Governor, TDOT talk Chattanooga road construction updates

Gov. Bill Lee with TDOT workers and local state representatives in front of the Apison Pike construction project. COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Much of Chattanooga’s main roads continue to be a construction zone.  However, state officials are saying there is an end in sight for many of those projects. Two years ago, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee passed the Transportation Modernization Act…

Illegal Immigrant convicted of First Degree Murder in strangulation of his girlfriend

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A jury has convicted a man of murdering his girlfriend more than two years ago. Hamilton County Prosecutors say 21 year old Jose Ramirez strangled his girlfriend, Oliva Pena in August of 2022. He said he choked her and then fell asleep. When he woke up, she was unresponsive. But District Attorney Coty Wamp says the murder…

Pet of the Week: Bear

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Bear! Bear is six and a half years old, and one of the Humane Educational Society’s sweetest seniors. He has a mellow personality most of the time, but there are times where the puppy in him comes out and he’s ready to play. Bear has experienced living with children, and did well with…

East Ridge considering cuts to Care-A-Van service as costs increase

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The city of East Ridge is considering the impact of rising costs of CARTA’s Care-A-Van service. The service specifically serves those with disabilities in Chattanooga, Red Bank, and East Ridge who cannot otherwise use CARTA’s fixed bus routes or their own transportation. Each city, including East Ridge, subsidizes the service as riders pay a flat fee…

Clean Your Dirty Face with special offers for facials!

Sonia Desai with Clean Your Dirty Face joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the various services they offer to promote skin health and wellness. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A facial from Clean Your Dirty Face will leave your skin flawless without all the toxic chemicals in most commercial skincare products. Clean Your Dirty Face opened in Chicago in…

Man arrested in Scottsboro on attempted assault charges

SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) —  A man has been arrested in Scottsboro for attempted assault in the first degree. At 8:35 p.m. on April 27, 2025, the Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) was dispatched to the 700 block of Windsor Drive on reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found a victim who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. According to SPD, the victim was transported…

CCS and Baylor Finish in 1-1 Tie

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor and CCS wound up playing to a 1-1 draw on Monday night. It was the first time the Chargers didn’t win a match all season, as their record falls to 15-0-1. But the tie was still good enough for Chattanooga Christian to win their region title. CCS took the field without head coach Tyler Robertson who has resigned….

Prosecution seeking to show jury jail calls at impending Andre Grier murder trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga gang member charged with the murder of a mother set to testify against his fellow gang members was back in court Monday. Andre Grier is charged with first degree murder in the 2016 killing of Bianca Horton. Horton was set to testify in a separate murder case involving Cortez Sims after her baby daughter Zoe…

From online to in-person: Ali Kay brings Fresh Paint Live to Chattanooga

From online to in-person: Ali Kay brings Fresh Paint Live to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The vibrant world of art is taking center stage in Chattanooga this week. Inside the Convention Center, nearly 250 artists have gathered from across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for a unique two-day experience. Imagine being able to learn from your favorite art teacher and finally meet them in person—alongside hundreds of other…

Hope for Alexander: A Family’s Mission to Change Childhood Cancer Treatment

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –  Imagine explaining to your child that he or she has cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 15,000 children and teenagers are diagnosed with the disease each year in the United States. One Chicago family with roots in Chattanooga experienced this diagnosis firsthand. Meet 6-year-old Alexander Brown, his sister Charlotte, mom…

Cleveland HS Celebrates Student Success Stories

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – At Cleveland High School, Room 901 is home to more than just desks and textbooks. It’s where dreams take center stage. What started as a simple classroom challenge has turned into a powerful tradition, thanks to government teacher Kyle Gilpin. His “Wall of Dreams” proudly displays acceptance letters from seniors heading to college, the military, and…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Sequoyah Future Ready

SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – A new initiative is coming to Sequoyah High School that promises to open up a world of opportunities for students. The North River Future Ready Center aims to equip students with the skills they need for college and in-demand careers.  This is another perfect example of “What’s Right With Our Schools”. Big changes are coming to…

Five arrested in Soddy Daisy human trafficking operation

  SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A joint undercover operation targeting human trafficking in Soddy Daisy has resulted in the arrest of five individuals. The effort, led by TBI’s Human Trafficking Unit and the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, took place on April 26, 2025. According to the TBI, agents posted decoy advertisements on websites known for commercial sex activity,…

Hamilton County man pleads guilty to several charges in Catoosa County

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Hamilton County man has pleaded guilty to several charges, including shooting at a police officer and being in possession of meth. On May 26, 2024, Travis Downie fired several shots at a responding Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit. He then fled the scene and was later discovered by a K-9 officer, hiding nearby. According…

Chattanooga Zoo welcomes rare Pied Tamarin babies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – There’s something worth celebrating at the Chattanooga Zoo, a baby boom among one of the world’s most endangered primates, the pied tamarin. The zoo recently announced that Daphne, one of its resident pied tamarins, gave birth to a single baby, while Carly, another female, welcomed twins. This rare event is significant for a species facing a…

Chattanooga Seafood Bash serves up a taste of the coast

CHATTANOGOA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Seafood lovers from all around the region flocked to downtown Chattanooga this weekend for the annual Seafood Bash, an event that brings the flavors of the coast right to the Scenic City. This year, the event moved to Ross’s Landing after outgrowing Coolidge Park in just two years. By request of the city, the festival took…

Grundy County fights back against opioid crisis

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Saturday was National Drug Takeback Day, as numerous organizations across the Tennessee Valley are looking to curb drug addiction. However, the situation has become urgent in Grundy County. Despite recent tragedies, that community says the only way to overcome a crisis is to come together. Grundy County Constable Kyle Collins said, “Over the past 45 days,…

Chase Burns shines in debut

(LOOKOUTS)-The Chattanooga Lookouts swept the doubleheader, winning game one 8-3 and game two 3-0, over the Columbus Clingstones. Game one marked Reds top prospect Chase Burns’ Double-A debut. The right-hander lit up the radar gun, throwing 11 pitches over 100 MPH in the first inning. Burns allowed a run in the first, but settled in and finished his debut going…

Chattanooga Beach Volleyball Goes Back-to-Back as Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Champions

GoMocs- For the second consecutive season, the Chattanooga beach volleyball team punched its ticket into the NCAA Tournament after the Sandy Mocs defeated UT Martin 3-2 to become Ohio Valley Conference tournament champions on Saturday at the UTC Sports Complex. In front of a raucous home crowd at the UTC Sports Complex, the Mocs (26-5, 10-0 OVC) fought through one…