Chattanooga Zoo invites families to annual Hug a Bunny Day

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Spring has arrived and that means a popular Easter tradition is returning to the Chattanooga Zoo. Each year the zoo hosts its Hug a Bunny Day event where visitors can meet several breeds of rabbits and take photos with the Easter Bunny. Zoo officials say the event is meant to be fun for families while also…

Markets React to Iran Tensions

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Markets are feeling pressure as tensions with Iran escalate, sending oil prices higher and raising concerns about the economy.  Companies with global supply chains are monitoring the situation closely, as disruptions could affect production and delivery timelines. Investors are watching closely as energy disruptions affect consumers and businesses.  The S&P 500 closed down nearly 1% at today’s…

Golden Apple Award: Ashley Lyons, Westside Middle

ROCKY FACE, GA (WDEF) – The best teachers truly care about their students. That certainly describes Ashley Lyons. Her students at Westside Middle have a friend and mentor for life. That’s just one of the reasons she earned this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Ms. Lyons is committed to Westside. She loves her kids. She loves teaching. She is at every…

Chattanooga Iranian American shares perspective Strike on Iran

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As protests continue across the country following the recent strike on Iran, Iranian Americans nationwide are reacting to the growing tensions. News 12 spoke with one local man from Chattanooga who has ties in both countries. David Khataei, who was born and raised in Iran, described the difficult conditions facing people there. Khataei said, “The conditions…

Journey Health launches REACH fund

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Journey Health Foundation Research Center is rolling out a new grant program aimed at improving health outcomes across the region. The REACH Fund will provide up to 25 thousand dollars for research projects that examine how factors such as housing, transportation, food access, and economic stability impact community health. Leaders say the goal is to…

Askins Brothers Verdict Reached

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A jury has reached guilty verdicts in the cases of Caleb and Samuel Askins, who were accused in a series of shootings that targeted homes connected to Chelsea Phelps, her family, and Christian Wood, a well-known member of the Gangster Disciples gang in Chattanooga. During the attacks, one man, Warren Crutcher, was killed, and people, including…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Brotherhood Brunch at Pneuma Church

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) – Teenage boys aren’t the best at talking about their feelings. They want to appear strong and tough, but that can take a toll on their mental health. Getting them to open up was the focus of a recent Brotherhood Brunch at a Pneuma Church. We give you a seat at the table in this week’s “What’s…

Fire Contained After Afternoon Blaze

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Emergency crews quickly contained a fire behind the Food City in St. Elmo this afternoon. A witness called 9-1-1 shortly before 12:40 p.m., reporting thick black smoke and saying the flames may have started in a nearby homeless encampment. Chattanooga Police and Fire crews responded swiftly and had the fire fully under control by 1:15 p.m.,…

Chattanooga Convention Center hosts Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The second annual Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival is taking place this weekend at the Chattanooga Convention Center, running February 28 through March 1.  Dozens of vendors are showcasing yarn, fiber tools, and handmade crafts, while classrooms and demonstration areas are open for workshops and interactive stations. Bunny Harper, a vendor, said, “For me, having a fiber…

Protesters Fill Ross’s Landing and speak out against ICE policies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As ICE protests continue, a group of community members gathered at Ross’s Landing to voice their opposition to the organization and the Trump administration. One protester held a microphone and chanted up and down the street, “The people united will never be divided.” As the demonstration continued, both sides of the street at Ross’s Landing were…

Protesters at Ross’s Landing voice concerns over ICE and strike on Iran

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – While News 12 was at Ross’s Landing covering an ICE protest, we took the opportunity to ask citizens what they thought about the strike against Iran. We also spoke with Congressman Chuck Fleischmann about many of the protesters’ concerns. A group of protesters gathered together and joined hands, singing, “When you’re not strong, I’ll be your…

Caleb Askins gets reduction in charges on day four of murder trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Friday was day four of the Askins Brothers Trial. They are charged with the 2023 murder of Warren Crutcher at a home on Maryland Street in North Chattanooga. One of the more significant developments in the trial occurred after the prosecution rested its case. Attorney John McDougal argued that his client, Caleb Askins, was not aware of…

Ramsey takes plea deal in Bianca Horton murder case

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- The mother of a convicted murderer took a plea deal related to a 2016 gang murder in Chattanooga Friday morning. Chernika Ramsey had been charged with facilitation to commit first degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping in the death of Bianca Horton in Chattanooga. You may recall that Andre Grier was recently convicted of Horton’s murder, as prosecutors…