Pet of the Week: Vanya

  Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Vanya. Vanya has many wonderful qualities, including her blue eyes and speckled coat. According to the Humane Educational Society, she also walks great on a leash. She’s happy to walk beside you and explore the outdoors. Vanya is also very affectionate and is searching for a family that will share all the…

Catoosa County couple sentenced to 20 years following child cruelty conviction

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Catoosa County couple has been sentenced after being found guilty on multiple counts of child abuse. The couple was charged in December of 2023 following an investigation led by local authorities. According to the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office, the couple lived with their teenage children in a mobile home that didn’t have proper…

Serving Hope This Easter Sunday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This Easter Sunday, the front lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center was filled with warmth, generosity, and hope as the Union Gospel Mission served its 11th Annual Easter Sunday Community Dinner. From 1 to 3 PM, volunteers handed out a traditional Easter meal to hundreds of Chattanooga’s unhoused neighbors and others in need.  The meal…

Police looking for domestic violence suspect after early morning Brainerd SWAT standoff

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A tense situation unfolded in a Brainerd neighborhood early Friday morning. A SWAT standoff that caused some roads near Brainerd High School to shut down. However, that suspect is still on the run at this time. Before 5 a.m. Friday morning, Chattanooga Police received a call about a domestic violence incident on Tomahawk Trail when things escalated….

NTSB report released on March LaFayette plane crash

  LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) —  The NTSB report has been released on the LaFayette plane crash that occurred in March at the Barwick LaFayette Airport. The Cirrus SR-22 was destroyed when it impacted the ground during an instructional flight. The flight had departed from Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (RMG) in Rome, Georgia, earlier that afternoon before picking up the…

Why Does Your Morning News Run So Well? Tech, and Khristine Arnold

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Have you ever watched a news show and wondered how it all works so seamlessly and runs so smoothly? Have you ever had a moment at your business or been in the community and wondered “why isn’t the news live covering this right now?”  My guest today is the WDEF Morning Producer Khristine Arnold and she’s going…

Try out these exercises for National Exercise Day

April 18 is National Exercise Day and Planet Fitness trainer Shannon Deboef joins News 12’s Lillian Yi to show off some exercises you can do at home. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s National Exercise Day and Planet Fitness has a few exercises to try at home. Planet Fitness trainer Shannon Deboef shows off some Functional Training exercises that work out…

Tivoli Theatre Foundation announces 2025-26 Broadway lineup

Tivoli Theatre Foundation CEO Nick Wilkinson joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to remind everyone to purchase their “Hamilton” tickets now and to announce publicly the 2025-26 Broadway line up! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is now less than one week away from leaving us all feeling “Satisfied” when Hamilton comes to the Memorial Auditorium, and to continue that excitement, they announced…

Red Bank Defeats Whitwell 6-2

Red Bank, TN-(WDEF-TV) Red Bank scored three runs in the bottom of the first, and that proved to be enough, as they defeated Whitwell 6-2 on Thursday afternoon. Jacob McCurry homered in the top of the first for Whitwell to make it 1-0 Tigers before the Lions mounted their comeback. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

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…