Content warning: Many will find the content in this story disturbing. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Day three of testimony continued Friday in the child sex abuse trial of former first-grade teacher Duane Sanders. Sanders, who once taught at Wallace A. Smith Elementary in Ooltewah, faces multiple charges tied to alleged abuse of young students. Throughout the week, the court…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The news on Harvard’s foreign students is causing concern to some. Harvard is not the only place who accepts foreign students. Georgia accepts the 12th most, accepting almost 40 thousand. Tennessee accepts the 23rd most, allowing over 20 thousand to study in the state. Foreign students are starting to feel that they are not welcome in…
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Cleveland Fire Department (CFD) responded to a residential fire early Friday morning. Crews were dispatched to the residence on Truck Street NE. Upon arrival, crews found a fully engulfed resident and immediately began defensive operations. CFD reported the only occupant of the home was able to escape with no injuries. The cause of the fire…
UPDATE (5/30/2025): The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touched down in Monroe County Friday morning. Around 8:36 a.m. May 30, 2025, an EF-0 tornado touched down near the Loudon/Monroe County line. The NWS Morristown stated in their preliminary report that the tornado was on the ground for two miles, and sustained maximum winds of 85 miles per hour….
CHATTANOOGA, TN – The month of May has many celebrations and causes, but one you may not have heard about is the awareness for May-Thurner Syndrome. Named for Dr. May and Dr. Thurner who discovered the condition in 1957, it is a condition where the left iliac artery is compressed by the right common artery. The World Famous Dr. Lesar…
BLEDSOE COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A mock rescue exercise was conducted at Fall Creek Falls Thursday. Bledsoe County Emergency Management (BCEM) said TN-HART simulated rescues from Fall Creek Falls and Cane Creek Falls inside the park. However, due to prior issues with the aircraft, the hoist portion of the mock rescue was unable to be conducted. The Black Hawk was…
The Chattanooga Lookouts continues with their themed games with Marvel Night on Saturday, May 31. Many of your favorite superheroes are swinging onto the field or assembling in the concourse for meet and greets! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Avengers are assembling at AT&T Field for the Chattanooga Lookouts Marvel Night on Saturday, May 31. Many of your favorite superheroes…
Charlotte Aldridge with Little Debbie brings her friend the Muffin Man to celebrate the grand finale of ‘The Muffin Man Tour’ in Collegedale! They’re preparing for their grand finale of their tour at the Collegedale Commons this weekend! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Do you know the Muffin Man? Now is your time to finally meet Little Debbie’s favorite baker when…
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…