Chattanooga Honors Ed Johnson with Day of Remembrance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga community members gathered Tuesday to honor the legacy of Ed Johnson, a Black man wrongfully lynched in 1906, with a Day of Remembrance. The day began at the Hamilton County Courthouse, where attendees reflected on Johnson’s life and the injustice he faced, before walking down to the Ed Johnson Memorial at Walnut Street Plaza. The…

Chattanooga Chamber’s Hixson Council Tackles Key Issues

HIXSON (WDEF) –The Hixson Council of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce welcomed Coty Wamp at its monthly networking luncheon on Thursday. Wamp addressed one of Chattanooga’s growing concerns—homelessness—speaking to local business and community leaders about the challenges surrounding the issue. During her remarks, she connected homelessness to broader public safety concerns, including nuisance crimes and repeat offenders. Wamp emphasized that…

Mail Glitch Disrupts Donations to Union Gospel Mission

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) –A recent post office glitch briefly cost the Union Gospel Mission thousands of dollars in donations during one of its most critical fundraising periods. According to officials, nearly 90 P.O. boxes at a downtown Chattanooga facility were shut down due to a system error. One of those boxes belonged to the Mission, which relies heavily on mailed contributions…

Behind the Curtain: The Scuttlebutt Reef

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium has a brand new exhibit and News 12’s Amelia Greer goes ‘Behind the Curtain’ to discover if the underwater rumors are true! The new Scuttlebutt Reef opened in early March and it showcases some unique creatures, like the Mantis Shrimp that can pack quite a punch in their little claws, or the Frog…

An adventure is blooming at Rock City

Pepper Raper joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as Rock City welcomes in spring. The area attraction gets even more enchanting as flowers bloom in nature. Learn about their latest activity ‘Gnomes and Gardens’ with a special quest! LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. (WDEF) – Spring is nearly here and Rock City’s gardens are blooming with enchanting flowers, bringing the beauty of nature…

Supporting Parents Through Unexpected Pregnancies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A local nonprofit is working to support individuals facing unexpected pregnancies.  Choices Chattanooga provides free medical services, education, and resources aimed at helping parents feel informed and supported.  The organization also partners with community groups to extend that support beyond its doors. At its core, Choices aims to be more than just a medical resource. “We…

Commission approves new unincorporated Hamilton County planning commission

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future of unincorporated Hamilton County will be decided in a different manner going forward. Hamilton County Commissioners voted 7 to 4 to create a separate planning commission to focus on those specific cases. Introduced last week, the Commission will terminate its interlocal agreement with the Regional Planning Agency in lieu of creating a separate planning…

Deadly Nightclub Shooting Trial Continues

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The night of January 31, 2021, began like any other outside the Night Owl nightclub in Chattanooga.  But the evening ended in tragedy when 28-year-old Kenneth Trammell Jr. was shot and killed. More than five years later, the case is finally in court. 32-year-old Melvin Evans faces first-degree murder charges in connection with Trammell’s death.  On…

Ross’s Landing to Close starting in November

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Ross’s Landing along the south shore of the TN River is going to be getting a major Makeover. Emily Mack, President and CEO of the River City Company tells us. ” “So our riverfront parks which are part of the 21st-century waterfront project will be getting a big refresh and so we will start construction…

Election Commission votes against Highlander’s ballot name challenge against Christian-Lowe

Donna Christian-Lowe (left) and Hamilton County Commissioner Dr. Steve Highlander (right) at a Hamilton County Election Commission over Highlander’s challenge of Christian-Lowe name choice on the ballot. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Did a candidate for a seat on the Hamilton County Commission attempt to gain an advantage on the ballot? That was the question in front of the Hamilton County Election…

Officials warn of increased risks on St. Patrick’s Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, officials say it is known as the third biggest drinking day of the year. News 12 spoke with the company Reframe about how to stay safe during the holiday. Vedant Pradeep, CEO of Reframe, explained, “Having a clear plan. Just telling yourself whether it is two drinks, one drink,…

Local shelters urge families not to gift bunnies for Easter

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As families prepare for Easter, local shelters are asking the community not to gift bunnies as holiday presents. We spoke with the Humane Educational Society, which says many families get a bunny without realizing the level of care and attention they need to truly thrive. Many rabbits given as gifts around the holiday end up in…

Bill that would require schools to report number of undocumented students enrolled passes Tennessee House

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- You may remember a proposed bill last year in Tennessee that would have allowed schools to not enroll undocumented students. It was pulled last year, but now is back on the table. House Bill 793 would require school districts to provide that demographic information to the Tennessee Department of Education. Previously, the bill, which had been introduced…

Study says Tennessee gun violence costs state billions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- New data about gun violence in Tennessee paints a high economic toll across the state. The non-profit Voices for a Safer Tennessee say that firearm violence cost Tennessee over $3.6 billion in 2023, the last year data is currently available for. In Hamilton County, that impact was roughly $183 million dollars, while the rest of Southeastern Tennessee…

Golden Apple Award: Kara Ledford Saddle Ridge Elementary

ROCK SPRING, GA (WDEF) – The best kindergarten classrooms have an almost magical feel to them, Kara Ledford’s students at Saddle Ridge have seen their room morph into a scene from Swiss Family Robinson complete with a beach and a tree house. Ms. Ledford’s attention to detail and boundless enthusiasm earned her this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Ledford  is…

Carrying History Home With The Community

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Lookouts celebrated a milestone today, moving their historic home plate from AT&T Field to their future stadium at Erlanger Park in a ceremonial community relay. Fans, local businesses, and community partners joined the walk along Chestnut Street, participating in a special event connecting the team’s past to its future.  The relay drew dozens of…

Tennessee Department of Safety issues warning about scam texts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is warning drivers about fraudulent text messages claiming recipients have an unpaid traffic ticket and threatening to suspend their driving privileges. Officials say the messages are part of a growing scam designed to trick people into providing personal information or sending money. News 12 spoke with Russell Shoup…

Gary Kuehn discusses teacher raises and education goals while seeking reelection

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today, the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club welcomed longtime school board member Gary Kuehn as the guest speaker at its weekly meeting. Kuehn has served Hamilton County Schools for more than 40 years. For the past 36 years, he has represented District 9 on the Hamilton County School Board. Now, Kuehn is seeking reelection in the upcoming…

Rare March snow falls in Tennessee Valley

Snow falling Monday in Marion County. SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- Much of the Tennessee Valley saw rare mid-March snow on Monday. The snow occurred just hours after a severe line of thunderstorms had passed through the area. While roads in valley locations primarily stayed clear with temperatures over freezing, some mountainous communities reported snow sticking on the roads causing slick…