Mocs Celebrate NIT Championship With Rally in Downtown Chattanooga

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Mocs fever swarmed Miller Park in downtown Chattanooga. The city gathered to celebrate the UTC basketball team’s NIT national championship. The guys got to ride the duck boats for a brief parade on their way to Miller Park. Who wants an autograph. Like everybody there. The NIT title was the school’s first ever D-One national tourney crown, and UTC…

Roberts takes stand in own trial, claims Wright called him a racial slur before shooting him

Darryl Roberts being sworn in for testimony in his own murder trial on Thursday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Darryl Roberts took the stand in his own defense during day three of his own murder trial. He is charged with first degree murder in the September 28, 2023 shooting death of Christopher Wright in front of Patten Towers. Thursday was Darryl Roberts’…

Thursday Throwback: 2005 Oceans Journey

Twenty years ago, the Tennessee Aquarium went from freshwater to salt. They opened phase two of the project with the Ocean’s Journey next door to the original Aquarium. So for our Thursday Throwback, we’ll share stories on the opening… sharks… and Life with Luther. Categories: From The Archives Tags: From The Archives, Thursday Throwback

Two people arrested after authorities found nearly $150,000 in drug paraphernalia

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Two people have been arrested after local authorities seized a significant quantities of drugs, vehicles, firearms, and cash. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Narcotics & Special Investigations Division and the FBI conducted a search warrant at a home near the 400 block of Booth Road on April 16, 2025. During the search, authorities recovered…

Partnership for Families, Children and Adults offers resources for sexual assault survivors

Partnership’s Rape Crisis Center Manger Amy Carlton joins News 12’s Lillian Yi to talk about the resources and support for survivors offered by Partnership during April Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Partnership for Families, Children and Adults reminds the community of the resources and support they offer to survivors. In…

Lookouts Punish the Smokies 12-1

The Chattanooga Lookouts set a new Covenant Health Park record on Wednesday by scoring 12 runs in their 12-1 win over the Knoxville Smokies. Granted it was just the second game ever played in the Smokies new ballpark. Chattanooga collected 16 hits in the victory. Austin Hendrick had two home runs and five RBI’s, while Austin Callahan also went deep…

Mocs Beat Tennessee State 4-0 to Record Fourth Shutout in Last 5 Games

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga softball team won its fifth straight game, fourth by shutout, in a 4-0 win over Tennessee State Wednesday night at Frost Stadium. Chattanooga put up two runs in the first then added another two in the fifth and didn’t allow the Tigers across the plate. The Mocs improved to 31-11 overall while Tennessee State moved…

Baylor Completes Sweep of McCallie With 14-4 Win at AT&T Field

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor and McCallie took their baseball rivalry to the Lookouts AT&T Field on Wednesday night. The Red Raiders felt at home in the minor league ballpark by beating the Blue Tornado 14-4. The victory allowed Baylor to sweep the three game series against their cross-town rival. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baylor School, High School Baseball, McCallie…

Notre Dame Basketball Standout Gaas Herman Signs With Carson Newman

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Notre Dame had a spring signing celebration on Wednesday. One of those signing college papers was basketball player Gaas Herman. He’s headed to Carson Newman. Herman was one of the top players in the Chattanooga area last season. He averaged a double-double with 24 points and ten rebounds a game. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Carson Newman,…

Local Cleveland company worries about tariffs

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — A local business in Cleveland is worried about President Trump’s Tariffs. Scale trains is a local model train company based in Cleveland Tennessee. They are worried that the Tariffs on China could financially cripple their company. Their current prices on their trains vary, but mainly run around $300. They worry their prices could increase to almost…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Flappy Nappies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) –Potty -training, it’s a task given to all parents.  Tonight, we are learning about a product to help young children transition to the bathroom during training.  The product is called Flappy-Nappies.  Cloth diapers, if you will, that attach to a separate waist belt.  The invention is made right here in Chattanooga.  It’s this week’s Driving our Economy…

“I WAS SCARED”: Prosecution rests in Roberts trial as witness recounts shooting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Day two of the Darryl Roberts murder trial, was a rather short one. Roberts is charged with first degree murder in the September 2023 shooting death of Christopher Wright in front of Patten Towers. Wednesday morning’s proceedings only lasted a little more than half an hour. This was because the prosecution called one last final witness to…

Hemp Bill Sparks Industry Backlash

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A proposed bill at the Tennessee Capitol is putting small hemp businesses on edge.  House Bill 1376 would shift the regulation and taxation of hemp-derived products, like THC-A, to the alcohol industry.  Critics say the bill threatens to dismantle an industry that has operated legally under state oversight since 2023, when SB0378 was passed and a…

Cicadas Return After 17 Years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Get ready, Tennessee, because millions of 17-year cicadas are about to make their grand entrance.  Brood Fourteen, last seen in two thousand eight, will emerge when soil temperatures hit 64 degrees, expected in late April to early May.  These loud but harmless insects will be seen across the state, especially in East Tennessee. While their buzzing…

Chatt Prep avoids charter revocation, moves forward under probationary status

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Following several weeks of review and collaboration, Hamilton County Schools and the new leadership at Chattanooga Prep have reached an agreement regarding the schools charter status. Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson initially recommended revoking the school’s charter. However, after working closely with Chattanooga Prep’s administration, he decided to allow the school to continue operating while addressing…

Mayor Wamp’s State of the County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Mayor Weston Wamp gave his state of the county address at Soddy Daisy Middle School. The mayor said he wants to focus on the smaller communities in Hamilton county, like Soddy Daisy, and they should get the same love that the city of Chattanooga gets. He also mentioned the upgrades coming to the riverfront and…

Deadly crash claims two lives, including LaFayette High School student

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  Two people were killed and another seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash on GA-1 near Center Point Road Tuesday afternoon. Georgia State Patrol (GSP) troopers were dispatched to the scene at 4:02 p.m. on April 15, 2025, following reports of a serious collision involving three vehicles. A gray Toyota Tacoma was headed south in the…

Cleveland fire crews contain kitchen fire at Bradley County Jail

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A fire broke out in the kitchen area of the Bradley County Jail Tuesday afternoon. Crews with the Cleveland Fire Department (CFD) were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found moderate smoke conditions, and made entry to investigate. When they got inside, crews found an active kitchen fire and mounted an aggressive interior attack. According…

Baylor Rockets Past GPS 13-2

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor got a couple of big home runs early on their way to a 13-2 win over GPS. Xahara Willis hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Amiya Leach hit a grand slam in the second inning. That made the score 9-0, as Baylor cruised to the easy win. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News