CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In East Chattanooga, the fight to reduce gun violence is being led not just by law enforcement, but by neighbors. Groups like the 423 Chain Breakers and Community Haven are on the front lines, using trust, presence, and compassion to break cycles before they begin. The Chain Breakers, many of whom are formerly incarcerated, walk the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Schools Foundation is giving new teachers a head start by offering free classroom supplies this week. The Teacher Supply Hub will be open July 22 through July 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. each evening at the Hillcrest Center, located at 4302 Bonnie Oaks Drive. Supplies are collected from community drives, local businesses,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A 15-year-old male has been arrested in connection with a shooting on Arlington Avenue Tuesday. On July 22, 2025, at 6:59 p.m., officers with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) responded to a person shot call in the 1100 block of Arlington Avenue. When officers arrived on scene, they located the 14-year-old male victim who sustained non-life-threatening…
Click to view other businesses at Destination: Ocoee. OCOEE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Did you know that there is a place in Polk County where you can share a room with a sloth? Ocoee Riverside Farm offers 23 different animal encounters each day, and the world is taking notice. They’ve had visitors from 49 states and 15 countries! Let’s take…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Hamilton County EMS (HCEMS) supervisor vehicle was involved in a multi-vehicle crash Tuesday. At 4:30 p.m., the EMS vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Hamill Road and Adams Road. A vehicle turning onto Adams Road initiated the collision, causing a chain reaction. According to HCEMS, two vehicles, behind the supervisor vehicle, came into…
News 12 This Morning: Dr. Lori Mann Bruce joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as she makes her formal introductions to Chattanooga. She has big plans for UTC as the 19th Chancellor in the school’s history and the first ever female to hold the position. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is welcoming a Golden Eagle turned…
McMinn Central has been on a roll the last few seasons. And the Chargers are looking to maintain that success with a new head coach in J.T. Ostrowski. Brian Armstrong has our 30-in-30 preview of McMinn Central. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025, Sports – Local Sports News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Preserve Chattanooga is inviting the public to celebrate the city’s architecture through art. The “Taking a Pen for a Walk in Chattanooga” drawing contest is open to artists 14 and older and is inspired by the pen-and-paper sketches of acclaimed urban designer Ray Gindroz. Submissions should highlight local buildings, streetscapes, or mapped walks that reflect Chattanooga’s…
COALMONT, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds of Grundy County students are starting the school year with brand-new backpacks and school supplies, thanks to Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee. On Tuesday, Lee joined volunteers and school staff at Grundy County’s Back to School Bash in Coalmont. Together, they handed out nearly 2,000 backpacks along with essential school supplies to local students. The…
UPDATE: The TBI has announced that the suspect in this case, 38-year-old Erick Charles Roberson, has died from his injuries in this incident Monday night. The agency says they are currently investigating the incident and will turn over their findings to District Attorney Coty Wamp, who will determine if any charges are to be filed. Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett…
Boyd Buchanan is 32-6 since legendary coach Gary Rankin took over the program in 2022. While the Bucs have enjoyed a lot of victories the last three years, they still haven’t enjoyed the ultimat e prize. A state title. Will 2025 be the season? Brian Armstrong has our 30-in-30 preview of the Bucs. Categories: Sports – 30 In 30 2025,…
Conceptual art for new Oak Street Residence Hall (Courtesy: UTC) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last week, the new chancellor of UTC, Dr. Lori Bruce, said she wants the school to reach a student population of 15,000 by 2030. However, with a waiting list for on-campus housing, that will prove to be one of the key areas to improve upon to reach…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee families looking to stretch their back-to-school budgets will soon get a break at the register. The state’s annual sales tax holiday is set for Friday, July 25 through Sunday, July 27. During the three-day event, shoppers can purchase a range of school related items without paying state sales tax, whether they are shopping in store…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — A major transformation is underway at the Cleveland Family YMCA. On Monday, July 21, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga officially broke ground on a $5-million renovation project at its Cleveland location. The upgrades are part of the organization’s five-year capital campaign, Vision 2028: Let’s Grow! focused on expanding programs, modernizing facilities, and meeting the growing needs…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Health Department has announced they are bringing back their Back to School Open House event. It is a free event to the public. The Health Department will be providing free vaccine records, free backpacks filled with school supplies, free food from local venders, and pediatric vaccines among other services and activities. They…
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Officials at the Wacker Chemical Corporation have put a number on the layoffs coming to their plant in Charleston. Last week, the plant announced that they were laying off some employees because of market conditions. Since then, they’ve confirm that they have notified 90 workers. The plant employs more than 600 people. Wacker is…
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — A 34-year-old Cherokee County man has been arrested for having alleged indecent liberties with a child. On July 8, 2025, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) detectives launched an investigation after receiving reports of possible inappropriate contact between an adult male and a juvenile. CCSO said after reviewing evidence, a warrant was obtained for the arrest…
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WDEF) — An Andrews man was arrested after allegedly firing shots during a road rage incident. On Thursday, July 17, 2025, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a road rage incident on US 19. CCSO said a vehicle had rammed another vehicle, and the suspect fired six to seven shots at the victim’s…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Earlier this month, The Public Education Foundation (PEF) once again teamed up with Hamilton County Schools and Volkswagen Group of America. More than 200 educators from 9 states took part in the 7th Annual Chattanooga FAB Institute. The innovative teaching methods they learned should be a far-reaching example of What’s Right With Our Schools. “We are…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Tack on some extra travel time and brace for another road closure. The Hamilton County Highway Department will be closing Levi Road in timed closures Tuesday through Thursday. Crews will be replacing storm pipes under the road. The closure will be between 6126 and 6418 Levi Road in Chattanooga. All emergency vehicles and residents in this…
Tivoli Theatre Foundation CEO Nick Wilkinson brings the talented Jewel Award winner, Jazhel Arostegui, to talk about all the exciting news and new shows coming to the Memorial Auditorium. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Award-winning talent is coming to the Memorial Auditorium while the Tivoli Theatre Foundation continues to foster award-winning local talent! A dream of high hopes and a life…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – At Erlanger’s Career Fair, job seekers had the opportunity to walk in, no resume required and explore a variety of open positions across the health system. From patient care to support services, the event aimed to connect people with meaningful work that serves the Chattanooga community. Traci Jennings, Vice President of Operations for Erlanger Medical Group,…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With the school year just around the corner, the Chattanooga community is making sure local children head back to school feeling ready and supported. News 12 spoke with the director of the Nehemiah Project, who shared how the organization is giving back in a big way. At the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, nearly 300 volunteers gathered…
Mauricio Velasquez UPDATE: Chattanooga police have arrested a second suspect in connection to the Read Avenue homicide. The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) say 18-year-old Mauricio Velasquez was arrested on Monday, July 21, 2025 Velasquez is currently being held at the Catoosa County Jail, but will be extradited to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center at a later date. He…