Novonix PILOT passes IDB, says tariffs are a ‘positive’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Novonix has cleared the final step before construction can begin on a new facility at Enterprise South. The Industrial Development Board approved the PILOT agreement with the electric vehicle battery manufacturer that will give them a tax break in exchange for building the new plant. They already have an existing facility on the Chattanooga Westside, in which…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Regional Envirothon Competition

HIXSON, TN (WDEF) – Students from across the area recently came together at Chester Frost Park to compete in the Regional Envirothon competition. It was a way for the kids to learn about our environment in a hands-on and competitive setting. Chester Frost Park in Hixson came alive with excitement as the Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation and Development Council hosted…

Carve a memorable gift with Woodcraft

Nate Hiltibran with Woodcraft joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to provide some gift inspiration this coming Mother’s Day. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Homemade gifts are always the best present to give to a loved one, that’s why Woodcraft of Chattanooga is reminding everyone of their woodwork lessons to make a memorable and personalized gifts! With lessons for all skillsets, Woodcraft…

Marion County residents recount the terrifying aftermath of the storms

MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Early Sunday morning, severe weather tore through the Tennessee Valley, prompting multiple tornado warnings and leaving behind a path of destruction. One area hit especially hard was the Whiteside community in southeastern Marion County. In Marion County, the storm left a trail of damage ranging from trees snapped in half to entire billboard signs ripped…

Storm Hits Grundy County Overnight

GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) – Severe storms swept through Grundy County last night, leaving a trail of destruction. High winds and heavy rainfall caused significant damage across the area, affecting homes, infrastructure, and public spaces.  Numerous trees were uprooted, obstructing major roadways and residential streets. Fallen power lines have resulted in widespread outages, leaving many residents without electricity.  Emergency crews…

Hands off protests against Trump Administration Policies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Protesters gathered along Riverfront Parkway as part of a nationwide Hands Off! demonstration, opposing President Donald Trump’s administration and its controversial policy stances. The “Hands Off” movement—often associated with advocating for the protection of social safety nets, international alliances, reproductive rights, and democracy itself—has gained momentum in several cities across the country. Locally titled Hands Off! In…

Mocs softball drops both games of Saturday double header

GoMocs-Chattanooga softball fell in back-to-back games against Western Carolina in Southern Conference softball action Saturday afternoon at Frost Stadium. The Mocs pitching staff struck out 22 batters and walked just four, but the Catamounts scored 10 runs, nine earned on 14 hits over the two games to claim the series win. Kailey Snell went 5-for-8 on the day for UTC…

Chattanooga Mocs Welcomed Back at McKenzie Arena After Winning the NIT Tournament

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Mocs guard Honor Huff was first off the team bus at McKenzie Arena Friday afternoon, carrying the NIT championship trophy. A crowd of fans welcomed the Mocs basketball team back to town after their thrilling 85-84 overtime win over UC Irvine in the NIT title game on Thursday night.  Chattanooga’s win over the Anteaters was their first ever D-One…

A Chattanooga hero’s remains return home after being missing for eight decades

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For over eight decades, a Chattanooga family had one single question. What happened to Sergeant Sanford Roy on a bombing mission in Nazi Germany back on April 8, 1944? After learning the answer last year, they’ve brought the remains of the American hero back home. Sgt. Roy’s great nephew, Charles Broadrick, said, “It’s been an adventure, I’d…

Marion County firefighters, Department of Forestry battling wildfire near Haletown

Aetna Mountain on fire Friday evening as seen from Hales Bar Lake. (Courtesy: Paul Anderson) MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Firefighters have been battling a wildfire near Haletown in Marion County Friday evening. The Haletown Volunteer Fire Department says it began shortly after 5 p.m. Friday evening on the back of Aetna Mountain. After their initial response, the Tennessee Department of…

City of Chattanooga investigating data breach

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Mayor’s office says it learned Friday that city data was affected by the recent Nationwide Recovery Services breach.Nationwide provides debt collection services to city government. The city says there’s no indication that anything other than debt collection data was affected. Thing of it is: the city now says it received a letter dated February 7th…

Orange Grove Center Honors Special Olympics Gold Medalist Jayme Salisbury

Orange Grove Center hosted a special presentation to honor Jayme Salisbury, a Special Olympics gold medalist, for his outstanding achievements at the 2025 Tennessee Special Olympics Winter Games. Salisbury, who competed, earned two gold medals in snowboard slalom and snowboard giant slalom, despite having practiced only once—just the day before the competition. The resolution celebrates Salisbury’s dedication, determination, work ethic,…

Drone Technology makes 2025 feel like a 90s Science Fiction Movie

Chattanooga, TN – This week we went on location to the Chattanooga Riverfront with some of Chattanooga Police Department’s finest so they could show off their new drone technology and how it’s making Chattanooga a safer and more efficient city. Sgt. James Miller is a drone commander for CPD and his department is working on having drones to deploy around…

Signal Mountain Edges Soddy Daisy 2-1

Soddy Daisy, TN-(WDEF-TV) Signal Mountain handed Soddy Daisy their first loss of the year on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over the Trojans. The Eagles two goals came in the first ten minutes of the match. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – Soccer Tags: Signal Mountain High School, Soddy Daisy High School, sports news

Chattanooga Lookouts Ready to Embark on 2025 Season

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Lookouts new season starts Friday on the road against Rocket City. It’s scheduled to be their final year at AT&T Field with the team moving into a new ballpark next season. Brian Armstrong has a preview. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Chattanooga Lookouts, sports news

Thursday Throwback: 1985 Vivian Woods

Forty years ago, the Shuttle Challenger launched another successful space mission. One of the people watching that flight was a local teacher who hoped she would someday be on that Shuttle. Three years later, the Teacher in Space program would make international headlines for all the wrong reasons. But for tonight’s Thursday Throwback report, we look at how Vivian Woods…

‘The Dream’ punishment sparks debate on business’ responsibility to maintain safety

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial Chattanooga nightclub once again found itself in front of the Chattanooga Beer Board for the fifth straight meeting. Over the past four months, The Dream on Glass Street has had two different shooting incidents. A security guard for “The Dream” nightclub shooting back at a gunman with an assault rifle. The second incident involving a…

Senate bill sparking debate over forced open primaries

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A bill advancing through the Tennessee General Assembly is raising concerns by local Republicans. Senate Bill 799 would limit how local political parties are able to select candidates for elections. A social media post by Hamilton County Republicans argued that mandating open primaries stifles their ability to pick candidates that best represent them. Hamilton County Republican chairwoman…