CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With the school year just around the corner, the Chattanooga community is making sure local children head back to school feeling ready and supported. News 12 spoke with the director of the Nehemiah Project, who shared how the organization is giving back in a big way. At the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, nearly 300 volunteers gathered…
Mauricio Velasquez UPDATE: Chattanooga police have arrested a second suspect in connection to the Read Avenue homicide. The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) say 18-year-old Mauricio Velasquez was arrested on Monday, July 21, 2025 Velasquez is currently being held at the Catoosa County Jail, but will be extradited to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center at a later date. He…
DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Nearly 100 years after the infamous Scopes “Monkey” Trial put evolution and education on the national stage, Dayton, Tennessee is bringing the courtroom drama back to life. Inside this historic courtroom, the clocks roll back to 1925. Actors are reenacting the Scopes Trial — a pivotal moment in American history that questioned whether evolution could be…
LF O made the playoffs last year, despite having a losing record. This year, they’d prefer a playoff berth with a winning record. The Warriors enjoy our 30-in-30 preview spotlight. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
The groundbreaking of a new $6 million, 36 bed, women’s addiction treatment facility. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Overcoming alcohol and drug addictions is a tall task, but those who suffer do not have to recover alone. A new women’s addiction treatment building at CADAS on the Chattanooga northshore will represent 36 new beds that will provide recovery options for those recovering…
CHATTANOOGA, TN – Verizon joins us this week to help with the summer heat and take the headache out of international travel. Normally traveling overseas or on a cruise means you need a different cellphone or have outrageous fees. Verizon Tech Expert Winnie Wright came in to give us some insight as to how they can help. Winnie Wright is…
Marion County captured their first state title in nearly 30 years last season. Now, they’re eager to add another gold ball this season. Brian Armstrong has our 30-in-30 preview of the Warriors. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
The Car Barn in the 1970s when CARTA used it to store buses. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Public Library) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed hotel in downtown Chattanooga has preservationists up in arms. They say a building, the Chattanooga Car Barn building, that dates back to the 1880s, is in danger of being completely demolished. It is on the National Register of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- New UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce revealed one of her big goals for the university Thursday. She wants to increase enrollment at the university to 15,000 students by 2030. UTC Chancellor Dr. Lori Mann Bruce (From: UTC) Dr. Bruce announced this goal during a speech to the Chattanooga Rotary Club. Currently, the school has an enrollment…
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – LIFT Youth Center is getting a creative boost thanks to a new grant from Georgia Council for the Arts. The nonprofit, which offers free afterschool programs to middle and high schoolers in Catoosa County, has been awarded an Arts Education Program Grant for 2026. It’ll help expand their LIFT Art Lab, which provides free workshops…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga native made global waves with nothing but sticks, rhythm, and soul. Miller Park is now permanently honored with a plaque in his honor. Clyde Stubblefield, the original Funky Drummer, is one of the most sampled musicians in history, his iconic beats appearing on over 1,500 recordings. From LL Cool J to Ed Sheeran, his…
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) uncovered, what they’re calling, one of the largest drug busts in Whitfield County history. On July 15, 2025, detectives with WCSO’s Narcotics division conducted an undercover drug operation following a month-long investigation. As a result, WSCO said they seized the following: 201 grams of Fentanyl 3,060 grams of Marijuana…
Brianna Jones and Harlan Lovestone join News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind local artists about the artist entrepreneur training program through Artsbuild. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Calling all local artists! ArtsBuild’s Periscope training program is accepting applicants to be part of their transformative, year long program that helps working artists’ careers. The program operates with three parts. There’s a business…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga firefighters battled a damaging house fire overnight in East Lake. CFD was dispatched to the 3500 both of 6th Avenue at almost 2 A.M. Thursday morning. Police officers began knocking on doors to get everyone out. When no one answered, firefighters quickly launched an attack and search of the structure. Fortunately, no one was in…
East Hamilton returns their starting quarterback, and an all-state play-maker. No wonder there’s plenty of optimism for the Hurricanes this season. Brian Armstrong shines the 30-in-30 spotlight on East Hamilton. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Red Wolves couldn’t hold on to a 1-0 lead on Wednesday evening, as they settled for a 1-1 tie with Texoma. Chattanooga took the lead in the first half on a goal from Dalton native Omar Hernandez in the 38th minute. Joshua Ramos received his second yellow card in the 60th minute, so Chattanooga was forced to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As we reflect on today’s ceremony honoring the Fallen Five, it serves as a powerful reminder that trauma affects not only our physical safety but also our mental well-being. We spoke with a local expert about the lasting emotional effects of the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack and the resources available to those still healing. Dr….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Ten years ago Wednesday, horror struck Chattanooga as a terrorist killed five service members. These were four U-S Marines; Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Lance Corporal Skip Wells, and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, along with Naval Second Class Officer Randall Smith. Tributes lay at the site of where Chattanooga’s worst nightmare began on July 16,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County officially has a new health director.Beka Bohannon has been confirmed to the position by the Hamilton County Commission. Bohannon is Mayor Weston Wamp’s pick to replace Sabrina Novak, who was fired last November from that role. There were questions raised by Commissioner David Sharpe on if the Commission could appoint Bohannon to the role, saying…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – On the banks of the Tennessee River, beneath a bright summer sky, the city of Chattanooga gathered Wednesday morning to mark a solemn milestone, ten years since the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack that claimed the lives of five U.S. service members. Hosted by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, the “Ten Year Remembrance Tribute to the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man has taken a plea deal that significantly cuts the number of child sex charges against him. Jacob Young was indicted this spring on more than two dozen charges of sexual abuse and rape of a child. However, on Tuesday, July 16, 2025, Young pleaded guilty to just three of the charges. The charges…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has selected Terry Knowles to be the next chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD). Since 2022, Knowles has served as CFD’s assistant chief of special operations. Mayor Tim Kelly’s Office says Knowles began his career with CFD as a firefighter in 2005. Throughout the years, he’s served as a Lieutenant, Captain,…
Click to view other businesses at Destination: Ocoee. OCOEE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Cherokee Rafting started in 1978. It’s a family friendly whitewater rafting company based in Polk County, Tennessee. The business prides itself in taking you down a very important part of local history. The Ocoee River is located inside the Cherokee National Forest. It’s a place where the…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Catoosa County couple has been arrested and is being charged with multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty. On Monday, July 14, 2025, a concerned citizen contacted Catoosa County officers about several cats in poor condition outside a residence on Saunders Road. Upon arrival, officers found several the cats in what they described as “deplorable”…