CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga icon is making its long-awaited return. The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway reopened this morning for a special preview ride, months after a fire brought operations to a halt. This morning, CARTA held a special pre-opening ride on the newly restored Incline Railway, months after the lookout mountain fire shut it down in December of…
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) – A young girl’s strength is inspiring hearts across our region after surviving a devastating car crash that changed her life forever. On January 12, 2024, Khloie was severely injured in a weather-related crash in Whitfield County. Slick roads covered in snow and ice caused her vehicle to slide off the road, ending in a near-fatal wreck….
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has appointed a new leader for the Hamilton County Health Department. Beka Bohannon was appointed by Mayor Wamp to be the next administrator of the Hamilton County Health and Social Services Division. Bohannon was already involved in the Hamilton County Government. She is currently the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and…
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hixson residents escape an overnight house fire when their working smoke alarms alerted them. At 3:42 A.M., Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a reported house fire on 6200 block of Wilder Road. Flames were found coming from the exterior of the home and near close proximity to where electricity was flowing into the home. Firefighters established…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts knocked off Rocket City 8-6 on Tuesday evening for their 9th straight win this season over the Trash Pandas. Lookouts grabbed the early lead with 5 runs in the second inning. Hector Rodriguez had a two-run homer in the inning. After Rocket City cut the lead to 5-4, the Lookouts responded with three runs in the…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Boyd Buchanan coach Gary Rankin enters this season with 499 career wins. Imagine the change and innovation he has witnessed in high school football over his forty plus years as a head coach. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- You may soon get some credit to save some money parking in downtown Chattanooga. If you’re a resident of the city of Chattanooga and pay for the city’s Parking Stickers, you may be able to get parking credits. The City Parking Stickers, which have been a requirement for all vehicles outside of motorcycles owned inside of the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new local website is making it easier for students to land internships and build careers in Chattanooga. InternshipCha.com just launched as a one-stop hub connecting Hamilton County students with real, local opportunities. It’s free for organizations to post, and listings are shared through schools and community partners. Wade Hinton, CEO of Hinton & Company, told…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo is getting a much-needed facelift. Don Boutz, a longtime business owner, has operated Sweetly Southern with his wife inside the historic Choo Choo Garden for 53 years. From blooming rose gardens to the relocation of the model train exhibit to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, he’s seen all the changes. He…
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Walker County couple accused of multiple counts of animal cruelty has now been arrested. Ronald Jackson and his wife Melissa Jackson were taken into custody on July 1 by the Morven Police Department. Walker County said the couple was located about 18 miles from the Florida state line. They were transported back to Walker…
Inza Hagins-Dyer and Chrissie Denton Holland join News 12’s Amelia Greer as the non-profit gets ready for two fundraisers around the Scenic City. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Love’s Arm Outreach has two upcoming fundraisers to support the non-profit’s mission to spread love, advocacy, and support to victims of human trafficking. For everyone wanting to catch a great baseball game, a…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Over 100 people are now confirmed dead from those devastating floods in Central Texas. Some areas saw over 20 inches of rain. Back here at home, many still have fresh memories of the devastation left just to our east by Hurricane Helene. Now we are asking, what is our threat level here in the Tennessee Valley? Once…
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) — Children develop lasting friendships and grow skills at Camp Signal. This week children of all abilities are coming together for lessons in Science and Technology. Take a look at what they learned in this week’s, What’s Right With Our Schools. “Camp signal is a six week long camp that we offer for children of all…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Salvation Army of Chattanooga is working to protect the most vulnerable from the sweltering summer heat with its annual Beat the Heat Program. Running through the end of August, the program provides box fans to low-income families without air conditioning and delivers water to those experiencing homelessness. The community is urged to donate fans and…
DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF) – A courtroom drama that made national headlines a hundred years ago is coming back to life right where it all happened. Destiny in Dayton, a live reenactment of the Scopes Monkey Trial, is drawing crowds from across the region. The 1925 Scopes Trial put Dayton, Tennessee on the map when teacher John T. Scopes was prosecuted…
Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Prince Edgar! Prince Edgar is a four and a half year old Husky mix who weighs about 55 pounds. His foster parent says he’s very energetic with zero aggression. He loves to play, chase, wrestle, and fetch with his foster parent’s larger dog. Prince Edgar is good on a leash, though he can…
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — What started as a family passion project has grown into a vibrant Lego hub in Soddy-Daisy, bringing creativity, community, and bricks together under one roof. “So scenic City Bricks was a family passion project that we, we started in 2020. We were going to open up in 2020. Unfortunately, with Covid happening in 2020, we…
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Rockwood man is facing a first degree murder charge after a deadly shooting over the weekend. On Sunday, July 6, 2025, deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to the shooting in the 200 block of George Anna Drive. Upon arrival, deputes located the victim, Michael Kerley. According to the Tennessee Bureau…
Kristen Weitz joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to preview the 6th annual Seniors Got Talent Chattanooga on July 31. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Everyone of all ages has a talent to share, including our seniors! Morning Pointe Foundation is hosting their annual “Seniors Got Talent” fundraiser with tickets on sale now! Many of our seniors have unique talents to share…
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Dollywood classic is back and better than ever. Blazing Fury has officially reopened after a major refresh and the park honored some real-life heroes to kick things off. News 12’s Robert Hanley has the details. Eugene Naughton, The President of Dollywood, told media that “a lot of people, when I walked in the midway,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – During the summer months, the First Horizon Pavilion fills with locals enjoying everything the Chattanooga Market has to offer. This weekend, however, things got a little messier than usual. It was a celebration of all things red, white, and blueberries as the Chattanooga Market held its annual pie-eating contest. To kick off the festivities, an announcer…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Market is getting ready to go all-in on one of summer’s sweetest fruits. The Peach Festival returns next weekend, bringing fresh flavor, fun, and a wide variety of peach-themed treats to the First Horizon Pavilion. Local vendors will be on-site with everything from fresh peaches to peach salsa, jams, jellies, pastries, and cobblers. Trey…
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Fourth of July celebration in Hixson took a frightening turn late Friday night when flames erupted at a home on Friendship Lane, sending emergency crews rushing to the scene. While the family inside made it out safely, neighbors say it could have been much worse. “I turned the water on, I was like, ‘Pull, pull,…
LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) — It was a moo-velous time in LaFayette this weekend as the annual ‘Red, White, and Mooo’ event returned to Blessing Creek Farms, drawing families, local vendors, and animal lovers for a unique and festive Fourth of July celebration. The holiday-themed event offered everything from cow-inspired crafts and live music to sweet treats and savory bites served…