Pachyderm Club Discusses Growth Issues

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community members showed up at the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club this afternoon to hear from District Nine Commissioner Dr. Steve Highlander. He spoke directly to local concerns about growth, zoning, and education, drawing from years of experience on the school board and now as chair of the arts, education, and recreation committee. Dr. Steve Highlander is…

Big Plans for South Broad

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A major new development could soon reshape part of Chattanooga’s South Broad Street corridor.  The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission Meeting took place today to discuss further approval of the plans. A multi-story, mixed-use project is being planned just south of the Dollar General at 3120 Broad Street.  The 4.7-acre site is already zoned for urban…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Gordon Lee Middle School Math Achievements

CHICKAMAUGA, GA (WDEF) – Gordon Lee Middle School is celebrating a big academic win in the math department. Based on last year’s Georgia Milestones, Gordon Lee saw major gains in every middle school math level, including Algebra One. All that adds up to a great example of what’s right with our schools. Bradley Floyd is the Vice Principal at Gordon…

New jury selected in Roberts trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A second jury has been selected in a pending Chattanooga murder trial. Darryl Roberts is charged with first degree murder in the September 2023 shooting death of Christopher Wright. The shooting occurred in front of Patten Towers after the pair got into an argument. The trial was supposed to begin two weeks ago, but had to be…

Mayor Kelly, City Council sworn in at city inauguration

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga mayor Tim Kelly and all 9 city council members were sworn in to a new term Monday morning at Memorial Auditorium.Mayor Kelly defeated challenger Chris Long with over 85 percent of the vote on March 4th, the largest electoral victory by a mayor in city history. He said, “It’s worth remembering that this election put Chattanooga…

Pet of the Week: Sissy

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Sissy! Sissy is a petite 3-year-old weighing right at 26 pounds. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says she has a tender heart that needs a little extra love. She can be nervous around new people and situations, however, with time, patience, and a little TLC, Sissy will become a loving, loyal companion. Once…

Hop over to The Chattanooga Zoo to “Hug A Bunny!”

Jake Cash with the Chattanooga Zoo and Annie the rabbit preview the popular ‘Hug A Bunny’ zoo attraction. The duo joins News 12’s Amelia Greer ahead of the event during the Easter holiday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hop on over to the annual “Hug A Bunny” event at the Chattanooga Zoo this weekend! To welcome spring each year, the Chattanooga…

Collegedale Police hosts annual Easter egg hunt

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – HAPPY EASTER… well, almost! Families from across Collegedale gathered this weekend at the Ooltewah Youth Association Ballfields on Little Debbie Parkway for a beloved spring tradition—an Easter egg hunt hosted by the city’s police department. With perfect weather and plenty of candy-filled eggs, little ones raced through fields with baskets in hand, squealing with excitement. The…

All Aboard for Thomas Fun

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Thousands of families rolled into Chattanooga over the past two weekends to celebrate a very special birthday and today marked the final stop.  It was all aboard for fun as Thomas the Tank Engine rolled into Chattanooga, celebrating 80 years of smiles, stories, and steam.  Families from across the region gathered at the Tennessee Valley Railroad…

Chattanooga Comes Together for 2025 Autism Celebration Walk

CHATTANOOGA, TN  (WDEF) — The heart of the city pulsed with purpose today as hundreds of supporters gathered for the annual Autism Celebration Walk, a vibrant and emotional event that brought together families, advocates, and individuals on the spectrum in a show of awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. With signs of encouragement, matching shirts, and smiling faces, the streets were filled…

Spring into the Carnival at the Northgate mall

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s that time of year again—bright lights, sweet treats, and nonstop fun. The magic is back in Chattanooga as the annual carnival has officially rolled into town at Northgate Mall! This year’s event is already drawing in big crowds, excited for the rides, games, and all things delicious. “I’m so excited,” one attendee shared. “They’re bringing rides,…

Heritage Rallies to Beat NW Whitfield 6-5

Ringgold, GA-(WDEF-TV) Northwest Whitfield was going for the three game sweep of Heritage on Friday. The Bruins jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Generals rallied to win 6-5 to avoid the sweep. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Heritage High School, High School Football, Northwest Whitfield High School

Lookouts Fall to Birmingham 4-1 in 11 Innings

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga and Birmingham went to extra innings on a cool Friday night at AT&T Field. Barons got three runs in the 11th to win it 4-1. Dominic Pitelli drove in the Lookouts only run with an RBI triple in the 7th. Two clubs play a doubleheader on Saturday at AT&T Field starting at 5:15pm. Categories: Sports – Local Sports…

CCS Excited to Play on New Baseball Field

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Christian baseball team is playing on a new turf infield this season. News 12s Brian Armstrong shows us how the creator of the field has connections to the team way beyond the construction project. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: CCS, High School Baseball, sports news

Break Throughs in Technology help Parkinson’s Patients Get Moving on World Parkinson’s Day

CHATTANOOGA, TN – April is known as National Parkinson’s Awareness month and April the 11th is World Parkinson’s Awareness Day and symbolized by Red Tulips, People Wearing Grey for Parkinson’s, and a new global symbol – the spark. Symptoms of Parkinson’s date back hundreds of years, the first medical description was written by James Parkinson in 1817.  Probably the two…

The Chocolate Box adds the viral “Dubai Chocolate” to their extensive offerings

Nichelle Patel with the Chocolate Box joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to put her own spin on the viral ‘Dubai Chocolate’ trend that is sweeping the globe.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – From the satisfying cracking to the delicious green filling, the viral “Dubai Chocolate” is taking over the world, and The Chocolate Box is one of the few local places…

First Responder Hero Award: Justin Cannon, Assistant Chief

PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responder Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping us safe. When danger strikes, these heroes are the first to respond. Now, it’s our turn to put them first….

TN Aquarium Debuts New Mussels Exhibit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Aquarium is flexing its mussels with a brand-new exhibit that shines a spotlight on some of the river’s most overlooked but important residents—freshwater mussels. Housed in the Ridges to Rivers gallery, this exhibit introduces visitors to species like the Purple Wartyback, Threehorn Wartyback, and Painted Creekshell—native to the Duck River, one of the most…

A Step in the Right Direction

PIKEVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee visited Bledsoe County today as part of her ongoing mission to uplift the state’s most vulnerable communities.  At Pikeville Elementary School, she partnered with the nonprofit Samaritan’s Feet to distribute new shoes and socks to every student in the Bledsoe County School District. The event, which also took place across the…

Undocumented students bill passes Tennessee Senate amid controversy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial bill concerning undocumented students has cleared the Tennessee State Senate. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hixson, it passed the Senate by a 19 to 13 vote. The vote caused outcrys from the Senate gallery, causing those protestors to be removed. If the bill is signed into law, it would allow local schools to decide…