Rhea Co Defeats Cleveland 3-0
Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Rhea Co soccer team won a big district match over Cleveland on Tuesday night 3-0. The Golden Eagles got all three of their goals in the second half. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Health professionals react to President Trump’s autism announcement
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Monday, President Donald Trump made announcements regarding a potential cause of autism. President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy claimed that there is a link between Tylenol and autism. The President said that taking it during pregnancy increases the likelihood of their children developing it. This is a claim that numerous health organizations argue has…
Roman Eulo Becomes Big Playmaker For Walker Valley
Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Seems the Walker Valley offense is pretty simple this year. Roman Eulo left. Roman Eulo right. Roman Eulo up the middle. Brian Armstrong profiles the Mustangs playmaker. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
IRONMAN Faces Potential Rain Threat
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is preparing to welcome the IRONMAN triathlon for its 11th year this weekend, drawing thousands of athletes from across the country and around the world. Race weekend begins Thursday, Sept. 25, with athlete check-in at IRONMAN Village on Ross’s Landing. The full course includes a 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River, a 112-mile bike ride…
Golden Apple Award: Ellie Whitaker, Battlefield Primary School
FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) – Ellie Whitaker has a gift for bringing out the best in her first-grade students at Battlefield Primary School. It starts with building a relationship with each child and learning the how they learn. That kind of dedication earned Ms. Whitaker this week’s Golden Apple Award. Julie Robbins is the Principal, Battlefield Primary School. She says,…
Man arrested for attempted murder after shooting in Soddy Daisy
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Soddy Daisy man has been arrested for attempted murder following a shooting Monday night. On September 22, 2025, at 11:10 p.m., officers with the Soddy Daisy Police Department (SDPD) responded to the 11000 block of Davenport Road in regards to a shooting call. Upon arrival, officers located the victim walking towards them with an…
Scottsboro police make arrests after search warrant uncovers drugs
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) — The Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) made multiple arrests after a search warrant uncovered drugs. In the early morning hours of September 20, 2025, SPD officers executed a search warrant in the 100 block of South Broad Street. According to the SPD, offices uncovered two different types of controlled substance pills, marijuana, and several items of drug…
Recovery Happens Together with Hamilton County Coalition
Hannah Dalton with the Hamilton County Coalition invites everyone to their Recovery Happens Together event and how the organization can help your recovery journey. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Coalition invites everyone to their Recovery Happens Together event to celebrate everyone’s recovery journeys, service providers, allies, and more! The free event will be held on Wednesday, September 24 from…
Walker County Animal Shelter temporarily shuts down due to parvovirus case
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — The Walker County Animal Shelter is temporarily closed after a stray animal tested positive for parvovirus. Staff said a juvenile stray came in less than a week ago and later showed signs of the virus. The shelter will stay closed until October 6, 2025, for deep cleaning and monitoring. While all animals are vaccinated upon…
Requirements for SNAP benefits to be tightened
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Some may soon lose their SNAP benefits due to new federal rules. The potential loss of benefits for some is because of the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill back in July. It tightened requirements for SNAP benefits for adults from 18 to 65 without disabilities or children under the age of 14. The new rules…
Forecast: fall foliage weeks away from peaking in Chattanooga area
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday is the first full day of fall. Even if it hasn’t completely felt like it in recent weeks, we will soon see leaves changing across the Tennessee Valley. It won’t be an immediate change, but climatology experts with the Tennessee Climate Office at East Tennessee State University say beginning in early October, you’ll begin to see…
Pet of the Week: Chester
Meet News 12’s pet of the week, Chester! Chester is a young pittie mix with a big heart. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says he’s as sweet as they come and he’s always ready for the best day of his life. Chester is a pro at having fun, he loves hikes, playtime, tug toys and ball. He also loves to…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Cleveland Middle School’s “We the People”
