Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) – He’s fuzzy, he’s feisty—and he’s heading off on a new adventure. Pilatus, one of the Chattanooga Zoo’s beloved red pandas, is saying goodbye to his birthplace as he moves to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. The move is part of an important mission: ensuring the survival of his species through a carefully planned breeding program. “We Love You,…
CHICKAMAUGA Ga, (WDEF) – Red, white, and blue filled the streets of downtown Chickamauga as families, friends, and neighbors gathered for the city’s annual Independence Day celebration. Flags waved, children laughed, and the sense of unity was strong in this heartfelt tribute to freedom. A group of young ladies huddled together, smiling and cheering into the evening. “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Athens City Fire Department is celebrating a new addition—not to their team, but to their mission: a Safe Haven Baby Box, now officially installed and blessed. The department hosted a special blessing ceremony to unveil the box, which offers a life-saving option for parents in crisis. This device allows individuals to safely and anonymously surrender…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Zoo is saying goodbye to Pilatus, the red panda, as he prepares to move to a zoo in Connecticut. The one-year-old is part of a national breeding program and will be paired with a female red panda, Ponya, in hopes of helping their endangered species. Pilatus was the first red panda cub born at…
CHATTANOOGA, TN – I had the privilege of interviewing Broadway’s Ali Stroker this week. You might remember her from her stunning performance in Oklahoma. My wife and I recognized her from her episode of Only Murders in the building, which is one of our favorite shows. She’s also consulted behind the scenes on numerous others, and has several more projects…
Kristie Pratt with Smokey Bones joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as many families get ready to celebrate the 4th of July around the corner. Learn how you can fill up your stomach while saving money at Smokey Bones! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Fourth of July is right around the corner and Smokey Bones is making it easier to enjoy BBQ…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Pensacola Blue Wahoos feasted on Lookouts pitching for the third straight night, as they defeated Chattanooga 10-6 on Thursday evening at AT&T Field. Pensacola scored 9 runs in each of the previous two games. On Thursday, Chattanooga took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the 5th on a three-run homer by Sal Stewart. But Pensacola responded with…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – If you are planning a move, you are not alone. This weekend is expected to be the busiest moving weekend of the entire year, with thousands of households packing up and heading to new homes. From June 27 through 29, nearly 5,000 moves are expected to take place across the country. That is over 15 million…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Community members gathered for a summit hosted by Councilmember Jenni Berz to reflect on progress and priorities in District 6. The event focused on economic development, housing, transportation, and other efforts to improve the quality of life across the district. We spoke to Richard Johnson, Chair of Midtown Connects, and this is what he had to…
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Walker County woman was sentenced for trafficking fentanyl. On June 5, 2024, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit (LMJC) Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Mary Louis Harvey’s residence after gathering credible evidence of drug activity. She allowed agents to search her bedroom, where fentanyl-laced materials were found hidden in a dresser. According…
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) — A Scottsboro man has been arrested for drug possession after authorities responded to a call for service. Officers with the Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) were dispatched to the 1500 block of South Broad Street. Upon arrival, officers located Michael Dewayne Cherry. While conducting an investigation, officers located 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, 4.3 grams of marijuana, and…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Ace Bailey’s high school basketball journey began at Boyd Buchanan, where he played one season for the Bucs. Bailey’s former coaches and teammates at Boyd noticed his raw talent right away. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News
CHICKAMAUGA, GA (WDEF) – A Walker County jury has returned a guilty verdict in a deadly road rage case that ended in gunfire outside a Dollar General in Chickamauga. Jeremy Dewayne McCrary, a motorcyclist, was convicted earlier this month of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The charges stem from a…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett and District Attorney Coty Wamp announced the indictment and arrest of Sanel Durakovic for a murder in 2020. On January 7, 2020, Patrick Godwin was shot in the 8500 block of Horseshoe Bend Lane in Ooltewah, Tennessee. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Durakovic was previously indicted for…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Summer heat can be tough on pets during walks. Here’s how to keep them safe when temperatures rise. Use the 7-second rule. If you can’t hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws. Walk during cooler times like early morning or evening, keep walks short,…
WILDWOOD, Ga. (WDEF) — Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm opened in November 2022. The farm is a dream come true for owners Max and Maegan Lewis of Wildwood Georgia. It has a unique coffee shop, boutique and Alpaca Farm. Tonight, we are learning about how the business drives our economy forward with seasonal gifts, flowers, great coffee and handmade goods. “I…
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — A home in Lupton City sustained damage after a fire early Wednesday morning. On June 25, 2025, at 5:16 a.m., the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) was dispatched to the 800 block of Intermont Road in regards to a residential fire. The resident told 911 that there was smoke and flames on his back porch. According to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Ever wondered how the Chattanooga Zoo handles your favorite animals, big or small? In our newest segment, News 12’s Amelia Greer joins Chattanooga Zoo Marketing Director Jake Cash as they take you “behind the curtain” to see how our friends at Warner Park care of animals inside and outside of the zoo. Jake Cash gives us…
SEQUATCHI COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – On Tuesday evening at 6:25 P.M., the Dunlap Police Department responded to a plane crash on Ridge Road. According to Dunlap Police Chief Randy Phillips, 2 people were inside the plane when it crashed and have been injured. Their condition remains unknown along with the reason the plane went down. The Federal Aviation Administration and…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts started the second half of the Southern League regular season with a gut-wrenching loss to Pensacola. The Lookouts built an 8-2 lead after five innings, but they wound up losing 9-8 in 10 innings. Jay Allen II hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning to give Chattanooga a 3-2 lead. Lookouts then scored five times…
Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) East Hamilton basketball coach Howard Pride has headed up the road to take the head job at Cleveland. Kind of hard to ignore Pride’s resume. As an athlete, he was all-state in football. Drafted by the Angels in baseball. And he played college hoops in the SEC. He also has plenty of high school and college coaching experience…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The local dining scene is saying goodbye to three well-known restaurants, each with its own loyal following and unique story. From longtime favorites to newer ventures, the closures mark a shift in the city’s ever-evolving culinary landscape. Ernest Chinese, located on the Southside, will serve its final meals on July 13th. Originally opened as The Flying…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points is buzzing with excitement as the “Energy Everywhere” STEAM Camp kicks off a two-day adventure in discovery and innovation. Designed for rising 5th, 6th, and 7th graders, the camp brings science to life through fun, hands-on experiences focused on the energy that powers our world. Presented in partnership…
SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) — A Scottsboro man was arrested at a safety checkpoint after authorities found drugs on his person. On June 23, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. officers with the Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) were conducting a safety checkpoint in the 2100 block of AL Highway 79. During the checkpoint, officers stopped a vehicle driven by a Rachel Gatlin, with…