CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Buying a home has become increasingly difficult for many first-time buyers as housing prices and upfront costs continue rising nationwide. Now, leaders in Chattanooga say a new partnership aims to make homeownership more accessible for working families. The city has officially launched a new Down Payment Assistance Program in partnership with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. …
CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) – Getting young people to love reading is a team effort in Catoosa County. Last year, the School District teamed up with Citizens for Literacy and the Public Library to create Catoosa Reads. That’s a page-turning example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” “Today we have Catoosa Reads which started last year as a collaborative of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Military Appreciation Month and Mental Health Awareness Month continue, Benjamin Hightower is using his platform to speak openly about mental health and life after military service. Hightower, an Air Force veteran and Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, gained national attention following his breakout performance on America’s Got Talent. Now, he says he wants to help reduce the stigma…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The IRONMAN 70.3 returned over the weekend, bringing athletes to a course built around a downstream Tennessee River swim, rolling regional roads, and a downtown run lined with spectators. The event’s local history began in 2014, when the first full IRONMAN race was held following a 2013 announcement that the city would join the global endurance…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Chattanooga celebrated another year of the Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga, athletes from across the country crossed the finish line with stories of perseverance, discipline, and determination. Charlie Baker and Andrew McBurney could be heard shouting, “Ironman 2026!” For many competitors, months of training and sacrifice led to Sunday’s race. “I worked too hard for this. I’m…
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) – The Town of Cohutta is seeing another major leadership change. The Town of Cohutta’s Attorney, Bryan Rayburn, confirmed that Ron Shinnick has resigned from his position as mayor. Over the last several weeks, News 12 has covered allegations surrounding the former mayor’s wife, Pam Shinnick, continuing to work as Town Clerk after town meeting minutes indicated…
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) – Down Home Days Festival returned to Chickamauga today for its 52nd year of celebrating community traditions and local entertainment. The annual festival featured live music, food vendors, family activities, a KidZone, and entertainment throughout the day, drawing community members and visitors to downtown Chickamauga. Residents said the festival continues to be one of Chickamauga’s longest-running community…
UPDATE: On Sunday afternoon, close family members and friends gathered at a memorial created in honor of their loved one. Friend Michael Wright reflected on the emotional loss. “We are here at the memorial of our best friend and fallen friend, Dathan Thomas. You don’t get to say goodbye at the end of the day. So being able to do…
CHATTOOGA, Ga. (WDEF) – The family of Elder Aguilar-Macario is calling for his release after the Trion High School student was detained by ICE following a motor vehicle crash earlier this month. On May 1, Aguilar-Macario was involved in a crash that resulted in his arrest and transfer to an ICE detention center. Today, the Chattooga County Democratic Party hosted…
Duluth, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Dalton Catamounts are state champs again in soccer. Dalton beat Midtown 1-0 in the 4A s tate finals on Friday in Duluth, Georgia, to claim their 8th state crown. Rigo Torres scored the only goal of the match on a header in the second half off a corner kick. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Pensacola Blue Wahoos had the bats working against Chattanooga on Friday, as they defeated the Lookouts 9-3. The Blue Wahoos built a 3-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back in collecting the victory. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) It has been a week to celebrate for the Boyd Buchanan softball team. They got a walk-off win to advance to Spring Fling. It marks the Bucs first trip back to Murfreesboro in over two decades. Brian Armstrong reports. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Baylor soccer team came up just short in advancing to spring fling on Friday. The Red Raiders dropped a 1-0 decision to Briarcrest Christian in the state quarterfinals. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Those who have fallen in the line of duty were honored Friday in downtown Chattanooga. The annual ceremony held a special significance after the recent death of Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Landon Faulkner in an April crash in Sequatchie County. A declaration made by the Hamilton County delegation in the Tennessee General Assembly was given to the…
OOLTEWAH,TN (WDEF) – An East Hamilton High School student is receiving national recognition for a short film she created. Rayna Wright took third prize in C-Span’s Student Cam Documentary Competition. Her film “A Long way from Prosperity” looked at ways to solve the homeless crisis in America. Wright earned a $750. Today, the student body got to watch her film….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Iron Man 70.3 Kilometer triathlon starts on Sunday, bright and early. Friday was check-in day for the competitors at Ironman Village on Riverfront Parkway. Hundreds of competitors from Chattanooga and beyond came in droves to attend an orientation and purchase gear. Talking to the competitors, one thing was clear: Everyone loves Chattanooga. Competitor Julie…
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) — News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether they serve as EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, or police officers, the award honors the unwavering dedication these first responders show every day to keep the community safe. When danger strikes, they are the first to answer the…
Long before Eastgate was the focal point of Brainerd Road, this area of Tennessee and much of Northwest Georgia was a part of the Cherokee Nation. A group of missionaries commissioned by a board in Massachusetts was sent to the area now called Brainerd to minister to the local Cherokee population. The Brainerd Mission was located where Eastgate currently sits….
Calhoun, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Calhoun baseball team saw their season come to an end on Thursday, as Pickens swept a double-header against the Yellow Jackets in the state Final Four. The Dragons won game one 4-2, and they took the second contest 11-5. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chickamauga, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Gordon Lee baseball team is headed back to the state championship game to defend their state crown. The Trojans took care of Worth Co in the Final Four winning 8-0 and 5-0. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Webb School defeated Boyd Buchanan 6-1 in a decisive game three of their playoff series to advance to spring fling. Owen Fogle with the big blow in the game hitting a grand slam. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Sale Creek, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Sale Creek baseball team made school history on Thursday. The Panthers beat Trousdale Co 14-4 to advance to their first ever spring fling. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department says violent crime continued to decline in 2025, according to the department’s newly released annual report. The report shows homicides dropped nearly fifty percent compared to the previous year, while non-fatal shootings and crimes against persons also decreased across the city. During an interview with News 12, Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Virginia nonprofit is working to bring a bit of relief to a local family as their young son continues his fight against leukemia. The Roc Solid Foundation is raising money to build a backyard playset for Sebastian, a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August 2025 and is currently receiving treatment at…