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – Eighth graders at Cleveland Middle School recently got a civics lesson they won’t soon forget. The students marched onto the football field to spell out the first three words to the preamble of the Constitution. That’s a patriotic example of “What’s Right With Our Schools.” Ed Fickley is the 8th Grade American History Teacher at Cleveland…
Multiple agencies respond to multi-vehicle crash on I-75
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Multiple agencies responded to a multi-vehicle crash on I-75 Monday morning. TDOT reported the crash at 10:02 a.m., September 22, 2025. News 12 reached out to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) for more information regarding the crash. CPD said four vehicles were involved, and four people were transported to the hospital. All four individuals were treated…
HTeaO Opens New Hixson Location
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – HTeaO, a Texas-based iced tea franchise, has officially opened its doors in Hixson, bringing a wide selection of premium iced teas, coffee drinks, and fresh cupcakes to the greater Chattanooga area. The new location, owned and operated by Chris and Shelley Jones, features more than 20 handcrafted tea flavors made with 100% natural ingredients and a…
Prostate Cancer Survivor Inspires Others
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of understanding this disease and the challenges men face. Each year, about 300,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and roughly 45,000 have hormone-sensitive forms. Among them is Bob Lane, a survivor who turned his second diagnosis into a mission. Known affectionately as “Elevator…
Ringgold and LFO Prepare For Another Catoosa Cup Clash
It’s the battle for the Catoosa Cup as Ringgold takes on LF O. The Tigers have owned this rivalry over the years, but can the Warriors punch back tonight? We go live to Tommy Cash Stadium with Brian Armstrong to preview the match-up. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
Riders Honor Trail of Tears
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Motorcyclists from across the country are once again riding to honor Native American history during the 32nd annual Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride. The ride began Friday morning in Cherokee, North Carolina, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Riders traveled through the Nantahala Gorge and Ocoee River Gorge before stopping at Ross’ Landing…
Soddy-Daisy announces upgrades to Holly Park thanks to county contribution
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Upgrades could soon be coming to a park in Soddy-Daisy. Hamilton County is giving the city of Soddy-Daisy $250,000 towards their efforts to add amenities to Holly Park. It is a small park along Soddy Lake off Hixson Pike which currently has one boat dock. Soddy-Daisy and Hamilton County officials announcing upgrades to Holly Park Friday. City…
Vietnam Veteran honored by Hamilton County on Friday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Hamilton County veteran who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War is receiving a special honor. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has declared Friday John George Sparks Day in Hamilton County. Sparks was a Specialist Sixth Class in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he was taken as a Prisoner of…
Day of Caring held in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Friday was a Day of Caring across Chattanooga. Sponsored by United Way of Chattanooga, there were numerous projects spearheaded by volunteers across the city. A group of volunteers working at Warner Park to build a hammock on the Day of Caring. One such project was the construction of six frames for hammocks to be placed inside of…
Voices for a Safer Tennessee discusses firearm safety advocacy efforts
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF)- The latest advocacy efforts on firearm safety were discussed Friday morning at the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club. The presentation was put on by Voices for a Safer Tennessee. They are an advocacy group that was created in the wake of the 2023 Covenant School Shooting in Nashville. Their main policy goals are to expand background checks…
New Tech Keeps Old Species Thriving at Chattanooga Zoo
CHATTANOOGA, TN – This weeks Tech Byte takes us behind the scenes at the Chattanooga Zoo into the bio secure area of the Hellbender Headstart Program. Most often we enjoy zoos and aquariums without taking the time to think of how do these animals survive here in the south where we might have four seasons in one day. This is…
Friends of Special Children and Signal Centers come together for their 20th annual ABC Event
Angeline Fairchild with Friends of Special Children and Donna McConnico with Signal Centers share their collaboration with a special community event and auction. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Friends of Special Children and Signal Centers are working together for their 20th annual All aBout Children (ABC) Event fundraiser! Friends of Special Children brings recreational and support programs for children with special…