CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Tennessee Aquarium is celebrating an adorable addition to its Penguins’ Rock colony: a tiny Gentoo Penguin chick named Sherbert — at least for now. Sherbert hatched on May 29 to first-time parents Carla and Bigfoot. At birth, he weighed just three ounces — about the size of a…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – More than 75 percent of American adults plan to take a road trip this summer, and with the Fourth of July weekend approaching, tire safety is top of mind. Hot pavement, long hours behind the wheel, and worn-out tires can be a dangerous mix. Experts recommend checking your tire pressure regularly, especially during heat waves, since…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Since the pandemic, we’ve seen our fair share of gas price swings, but now, just in time for the holiday, the cost at the pump is bringing back some major pre-2020 nostalgia. Here in Chattanooga, drivers are seeing an average of $2.61 a gallon. That’s nearly 15 cents lower than just a week ago, and over…
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Walker County couple is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities found several dogs deceased and neglected. Deputies with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) noticed an open door at a local business at 2234 McFarland Avenue. When checking on the property, deputies found a small room with several dogs inside. According to Walker County,…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Museum Center at 5Points turned up the energy for local students. Last week, rising fifth through seventh graders dove into hands-on learning at a two-day STEAM camp focused on the science of energy. Their curiosity and creativity are sparking bright ideas, showing us exactly What’s Right With Our Schools. News 12’s Robert Hanley stopped by…
WASHINGTON (WDEF)- There will be an open seat for next year’s North Carolina Senate Election. Republican Senator Thom Tillis announced that he is retiring. This is after he announced his opposition to President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”. Senator Tillis ranted on the Senate Floor that the bill in his view is a mistake for the GOP. He said, “Now, Republicans…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) special agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Cleveland. On Sunday June 29, 2025, at 11:23 p.m., a Cleveland police officer attempted to serve a warrant on a woman at a gas station in the 4100 block of APD 40. The woman, later identified as Samantha Burd, was a passenger…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – From sizzling skillets to secret ingredients, Sunday’s Chattanooga Market turned into a live-action kitchen stadium. Before most shoppers arrived, five local chefs rolled up their sleeves and got to work setting up cooking stations and scouting the Market for the freshest local ingredients. This year’s FiveStar Food Fight gave competitors a surprise protein right before start…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Families hitting the road for the Fourth of July are opting for car trips over flights, but that doesn’t mean they’re skimping on fun. With rising prices, more travelers are looking for ways to stretch their vacation dollars. Experts say a little planning can go a long way, especially when traveling with kids, grandparents, or even…
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) – From savory skewers to sweet desserts, the Filipino Street Food Fest brought more than just food—it brought a taste of home to the heart of Chattanooga. Hosted by the Filipino-American Association of Greater Chattanooga, the event invited locals to explore traditional Filipino street food, enjoy live music, and immerse themselves in culture. “We call this…
Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) – He’s fuzzy, he’s feisty—and he’s heading off on a new adventure. Pilatus, one of the Chattanooga Zoo’s beloved red pandas, is saying goodbye to his birthplace as he moves to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. The move is part of an important mission: ensuring the survival of his species through a carefully planned breeding program. “We Love You,…
CHICKAMAUGA Ga, (WDEF) – Red, white, and blue filled the streets of downtown Chickamauga as families, friends, and neighbors gathered for the city’s annual Independence Day celebration. Flags waved, children laughed, and the sense of unity was strong in this heartfelt tribute to freedom. A group of young ladies huddled together, smiling and cheering into the evening. “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Athens City Fire Department is celebrating a new addition—not to their team, but to their mission: a Safe Haven Baby Box, now officially installed and blessed. The department hosted a special blessing ceremony to unveil the box, which offers a life-saving option for parents in crisis. This device allows individuals to safely and anonymously surrender…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Zoo is saying goodbye to Pilatus, the red panda, as he prepares to move to a zoo in Connecticut. The one-year-old is part of a national breeding program and will be paired with a female red panda, Ponya, in hopes of helping their endangered species. Pilatus was the first red panda cub born at…
CHATTANOOGA, TN – I had the privilege of interviewing Broadway’s Ali Stroker this week. You might remember her from her stunning performance in Oklahoma. My wife and I recognized her from her episode of Only Murders in the building, which is one of our favorite shows. She’s also consulted behind the scenes on numerous others, and has several more projects…
Kristie Pratt with Smokey Bones joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as many families get ready to celebrate the 4th of July around the corner. Learn how you can fill up your stomach while saving money at Smokey Bones! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fourth of July is right around the corner and Smokey Bones is making it easier to enjoy BBQ…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Pensacola Blue Wahoos feasted on Lookouts pitching for the third straight night, as they defeated Chattanooga 10-6 on Thursday evening at AT&T Field. Pensacola scored 9 runs in each of the previous two games. On Thursday, Chattanooga took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the 5th on a three-run homer by Sal Stewart. But Pensacola responded with…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – If you are planning a move, you are not alone. This weekend is expected to be the busiest moving weekend of the entire year, with thousands of households packing up and heading to new homes. From June 27 through 29, nearly 5,000 moves are expected to take place across the country. That is over 15 million…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community members gathered for a summit hosted by Councilmember Jenni Berz to reflect on progress and priorities in District 6. The event focused on economic development, housing, transportation, and other efforts to improve the quality of life across the district. We spoke to Richard Johnson, Chair of Midtown Connects, and this is what he had to…
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Walker County woman was sentenced for trafficking fentanyl. On June 5, 2024, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit (LMJC) Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Mary Louis Harvey’s residence after gathering credible evidence of drug activity. She allowed agents to search her bedroom, where fentanyl-laced materials were found hidden in a dresser. According…
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) — A Scottsboro man has been arrested for drug possession after authorities responded to a call for service. Officers with the Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) were dispatched to the 1500 block of South Broad Street. Upon arrival, officers located Michael Dewayne Cherry. While conducting an investigation, officers located 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, 4.3 grams of marijuana, and…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Ace Bailey’s high school basketball journey began at Boyd Buchanan, where he played one season for the Bucs. Bailey’s former coaches and teammates at Boyd noticed his raw talent right away. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHICKAMAUGA, GA (WDEF) – A Walker County jury has returned a guilty verdict in a deadly road rage case that ended in gunfire outside a Dollar General in Chickamauga. Jeremy Dewayne McCrary, a motorcyclist, was convicted earlier this month of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The charges stem from a…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett and District Attorney Coty Wamp announced the indictment and arrest of Sanel Durakovic for a murder in 2020. On January 7, 2020, Patrick Godwin was shot in the 8500 block of Horseshoe Bend Lane in Ooltewah, Tennessee. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Durakovic was previously indicted for…