High Tech vs. Low Tech Showdown at Brainerd Motorsports Park

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Throughout history, people have always asked the question: “what would it be like if Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali met in both their primes?”  Comparisons of legends against the latest phenomenon have always left us to ponder the what ifs.  Unfortunately, we don’t have a Tyson vs. Ali heavyweight match up but we did have some fun…

Rep. Rose describes what he saw in the Covenant School Shooting documents

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) – A Tennessee Congressman has finally reviewed documents on the Covenant School shooting in Nashville more than two years ago. Three students and three adults were killed in the attack. But police withheld documents from the public on the shooter’s motives. Police agencies often hold back inflammatory writings by mass shooters to keep from spreading their message….

The Incline Railway to reopen soon after December wildfire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga landmark damaged in a December wildfire will soon be reopening. The Incline Railway was taken out of service because of the December 7, 2024 Lookout Mountain wildfire. Over the past six months, crews have had to replace cable, rail, and timber on the burnt tracks. CARTA CEO Charles Frazier says that nearly 90 percent of…

Education Freedom Scholarship launches in Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- After a controversial path to being passed, Tennessee’s new school choice program has gone live. At noon central Thursday, The Tennessee Department of Education launched the application link for the Education Freedom Scholarship. Over 33,000 Tennessee families according to Governor Lee’s office have applied for the program. Gov. Lee said, “Education has the power to change the…

Former addict turns life around through IRONMAN racing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — As athletes gear up for this year’s IRONMAN Chattanooga, one name on the roster carries more than just racing credentials; it carries a story of survival. Todd Crandell, the founder of Racing to Recovery, shared with News 12 his incredible journey from addiction to IRONMAN. Crandell spent 13 years battling heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and nearly every…

Thursday Throwback: 1985 Old Time Jamboree

As we get you ready for the first IBMA festival and conference here in Chattanooga this fall, let’s look back at some of our bluegrass history in this area. The music has a long history in our rural communities. For our Thursday Throwback, we take you back to 1985, to the Old Time Jamboree. The IBMA festival is a four…

DOGE like taskforce in Hamilton County

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The federal government has been operating a department of government efficiency or doge. That has trickled down into other governments including our own county government. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp was inspired by DOGE to bring efficiency to the county. Mayor Wamp said, “At the beginning of the year we created, in earnest, what we called…

Rick Davis Faces Mounting Charges

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A familiar face in Chattanooga’s jewelry scene is at the center of a legal firestorm. Rick Davis, longtime owner of Rick Davis Gold & Diamonds on Brainerd Road, is facing mounting legal troubles.  A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Davis on six counts of theft, with allegations that he obtained property valued between $10,000 and $60,000…

Chattanooga police investigate fatal shooting on North Hickory Street

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga police are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred Sunday evening outside an apartment complex on Hickory Street. Officers responded around 3:45 p.m. on May 14, 2025, to 1210 N Hickory Street after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found Jamel Sutton suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. He was taken to a…

Let loose with the “Spirits in the Wild” event at the Chattanooga Zoo

“Spirits in the Wild” is returning to the Chattanooga Zoo Saturday, May 17 for a special after-hours event for adults 21+. Jake Cash, Will Ternes, and ‘Thor’ the tortoise join News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the popular event over the weekend. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The popular adults only event, “Spirits in the Wild,” returns this weekend at the…

Boat catches fire on Tennessee River near Chickamauga Marina Boat Ramp

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A boat went up in flames on the Tennessee River Wednesday evening, prompting a multi-unit response from Chattanooga Fire. Around 5:08 p.m. on May 14, 2025 Hamilton County 911 received several calls about a boat on fire near the Chickamauga Marina Boat Ramp. Fire crews responded to 2900 Kings Point Road, where they found heavy smoke…

Cleveland man accused of wife’s murder now charged in murder-for-hire plot

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  There is a new charge tonight against Craig Liner, the Cleveland man accused of killing his wife, Karen. News 12 obtained newly filed documents that point to a disturbing murder-for-hire plot authorities say Liner planned while behind bars. Craig Liner is already charged with the murder of his wife. Now, investigators say he tried to have someone else…

Students Design for Public Works

RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) – Public Works Appreciation Week kicks off soon, and one local elementary student is helping celebrate in style. The City of Red Bank Public Works Department partnered with Alpine Crest Elementary for a special T-shirt design contest. Fourth and fifth graders were invited to create artwork highlighting the department’s vital role in the community.  Fifth-grade student…

Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships Open for Applications Tomorrow

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Starting tomorrow, families across Tennessee can apply for the state’s first-ever universal school choice program — the Education Freedom Scholarships. For the 2025–26 school year, 20,000 scholarships will be available through this new initiative, marking a major step in Tennessee’s broader education reform efforts. The program is designed to give families more control over their children’s…

Ivy Academy Students Win Charter Champion Award for Solar-Powered Backpack Project

SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Students at Ivy Academy have earned national recognition by receiving the Charter Champion Award for Community Impact Project of the Year, thanks to their groundbreaking innovation — solar-powered backpacks. These student-designed backpacks are equipped with solar panels that can charge electronic devices like phones and tablets. While the invention itself is impressive, the mission behind…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Shappi

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  It’s a business that provides freight and logistics services to other businesses, ensuring transportation.  Taken from the words “shipping” and “happy”, Shappi brings American products to Latin America using a network of travelers.  We have details on the app in this week’s Driving Our Economy Forward. “What Shappi does is connecting people from Latin America to…

Janie Varnell confirmed as new Hamilton County Attorney

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  The Hamilton County attorney saga appears to have reached a conclusion. The Commission has finally approved a transition plan. After a long and controversial process, Janie Parks Varnell has received approval to become the new Hamilton County Attorney to replace longtime attorney Rheubin Taylor. After several months in a special advisor role, Varnell was approved by the…