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…
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Chattanooga Red Wolves have been away from home for almost a month. Just a few minutes into the game Matt Bentley picked up a yellow card. Then just before the end of the first half Bently scored the 1 and only goal of the match in the Red Wolves 1-0 win over One Know.
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Repticon Chattanooga is back this weekend, bringing exotic creatures and curious crowds to East Ridge. Camp Jordan Arena is transforming into a reptile lover’s paradise for this two-day event. Visitors explored rows of vendor booths, attended live seminars from reptile experts, and even got hands-on with snakes, lizards, and more. Raeanna Owens, Reptile Vendor, spoke…
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) – The City of Soddy-Daisy is closing out the holiday weekend with a full day of family-friendly festivities at the Soddy Lake Recreation Complex. The day kicked off with a solemn ceremony at the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, where the community paid tribute to those who served and sacrificed. From there, things shifted into celebration mode…
TRENTON, GA. (WDEF) – If you’re looking for a small-town celebration that packs a big punch, Trenton, Georgia just delivered as the 1945 Fair lit up Jenkins Park for another unforgettable Fourth of July. Now in its eighth year, the 1945 Fair became a true Dade County tradition, drawing thousands for a day full of family fun and patriotic pride. …
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Coolidge Park turned red, white, and blue Wednesday night as thousands gathered for one of Chattanooga’s most beloved summer traditions, Pops on the River. The free, family-friendly event brought people of all ages to the riverfront for live music, food, and fireworks. Local favorite Chattanooga Soul kicked things off, followed by a patriotic performance from the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Could the city of Chattanooga soon allow residents to own chickens in residential areas? A new proposal could allow just that. In Chattanooga, it is currently illegal to own a chicken unless your home is zoned for agriculture. However, Councilman Chip Henderson wants to see this change as many residents are already owning chickens against the rules….
CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County’s new Mobile Health Unit is officially on the road. It launched with stops at the Soddy-Daisy Food City on Wednesday, and Chester Frost Park today. The launch of this mobile health unit coincides with the closure of the Hamilton County health clinic in Soddy-Daisy. The staff from that clinic now work inside this bus,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A portion of the Tennessee Riverwalk is about to close until next Spring. The section of the Riverwalk near the under construction Erlanger Park will close at the Chestnut Street trailhead. This is so work can be done to the trail in conjunction with the baseball stadium. The work is to make the trail both gameday…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Chattanooga man was arrested after leading authorities on a high speed chase Wednesday evening. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says that they received a call about a red Nissan Frontier weaving in and out of traffic around Hixson Pike and Ashland Terrace around 7 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies located that vehicle on the five hundred block of…
MURPHY, N.C (WDEF) — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is warning of potential scams related to the murder of one of their officers Monday. Officer Francisco Flattes was killed in the line of duty on Monday. Authorities say he was transporting inmate Kelvin Simmons to a medical appointment in Peachtree, North Carolina when Simmons escaped, stole a gun, and killed…
CHATTANOOGA, TN – This week on Tech Byte we travel to the Vascular Institute of Chattanooga for Dr. Will Harris to show us a new tech they have to help treat Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) that is new to this end of the country. Cagent Vascular has developed a new technology called the Seranator Balloon that Dr. Harris is using…
Mackenzie Steele with the Creative Discovery Museum fills News 12’s Amelia Greer in on the latest July events, particularly for the 4th of July holiday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Kick off your Independence Day celebrations early with the Creative Discovery Museum’s ‘Red, White, and Blue Day!’ Red, white, and blue will be taking over the museum in celebration for America’s…
Tennessee Aquarium’s Alison Pryor joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to give us the latest update on this year’s penguin chick! Guests can catch a glimpse of the chick, enjoy some local beer tastings, some swag, and an after-hours tour of the aquarium with the return of ‘Fish and Sips!’ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The newest penguin chick has finally hatched…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County officially has a new county attorney. Janie Parks Varnell officially took over the post as of Tuesday. She replaces longtime attorney Rheubin Taylor. She introduced her new team this morning to the Hamilton County Commission. The team includes attorneys Tim Clark, Paige Evatt, Heather Elmore, and Zack Yancy. Varnell says the team is going to…