacts to Hanukkah attack

Lillian Yi,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the wake of a deadly terrorist attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia, News 12 spoke with a local Jewish leader about the impact the violence is having thousands of miles away. Michael Dzik, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, says he is heartbroken by the attack and calls it a clear…

Memorial Hospital Hosts Job Fair At New Ringgold Location
Featured, Local News

Memorial Hospital hosts job fair at New Ringgold location

Lillian Yi,

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Memorial Hospital hosted a job fair in the lobby of its new hospital in Ringgold, giving community members a chance to explore career opportunities ahead of the facility’s opening. Attendees were encouraged to bring multiple copies of their résumés and had the opportunity to connect directly with hospital representatives to learn more about the wide range…

This Morning Tennessee Aquarium
Featured, Local News

Tis the season for ‘Holidays Under The Peaks!’

Khristine Arnold,

Alison Pryor brings the holiday spirit and joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the aquarium heads into peak holiday activities. ‘Holidays Under The Peaks’ featured SCUBA Claus and festive attractions for the whole family. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Plenty of family and friends are coming to the Scenic City, so spend time with them with the Tennessee Aquarium’s ‘Holidays Under…

This Morning Tn Childhood Cancer License Tag
Featured, Local News

Sign-ups needed for TN Childhood Cancer License Tag

Amelia Greer,

News 12 at Noon: Ted Gocke with J103 joins News 12’s Amelia Greer in hopes of furthering a late mother’s mission. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Sign-ups are still needed to get a specialty license plate made in Tennessee. A local mom was one of the key proponents for getting a childhood cancer awareness tag created for the state. After her recent…

Economic Outlook Shows Slower Growth
Featured, Local News

Economic Outlook Shows Slower Growth

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee’s economy is expected to continue growing into 2026, though at a slower pace than in recent years, according to a new report from the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The 2026 Economic Report to the Governor projects the state’s inflation-adjusted economy will grow about 2% next year….

Military Spouses Find Ways To Overcome Travel Challenges
Featured

Military Spouses Share Travel Tips

Robert Hanley,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With airfare and hotel costs on the rise, family vacations are becoming more challenging, especially for military families, but military spouses are finding ways to keep trips affordable. According to the U.S. Travel Association, airfare rose nearly 6 percent in August while hotel rates also increased, putting added pressure on household travel budgets. Military spouses Jen…

Whats Right With Our Schools Food City
Chattanooga, Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News, What's Right With Our Schools

What’s Right With Our Schools, Silverdale Academy Fills Stockings for the Salvation Army

Andrew Harrison,

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – It’s the season of giving, and that’s a lesson students at Silverdale Academy learn at a young age. First and third graders recently filled 160 stockings for local seniors with things like lip balm, puzzle books and new socks. That’s a big-hearted example of What’s Right With Schools. “Our senior stockings is a program that we…

Building Rendering
Education, Featured, Hamilton County, Local News

Upgrades to Come to Soddy Daisy Middle School

WDEF News,

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Renderings for upgrade plans that will come to Soddy Daisy Middle School have been released. Courtesy: Hamilton County Schools The approximate $34 million project will be funded through the Hamilton County Commission’s facilities bond. Construction is set to begin in October 2026. Plans include updated classrooms and learning spaces, a new gymnasium and upgrades to the cafeteria….

Red Bank Christmas Parade
Featured, Local News

Red Bank Christmas Parade

Robert Hanley,

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) – The City of Red Bank celebrated the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade on December 13, 2025.  Over 50 floats and local groups, including students from Red Bank Elementary, marched through the streets spreading festive cheer.  The Hixson High School band and colorguard added lively music and dazzling performances to the event.  Volunteers handed…

This Morning Cracker Barrel
Featured, Local News

Free toys and plenty of pie at Cracker Barrel this holiday season!

Khristine Arnold,

General Manager Josh Clinton joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the old country store decks the halls this season. Cracker Barrel is offering several festive menu items in addition to their classic southern staples.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The old country store and souther staple is making gatherings easier this holiday season! Cracker Barrel has released new menu items like…