Steps of Support and Strength

 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families, friends, and supporters laced up their shoes this weekend in Chattanooga, not just for fitness, but for a powerful cause. The first-ever race hosted by Chattanooga Tracheostomy Families brought the community together to raise funds and awareness for children living with trachs and ventilators.  Participants took part in a 5K, a fun mile, and enjoyed…

Ringgold’s Historic Jamboree Shines Bright

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Memorial Day weekend brought music, food, and a little bit of history to downtown Ringgold, Georgia. The 1890 Days Jamboree is a beloved tradition that draws thousands each year, and it all started with a simple idea from two local women nearly 50 years ago. For nearly five decades, the 1890 Days Jamboree has transformed the…

Bacon Fans Flock to BaCON

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – The smell of sizzling bacon is drawing crowds today at the Tri-State Exhibition Center in Cleveland, Tennessee, where the 7th annual BaCON Festival is officially underway. Running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., this family-friendly event celebrates all things bacon, featuring dozens of Southern food vendors putting a creative spin on the beloved breakfast staple.  From…

Fleischmann discusses One Big Beautiful Bill Act

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Early Thursday morning, the House of Representatives passed a new budget bill. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by a single vote. All but two Republicans were in favor, and every Democrat voted against. House Republicans say that the bill will lower the taxes of most Americans, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay. However,…

Dinosaurs Come Alive at Jurassic Quest

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Quest, one of the largest traveling dinosaur exhibits in North America, is back, bringing life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digs, science stations, and interactive displays for the whole family. Visitors can get up close with towering creatures like the T. rex and Spinosaurus, ride dino-themed inflatables, and even dig for fossils.  There’s also a baby dinosaur meet-and-greet,…

Verizon brings New Tech and New Savings

CHATTANOOGA, TN – According to new data from the Commerce Department, Americans are saving more and spending less. To help with the saving part, while staying connected –  Verizon just recently announced a savings plan. Verizon Tech Expert Winnie Wright visited our studio to give us the details on how Verizon is helping folks save money. “This is going to…

Mayor Wamp blasts Erlanger naming rights deal for new Lookouts stadium

UPDATE 2 (5/23/2025): In the Lookouts’ statement, they pointed to nine other ballparks across the country sponsored by hospitals. This includes the new Knoxville stadium, Covenant Health Park. They insist that quote, “These health systems wouldn’t be doing and renewing these if they didn’t provide significant benefits to the health systems, which helps them serve the local communities.”  The Lookouts also…

Rate freeze enacted for Georgia Power customers

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Georgia Power customers can expect to save some money over the next three years. The Georgia Public Service Commission has announced they are freezing rate increases over the next three years. This will affect Georgia Power’s customers across most of our northwest Georgia counties. We spoke with the Commission’s Vice Chairman Tim Echols, who is…

Scenic City Shakespeare brings the comedy classic “Much Ado About Nothing” to life this summer

Emma Collins with Scenic City Shakespeare joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the troupe puts on ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ for four more weekends in Chattanooga! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Enjoy Shakespeare the way it was intended, outside in the fresh air, with Scenic City Shakespeare’s performance of “Much Ado About Nothing.” “Much Ado About Nothing” is one of Shakespeare’s…

CCS Wins First Ever State Softball Championship

Murfreesboro, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Christian softball team beat St. Benedict 3-0 to claim their first ever state championship.  Kylie Black threw a complete game one-hitter with 12 strikeouts, and Hannah Smith had a key 2 RBI base hit in the 5th inning to help lead the Chargers to the historic victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Erlanger buys naming rights to new Lookouts stadium as concerns rise over debt shortfall

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future South Broad Stadium has its new name. As the Lookouts celebrate this new milestone, there are rising questions if the district around the stadium will generate its promised revenue. Erlanger, the longest serving hospital in Chattanooga, will be the namesake of Erlanger Park.  A new website was unveiled on Thursday showing off new renderings of…

Red Bank property tax hike likely

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)- Red Bank property owners may soon see a property tax increase. This is in response to the soon to be certified tax rate across Hamilton County. Red Bank city manager Martin Granum says the average property in Red Bank saw its value rise by nearly 60 percent. However, both the city and the county are not…

Thursday Throwback: 1985 House Raffle

For Our Thursday Throwback today, we want to take you back to an unusual contest in Rising Fawn. A couple wanted to move into town so they put their home up for sale. But they decided to make a game of it. So you could buy their home..the land…and even the donkeys on it for just a hundred dollars. Categories:…

Bradley County man arrested after deputies find drugs during welfare check

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A welfare check turned into an arrest after a man was found unconscious with drug paraphernalia nearby. On May 21, 2025, deputies with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), responded to a welfare check at a business on Spring Place Road. Upon arrival, deputies found a male, later identified as Rex Woody Morgan, slumped over…

Firefighters rescue injured worker from apartment roof on Mountain Creek Road

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga firefighters rescued an injured worker from the roof of an apartment building Thursday. On May 22, 2025, at 8:58 a.m., crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to 1005 Mountain Creek Road. Upon arrival, crews used a rope system to get the patient down from the rooftop. According to CFD, the patient was working…

Riceville woman ordered to pay nearly $27,000 after committing TennCare fraud

  MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Riceville woman has been convicted of TennCare fraud following an investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). Angel Elrod, 47, pleaded guilty on May 5, 2025 to one count of TennCare fraud after investigators found that she failed to report her 2018 marriage and her husband’s income to the Division of TennCare….

Lookouts Beat Rocket City 3-0 to Get Record Back to .500

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts won their fourth in-a-row on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Rocket City. The victory got Chattanooga’s record back to .500 at 20-20. Jose Acuna got the win. He didn’t allow a hit through 5.1 innings. Lookouts got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Edwin Arroyo delivered a two-out single to score…