Get the ultimate scoop with the Chattanooga Zoo!

Jake Cash and Cole Abbott return with the Chattanooga Zoo to preview the ‘Ice Cream Safari’ taking over Warner Park this weekend. Ambassador animal, ‘Giza’ the hedgehog joins the crew for the event. News 12’s Amelia Greer gets the ultimate scoop about the sweet event. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Guests are getting the ultimate scoop on Chattanooga Zoo’s animals with…

Sheriff says riot in Tennessee prison contained after gas shot into yard

A riot in a prison northeast of Nashville was contained, the sheriff says, and all prisoners returned to their cells after officers sprayed gas into the prison yard. The Trousdale County Sheriff’s Department says it got word just after 10 p.m. Sunday of the trouble at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center. “A multi-agency response followed a short time after the…

24/7 Movement highlights dangers of impaired driving

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 24/7 Movement partnered with the East Ridge Police Department for Community Safety Day at Camp Jordan, bringing an important message to the forefront: the devastating consequences of impaired and distracted driving. One of the day’s standout attractions was the Safe Driving Impairment Course. Participants were given the chance to experience what it feels like…

Good Samaritan steps up after storms in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Here in Chattanooga, strong storms left a visible mark on the city, with downed trees and snapped power lines scattered across Alton Park Boulevard. In the midst of the damage, one good Samaritan was spotted lending a hand. He was seen helping an elderly woman by clearing large tree branches that had fallen around her home….

Emergency response on Lee Highway ends in death

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Sunday, a significant police and emergency response was seen in the 7700 block of Lee Highway in Chattanooga, drawing concern and speculation from the public. When our team arrived on scene, the Motel 6 parking lot had quickly become crowded with curious onlookers. Among them was Johnny Brown, a community member, who expressed the uncertainty…

Ms. Piggy’s great rescue

DADE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — If you were wondering what caused the slowdown on I-24 East earlier, Dade County had a few pigs running wild, causing traffic delays. Dade County police confirm that someone lost a pig yesterday evening on I-24 — and just left it. Luck’s Rescue was contacted immediately. They say the owners were pulled over by state…

Tennessee program offers free help with child car seat safety

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Keeping your child safe on the road is a top priority—and now it’s easier than ever. The Safe Journey Child Passenger Safety Program, administered by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office alongside the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, supports families across Tennessee Technicians partner with schools, daycares, emergency services, law enforcement, and businesses to teach caregivers how to select…

Paw Palooza takes over Coolidge Park for a day of furry fun

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga went to the dogs this weekend — all for a good cause. Paw Palooza, hosted by the McKamey Animal Center, brought hundreds of pet lovers and their furry friends together for a full day of fun at Coolidge Park. The annual event raises money to support thousands of animals in the center’s care. The park…

Chattanooga Red Wolves Rally in 2-1 win over Portland

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-The Chattanooga Red Wolves faced an early setback, conceding a goal to Portland in the opening minutes of the match. But the home side quickly regrouped. Declan Watters brought the Red Wolves level, capitalizing on a rebound to slot home the equalizer. Just before halftime, Pedro Hernandez gave Chattanooga the lead with a ‘Blooping’ header. That goal proved…

Wamp reflects on Sanders trial and impact on victims of child sex abuse

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  On Thursday night, Duane Sanders was convicted of 15 child sex abuse counts including a count of aggravated child rape. Sanders had been a first grade teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School when multiple children came forward and said they had been abused by him. Seven of those children and their parents elected to testify against…

Victim identified in fatal Highway 58 crash

UPDATE (6/9/2025):  The victim involved in the fatal crash on Highway 58 Friday has been identified. 41-year-old Kari Parsons died in a two-vehicle crash in the 4700 block of Highway 58. The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to the incident around 2:00 p.m. CPD’s preliminary investigation shows Parsons was traveling south in a Kia Sorento in the 4700 block of…

Former Dayton teacher convicted of misdemeanor in child abuse case

RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A jury convicted a former teacher in Dayton of only one of five sexual abuse charges. Michael Arnold was accused of raping a child and sexual battery. But the jury only convicted him of misdemeanor assault for offensive touching. Prosecutors say that even though Brock was a math teacher at Dayton Elementary at the time….

Boaz teacher arrested for alleged sexual assault against student

BOAZ, Al. (WDEF) —  A teacher in Boaz, Alabama has been arrested for sexual assault involving a student. On June 5, 2025, the Boaz Police Department (BPD) was notified of a sexual assault incident. BPD immediately launched an investigation into the incident. During the investigation, a 14-year-old female student identified the suspect as William Brock. Brock was taken into custody…

More hotel rooms being built than tourists to fill them, says local tourism leader

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A discussion was held this week on the future on how to better position Chattanooga competitively in the tourism industry. It was held during a hearing on Hamilton County’s general government budget. In this year’s budget, the county is slated to give the Chattanooga Tourism Company about a million dollars less, which primarily goes to marketing. Various…

Signal Mountain man facing several charges in relation to child sex crimes

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Signal Mountain man faces several counts of sexual abuse including aggravated rape of a child. Stephen Rapaport was first arrested at the beginning of the year,and was indicted yesterday. Detectives spoke to a woman who turned over video evidence of Rapaport having sexual encounters with a young child. According to investigators a camera placed in…

Celebrate National Doughnut Day with Tasty Donuts!

Tony and A.J. McInnis with Tasty Donuts join News 12’s Chip Chapman on National Doughnut Day, June 6! Come and grab some tasty donuts with discounted offers exclusively for the occasion. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tasty Donuts is celebrating National Doughnut Day by giving back to the community and offering a special discount at their stores. National Doughnut Day celebrates…

Verizon tech helps you Be Prepared at home or on the trail

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Since the early 90s, Henry Flood from Epikos Comics and Games and I have always lived by the motto of “Be Prepared.”  We both made our Eagle Scout rank in the late 90s and in general feel like we are prepared for most situations.  This week our Verizon Tech Expert Winnie Wright is going to help us…

Motorcycle pursuit ends in arrest of suspect already out on bond in Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Nc. (WDEF) —  An arrest was made after Cherokee County authorities were involved in a pursuit that crossed into Tennessee. On June 3, 2025, Tracy Mason was spotted by Cherokee County narcotics agents riding a motorcycle with a passenger near Dickey Road. When officers tried to conduct a traffic stop, Mason refused to pull over and sped off,…

Thursday Throwback: 1990 Private Detectives

Remember all those T-V shows about private detectives? There were Magnum P-I, Mike Hammer and even Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. 30 years ago, we talked to local P-I’s who told us their job was not at all like what we saw on TV. And that’s our Thursday Throwback. Categories: From The Archives Tags: From The Archives, Thursday Throwback

Wanted suspect arrested after pursuit ends near Amnicola Highway

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A man wanted out of Rutherford County was taken into custody Thursday afternoon after a police chase ended near the Chattanooga Navy Operations Center. Around 1:35 p.m. on June 5, 2025, officers with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) began chasing the suspect on I-75. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) joined the pursuit and successfully…

Chattanooga Leaders Thank State for Riverfront Investment

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Community leaders gathered at Ross’s Landing Thursday to thank Governor Bill Lee and state lawmakers for committing $15 million in the state’s 2025–2026 budget to transform Chattanooga’s riverfront parks. Local officials, including Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, say the investment will be a game-changer for families, tourism, and the city’s connection to…