More hotel rooms being built than tourists to fill them, says local tourism leader

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A discussion was held this week on the future on how to better position Chattanooga competitively in the tourism industry. It was held during a hearing on Hamilton County’s general government budget. In this year’s budget, the county is slated to give the Chattanooga Tourism Company about a million dollars less, which primarily goes to marketing. Various…

Signal Mountain man facing several charges in relation to child sex crimes

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Signal Mountain man faces several counts of sexual abuse including aggravated rape of a child. Stephen Rapaport was first arrested at the beginning of the year,and was indicted yesterday. Detectives spoke to a woman who turned over video evidence of Rapaport having sexual encounters with a young child. According to investigators a camera placed in…

Celebrate National Doughnut Day with Tasty Donuts!

Tony and A.J. McInnis with Tasty Donuts join News 12’s Chip Chapman on National Doughnut Day, June 6! Come and grab some tasty donuts with discounted offers exclusively for the occasion. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tasty Donuts is celebrating National Doughnut Day by giving back to the community and offering a special discount at their stores. National Doughnut Day celebrates…

Verizon tech helps you Be Prepared at home or on the trail

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Since the early 90s, Henry Flood from Epikos Comics and Games and I have always lived by the motto of “Be Prepared.”  We both made our Eagle Scout rank in the late 90s and in general feel like we are prepared for most situations.  This week our Verizon Tech Expert Winnie Wright is going to help us…

Motorcycle pursuit ends in arrest of suspect already out on bond in Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Nc. (WDEF) —  An arrest was made after Cherokee County authorities were involved in a pursuit that crossed into Tennessee. On June 3, 2025, Tracy Mason was spotted by Cherokee County narcotics agents riding a motorcycle with a passenger near Dickey Road. When officers tried to conduct a traffic stop, Mason refused to pull over and sped off,…

Thursday Throwback: 1990 Private Detectives

Remember all those T-V shows about private detectives? There were Magnum P-I, Mike Hammer and even Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. 30 years ago, we talked to local P-I’s who told us their job was not at all like what we saw on TV. And that’s our Thursday Throwback. Categories: From The Archives Tags: From The Archives, Thursday Throwback

Wanted suspect arrested after pursuit ends near Amnicola Highway

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A man wanted out of Rutherford County was taken into custody Thursday afternoon after a police chase ended near the Chattanooga Navy Operations Center. Around 1:35 p.m. on June 5, 2025, officers with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) began chasing the suspect on I-75. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) joined the pursuit and successfully…

Chattanooga Leaders Thank State for Riverfront Investment

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Community leaders gathered at Ross’s Landing Thursday to thank Governor Bill Lee and state lawmakers for committing $15 million in the state’s 2025–2026 budget to transform Chattanooga’s riverfront parks. Local officials, including Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, say the investment will be a game-changer for families, tourism, and the city’s connection to…

Eversole responds to criticism over planned school budget meeting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Commission Chairman Jeff Eversole responded to criticism over a planned meeting concerning this year’s school budget. This was during this week’s Hamilton County Commission meeting. Chairman Eversole plans to discuss how the school board is planning to spend that money. However, that has prompted criticism from the school board’s chair, Joe Smith, who says this…

Crews on scene of major water main break on South Holtzclaw Avenue

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Crews are on the scene of a significant water main break on South Holtzclaw Avenue. A portion of South Holtzclaw Avenue, between East 12th and East 14th Street, is currently closed. Tennessee American Water crews and the Chattanooga Department of Public Works are working to conduct repairs. CDOT says the portion of the roadway will remain…

Ringgold man arrested after child exploitation investigation

RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) —  A man was arrested in Ringgold after a child exploitation investigation. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) searched a home on Mason Drive on June 2, 2025. The search followed a cyber tip about child sexual abuse material being downloaded. Investigators traced the activity to a specific device using digital tools. According to Catoosa County Sheriff…

HunterGirl to perform for Freedom Sings USA concert

Angela Hunt with Freedom Sings USA joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to preview a benefit concert supporting veterans. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Freedom Sings USA is hosting a benefit concert to support their non-profit which will feature HunterGirl, the runner-up on the 20th season of American Idol. Freedom Sings USA a local, veteran-driven, non-profit that provides music arts therapy to…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Tiny Tigers Learning Center

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s a preschool that puts the safety of children first.  Tiny Tigers makes sure children are prepared academically for kindergarten.  Tonight, we are learning how the daycare is letting out a big roar, making a difference in our community.  It’s this week’s Driving our Economy Forward. “Driving our economy starts with the community building that village. …

Commissioner says he’s heard talks about Rivermont remaining open, mayor refutes

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission approved the next step of a future Hixson school.The commission approved the school to go into the next step of the design process. The school is planned to replace DuPont, Rivermont, and Alpine Crest Elementary Schools. However, the closure of Rivermont and Alpine Crest have sparked backlash from residents, including Commissioner David Sharpe….

Chattanooga caregiver indicted for exploiting vulnerable adult

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Hamilton County woman is facing forgery and financial exploitation charges following an investigation conducted by the TBI. In January of 2025, the Department of Disability and Aging made a referral to special agents regarding allegations of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Throughout the investigation, TBI agents found information that showed Jaliyah Truss used…

Man arrested after pursuit on Highway 58, drugs and stolen gun recovered

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were involved in a pursuit on Highway 58 early Wednesday morning. On June 4, 2025, at 12:50 a.m., a deputy saw a silver Nissan Armada traveling northbound on Highway 58 at a high rate of speed. According to HCSO, the deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the…

GBI investigates deadly officer-involved shooting in Dalton

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  Authorities in Whitfield County are investigating an officer involved shooting in Dalton. At 10:40 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, detectives with the Dalton Police Department’s (DPD) Drug Unit and the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) were conducting an undercover narcotics investigation in the River Road area. According to WCSO, during that investigation, a man named…

CPD officer put on administrative leave following DUI-related crash

  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department is investigating a DUI-related crash involving an off-duty officer. On June 1 at around 11:30 P.M., Chattanooga Police responded to two related two-vehicle crashes. One on the 4200 block of Bonny Oaks Drive and another in the 4300 block of Highway 58. The incident is being investigated as a DUI-related crash…