Duane Sanders, the former elementary school teacher facing numerous child sex abuse charges, sitting in his own trial. Content warning: Many will find the content in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thursday was day two of a child sex abuse trial involving a former elementary school teacher in Ooltewah. Duane Sanders was a first grade teacher at Wallace…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The National Transportation Safety Board’s final report for a FedEx Boeing 757 plane crash in October of 2023 has been released. The NTSB report contained some worrisome information for one pilot of over 40 years. Robert Katz, a commercial pilot and flight instructor, raised some questions over the report. Landing in Chattanooga His first concern…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — This year has been difficult for Strawberry farmers. The season is about to wrap up and customers are being met with below average amounts of product. This is due to this year’s spring weather. March was surprisingly colder than usual which caused frost damage to some strawberry plants. Then the last few months have been nothing…
We just broke a 25 year mark for rainiest May in Chattanooga. And we still could break the all-time record. So for our Thursday Throwback, we’re taking you back to another wet spring. Here are several stories of flooding and tornadoes in 1983. Categories: From The Archives Tags: 1983, From The Archives, Rain, Rainy May, Spring Weather, Thursday Throwback
BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — After a little over 2 weeks of water issues, the Fall Creek Falls Utility District (FCFUD) says they have been resolved. FCFUD notified customers of the problem on May 13, 2025, and were advised to boil water before consuming it. Crews repairs several leaks throughout the system, including one very large leak. FCFUD states that…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Starting next year, deer baiting will be legal in Tennessee, but only on private land. Hunters will have to buy a “baiting privilege” license. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will issue those licenses. If you live in Tennessee, the licenses will cost you $50. For out of state residents, that price will double. The goal…
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) — A Tennessee man recently pleaded after asking a minor for sex in Georgia. Brandon James McGarvey-Rogers used the mobile messaging app SnapChat to send sexual images to a 14-year-old child. In their conversation, the child stated they were underage to McGarvey Rogers. He replied to the 14-year-old with sexaully explcit images. According to the Lookout…
Tiffany Miller with Charlotte Grace Events brings local vendor Rose Murphy ‘The Lunch Lady’ to visit the News 12 studio with delicious banana pudding. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Banana Pudding Festival returns to the Collegedale Commons this Saturday, May 31 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. with even more banana pudding to try and vendors to shop from! With…
Duane Sanders in court on day one of his child sex abuse trial. Content Warning: Many will find the contents in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A former elementary teacher’s trial began Wednesday on charges of child sexual abuse. Duane Sanders was arrested in March 2023 and charged with 19 counts of sexual crimes involving nine former students. Sanders…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In 2024 alone, the U.S. experienced 27 weather and climate disasters, each causing over a billion dollars in damage. From hurricanes and wildfires to floods and tornadoes, no region was spared. Experts agree, emergency preparedness isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential. Having a clear plan helps families act quickly, make informed decisions, and stay safe when seconds…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Another dangerous rescue at a well-known local spot. Chattanooga firefighters were called to the rock quarry at Greenway Farms Tuesday night after a man fell more than thirty feet from the side of the quarry. Crews with Red Shift responded around 8:15 PM, navigating difficult terrain in the woods to reach the injured man. Using a…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Brian Callahan is doing his best to temper expectations that rookie Cam Ward will be the Titans’ starting quarterback the season. The Titans still have the offseason to complete, not to mention training camp and the preseason before opening this upcoming season Sept. 7 at Denver. So don’t even look at who’s rotating in at quarterback. Callahan…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s a local publishing company focusing on local authors. The want to reimagine what publishing is as a community, as well as tell stories through all mediums of art. We look at how Walnut Street Publishing continues to Drive Our Economy Forward. “Being a writer, I’m a novelist and poet myself, I’ve been published, and I…
RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Four men have been arrested in Rhea County after leading authorities on a pursuit. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) was assisting the Graysville Police Department (GPD) in a pursuit of a stolen vehicle. The pursuit began within Graysville city limits and continued through Dayton. According to RCSO, while going…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Lights, camera, patrol — the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is back on the national stage as COPS returns to film deputies in action for Season 38. This will be the third time HCSO has been featured on the show. Several episodes for Season 38 will be filmed throughout the summer. Sheriff Austin Garrett said…
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A TV station in Nashville has obtained photos showing that Hamilton County still has a problem housing children. The photos from WTVF come from inside our local Children’s Services offices. These are kids taken by the state from abusive homes who need foster care. The pictures reveal mattresses and makeshift beds, implying that children are…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A woman has withdrawn a lawsuit she filed against Massage Envy at Hamilton Place. The suit accused a therapist of recording video of clients undressing. And the suit included the operator of the location for allowing him to do it. The operator countered that they reported the incident to police who told them not to…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The future North River Elementary School is set to move to its next step in its design process. The Hixson school would combine DuPont, Rivermont, and Alpine Crest Elementary Schools. Wednesday, a resolution was presented that the project would be done in a “Construction Manager at Risk” method. Essentially, this shifts financial risk off of the county…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Fire Department conducted a rope rescue operation at the rock quarry at Greenway Farms. At around 8 PM Monday, a man fell over 30 feet into the woods. Firefighters were called to rescue him at the park off of Gann Store Road. Due to the severe fall the man sustained many injuries. Once firefighter…
CHATTANOOGA, Ga. (WDEF) – As May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and with today being National Sunscreen Day, health experts are reminding everyone of the importance of sun protection. Skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the United States—but the good news is, it’s also one of the most preventable. Whether you’re heading to the beach, working…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Weather radios have become an essential lifeline to warn those in the path of severe weather. However for the next few days, many in our area will not receive the warnings they are used to. If you try to turn on your weather radio today in the Chattanooga area, here is what you hear. “This NOAA Weather…
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, an Alabama Republican whose Senate seat is up in the 2026 election, announced Tuesday that he’s seeking the state’s governor’s mansion after one term in the Senate. Tuberville on Tuesday launched the website coachforgovernor.com. Tuberville, 70, was elected to the Senate in 2020. The former Auburn University football coach, who had never held public office before coming to…
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Bradley Central High School student died Saturday after being involved in a car accident. 16-year-old Brodie King fought for his life for a week, before passing away in a Chattanooga hospital May 24, 2025. A GoFundMe has been established to help his family with medical bills and funeral arrangements. According to the GoFundMe, King…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman is planning to retire in July, the department says. Hyman has been with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) for nearly 30 years. He became chief in 2017, and has since made improvements in every level of the department. Hyman said in a note that he’s proud of the dedication and effort…