South Pittsburg Cornbread Celebration

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. (WDEF) – Get ready to fire up those skillets because South Pittsburg is once again the cornbread capital of the world! The 28th Annual National Cornbread Festival is back, and organizers are expecting a massive crowd. The festival brings the streets of South Pittsburg to life with live music performances, setting the tone as visitors stroll through…

Robot Calf Protests Leather Industry

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Downtown Chattanooga recently saw a futuristic protest take to the streets, as a robotic calf made an unexpected appearance to raise awareness about animal cruelty and environmental impact. Charli XC Cow, a walking, talking, AI-powered robot calf created by PETA, took center stage outside Warehouse Row, asking shoppers a provocative question: “Are you wearing my mother?” …

Federal lawsuit filed in response to debt collection agency’s data breach

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few weeks ago, a data breach began being uncovered across multiple agencies in our area. Now, that debt collection company is at the center of a federal lawsuit. Hamilton County and the city of Chattanooga recently announced that they were affected by a data breach involving Nationwide Recovery Services. They are a debt collection agency that…

Chattanooga jury being selected to hear Memphis case in Tyre Nichols’ death

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Hamilton County jury is being selected today for a high profile case in Memphis. Tyre Nichols died three days after a viral incident in 2023 where video showed him being beaten by five Memphis police officers. Video showed the officers beating Nichols after running away from the traffic stop. Those officers are facing second degree…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Basecamp

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  It’s an event to connect local resources and organizations.  Basecamp is a day for professionals to speak with Chattanooga industries.  Tonight, we are getting a first-hand look at how the Enterprise Center is supporting small businesses.  It’s this week’s Driving our Economy Forward. “I came to base camp without any expectations. And I actually met so…

Chattanooga man arrested after shooting neighbor and dog on Sylvan Drive

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A 41-year-old Chattanooga man has been arrested after a shooting that left a neighbor and the neighbor’s dog injured. On April 21, 2025, at 4:24 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a person shot call in the 800 block of Sylvan Drive. Upon arrival, officers found a 64-year-old man with non-life-threatening injuries and learned that the victim’s…

Properly dispose your medicine this weekend with National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Hannah Dalton with the Hamilton County Coalition joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.  **Due to system technical difficulties, this video has sudden flash frames. We apologize for the inconvenience. ** CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)  – Get rid of the used, unused, and expired medicine taking up space in your medicine cabinet with the…

Chattanooga Seafood Bash moves to Ross’s Landing

Marge Davenport joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as they get ready for another busy year on the riverfront. After just two years, the Chattanooga Seafood Bash has outgrown Coolidge Park and is now moving to Ross’s Landing for a weekend full of fun!  **Due to system technical difficulties, this video has sudden flash frames throughout the segment. We apologize for…

Columbus Clingstones Down the Lookouts 5-1

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts faced the Columbus Clingstones for the first time ever on Tuesday night at AT&T Field, and the visitors from Georgia pulled out a 5-1 victory. The Clingstones are the new Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Ethan Workinger homered in the second inning to make it 1-0 Columbus. The Clingstones added four runs in the seventh…

IBMA is coming to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s official: Chattanooga will soon become home to one of the largest bluegrass music events on the planet. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has selected the Scenic City as the new location for its signature World of Bluegrass event, scheduled for fall 2025. To kick off the countdown, IBMA organizers hosted an open house for…

Chattanooga Burger Week Returns with $8 Burgers and Community Spirit

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF)- Burger fans across Chattanooga have something to celebrate—Burger Week is back and sizzling! From April 21 through April 27, more than 25 local restaurants are serving up special $8 burgers as part of the city’s tastiest week of the year. A Burger for Every Taste Whether you’re into spicy flavors, gourmet twists, or classic favorites, there’s something…

Roberts found guilty of second degree murder in Chris Wright murder trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  After close to 8 hours of deliberation, a Hamilton County Jury reached a verdict in the murder trial of Darryl Roberts. “Respecting count one of premeditation 316495 we the jury Find the defendant Darryl Denopolis Roberts guilty of second degree murder….do either side require further polling from the jury, no Judge, no your honor” Roberts is…

Undocumented student bill stalls out in Tennessee Legislature

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A group standing in opposition to a controversial bill proposed in part by Senator Bo Watson says it appears to have stalled out in the state legislature. The bill aimed to deny public education to children based on immigration status. The bill’s co-sponsor, Representative William Lamberth, has reportedly decided to shelve the bill for the 2025…

Golden Apple Award: Melissa Cairns, Fairyland Elementary

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA, (WDEF) – Libraries are great places to learn!  Melissa Cairns is an expert an instilling a lifelong love of literature in her students are Fairyland Elementary.  She is great at finding just the right book for each child.  Let’s see how she does it in this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Cairns has been the media specialist at…

A “Sculptacular” night with a Broadway star!

The Scuplture Fields are teaming up with two esteemed schools to bring special music to the Scenic City featuring a Broadway star! Jay Heavilon with Sculpture Fields brings choir directors Emily Tousek (GPS) and James Harr (McCallie) to preview the event Saturday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Broadway star is coming to the Scenic City for the Sculpture Fields “Sculptacular…

Celebrate the arts with ArtsWeek!

James McKissic of ArtsBuild and Charlotte Caldwell of Stoveworks join News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the fun filled celebration of Chattanooga arts for ArtsWeek! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s ArtsWeek is here with plenty of fun events all week long to celebrate our local arts! Created by ArtsBuild, over 60 events are happening now through April 27 that…

National Work Zone Awareness Week

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — This week marks National Work Zone Awareness Week across Tennessee and the rest of the country—a campaign focused on reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert, and move over when traveling through highway construction zones. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is using this week to amplify a crucial message: work zone safety is a shared responsibility…

Hamilton County launches Traffic Task Force

You said You said: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has officially launched a new initiative aimed at improving roadway safety across Hamilton County. On Monday, officials announced the creation of the Hamilton County Traffic Task Force—a collaborative effort designed to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities throughout the region. The task force includes several local and state…

Jury still deliberating verdict in Roberts trial after tense closing arguments

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The jury in the Darryl Roberts trial is currently in the process of deciding his fate. He is charged with first degree murder in the September 2023 shooting death of Christopher Wright, a shooting that Roberts himself testified that he committed last Thursday. The jury called it a day at 6:30 on Monday evening during their deliberations…

Whitwell Senior Makes Naval History

WHITWELL, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Whitwell High School senior is making history in Marion County. Ava Holder has been accepted into the United States Naval Academy for the upcoming school year, becoming the first female from the county to ever earn a spot at any of the nation’s military academies. News 12 asked Ava Holder, Naval Academy Appointee, about what…

Local Reactions to Pope Francis’ Passing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Catholics around the world are mourning Pope Francis, who has died at the age of 88, weeks after being released from the hospital following a battle with double pneumonia and other health complications.  Known for his humble approach, Francis was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.  His…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Clumpies Howard

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Some Howard High students just turned a class project into the coolest creation in town.  News 12’s Timbrel Williams stopped by the kitchen to see how these young chefs cooked up a flavor that’s now the freezers at Clumpies.  It’s a tasty and refreshing example of What’s Right With Our Schools. “Well, the students of Howard…