Chattanooga police investigating early morning I-24 homicide

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga police are investigating a homicide that occurred on I-24 eastbound near the Westside Drive exit. At 2:57 a.m., May 4, 2025, officers with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to the 18100 block of I-24 on reports of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located a 22-year-old male inside a vehicle with life-threatening injuries. EMS…

Former Murray County bus driver arrested for grooming a minor

MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A former Murray County bus driver has been arrested by the GBI for grooming a minor. On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the GBI was asked by the Murray County Sheriff’s Office to investigate Kenneth Knight. Knight was a former employee of the Murray County School system, and was being investigated on allegations of having inappropriate…

Former Chatt Prep teacher Kenya White pleads guilty to enticement of a child in federal court

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Former Chattanooga Prep teacher Kenya White has agreed to plead guilty to enticement of a child in federal court. He signed a plea agreement last week. In the agreement, White admits to enticing two victims over the last year. One was a seventh grader at East Lake Academy. The second was a student at Chattanooga Prep…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Ivy League Graduates

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Cleveland High School continues to excel both in and out of the classroom.  This year, two graduating seniors are taking their achievements to the next level.  Both are heading to an Ivy League university.  Their success serves as an inspiration for other students to dream big and pursue academic excellence. Robert Hanley visited Cleveland High School…

Fur Mama nonprofit specializes in saving the tiniest lives

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In the heart of our community, Fur Mama is doing more than just rescuing animals—it’s providing a specific kind of care that’s often overlooked: neonatal support for orphaned puppies and kittens. Neonatal animals, often just days old and without their mothers, require around-the-clock care. Without trained support, their chances of survival are slim. “Neonatal care in…

Taco Festival Brings the Flavor

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a flavorful weekend at Camp Jordan as the 4th Annual Chattanooga Taco Festival took over East Ridge. Despite one day being canceled due to weather, everyone still came out to enjoy the beautiful, sunny Sunday. From sizzling street tacos to sweet treats and handcrafted goods, the festival offered something for everyone.  Families enjoyed live…

Major League Fishing Stage Four Victory

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour Stage Four concluded today in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with Jake Lawrence emerging as the champion.  Fishing on Nickajack Lake, the Paris, Tennessee native amassed an impressive eighty-three pounds, two ounces over the course of the tournament.  Lawrence’s performance outpaced a competitive field, including runner-up Jacob Wheeler.  News 12 was able to…

Scenic City Gem Show Wraps

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 2025 Scenic City Gem and Mineral Show wrapped up today at Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge.  Over the past three days, visitors explored a stunning collection of gems, minerals, fossils, and meteorites from over two dozen dealers.  Mark Woods, Southeastern Mineral Specimens, had this to say about this weekend’s events:  “We have 16 to…

Congrats UTC Grads – And one of our own

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Congratulations to all of the graduating students from UTC! We posted on our social media asking for photos and videos of you or your loved ones on this momentous occasion—and wow, just look at all those smiling faces! We also want to give a huge shoutout to a very special graduate, Rainey Randolph. Rainey is our…

Community heroes clear fallen tree on Ochs Highway

Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) – This evening, a tree came crashing down into the middle of Ochs Highway blocking traffic heading up and down Lookout Mountain. But before road crews could even arrive, two community members stepped in—grabbing tools and working together to chop the tree into smaller pieces and move the debris out of the way. In time, the road…

Turn Around, Don’t Drown: A risk taken, a car lost

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDE) – Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to flash flooding across parts of Chattanooga, leaving multiple drivers stranded — including one whose car became partially submerged. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, blocking off the flooded roadway and working to remove two vehicles from the water. One man said he was driving through the area when…

Ooltewah Softball Has Enjoyed Fantastic Turnaround

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Ooltewah softball team has won 25 games so far this season, which matches their victory total from the last four seasons combined. The Owls have been successful thanks to some young, talented players, and a familiar coach back on the bench. Brian Armstrong has the story. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Chatt Prep celebrates first cohort as all graduates accepted into college

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Prep celebrated their first senior class Friday. The school says their entire first cohort of 50 students have been accepted to at least one college or university. This comes after uncertainty if they would be able to graduate on time due to issues with teacher and course verification. All of that was discovered following the arrest…

DeKalb County capital murder suspect in custody in Gordon County, GA

FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) —  A Capital Murder warrant has been issued for Christopher Brayden Jones, 23, of Calhoun, Georgia, in connection to the murder of Marcus Adam Battles. The murder occurred on April 10, 2025, in Mentone, Alabama. The warrant was issued after a 21-day investigation. Jones is already in custody in Gordon County, Georgia on other unrelated charges….

Cumberland County woman convicted of animal cruelty, dog Zeus recovers

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A woman in Cumberland County has pled guilty to an animal cruelty charge. On January 17, 2024, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a civil matter at a home on Breckenridge Drive. With the help of Cumberland County Animal Control, deputies conducted a welfare check on the animals after hearing distressing sounds from…

How Batman and Comic Books have Influenced the Tech in Your Life

CHATTANOOGA, TN – In May of 1939, Bob Kane and Bill Finger would introduce the world to what we would come to know as the worlds greatest detective. If you’re fortunate to own Detective Comics No. 27 that features the first appearance of Batman, then you’re probably a comic aficionado. Every year on the first Saturday of May, the North…