Roberts found guilty of second degree murder in Chris Wright murder trial

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  After close to 8 hours of deliberation, a Hamilton County Jury reached a verdict in the murder trial of Darryl Roberts. “Respecting count one of premeditation 316495 we the jury Find the defendant Darryl Denopolis Roberts guilty of second degree murder….do either side require further polling from the jury, no Judge, no your honor” Roberts is…

Undocumented student bill stalls out in Tennessee Legislature

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A group standing in opposition to a controversial bill proposed in part by Senator Bo Watson says it appears to have stalled out in the state legislature. The bill aimed to deny public education to children based on immigration status. The bill’s co-sponsor, Representative William Lamberth, has reportedly decided to shelve the bill for the 2025…

Golden Apple Award: Melissa Cairns, Fairyland Elementary

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA, (WDEF) – Libraries are great places to learn!  Melissa Cairns is an expert an instilling a lifelong love of literature in her students are Fairyland Elementary.  She is great at finding just the right book for each child.  Let’s see how she does it in this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Cairns has been the media specialist at…

A “Sculptacular” night with a Broadway star!

The Scuplture Fields are teaming up with two esteemed schools to bring special music to the Scenic City featuring a Broadway star! Jay Heavilon with Sculpture Fields brings choir directors Emily Tousek (GPS) and James Harr (McCallie) to preview the event Saturday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Broadway star is coming to the Scenic City for the Sculpture Fields “Sculptacular…

Celebrate the arts with ArtsWeek!

James McKissic of ArtsBuild and Charlotte Caldwell of Stoveworks join News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the fun filled celebration of Chattanooga arts for ArtsWeek! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s ArtsWeek is here with plenty of fun events all week long to celebrate our local arts! Created by ArtsBuild, over 60 events are happening now through April 27 that…

National Work Zone Awareness Week

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — This week marks National Work Zone Awareness Week across Tennessee and the rest of the country—a campaign focused on reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert, and move over when traveling through highway construction zones. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is using this week to amplify a crucial message: work zone safety is a shared responsibility…

Hamilton County launches Traffic Task Force

You said You said: CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has officially launched a new initiative aimed at improving roadway safety across Hamilton County. On Monday, officials announced the creation of the Hamilton County Traffic Task Force—a collaborative effort designed to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities throughout the region. The task force includes several local and state…

Jury still deliberating verdict in Roberts trial after tense closing arguments

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The jury in the Darryl Roberts trial is currently in the process of deciding his fate. He is charged with first degree murder in the September 2023 shooting death of Christopher Wright, a shooting that Roberts himself testified that he committed last Thursday. The jury called it a day at 6:30 on Monday evening during their deliberations…

Whitwell Senior Makes Naval History

WHITWELL, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Whitwell High School senior is making history in Marion County. Ava Holder has been accepted into the United States Naval Academy for the upcoming school year, becoming the first female from the county to ever earn a spot at any of the nation’s military academies. News 12 asked Ava Holder, Naval Academy Appointee, about what…

Local Reactions to Pope Francis’ Passing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Catholics around the world are mourning Pope Francis, who has died at the age of 88, weeks after being released from the hospital following a battle with double pneumonia and other health complications.  Known for his humble approach, Francis was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church.  His…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Clumpies Howard

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Some Howard High students just turned a class project into the coolest creation in town.  News 12’s Timbrel Williams stopped by the kitchen to see how these young chefs cooked up a flavor that’s now the freezers at Clumpies.  It’s a tasty and refreshing example of What’s Right With Our Schools. “Well, the students of Howard…

Pet of the Week: Vanya

  Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Vanya. Vanya has many wonderful qualities, including her blue eyes and speckled coat. According to the Humane Educational Society, she also walks great on a leash. She’s happy to walk beside you and explore the outdoors. Vanya is also very affectionate and is searching for a family that will share all the…

Catoosa County couple sentenced to 20 years following child cruelty conviction

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) —  A Catoosa County couple has been sentenced after being found guilty on multiple counts of child abuse. The couple was charged in December of 2023 following an investigation led by local authorities. According to the Lookout Mountain District Attorney’s Office, the couple lived with their teenage children in a mobile home that didn’t have proper…

Serving Hope This Easter Sunday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – This Easter Sunday, the front lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center was filled with warmth, generosity, and hope as the Union Gospel Mission served its 11th Annual Easter Sunday Community Dinner. From 1 to 3 PM, volunteers handed out a traditional Easter meal to hundreds of Chattanooga’s unhoused neighbors and others in need.  The meal…

Police looking for domestic violence suspect after early morning Brainerd SWAT standoff

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A tense situation unfolded in a Brainerd neighborhood early Friday morning. A SWAT standoff that caused some roads near Brainerd High School to shut down. However, that suspect is still on the run at this time. Before 5 a.m. Friday morning, Chattanooga Police received a call about a domestic violence incident on Tomahawk Trail when things escalated….

NTSB report released on March LaFayette plane crash

  LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) —  The NTSB report has been released on the LaFayette plane crash that occurred in March at the Barwick LaFayette Airport. The Cirrus SR-22 was destroyed when it impacted the ground during an instructional flight. The flight had departed from Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (RMG) in Rome, Georgia, earlier that afternoon before picking up the…

Why Does Your Morning News Run So Well? Tech, and Khristine Arnold

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Have you ever watched a news show and wondered how it all works so seamlessly and runs so smoothly? Have you ever had a moment at your business or been in the community and wondered “why isn’t the news live covering this right now?”  My guest today is the WDEF Morning Producer Khristine Arnold and she’s going…