Scenic City Gem Show Wraps

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The 2025 Scenic City Gem and Mineral Show wrapped up today at Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge.  Over the past three days, visitors explored a stunning collection of gems, minerals, fossils, and meteorites from over two dozen dealers.  Mark Woods, Southeastern Mineral Specimens, had this to say about this weekend’s events:  “We have 16 to…

Congrats UTC Grads – And one of our own

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Congratulations to all of the graduating students from UTC! We posted on our social media asking for photos and videos of you or your loved ones on this momentous occasion—and wow, just look at all those smiling faces! We also want to give a huge shoutout to a very special graduate, Rainey Randolph. Rainey is our…

Community heroes clear fallen tree on Ochs Highway

Chattanooga, Tenn. (WDEF) – This evening, a tree came crashing down into the middle of Ochs Highway blocking traffic heading up and down Lookout Mountain. But before road crews could even arrive, two community members stepped in—grabbing tools and working together to chop the tree into smaller pieces and move the debris out of the way. In time, the road…

Turn Around, Don’t Drown: A risk taken, a car lost

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDE) – Heavy rainfall over the weekend led to flash flooding across parts of Chattanooga, leaving multiple drivers stranded — including one whose car became partially submerged. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, blocking off the flooded roadway and working to remove two vehicles from the water. One man said he was driving through the area when…

Ooltewah Softball Has Enjoyed Fantastic Turnaround

Ooltewah, TN-(WDEF-TV) The Ooltewah softball team has won 25 games so far this season, which matches their victory total from the last four seasons combined. The Owls have been successful thanks to some young, talented players, and a familiar coach back on the bench. Brian Armstrong has the story. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Chatt Prep celebrates first cohort as all graduates accepted into college

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Prep celebrated their first senior class Friday. The school says their entire first cohort of 50 students have been accepted to at least one college or university. This comes after uncertainty if they would be able to graduate on time due to issues with teacher and course verification. All of that was discovered following the arrest…

DeKalb County capital murder suspect in custody in Gordon County, GA

FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) —  A Capital Murder warrant has been issued for Christopher Brayden Jones, 23, of Calhoun, Georgia, in connection to the murder of Marcus Adam Battles. The murder occurred on April 10, 2025, in Mentone, Alabama. The warrant was issued after a 21-day investigation. Jones is already in custody in Gordon County, Georgia on other unrelated charges….

Cumberland County woman convicted of animal cruelty, dog Zeus recovers

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A woman in Cumberland County has pled guilty to an animal cruelty charge. On January 17, 2024, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a civil matter at a home on Breckenridge Drive. With the help of Cumberland County Animal Control, deputies conducted a welfare check on the animals after hearing distressing sounds from…

How Batman and Comic Books have Influenced the Tech in Your Life

CHATTANOOGA, TN – In May of 1939, Bob Kane and Bill Finger would introduce the world to what we would come to know as the worlds greatest detective. If you’re fortunate to own Detective Comics No. 27 that features the first appearance of Batman, then you’re probably a comic aficionado. Every year on the first Saturday of May, the North…

Avondale celebrates one full year without a homicide

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Avondale neighborhood in East Chattanooga has historically dealt with violence. However, a milestone has been reached today that community leaders say is a sign things are changing for that area. It has been a full year since there was a recorded homicide in the Avondale neighborhood. This is defined by Chattanooga Police’s Zone 3, which is…

Inaugural Frazier Festival celebrates the completion of Frazier Avenue

Geno Wallace with the Northshore Merchants Collective joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the first ever Frazier Festival. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lots of changes are happening in Chattanooga’s Northshore which gives the community a reason to celebrate! With the Walnut Street Bridge being closed for renovations but Frazier Avenue being updated to accommodate pedestrians better, the Northshore…

14th Annual Valley Fest this weekend

Dunlap native and ‘Outlaw Gospel’ Artist Cody McCarver joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as the small town in Sequatchie County gets ready to celebrate the 14th annual Valley Fest. DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – The annual Valley Fest returns to Dunlap, Tenn. for its 14th year with plenty of musical acts, vendors, and food! The free event will have free entertainment…

Thursday Throwback: Dr. Shock

Earlier this week, we told you about the passing of Hosea Pierce, Jr. But he was better known to kids around our area as EPB’s Doctor Shock. For years, he taught local school children how to be safe around electricity. So for our Thursday Throwback, we take you back a few years to one of his last classes. Categories: From…

Chattanooga Hosts 76th Armed Forces Parade

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is getting ready to roll out the red, white, and blue as the city prepares to host the 2025 Armed Forces Parade and Luncheon this Friday.  Now in its 76th year, Chattanooga’s Armed Forces Parade is the longest continuously running event of its kind in the nation.  The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at…

Reel Rivals Return to Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The world’s top bass anglers have cast off in Chattanooga as Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour Stage 4 gets underway.  From May 1st through the 4th, 66 elite pros are competing across two iconic Tennessee River fisheries: Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake.​ The first two days feature qualifying rounds on Chickamauga, known for its trophy…

Multi-agency pursuit ends in crash and arrest in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies ended Thursday morning with a crash and foot pursuit just before the I-75 and Highway 153 interchange. The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department initiated the pursuit around 9:00 a.m. on May 1, 2025, involving a black Dodge Durango. As the chase crossed into Hamilton County, Hamilton County deputies joined…