CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – If you’re thinking about hitting the road this summer, you’re not alone, and this year, you might not feel quite as much pain at the pump. A new forecast from GasBuddy shows gas prices are expected to drop just in time for the summer travel season. Experts say it could be the cheapest summer to fill…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee’s school voucher program has expanded statewide, drawing tens of thousands of applications and generating both enthusiasm and concern. The issue is now front and center in Hamilton County, where leaders are weighing how the program could affect public school budgets. The Tennessee Education Freedom Scholarship Program is off to a fast start. Since enrollment…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga favorite is celebrating a milestone this week. Bea’s Restaurant is turning 75. Located on Dodds Avenue, right at the foot of the ridge, Bea’s has been serving up all-you-can-eat Southern comfort food since 1950. With its signature lazy Susans and family-style seating, the restaurant has become more than just a place to eat,…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A traffic stop attempt on Tuesday afternoon resulted in a brief pursuit and a man facing multiple charges. At approximately 12:20 p.m. on May 20, 2025, a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy spotted a motorcycle with a bent license plate in the 1900 block of Cummings Highway. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic…
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) – Community members in Ringgold, Georgia are once again honoring their heroes in a breathtaking and patriotic way. The city’s annual Festival of Flags is more than a visual tribute — it’s a tradition rooted in pride, sacrifice, and remembrance. Since the 1970s, this event has been growing in size and meaning, bringing neighbors together to salute…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Arborists in St. Elmo are working to save a tree older than the neighborhood around it. A tree on Alabama Avenue is estimated to be around three hundred years old. Arborist Cameron Audette, who owns Boniface Arbor Works, say it is in poor health in part due to its size and interactions with the historic Victorian homes…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Authorities are investigating a house fire that occurred in Catoosa County Monday afternoon. Catoosa County E-911 received reports of smoke coming from a home on Lillian Drive shortly before 3:00 p.m. Upon arrival, the Catoosa County Fire Department (CCFD) found fire and smoke coming from the front of the residence. CCFD said the fire was…
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) — A fire broke out in the laundry area of the McMinn County Jail Monday evening. The incident began around 8:30 p.m. when an inmate doing laundry noticed a flash inside a dryer. The flames spread underneath the machines inside the unit. The Athens Fire Department (AFD) responded to the scene within minutes. Crews worked to extinguish…
Rachel Breazeale and “The Rose Princess” say “be our guest” to their magical pregame Tea Party for this weekend’s Chattanooga Lookouts game against the Rocket City Trash Pandas! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Put on a crown and have tea time with royalty with the third annual Princess Night at the Chattanooga Lookouts. Everyone’s favorite princesses will be taking over AT&T…
Rome, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Gordon Lee baseball team captured the Class A state championship on Monday in Rome, Georgia. The Trojans swept Pepperell winning game one 5-2 and game two 7-6. Gordon Lee claimed their fifth state title and their first since 2019. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Gordon Lee High School, High School Baseball, pepperell
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – One of Chattanooga’s most beloved and long-standing restaurants is marking a major milestone. Bea’s Restaurant, located on Dodds Avenue at the foot of the ridge, is celebrating its 75th anniversary on Tuesday. Since opening its doors in 1950, Bea’s has become a local treasure, serving up all-you-can-eat Southern meals to generations of Chattanoogans. To thank the…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a meaningful moment for downtown Cleveland this past week as Johnston Memorial Park officially reopened to the public. The newly renovated Johnston Memorial Park was rededicated this past week, nearly a century after it was first gifted to the city. Originally donated in 1933 by Mrs. C. L. Hardwick, the land was given in…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In honor of Foster Care Awareness Month, Tennessee’s pro sports teams, including our very own Chattanooga FC, are joining forces in a new initiative aimed at uplifting children and families impacted by foster care. It’s called “Every Team for Every Child, a statewide effort led by Every Child Tennessee and backed by major teams like the…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- On Sunday, the personal office of former President Joe Biden announced that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. They say he was diagnosed following a discovery of a prostate nodule last week during a medical exam. Dr. Amar Singh is an oncologist at Erlanger Hospital who is the Chair of the Urology…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Silverdale Baptist Academy was approved Monday for a bond issuance that will help them continue their expansion. The Chattanooga Health, Educational, and Housing Facility Board approved it. The bonds are worth $4.75 million dollars, and will be tax-exempt. The city of Chattanooga nor the state of Tennessee will not have any financial obligation as all liabilities fall…
Meet News 12 Pet’s of the week, Quirkle & PippityPop! Quirkle Quirkle is an adorable little lady who loves playtime and exploring. She loves spending time outside and find a stick to chew on. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says she also loves a good game of tug of war. She’s smart and treat motivated, which can be useful for…
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) — Police are investigating an early morning shooting that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old Dalton man. The incident occurred shortly before 12:30 a.m., Monday, May 19, 2025, in the area of Scenic Valley Place apartments off Crawford Street. Officers initially responded to a call about a fight involving a person with a gun who was…
A manhunt for the inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail by fleeing through a hole behind a toilet entered its fourth day on Monday, as officials increased the reward for the capture of the fugitives. Seven of the 10 men remained at large Sunday, a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police confirmed in an emailed statement to the Associated Press. The agency…
MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Authorities in Monroe County are asking for the public’s help in finding a serial vehicle burglar. Late Friday night, May 16, 2025, into early Saturday morning, May 17, eight vehicles were broken into in the Sweetwater area. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) says the suspect smashed windows and rummaged through several vehicles, stealing valuables…
SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) – Local students are proving that innovation and compassion can go hand in hand. At Ivy Academy, a group of teens has designed a solar-powered backpack, and it’s earning national recognition. Their project is making an impact here and halfway around the world. Jerry Webb is a teacher at Ivy Academy. He explains, “Seeing these, I…
Emilee Null joins News 12’s Amelia Greer as the Chattanooga Audubon Society gets ready to host the third annual Fairy & Folk Festival this weekend! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Grab your wands and wings for the third annual Fairy & Folk Festival this weekend! Put together by the Chattanooga Audubon Society, Fairy & Folk Festival brings a whimsical and magical…
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – It’s a homecoming four months in the making — and one many feared would never happen. On January 12, 2024, a young girl named Khloie was severely injured in a weather-related car crash in Whitfield County. The roads were slick with snow and ice, and her vehicle slid off the road, ending in a devastating wreck….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga rolled out the red carpet for athletes from across the globe this morning, as the IRONMAN 70.3 race returned to the Scenic City for its tenth year. Despite a rainy week leading up to race day, spirits were high as the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon kicked off Sunday morning. Due to elevated river conditions,…
Tenn. (WDEF) – Elisha R., a police detective and mother of two from Memphis, began experiencing sudden, itchy hives all over her body in late 2021. Using her natural investigative skills, she carefully documented her symptoms and sought medical help. Eventually, she was diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria, or CSU—a condition characterized by hives that last six weeks or longer…