TECH BYTE – A HIGH-TECH TWIST ON TEACHING PEOPLE TO DRIVE

NOW FOR A HIGH-TECH TWIST ON TEACHING PEOPLE TO DRIVE. A SCHOOL IN THE UK IS TRAINING DRIVING INSTRUCTORS USING VIRTUAL REALITY BEFORE THEY HIT THE REAL ROAD. WITH VR HEADSETS, TRAINEES PRACTICE NAVIGATING TRICKY TRAFFIC AND MAKING SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS. THE SYSTEM EVEN GIVES TEACHERS DOUBLE MIRRORS SO THEY CAN WATCH BOTH THEIR STUDENT AND TRAFFIC AROUND THEM. So the…

Lookouts to repurpose parts of Engel Stadium

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are hearing reaction to UTC’s plan to replace Engel Stadium with a women’s soccer stadium. The stadium, built in 1930, has fallen into disrepair over the past several years. The site is planned to be converted into that soccer stadium and the new Hamilton County Health Department building. As the Lookouts prepare to move into their…

Hamilton County Coalition offers wrap around service to those struggling with addiction

Jarrod Dunn and Kate Parsons join News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind viewers of the importance of recovery resources. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Hamilton County Coalition is responding to several counties in the viewing area to encourage those facing addiction and mental illness. Lifeline Coordinator Jarrod Dunn and Faith-Based Coordinator Kate Parsons remind everyone that the Hamilton County Coalition offers…

Come one, come all to 2025 Gratefull!

Dawn Hjelseth from River City Company joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind viewers ‘Gratefull’ is right around the corner.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lots of free food and good community with Gratefull taking over MLK Blvd. Celebrating over a decade of serving the community, everyone is invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together and to meet your neighbors. All…

First Responder Hero Award: Trey Birdwell

DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe. When danger strikes, these men and women are the first to respond. Now, it is our turn to…

Festival of Trees event raises funds for struggling mothers

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — Foundation House Ministries’ Festival of Trees event was Thursday. The event runs from 6 to 8pm and gives families an opportunity to celebrate the holidays stress free. Foundation House Ministries is a nonprofit that provides housing and a recovery program for mothers. It’s the only maternity home of its kind within a one-hundred-and-fifty-mile radius. Guests were…

Novonix expansion remains on track

The interior of the Novonix facility on the Chattanooga Westside (Courtesy: Novonix) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- 95 percent of the world’s synthetic graphite is currently produced in China. One company, whose presence is expanding in Chattanooga, is looking to change that. In order to achieve this, Novonix is looking to soon reach full production at their Chattanooga Westside facility. The product…

Red Bank Pantry Sees Surge in Families as SNAP Delays Continue

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)-The Chattanooga Area Food Bank remains in emergency response mode as delayed SNAP benefits push more families across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia to local food pantries. At Red Bank Community Food Pantry, the surge has been striking. Volunteers report a 52% increase in families visiting, many for the first time. Heather Hammond, a worker with the pantry,…

Pilgrim’s Breaks Ground in LaFayette

LAFAYETTE, GA (WDEF) – Pilgrim’s is making a major investment in Walker County’s future with the groundbreaking of a $400 million prepared foods facility at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette. The new multi-phase facility is expected to create more than 630 jobs when it reaches full capacity, producing fully cooked chicken products for retail and foodservice customers across…

Can Tariff Rebates Really Happen?

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – President Donald Trump has proposed giving most Americans a $2,000 payment funded by money collected from tariffs on imported goods.  The administration says the plan could take several forms, including direct checks or tax reductions, but officials stress that the details are still being worked out, including who would qualify and how the payments would be…

New Sheriff’s Property and Evidence Facility

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County law enforcement has officially finished upgrades to the Law Enforcement Operations Center (LEOC) and the newly renovated Property and Evidence Facility that formerly was the Chattanooga Gas Company building. The $600,000 project began in January 2023 and took two years to complete.  Together, the spaces now cover 9,100 square feet, more than double the…

Proposed land swap continues to be topic of conversation at commission meeting

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The potential deed land swap between McDonald Farm and Enterprise South Nature Park continued to stir debate at Hamilton County Commission. The proposal would preserve 1,300 acres at the Sale Creek property in exchange for opening up over 500 acres at Enterprise South for potential development. The plan has stirred controversy from citizens who would like…

Lee Company helping out our community with their annual Vans4Cans food drive

Nick Shanks joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to remind viewers of a special fundraiser technicians are doing with Lee Company.  CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lee Company’s annual Vans4Cans food drive is helping out our community during a time of need. Now through November 21, canned goods and non-perishables can be donated to Lee Company by stopping by at their in-person…

Red Wolves Scott Mackenzie Named USL League One Coach of the Year

(chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com) The Chattanooga Red Wolves are proud to announce that Head Coach and Technical Director Scott Mackenzie has been named the 2025 USL League One Coach of the Year, following a historic season that saw the Red Wolves reach new heights on and off the pitch. At 35 years, 9 months and 25 days old, Mackenzie becomes the youngest coach ever to win the award, surpassing…

Six Baylor Soccer Players Sign College Scholarships

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Huge signing party at Baylor Wednesday. Among those inking college scholarships were an incredible six players from the girls soccer state championship team. Lilly Catalanatto to Carson Newman. Hadley Griffith to Tennessee Tech. Zoe Misenhimer to UTC. Ryleigh Ramey to Carson Newman Paige Thompson to King University. Emily Betterton to UTC. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News

Penny Production Officially Ends Nationwide

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The United States Mint has officially ended production of the penny.  The final one-cent coins for circulation were struck on November 12, 2025, concluding over 230 years of continuous production. Production ended after the Treasury Department placed its final order of penny blanks in May 2025.  The cost to produce a single penny is now about…

Proposed Soddy-Daisy asphalt plant resurfaces amid continued opposition

A group of Soddy-Daisy citizens opposed to a proposed asphalt plant at Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting. SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- You may remember a proposed asphalt plant in Soddy-Daisy near the Highway 27 and Thrasher Pike interchange. That had been voted down in August. However, that proposal is back on a nearby piece of property.  There were frustrations from residents after…

Murder mystery at Memorial Auditorium!

CEO Nick Wilkinson joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as the Tivoli Theatre gets ready to kick off their 2025-2026 Broadway Season! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Mystery and murder takes center stage at the Memorial Auditorium stage this Thanksgiving weekend with Clue: Live on Stage kicking off the 2025-2026 Broadway Season! Inspired by the board game and cult classic film Clue,…

Rolling Thunder keeps the memory alive on Veterans Day

ROCK SPRING, Ga. (WDEF) – As we celebrate Veterans Day, one group of riders continues to ensure that those who never made it home are never forgotten. News 12 spoke with three members of the organization Rolling Thunder, a group of riders and supporters who honor veterans year-round, with a special focus on prisoners of war and those still missing…