Tennessee Urges Crackdown on Fake Weight Loss Drugs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee’s Attorney General has joined a coalition of 38 states and territories urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA to take stronger action against counterfeit versions of popular weight loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. The demand comes as concerns grow over the rise of fake and potentially dangerous versions of these drugs,…

UTC unveils digital collection of early Chattanooga Lookouts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- With spring training in full swing, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Library has released a new digital collection that offers a deep dive into the early history of the Chattanooga Lookouts. Titled Sandy Sandlin Chattanooga Lookouts Photographs, the collection features a treasure trove of images, memorabilia, and newspaper clippings dating back as early as 1912….

Chattanooga Police make arrest in daycare child abuse incident

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga Police have arrested a woman in connection to the daycare child abuse investigation. According to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD), their Special Victims Unit Investigator Tonya Lively presented the facts to the Hamilton County Grand Jury. The Hamilton County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging Tonya Lively with one count of Felony Child Abuse. She…

New traffic garden coming to Red Bank this summer

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The city of Red Bank and White Oak Bicycle Co-Op are teaming up to open a new traffic garden The new park plan for the city of Red Bank promotes biking. This led to the creation of the traffic garden. Jeffrey Grabe is the Parks & Recreation Manager for the city of Red Bank. He says, “The…

Fatal crash in Bradley County leaves one dead after running into semi

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  One person is dead after a fatal accident in Bradley County Monday afternoon. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser was traveling southbound on I-75 near mile marker 22. Meanwhile an unoccupied 2013 Freightliner was disabled on the right shoulder. The 2014 FJ Cruiser failed to maintain its lane and…

Dunlap firefighters respond to early morning pickup truck fire

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Dunlap Fire Department (DFD) responded to a vehicle fire early Tuesday morning. At 4:30 a.m., February 25, 2025, DFD was dispatched to the southbound exit ramp of Highway 111 at Lewis Chapel Road. Upon arrival, crews found a pickup truck fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly worked to extinguish the fire, preventing further damage. No…

Nominate your physician for National Doctors’ Day

Kevin Lusk with the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to encourage patients to say thank you and nominate their doctors for National Doctors’ Day. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Give thanks to the doctor that keeps you healthy by nominating them for National Doctors’ Day. Kevin Lusk with the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga says, “Physicians spend a…

Cleveland Beat Rhea Co 78-35 For District Tournament Title

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Cleveland girls basketball team appeared to be on a mission in the finals of their district tournament on Monday night at Walker Valley High School. The Lady Raiders took an early lead and never looked back in beating Rhea Co 78-35 for the tournament title. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Cleveland High School, High School…

HCS Reviews Potential Custodial Contracts

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools is taking a major step to ensure its facilities remain clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff.  After reviewing 13 applications, the board has narrowed down two potential candidates. As part of the selection process, two companies presented their proposals today, outlining their plans to provide top-tier cleaning services across all Hamilton…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Hunter Middle School Accomplishments

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Students at Hunter Middle are making great strides in robotics and mathematics, but they are also excelling in the arts and athletics. Feast your eyes on a few of their recent accomplishments in tonight’s What’s Right With Our Schools. Heidi Moses is the Principal at Hunter Middle. She says, “We strive to provide academic press and…

Chattanooga Zoo Welcomes Two New Warthogs

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Zoo has welcomed two new female warthogs, marking an exciting milestone in its history. The warthogs, named Peanut and Big Girl, arrived in late January from a zoo in Florida and have joined Everett, the male warthog, in the Cape of Africa expansion. Jake Cash, Chattanooga Zoo Director of Marketing and Communications, shared details about…

Right At Home promotes care for caregivers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Caregivers work hard to care for our loved ones. Right at Home in Home Care and Assistance is promoting care for their caregivers. Caregivers can give too much and leave themselves with burnout. Bryan Hensley the owner of Right at Home says, “Both professional caregivers and family caregivers find ways to take care of yourself. Take…

DeKalb County inmates train shelter dogs for adoption

DEKALB COUNTY, Al. (WDEF) —  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is teaming up with the DeKalb County Animal Adoption Center (DCAAC) on a new initiative aimed at helping shelter dogs find permanent homes while providing inmates with a meaningful rehabilitation opportunity. As part of the program, inmates will work with a different shelter dog each month, teaching them basic…

Pet of the Week: Cabbage

Cabbage has been adopted! Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Cabbage! The Humane Educational Society (HES) says Cabbage has soulful brown eyes, and a soft, fluffy coat. Cabbage is probably the gentlest puppy you’ll ever meet, and is great with kids. She loves to play, belly rubs, and cuddles. Cabbage also is known to get the zoomies! HES says…

YMCA kicks off new fundraising event

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The YMCA is kicking off a massive fundraiser today. They are inviting the community to participate in a series of health and wellness events. The events include multiple bike-a-thons and a swim-a-thons, as well as a military fitness competition, graded by local soldiers and YMCA staff. All of the proceeds from each event will go back…

Additional arrest made in connection to Sale Creek SWAT standoff

BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A second arrest has been made in connection to the SWAT standoff in Sale Creek Friday. Robert Bowen Kenneth Lee Kizzar was arrested by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Criminal Warrants Unit at a residence on Pitts Gap Road in Bledsoe County on Monday February 24, 2025. An arrest warrant had been issued for…

Grundy County man arrested after stealing ATV in Dunlap

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A Grundy County man has been arrested after stealing a four wheeler in Dunlap. On February 20, 2025 around 11:40 a.m., a subject stole a red Honda TRX four wheeler from a carport of a Dunlap residence. Several businesses and residences in the area were able to capture the incident on surveillance video. According to the…

Driver crashes into building off Hixson Pike

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — Emergency crews responded to a vehicle crash involving a car that collided with a building on Hixson Pike Sunday afternoon. At approximately 2:11 PM on February 23, 2025, Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the 5000 block of Hixson Pike after reports of a vehicle striking a structure. Upon arrival, firefighters requested additional support to further…

Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning singer with an intimate style, dies at 88

NEW YORK (AP) — Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose intimate vocal and musical style on “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and other hits made her one of the top recordings artists of the 1970s and an influential performer long after, died Monday. She was 88. She died at…

Pet cat and home lost in weekend fire on Fredonia Mountain

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Dunlap Fire Department (DFD) and several other organizations responded to a house fire over the weekend. At 10:23 a.m. Sunday, February 23, 2025, crews responded to reports of a house fire on Fredonia Mountain. Upon arrival, crews found the found residence engulfed in flames. According to DFD, the fire started on the porch, possibly from…

Chattanooga Antiques Show Marks 51st

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s premier Antiques Show & Sale is back for its 51st year, bringing history, artistry, and one-of-a-kind treasures to The Signal Ballroom at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. For more than five decades, the Chattanooga Antiques Show & Sale has been a must-visit event for collectors and history buffs alike.  This year, organizers pulled out all the…

ConNooga Brings Multi-Fandom Magic to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – ConNooga is back at the Chattanooga Convention Center this weekend, offering nearly 500 hours of entertainment for fans of all kinds. This multi-fandom convention is a purely fan-driven event, promising something for everyone—from comic book lovers to cosplayers and pop culture enthusiasts. Junior board member Zachary Newbill emphasized the inclusive and welcoming nature of the convention….