Rick Davis told to not talk to opposing attorneys in initial court appearance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Rick Davis made his first court appearance Thursday morning on just one of many charges against him. Davis was arrested in January and charged with passing worthless checks. This was before his Gold and Diamonds business on Brainerd Road was raided last month. Authorities allege he failed to return a family hairloom after finding out it was…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Clockout

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  It’s an earned-wage access model that is growing in our area.  Tonight, we are learning how hourly employees can get faster access to their paychecks.  Clock-out is this week’s Driving our Economy Forward. Vladimir Dumitrean, Co-Founder, “Clock up provides cash when you need it, if you’ve already earned it without having to wait for payday. So, imagine…

76th Annual Armed Forces Parade on Friday

Retired Navy Captain Mickey McCamish joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as they get ready to celebrate 76 years of the Armed Forces Day Parade in Chattanooga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The longest running parade in the United States returns for its 76th year on Friday. The parade kicks off Friday morning at 10:30 from 9th and Market Street and MLK…

House Tour Uncovers Animal Cruelty

LAFAYETTE, GA (WDEF) – A disturbing discovery during a house tour leads to serious animal cruelty charges in Walker County. 5 people are now facing over 80 counts after authorities found dozens of animals living and dying in vile conditions.  It started as a typical day for a couple house hunting on Highway 151 in Walker County.  But when they…

New Store Sparks Economic Growth

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) – A major retailer is breathing new life into the Northgate Mall area in Hixson, bringing with it a big boost to the local economy. The former Sears building has already been demolished, clearing the way for a new BJ’s Wholesale Club.  The 99,000 square foot store is expected to create more than one hundred jobs, offering…

Sales tax referendum floated as response to school budget shortfall

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission heard an earful from concerned parents concerning this year’s school budget on Wednesday morning. This is as Hamilton County Schools are looking to make millions of dollars of cuts due to lower than expected local revenue. This followed the cancellation of a joint meeting on Monday between the Commission and School Board and…

Challenge coins to be given to veterans who complete Veterans Treatment Court program

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The new Hamilton County Veterans Treatment Court says they have come up with a way to honor graduates of their program via a donation. That court is designed to rehabilitate veterans charged with non-violent offenses and get back on their feet, similar to Mental Health Court. Wednesday, retired Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond and current judges Boyd…

Tennessee’s Battle Against Deadly Fentanyl

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee continues to battle a deadly wave in the opioid epidemic, driven largely by the rise of fentanyl. Often lurking in counterfeit pills and street drugs, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid so potent that just a speck can cause a fatal overdose.  In response, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has launched…

Stroke Awareness Saves Precious Time

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Stroke is one of the most serious medical emergencies in the United States, striking without warning and often leaving a lifetime of impact.  It’s the fifth leading cause of death and the number one cause of long-term adult disability. But the good news is, stroke is treatable and, in many cases, preventable. The key is recognizing…

Josh Heupel Excited to Have New QB Joey Aguilar in the Fold on Rocky Top

Big Orange caravan tour kicked off its ‘spring-swing’ through the Volunteer state on Tuesday. First stop. Memphis. Meet and greet with Vols fans has to be far more relaxing for head coach Josh Heupel than dealing with the portal and NIL. Tennessee of course saw quarterback Nico Iamaleava transfer to UCLA this month. And then the Vols got Bruins quarterback…

Governor, TDOT talk Chattanooga road construction updates

Gov. Bill Lee with TDOT workers and local state representatives in front of the Apison Pike construction project. COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Much of Chattanooga’s main roads continue to be a construction zone.  However, state officials are saying there is an end in sight for many of those projects. Two years ago, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee passed the Transportation Modernization Act…

Illegal Immigrant convicted of First Degree Murder in strangulation of his girlfriend

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A jury has convicted a man of murdering his girlfriend more than two years ago. Hamilton County Prosecutors say 21 year old Jose Ramirez strangled his girlfriend, Oliva Pena in August of 2022. He said he choked her and then fell asleep. When he woke up, she was unresponsive. But District Attorney Coty Wamp says the murder…

Pet of the Week: Bear

Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Bear! Bear is six and a half years old, and one of the Humane Educational Society’s sweetest seniors. He has a mellow personality most of the time, but there are times where the puppy in him comes out and he’s ready to play. Bear has experienced living with children, and did well with…

East Ridge considering cuts to Care-A-Van service as costs increase

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The city of East Ridge is considering the impact of rising costs of CARTA’s Care-A-Van service. The service specifically serves those with disabilities in Chattanooga, Red Bank, and East Ridge who cannot otherwise use CARTA’s fixed bus routes or their own transportation. Each city, including East Ridge, subsidizes the service as riders pay a flat fee…

Clean Your Dirty Face with special offers for facials!

Sonia Desai with Clean Your Dirty Face joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the various services they offer to promote skin health and wellness. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A facial from Clean Your Dirty Face will leave your skin flawless without all the toxic chemicals in most commercial skincare products. Clean Your Dirty Face opened in Chicago in…

Man arrested in Scottsboro on attempted assault charges

SCOTTSBORO, Al. (WDEF) —  A man has been arrested in Scottsboro for attempted assault in the first degree. At 8:35 p.m. on April 27, 2025, the Scottsboro Police Department (SPD) was dispatched to the 700 block of Windsor Drive on reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found a victim who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. According to SPD, the victim was transported…

CCS and Baylor Finish in 1-1 Tie

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor and CCS wound up playing to a 1-1 draw on Monday night. It was the first time the Chargers didn’t win a match all season, as their record falls to 15-0-1. But the tie was still good enough for Chattanooga Christian to win their region title. CCS took the field without head coach Tyler Robertson who has resigned….

Prosecution seeking to show jury jail calls at impending Andre Grier murder trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga gang member charged with the murder of a mother set to testify against his fellow gang members was back in court Monday. Andre Grier is charged with first degree murder in the 2016 killing of Bianca Horton. Horton was set to testify in a separate murder case involving Cortez Sims after her baby daughter Zoe…

From online to in-person: Ali Kay brings Fresh Paint Live to Chattanooga

From online to in-person: Ali Kay brings Fresh Paint Live to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The vibrant world of art is taking center stage in Chattanooga this week. Inside the Convention Center, nearly 250 artists have gathered from across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for a unique two-day experience. Imagine being able to learn from your favorite art teacher and finally meet them in person—alongside hundreds of other…