CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This summer, the Chattanooga Zoo is packed with new adventures and exciting experiences for the whole family to enjoy. The zoo is offering a multitude of activities, giving guests the chance to not just see animals, but interact with them up close. Families can join in an Ice Cream Safari, enroll their kids in the Zoo…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Walnut Street Bridge Festival made its much-anticipated return for its third year, drawing crowds to celebrate one of Chattanooga’s most iconic landmarks. Although the Walnut Street Bridge is currently closed for renovation, the spirit of the event remained strong as it moved to the scenic Coolidge Park. Festival-goers enjoyed a lively atmosphere filled with delicious…
COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a sweet weekend in Collegedale as a beloved snack cake mascot wrapped up his birthday celebration in the city he calls home. The Little Debbie Muffin Man ended his national birthday tour right where it all began in Collegedale, Tennessee. The Chattanooga area food bank was in attendance, accepting donations. We asked a McKee…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds of collectors and families packed into Camp Jordan Arena this weekend for The Flip Trade Show. The two-day event brought together more than 230 vendor tables, offering a wide range of items, from sports cards and comics to Pokémon, Funko Pops, and rare memorabilia. Even celebrity photo ops and autographs. We spoke to a former…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – May 31st marks the end of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and to close it out, we share the story of an 86-year-old melanoma survivor who is redefining what it means to fight — and live — with cancer. Clottilde “Clo” Roden has always been a fighter. In May of 2015, doctors removed a mole that would…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga FC women beat Georgia Impact 2-1 on Friday evening at Fort Finley to improve to 2-0 on the year. With Chattanooga trailing 1-0 in the first half, Hannah Tillett found the net for the equalizer. Later in the half, Annick Lolita Manga Zouma delivered a great lead pass to Reese McDermott, who split two defenders with her…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) After three straight days of postponements, the Chattanooga Lookouts finally took the field Friday night against Columbus. Ethan O’Donnell homered over the right field bleachers in the second to provide the only run of the game as Chattanooga picked up a 1-0 victory. The Clingstones were held to just two hits. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball,…
Content warning: Many will find the content in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Day three of testimony continued Friday in the child sex abuse trial of former first-grade teacher Duane Sanders. Sanders, who once taught at Wallace A. Smith Elementary in Ooltewah, faces multiple charges tied to alleged abuse of young students. Throughout the week, the court…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The news on Harvard’s foreign students is causing concern to some. Harvard is not the only place who accepts foreign students. Georgia accepts the 12th most, accepting almost 40 thousand. Tennessee accepts the 23rd most, allowing over 20 thousand to study in the state. Foreign students are starting to feel that they are not welcome in…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Cleveland Fire Department (CFD) responded to a residential fire early Friday morning. Crews were dispatched to the residence on Truck Street NE. Upon arrival, crews found a fully engulfed resident and immediately began defensive operations. CFD reported the only occupant of the home was able to escape with no injuries. The cause of the fire…
UPDATE (5/30/2025): The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touched down in Monroe County Friday morning. Around 8:36 a.m. May 30, 2025, an EF-0 tornado touched down near the Loudon/Monroe County line. The NWS Morristown stated in their preliminary report that the tornado was on the ground for two miles, and sustained maximum winds of 85 miles per hour….
CHATTANOOGA, TN – The month of May has many celebrations and causes, but one you may not have heard about is the awareness for May-Thurner Syndrome. Named for Dr. May and Dr. Thurner who discovered the condition in 1957, it is a condition where the left iliac artery is compressed by the right common artery. The World Famous Dr. Lesar…
BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A mock rescue exercise was conducted at Fall Creek Falls Thursday. Bledsoe County Emergency Management (BCEM) said TN-HART simulated rescues from Fall Creek Falls and Cane Creek Falls inside the park. However, due to prior issues with the aircraft, the hoist portion of the mock rescue was unable to be conducted. The Black Hawk was…
The Chattanooga Lookouts continues with their themed games with Marvel Night on Saturday, May 31. Many of your favorite superheroes are swinging onto the field or assembling in the concourse for meet and greets! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Avengers are assembling at AT&T Field for the Chattanooga Lookouts Marvel Night on Saturday, May 31. Many of your favorite superheroes…
Charlotte Aldridge with Little Debbie brings her friend the Muffin Man to celebrate the grand finale of ‘The Muffin Man Tour’ in Collegedale! They’re preparing for their grand finale of their tour at the Collegedale Commons this weekend! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Do you know the Muffin Man? Now is your time to finally meet Little Debbie’s favorite baker when…
Duane Sanders, the former elementary school teacher facing numerous child sex abuse charges, sitting in his own trial. Content warning: Many will find the content in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thursday was day two of a child sex abuse trial involving a former elementary school teacher in Ooltewah. Duane Sanders was a first grade teacher at Wallace…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report for a FedEx Boeing 757 plane crash in October of 2023 has been released. The NTSB report contained some worrisome information for one pilot of over 40 years. Robert Katz, a commercial pilot and flight instructor, raised some questions over the report. Landing in Chattanooga His first concern…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — This year has been difficult for Strawberry farmers. The season is about to wrap up and customers are being met with below average amounts of product. This is due to this year’s spring weather. March was surprisingly colder than usual which caused frost damage to some strawberry plants. Then the last few months have been nothing…
We just broke a 25 year mark for rainiest May in Chattanooga. And we still could break the all-time record. So for our Thursday Throwback, we’re taking you back to another wet spring. Here are several stories of flooding and tornadoes in 1983. Categories: From The Archives Tags: 1983, From The Archives, Rain, Rainy May, Spring Weather, Thursday Throwback
BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — After a little over 2 weeks of water issues, the Fall Creek Falls Utility District (FCFUD) says they have been resolved. FCFUD notified customers of the problem on May 13, 2025, and were advised to boil water before consuming it. Crews repairs several leaks throughout the system, including one very large leak. FCFUD states that…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Starting next year, deer baiting will be legal in Tennessee, but only on private land. Hunters will have to buy a “baiting privilege” license. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will issue those licenses. If you live in Tennessee, the licenses will cost you $50. For out of state residents, that price will double. The goal…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Tennessee man recently pleaded after asking a minor for sex in Georgia. Brandon James McGarvey-Rogers used the mobile messaging app SnapChat to send sexual images to a 14-year-old child. In their conversation, the child stated they were underage to McGarvey Rogers. He replied to the 14-year-old with sexaully explcit images. According to the Lookout…
Tiffany Miller with Charlotte Grace Events brings local vendor Rose Murphy ‘The Lunch Lady’ to visit the News 12 studio with delicious banana pudding. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Banana Pudding Festival returns to the Collegedale Commons this Saturday, May 31 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. with even more banana pudding to try and vendors to shop from! With…
Duane Sanders in court on day one of his child sex abuse trial. Content Warning: Many will find the contents in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A former elementary teacher’s trial began Wednesday on charges of child sexual abuse. Duane Sanders was arrested in March 2023 and charged with 19 counts of sexual crimes involving nine former students. Sanders…