CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Young professionals are rethinking what makes a community the right place to call home. A new survey shows that safety and housing affordability rise to the top of the list, with a large majority of Gen Z and Millennials saying those factors matter most when choosing where to live. But quality of life goes beyond affordability….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga officially has a brand new fire chief. Chief Terry Knowles was officially sworn in Thursday as the city’s 22nd fire chief. He is succeeding former Chief Phil Hyman who retired earlier this year. Chief Knowles was previously the assistant chief of special operations for the fire department, and has been with the Chattanooga Fire Department…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Big Ridge Elementary students are getting a boost to their future plans. Dr. Dane and Sheila Boyington have donated 50 dollars to each kindergarten and first grade student’s Chattanooga Future Fund account. This program was established last school year that allows families to save money for college and other post-graduation programs. Students learning about the donation of…
DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) — A DeKalb County corrections officer has been arrested following an internal investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). On August 27, 2025 the DCSO said as a result of this investigation one jail employee was arrested and another was terminated. The next day, the DCSO released more information regarding the employees. The employee who…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga police responded to a report of a person shot Thursday morning. The call was made on South Market Street near Alton Park just before 9:00 a.m. Two individuals were seen by a neighbor being placed in cuffs. Police at the scene told us that occupants of two vehicles exchanged gunfire. One vehicle sped away, while…
Rev. Jon Rector joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to invite everyone to Union Gospel Mission’s Labor Day BBQ Fundraiser. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Union Gospel Mission is bringing the community together for their 11th annual Labor Day Free BBQ Fundraiser. Community members are invited to 2020 Gunbarrel Road, in front of the Maple Street Biscuit Company, on September 1…
Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) Ooltewah pulled away to win their home volleyball match against Hixson on Wednesda y 3-1. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Some Hamilton County commissioners took offense to a report that they had inappropriately used travel funds for routine travel. Every Hamilton County commissioner is allowed $12,500 for reimbursable travel to certain events. However, a report by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press this week raised questions whether or not Commissioners were using those funds to travel from home to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could a new addition soon be coming to the Howard School’s campus? Over the past few years at The Howard School, there have seen a new football field built among other facility upgrades. Now, the county wants to build a brand new indoor sports facility along with other upgrades. However, there are some concerns that some other…
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF)- A development in Ooltewah that was rejected last week by the Hamilton County Commission was revived Wednesday. The Thrive Dairy Farms development on Snow Hill and Amos Roads behind Ooltewah High School had been voted against due to concerns on traffic impact and the height of the building. This development would be located near the section of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga residents had the chance to leave their mark on the city’s future today during a topping off and community signing ceremony at Erlanger Park. The event marked a visible milestone in the construction of the Lookouts’ new stadium. Neighbors, families, and local leaders gathered at the South Broad site, lining up to sign steel plates…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This year marks the 90th anniversary of Social Security, one of the most influential programs in American history. New AARP data shows just how much the program continues to matter for Tennessee families. Across the state, more than 679,000 seniors rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. For many, it’s the difference between…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –The CHATT Foundation received a surprise donation today. Courtesy of CHATT Foundation Today, a vehicle from Renewal by Andersen arrived at the Chatt Foundation on East 11th Street This comes following an employee food drive at the company. The company said that this reinforced a shared commitment to community care and social responsibility CHATT Foundation stands for…
Caitlin Stanley, the Senior Director of Blood Assurance, reminds everyone that one donation of blood can save up to three lives. They’re in need of donations and are offering gift cards to those who donate in August. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – While blood donations are always in demand, there are times when the need for donations increases, especially around Labor…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Mocs kick off their season this weekend at Memphis. UTC endured a big roster overhaul in the off-season. Time to see how all of the new pieces fall into place. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UTC Mocs
WDEF- Cracker Barrel is stirring up conversation after unveiling a major brand refresh for the first time in decades. The chain has rolled out a redesigned logo, removing its iconic image of a man sitting by a barrel. The update is intended to modernize the brand while maintaining its Southern roots. Some fans have voiced disappointment on social media, while…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A former elementary school teacher convicted on 15 child sex abuse charges in June, including aggravated child rape, was back in court Tuesday morning. Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp referred to the seven children who testified they were sexually abused by Duane Sanders inside of his Wallace A. Smith Elementary classroom, as the Heroic Seven. Sanders…
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Families are still recovering from the flash floods that swept through just a couple of weeks ago, leaving homes and lives turned upside down. In response, the Chamber of Commerce has launched a major relief effort, extending its donation drive through the end of the week. The list of needed items is wide-ranging but focused on…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Renovations of several Hamilton County Schools were discussed at the school board’s finance committee meeting. Thrasher Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle School, and Normal Park Magnet were discussed as schools with potential upgrades coming. This would be an additional phase of the school facilities plan. One of the schools in that first phase, Clifton Hills Elementary in…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is celebrating a major step forward for families of children with special needs. Special Kids, a nonprofit founded 27 years ago in Murfreesboro, has officially opened its first pediatric therapy clinic in the city. For families in Hamilton County, access to therapy has long been a struggle. Waitlists can stretch as long as two years,…
SUMMERVILLE, Ga. (WDEF) — A Menlo man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after a mobile home shooting almost three years ago. On December 22, 2022, deputies with the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a residence on Reece Street on reports of shots fired. Upon arrival, deputies located the victims involved in the incident, who identified…
Local artist, Harlan Lovestone joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as registration opens for his Fall 2025 ‘Remote Art and STEM/STEAM’ classes. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Developed through ArtsBuild’s Periscope Program, Color Wheel Learning is offering classes that combines art with STEM/STEAM. Students can start signing up now and receive a discount if they sign up before September 15. Classes will…
Game week is finally here for Tennessee, as they prepare to face Syracuse on Saturday at noon in Atlanta. With so many new players in the mix this season for the Vols, it led to plenty of questions for Coach Heupel and his players. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UT Vols
NOTE: We previously reported that Jimenez had a federal warrant. We have updated this to the wording of the jail report. RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF)- An arrest in Ringgold of an undocumented immigrant and an activist has gone viral. Elizabeth Haley says she was with her friend Jade Michalski last Monday when they noticed a man being arrested on Depot Street….