Response to a call of an active shooter at UTC, later proven to be false. (From: Hamilton County EMS) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chaos ensued on the UTC campus on Thursday afternoon. Police say at roughly 12:30 Thursday afternoon, dispatchers received a call about an active shooter with a rifle at 615 McCallie Avenue. This prompted a massive response from UTC…
Dr. James Dobson, a child psychologist who founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was a politically influential campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, died on Thursday. He was 89. His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. Dobson started a radio show counseling Christians on how to be good parents and founded Focus on…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the Hamilton County Commission’s meeting time change? During Wednesday’s meeting centered on the controversial Plan Hamilton vote, several residents voiced how inconvenient the 9:30 a.m. meeting time of the County Commission has been throughout this process. They argue it freezes out many citizens from attending and participating in this political process due to being at work,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga nightclub has been sanctioned for the third time this year by the Chattanooga Beer Board.The Dream on Glass Street has had a series of issues dating back to December 2024. A shooting had occurred inside the club then injuring one person. Afterwards, a shootout occurred outside of the club in January that was caught on…
Kevin Lusk with Project Access and Joel Henderson with Volunteers in Medicine join News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview a special fundraiser between the two organizations. ‘Golf for Good’ offers patients and physicians alike the opportunity to enjoy time on the golf course — all for a good cause. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Project Access and Volunteers in Medicine are collaborating…
Executive Director Rodney VanValkenburg and Musical Theatre Director Michael Howard join News 12’s Chip Chapman to preview their newest musical next month titled ‘Memphis.’ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Theatre Center’s 102nd season is right around the corner with the play Memphis kicking off in September on their main stage. Memphis is musical about a white DJ with a…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Joey Aguilar is half of college football’s wildest flip-flops. When Nico Iamaleava departed Tennessee in April for UCLA, the quarterback left the Bruins to join the Volunteers. Now Aguilar has Iamaleava’s old starting job. “Coming out here and being the starting quarterback for this program is nothing but excitement, and that’s all I can say,” Aguilar said Wednesday. “I’m…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) McCallie’s Elliott Drapeau has the height and size you expect from a strong-arm quarterback. He also has a state title. The Canadian transfer led McCallie to a state crown last year, and he wouldn’t mind a repeat this fall. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial plan to guide future growth in unincorporated Hamilton County took the next step Wednesday. The contention over Plan Hamilton came to a head Wednesday morning as residents and developers squared off over what they want the future of Hamilton County to look like. Much of the audience were displeased with the Hamilton County Commission’s decision…
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Efforts are ramping up to bring a new walking trail to Soddy-Daisy. The Hamilton County Health Department says they would like to create a six mile walking trail called “Rails to Trails” along Sequoyah Access Road from Dayton Pike to the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant. This would be built on the old railroad track…
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — A development we’ve previously reported in Ooltewah has been rejected by the Hamilton County Commission. The Thrive Brooks Dairy Farm had been previously approved by the Regional Planning Agency. It was to be located off of Amos Lane and Snow Hill Road behind Ooltewah High School. It was voted down after some commissioners said they felt…
UPDATE: A second juvenile has been charged after a gun was recovered from a car at East Hamilton High School. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced this Thursday afternoon. The HCSO says the second student is being charged with the following: • Possession of a Weapon on School Property • Possession of Stolen Property OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) — A…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Visitors to Chattanooga will soon be able to enjoy two of the city’s most popular attractions with one ticket. Starting August 20,2025 the Tennessee Aquarium and Rock City Gardens will offer a new Tennessee Aquarium + Rock City Combo Ticket. The tickets will only be available online, and for a limited time. The single-day pass gives guests…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A standing room only crowd came to the Chattanooga City Council Tuesday afternoon to give their views on a proposed property tax hike. The Chattanooga City Council was filled with first responders who hope a pay raise is coming soon. This would be achieved through a property tax rate, as many of them say that short…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Questions are still being raised a week to the day devastating flooding killed four people in Hamilton County. Much of the damage caused by the flooding occurred in Brainerd and East Ridge, especially near the construction along Interstate 24. We spoke with residents and the Calvary Christian School last week who are located just off that highway,…
PIKEVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nine volunteer fire departments across Tennessee are each receiving $10,000 grants through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). News 12 traveled to Pikeville to speak with members of the Rigsby Volunteer Fire Department, one of the recipients, about how they plan to use the money….
Ringgold opened the season with a 38-7 win over Dade County. The Tigers were up 38-0 at the half, before easing off the accelerator. Part of that likely had to do with the fact that Ringgold coach Austin Crisp is good friends with Dade county coach Jeff Poston. Brian Armstrong fills us in. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is rolling out the welcome mat for more than 250 outdoor writers, photographers, and media professionals as the city hosts the 2025 Outdoor Writers Association of America Conference. The Scenic City will serve as a launchpad for adventure, with attendees experiencing world-class rock climbing, hiking, biking, and paddling opportunities just minutes from downtown. The conference…
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools, in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga and the Hamilton County Mayor’s Office, has unveiled plans for North River Elementary School, a new facility that will serve the DuPont, Alpine Crest, and Rivermont communities. The $48 million project is scheduled to open in fall 2027, located on the site of the North…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons defended shoving the Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward at the end of practice Monday and accused outsiders of blowing up tempers flaring at a hot training camp practice. The No. 1 overall draft pick, wearing a red non-contact jersey, was celebrating a touchdown throw in a red-zone drill when he put…
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Blood Assurance is calling on the community to help address an urgent need for blood donations. The nonprofit blood center says donations have dropped in recent weeks, creating challenges for patients who rely on a steady supply. Blood is needed every day for trauma victims, cancer patients, and surgical patients. Officials stress that one donation can save…
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Fire Department’s Swiftwater Rescue Team has officially received state accreditation. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick Sheehan presented the certificate Tuesday morning at the Chattanooga Police and Fire Training Center. The 26-member team has spent years preparing for this recognition, training extensively and putting their skills into practice during recent emergencies. Just days ago, they…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — UTC is warning students about a couple of incidents from the weekend. Both of the incidents involved parties. One was a case of drink spiking at a party off campus. The victim was treated at the emergency room. The other incident involved a frat party. A UTC student reported she had too much to drink and was…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A father has been sentenced for starving his son to death. Three years ago, 69-year old John Hoover reported his son had stopped eating. He said his son had a mental disability and that he and his wife had had to move in to care for him. The son was hospitalized and died several months…