Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Community leaders gathered at Ross’s Landing Thursday to thank Governor Bill Lee and state lawmakers for committing $15 million in the state’s 2025–2026 budget to transform Chattanooga’s riverfront parks. Local officials, including Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, say the investment will be a game-changer for families, tourism, and the city’s connection to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Commission Chairman Jeff Eversole responded to criticism over a planned meeting concerning this year’s school budget. This was during this week’s Hamilton County Commission meeting. Chairman Eversole plans to discuss how the school board is planning to spend that money. However, that has prompted criticism from the school board’s chair, Joe Smith, who says this…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Crews are on the scene of a significant water main break on South Holtzclaw Avenue. A portion of South Holtzclaw Avenue, between East 12th and East 14th Street, is currently closed. Tennessee American Water crews and the Chattanooga Department of Public Works are working to conduct repairs. CDOT says the portion of the roadway will remain…
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A potential controversy over the location for a new mental health facility in our area has taken a turn. The state is looking for a place to build a new hospital to replace the one at Moccasin Bend. They determined they could not expand the current facility because of plans to develop the Bend as a historic park….
Eric Tidmore with 1% Lists Scenic City joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to remind home buyers and sellers of the services available. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – June is a busy month for real estate, and 1% Lists Scenic City wants to take away some of the stress that comes with making big life decisions like buying or selling a home….
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) — A man was arrested in Ringgold after a child exploitation investigation. The Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) searched a home on Mason Drive on June 2, 2025. The search followed a cyber tip about child sexual abuse material being downloaded. Investigators traced the activity to a specific device using digital tools. According to Catoosa County Sheriff…
Angela Hunt with Freedom Sings USA joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to preview a benefit concert supporting veterans. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Freedom Sings USA is hosting a benefit concert to support their non-profit which will feature HunterGirl, the runner-up on the 20th season of American Idol. Freedom Sings USA a local, veteran-driven, non-profit that provides music arts therapy to…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) If you’ve ever been to Hamilton Heights gymnasium, you know it’s not much bigger than a phone booth. Yet the new MVP of the NBA honed his skills in that little arena. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander left Canada to play at Hamilton Heights from 2015 to 2017. Last month, the Oklahoma City guard was named the NBA’s most valuable player, and…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s a preschool that puts the safety of children first. Tiny Tigers makes sure children are prepared academically for kindergarten. Tonight, we are learning how the daycare is letting out a big roar, making a difference in our community. It’s this week’s Driving our Economy Forward. “Driving our economy starts with the community building that village. …
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission approved the next step of a future Hixson school.The commission approved the school to go into the next step of the design process. The school is planned to replace DuPont, Rivermont, and Alpine Crest Elementary Schools. However, the closure of Rivermont and Alpine Crest have sparked backlash from residents, including Commissioner David Sharpe….
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Hamilton County woman is facing forgery and financial exploitation charges following an investigation conducted by the TBI. In January of 2025, the Department of Disability and Aging made a referral to special agents regarding allegations of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Throughout the investigation, TBI agents found information that showed Jaliyah Truss used…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were involved in a pursuit on Highway 58 early Wednesday morning. On June 4, 2025, at 12:50 a.m., a deputy saw a silver Nissan Armada traveling northbound on Highway 58 at a high rate of speed. According to HCSO, the deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the…
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — Authorities in Whitfield County are investigating an officer involved shooting in Dalton. At 10:40 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, detectives with the Dalton Police Department’s (DPD) Drug Unit and the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) were conducting an undercover narcotics investigation in the River Road area. According to WCSO, during that investigation, a man named…
C. Mark Warren with preemptive local law firm, Warren & Griffin, joins News 12’s Chip Chapman to remind parents of “The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – C. Mark Warren with Warren & Griffin stresses the importance of driving safety with “The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.” Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it’s the most dangerous…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department is investigating a DUI-related crash involving an off-duty officer. On June 1 at around 11:30 P.M., Chattanooga Police responded to two related two-vehicle crashes. One on the 4200 block of Bonny Oaks Drive and another in the 4300 block of Highway 58. The incident is being investigated as a DUI-related crash…
(press release) — Chattanooga FC Women suffered its first loss of the 2025 WPSL campaign to nationally-ranked Decatur FC in a hardly-fought 2-1 defeat at Finley Stadium. The visitors opened the scoring in the first minute when Chattanooga FC defender Jordan Crockett, in an effort to make a clearance, redirected Maddie Wadsworth’s cross into her own goal. Decatur FC doubled…
Rossville, GA-(WDEF-TV) The Tennessee high school baseball All-Star team collected four runs in the first two innings, as they defeated their Georgia counterparts 8-2 on Tuesday evening at Ridgeland High School. The Georgia squad was seeking their third straight win in the series. It was the 22nd meeting in the Annual Stump Martin Memorial Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Baseball Classic. Categories: Sports…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Tuesday was day five of the Duane Sanders trial. Sanders is charged with 15 child sex abuse charges against seven different children while he was a first grade teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School in Ooltewah. However, Tuesday was the defense’s turn to put on evidence. They called up six character witnesses who all testified in…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s a big step forward in emergency care for working dogs. Life Force Air Medical, part of Erlanger Health System, has made history as Tennessee’s first air ambulance service to offer critical transport for K-9s injured or ill in the line of duty. This expansion ensures that the highly trained dogs who serve in law…
ATLANTA, Ga. (WDEF) — A Romanian citizen has admitted to making “swatting” calls to several American politicians, including Marjorie Taylor Greene. He pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to threatening dozens of people. “Swatting” is the practice of making fake police calls against individuals just to make police respond. The north Georgia Congresswoman has been the target of several…
PISGAH, Ala. (WDEF)- TVA says they’re looking to build a new pumped storage facility in Jackson County, Alabama. This would be located near Pisgah and Flat Rock on the western edge of Sand Mountain and generate up to 1.600 megawatts of energy. This facility would be similar to the Racoon Mountain Reservoir here in Chattanooga, as a reservoir lake on…
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Marion County detective is facing felony charges following a TBI investigation into alleged document forgery. Special agents launched an investigation into forgery suspicions as requested by District Attorney General Courtney Lynch. Detective Robert Hargis, who served as the Sex Offender Registry Compliance Officer for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, was responsible for collecting signatures…
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a call about a bicyclist being struck Tuesday morning. At 6:00 a.m., June 3, 2025, deputies were dispatched to the incident at 1300 block of Sequoyah Access Road. According to HCSO, a vehicle traveling eastbound on Sequoyah Access Road struck the bicyclist as it was turning onto…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Public input is essential as the City of Chattanooga looks to shape the next generation of parks, programs, and recreational spaces. City leaders are inviting residents to share their ideas to help create a 20-year plan that reflects the community’s needs and dreams. Jayne Miller, Principal at PROS Consulting, expressed the importance of listening to the…