ROSSVILLE, GA. (WDEF) – Lake Winnepesaukah just earned a national honor. On Sunday, July 27th, the National Amusement Park Historical Association presented the Chattanooga-area amusement park with a commemorative plaque recognizing 100 years of family ownership and community fun. The award was part of NAPHA’s annual ParkHop tour, which celebrates historic amusement parks around the country. Since opening in 1925,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The initiative brings schools, families, and volunteers together to create safe and welcoming spaces just in time for the new school year. At Calvin Donaldson Elementary, volunteers are rolling up their sleeves and transforming the back of the school into a refreshed outdoor learning space. Cora Fisher, Principal of Calvin Donaldson Elementary School, says the project…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Pack the Bus was in full swing this weekend, where volunteers came together to collect school supplies for local students in need. The goal is to support teachers and families by making sure classrooms are fully stocked, especially during Tennessee’s tax-free weekend. Shoppers were encouraged to drop off items such as notebooks, pencils, and paper…
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) – A splash of fun and a chance to find a forever friend brought smiles to the Signal Mountain Town Pool this weekend. Some furry friends are now looking for loving homes after a rough start in life. Mutts on the Mountain Foster brought a group of playful puppies to the pool, hoping to connect them…
LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) – A special celebration took place in Walker County today as community members gathered to honor the past and inspire the future. A new museum is now open, showcasing African American history and heritage in the heart of the community. News 12 was at the Walker County African American Museum Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, where people came…
When you have a squad whose starting quarterback is named Tuff, you gotta figure that toughness will echo through the team. That’s the case at Meigs County. They return starting quarterback Tuff Ricker, who led the Tigers to a 9-4 record last season. Brian Armstrong gives Meigs County the 30-in-30 spotlight. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports –…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 35 years ago this weekend, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disabilities. The All-Access Fair on Friday at Coolidge Park highlighted multiple local resources available to local disabled residents. It was organized the Chattanooga Mayor’s Council of Disability For Lyndi Locke, the secretary of that…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Those who frequent the Glenwood Community Center will have a new resource to check their health.The American Health Association has placed a Heart Hub inside of that center in collaboration with the Office of Community Health and the Journey Health Foundation. It is the second such hub inside of a Chattanooga public center, joining one that was…
Chattanooga, TN – This week is one of my favorite episodes because it involves viewer mail. I think I can speak for all the journalists we have here and say that we love to hear your feedback and know that you’re watching the things we are creating for you. Our friend Sam wrote in and had used an app called…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – July 27 is National Chicken Finger Day and Raising Cane’s has a special deal to celebrate. Anyone who comes to Raising Cane’s on Sunday, July 27, and order a Caniac combo, customers will receive one extra chicken finger! No coupon needed and no extra charge. The Caniac comb features several chicken fingers, fries, coleslaw, buttery Texas…
One of the goals for head coach Brian Callahan this season is to improve the team’s sack total. They had just 32 last year, which was near the bottom of the NFL. Who knows if the Titans pass rush will be better, but we know it will be bigger. They’ve acquired heavier linebackers like Jihad Ward, who is listed at…
Ooltewah named a new head coach last spring in Matt Moody. Moody was instrumental in turning McMinn Central around. Now he’ll try to energize an Owls program that has only four wins in the last three years. Brian Armstrong shines the 30-in-30 spotlight on Ooltewah. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) — Anyone who is lucky enough to grow older knows that aging presents its own set of challenges. Neighbors could find a host of resources to help make the most of their golden years at the 2025 Senior Health and Lifestyle Expo! Scores of vendors were on hand at the Brainerd B-X Thursday (7/24/25) afternoon. There…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Wellpoint Tennessee, in collaboration with the YMCA Mobile Market, hosted Wellness with Wellpoint Thursday morning in Chattanooga, an event designed to support healthy lifestyles and improve food access for local families. Held from 10 a.m. to noon, the community event provided free produce, healthy snacks, and recipe cards to attendees, while also connecting eligible SNAP recipients…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As families prepare for back-to-school season, eye doctors are reminding parents not to overlook their child’s vision. Experts say comprehensive eye exams with an optometrist should be part of every child’s annual routine, especially as screen use continues to rise in and out of classrooms. Studies show that vision screenings done in schools or pediatric offices…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man once the center of a controversy at East Ridge High School was also back in court Thursday morning. Tauris Sledge is facing a charge of domestic assault after a fight with his girlfriend back in May according to an affidavit. In that affidavit, the girlfriend accused Sledge of hitting her several times after asking him…
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A man accused of killing his father made another appearance in criminal court Thursday morning. 26 year old Caleb Disterdick has been charged and indicted on two charges of First Degree Murder and Abuse of a Corpse. This was in relation to a murder on December 19, 2024 on Greenslake Road in East Ridge. East Ridge…
MGN WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Pilgrim’s is planning to building a $400 million multi-phase prepared foods facility in Walker County, Governor Brian Kemp says. This new facility will be built at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette, providing more than 630 new jobs at full capacity. “Georgia’s No. 1 industry of agriculture continues to drive growth with companies…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Two people were rescued from a hotel basement fire by Chattanooga firefighters Wednesday. On July 23, 2025, at 7:41 p.m., crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to 100 West 21st Street on reports of a commercial fire. Upon arrival, CFD crews located the fire in the basement of the hotel, with people trapped inside…
Brenda McConathy and Cliff Harris join News 12’s Chip Chapman to talk about the return of two popular summer items and a special fundraiser to help support military families. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s the middle of summer which means its time for fan-favorite seasonal items to make a return to Bojangles with a great cause! Bojangles has brought back…
News 12’s Amelia Greer goes behind the curtain at the Memorial Auditorium to learn how the Tivoli Theatre Foundation brings award-winning Broadway plays like “Les Miserables” closer to home. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Ever wondered how the Tivoli Theatre Foundation is able to bring a piece of NYC to Chattanooga? Amelia Greer takes us “Behind the Curtain” with Tivoli Theatre…
Rhea County made the playoffs in Taylor Harvey’s first season as head coach last year. Now they wouldn’t mind making greater strides in Harvey’s second season. Brian Armstrong takes a look at the Golden Eagles in our 30-in-30 preview series. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The city of Chattanooga continues to discuss how to raise 23 million dollars to increase police officer and firefighter pay. During a series of budget discussions, one Chattanooga Councilman offered an idea. Councilman Chip Henderson said during a budget session he surveyed residents in District 1 on how they would like the city to pay for first…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Tennessee election board has sided with a Hamilton County state representative in an election complaint case. Representative Michele Reneau filed the complaint with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. This is due to a series of political mailers that painted her as a conspiracy theorist during the 2024 elections. Rep. Michele Reneau (From: Tennessee State Legislature)…