Deconstruction Day at Tivoli aims to recover reusable materials

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) —  Sometimes you have to break things down to build them back up again. That was the idea behind Deconstruction Day at the Tivoli. Crews carefully disassembled parts of the building and recovered everything that could be re-used. That list included 11 glass and wood interior doors, more than a thousand feet of mahogany trim, custom wood…

Meigs county man arrested, charged in arson investigation

MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Meigs County man has been arrested and charged in connection to an arson investigation in Georgetown. Special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began investigating a suspicious fire on June 15, 2023. The fire destroyed a detached garage at a residence in the 3000 block of Sugar Creek Road. According to the…

Orbital Atherectomy and what that means for National Kidney Month

CHATTANOOGA, TN – March is known for many things and among the madness that it always brings, it’s known for National Kidney Awareness Month.  Somewhere around 30 million Americans have various kidney diseases and disfunctions but are unaware of it until the symptoms progress.  The second Thursday in March is known as National Kidney Day with numerous organizations helping to…

Silverdale Shuts Out Notre Dame 9-0

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Silverdale softball team is chasing their third consecutive state title this season. They played like champs on Thursday with a 9-0 win over Notre Dame. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: High School Softball, Notre Dame, Silverdale

Undocumented student bill advances amid more protests

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A bill that would allow schools to deny admission to undocumented students has cleared another hurdle. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hixson, House Bill 793 cleared the Tennessee House Education Committee by a 11 to 7 vote. A ten year old girl from Chattanooga protesting a bill that would allow schools to not enroll undocumented students…

Tennessee Supreme Court rules in favor of Bluecross Blueshield in COVID era suit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled on a COVID-era lawsuit against Bluecross Blueshield. In 2021, Heather Smith, an employee at Bluecross Blueshield here in Chattanooga, was fired over her refusal to comply with a Covid vaccine mandate. She had contacted several state legislators to complain about the mandate, which the company said played a factor in her…

Mayor Wamp discusses entrepreneurship, education at Rotary Club

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressed the Downtown Rotary Club Thursday. He discussed the future of entrepreneurship and education in the county. The mayor presented data showing a wide range of outcomes in local schools, saying it shows the best and worst of our community. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressing the Chattanooga Rotary Club. He also…

Leaked memo about possible data breach stirs controversy at Hamilton County Commission

UPDATE: David Sharpe has issued a statement to News 12 in response to the mayor’s comments on the leak of this potential data breach. He said, “I did not leak this memo, and I don’t know who did, but it’s clear that Weston is desperate to redirect people’s attention away from the incompetence and recklessness of his administration.” CHATTANOOGA, Tenn….

Hamilton County to send out property tax notices

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Some Hamilton County property owners can soon expect a tax increase. Property assessor Marty Haynes said Wednesday morning that notices will be sent as soon as next week. Despite previous rumors, the reassessment schedule will remain at every four years instead of being shortened to every two years. Haynes says that final certified tax rates won’t be…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Brickyard

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — They call it an odd bird in venture capital.  Investing in tech companies moving to Chattanooga from all over the world.  Tonight, we show you how the Brickyard continues to drive our economy forward every day in the scenic city. “Brickyard is sort of an odd bird in venture capital.  We’re investing in early-stage technology companies. …

A Caregiver’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Shark Tank star and business mogul Barbara Corcoran is opening up about a deeply personal struggle, caring for her late mother, Florence, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease. Corcoran says she was prepared for memory loss, but not the agitation and behavioral changes that came with the disease.  For nine years, she watched as her mother became…

Chattanooga man arrested in connection to Chickamauga murder

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) —  Authorities have arrested a Chattanooga man in connection to a murder in Chickamauga. On March 14, 2025, William Oliver Jones was found dead in his residence in the 8000 block of West Highway 136. After further investigation, the GBI, TBI, Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and other agencies assisted in the arrest of…

Authorities investigating body found off Ooltewah-Georgetown Road

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating a body that was found off Ooltewah-Georgetown Road. On March 24, 2025, two men riding horses found the body of a deceased female in a wooded area near the 11500 block of Ooltewah-Georgetown Road. HCSO responded to process the scene alongside the Medical Examiner’s Office. According to…

One person injured after East Brainerd Road shooting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  One person has been injured after a shooting on Brainerd Road early Monday morning. At 4:39 a.m., March 25, 2025, officers responded to the 6000 block of Brainerd Road on a person shot call. Upon arrival, officers located a 25-year-old male with non-life-threatening injuries. EMS responded to the scene and transported him to a local hospital…

Applications for the “Future Docs Program” are now open!

Kevin Lusk with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the “Future Docs Program” which is perfect for high school and college students. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Applications are now open for the “Future Docs Program” which helps students find mentors to job shadow as they consider their career options in medicine. “Our population…

McMinn Co Takes Down Ootlewah 9-5

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) McMinn Co rallied for a 9-5 win over Ooltewah on Tuesday evening at Ooltewah High School. The Cherokees collected four runs in their first at-bat, only to see the Owls score 5 runs in the bottom of the first highlighted by a Gavin Fields 3 run homer.  Cherokees regained the lead in the top of the second on…

Local film shot in Northwest Georgia and Signal Mountain

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) – There’s a new movie in town—and this one’s homegrown. Sanctus House, a suspenseful, faith-infused horror film starring 21 Jump Street actor Richard Grieco, has just wrapped production after filming across Northwest Georgia and on scenic Signal Mountain. The story, based on a book by local author Kenyon Henry, brings chilling fiction to life while showcasing…

Democratic protesters push back on GOP budget plan

DALTON, Ga. — A group of Democratic protesters gathered outside Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Dalton office, speaking out against what they call harmful cuts in the proposed Republican budget. The group raised concerns that residents across Georgia could see higher healthcare premiums and that Medicaid recipients might lose coverage if the plan moves forward. Among the demonstrators was Lonna Lanier-Fountain,…

What to know about raising backyard chickens

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- As egg prices continue to be high due to avian flu, many are considering raising backyard chickens. The current average price of a dozen eggs in the United States is just short of six dollars. Even with possible relief around the corner, the egg-flation has many considering getting their own backyard chickens. But what should you know…

UTC unveils Mobile MOC rural health service

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- UTC nursing students will be hitting the road across rural portions of our viewing area. They unveiled the Mobile MOC in Dayton Tuesday. This will be a mobile health care unit to bring healthcare to older adults and caregivers far away from medical resources. A two point six million dollar grant from the Tennessee Department of Health…