CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County is making strides in supporting local veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system. At today’s Pachyderm Club meeting, Judge Gary Starnes of the General Sessions Court, Division 5, shared details about the newly launched Veterans Treatment Court, an initiative designed to help veterans get back on their feet. The court, which started…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As measles cases resurface in Tennessee, Walmart and Walgreens Health & Wellness professionals are stepping up to help keep the community safe and informed. Local pharmacists are available for in-store or in-studio interviews to discuss important topics, including the availability of the MMR vaccine. The vaccine provides critical protection against measles, mumps, and rubella, and Walmart…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Pressure is mounting before a critical vote tomorrow on a controversial bill. A rally was held over the weekend to protest Senate Bill 8-36. The bill, proposed by Senator Bo Watson, would allow schools to not enroll undocumented students. He says this measure is necessary in the face of tightening budgets and less space in schools….
Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Gage! He is a 2 year old fellow with an expressive face. The Humane Educational Society (HES) says Gage does a splendid Husky vocal impression white in his kennel. He’s quick to warm up to people, especially if he receives a butt scratch. If given a butt scratch, Gage turns in circles and…
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) – We are learning more about a school that focuses on the growth of a child through play-based learning in the natural world. What began as a small school has now expanded into something far greater. Robert Hanley was out in Cleveland at Woodsong Forest School for this week’s What’s Right With Our Schools. “So we started…
PALMER, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Grundy County man has been arrested and charged with arson after setting fire to a local convenience store. On March 29, 2025, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) was made aware of a suspicious fire at Palmer Market. GCSO immediately launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. According to GCSO, the suspect, Nicholas…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center (MOHHC) officially unveiled the Captain Larry L. Taylor Exhibit on Saturday, March 29, 2025, with a grand opening that drew hundreds of visitors. The event honored the extraordinary legacy of Captain Larry Taylor, a Chattanooga native and Vietnam War hero, who was awarded the Medal of Honor in…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Mocs basketball team plays in their first ever NIT Final Four next week. If that wasn’t cool enough, Chattanooga will play in an historic arena against a team who features the most famous college basketball fan in America. The 105-year-old Sister Jean. Brother Armstrong breaks it down for us. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News, Sports – UTC Mocs…
FLINTSTONE, GA. (WDEF) – Today, from 12 to 5 PM, the community gathered at 4465 Happy Valley Road in Flintstone, Georgia, for a special blood drive honoring the life and service of Officer Charles “Chuck” Snyder Dunn III. Officer Dunn, a 52-year-old resident of Rock Spring, dedicated 15 years to the Chickamauga Police Department, where he was deeply cherished by…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga’s beloved Nightfall concert series is back, but not without some big changes stirring up some concern. This year, the lineup is being cut in half, and the season will only run for ten weeks instead of the usual fifteen. Adding to the shake-up, the first three weeks will take place at Miller Park instead of…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new exhibit honoring a Chattanooga war hero is set to open this weekend at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The Captain Larry L. Taylor Exhibit will officially open Saturday at 1PM, celebrating the late Vietnam War veteran’s extraordinary heroism. Captain Taylor, a Chattanooga native, was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2023…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new historical marker will immortalize one of Chattanooga’s longest running institutions. The Tennessee Historical Commission unveiled a historical marker that honors the Chattanooga Rotary Club Friday morning. The Tennessee state historical marker dedicated to the Chattanooga Rotary Club being unveiled. This is located in front of the UBS Building near the intersection of MLK Boulevard and…
LAFAYETTE, Ga. (WDEF) — Fire crews in Lafayette are battling a house fire. The fire is located in the 600 block of South Main Street. Crews have closed a portion of the road to allow emergency personnel to efficiently operate. The City of LaFayette encourages the community to avoid the area and to seek alternate routes. Categories: Featured, Local News,…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) — Sometimes you have to break things down to build them back up again. That was the idea behind Deconstruction Day at the Tivoli. Crews carefully disassembled parts of the building and recovered everything that could be re-used. That list included 11 glass and wood interior doors, more than a thousand feet of mahogany trim, custom wood…
MEIGS COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Meigs County man has been arrested and charged in connection to an arson investigation in Georgetown. Special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began investigating a suspicious fire on June 15, 2023. The fire destroyed a detached garage at a residence in the 3000 block of Sugar Creek Road. According to the…
CHATTANOOGA, TN – March is known for many things and among the madness that it always brings, it’s known for National Kidney Awareness Month. Somewhere around 30 million Americans have various kidney diseases and disfunctions but are unaware of it until the symptoms progress. The second Thursday in March is known as National Kidney Day with numerous organizations helping to…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Silverdale softball team is chasing their third consecutive state title this season. They played like champs on Thursday with a 9-0 win over Notre Dame. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: High School Softball, Notre Dame, Silverdale
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF)- A bill that would allow schools to deny admission to undocumented students has cleared another hurdle. Sponsored by Senator Bo Watson of Hixson, House Bill 793 cleared the Tennessee House Education Committee by a 11 to 7 vote. A ten year old girl from Chattanooga protesting a bill that would allow schools to not enroll undocumented students…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled on a COVID-era lawsuit against Bluecross Blueshield. In 2021, Heather Smith, an employee at Bluecross Blueshield here in Chattanooga, was fired over her refusal to comply with a Covid vaccine mandate. She had contacted several state legislators to complain about the mandate, which the company said played a factor in her…
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressed the Downtown Rotary Club Thursday. He discussed the future of entrepreneurship and education in the county. The mayor presented data showing a wide range of outcomes in local schools, saying it shows the best and worst of our community. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressing the Chattanooga Rotary Club. He also…
Last year, Georgia finished 8th in the SEC rushing defense, and 10th in the SEC in rushing offense. What could the Dawgs be working on this spring? Said head coach Kirby Smart:”I mean we put a big emphasis on running and stopping the run because we feel like we liked in both of those areas last year, so the spring…
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor marched out to an early lead and never looked back on Wednesday, as they beat Chattanooga Christian 14-3. With the victory the Red Raiders swept the three game series. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Baseball, Baylor School, Chattanooga Christian School
UPDATE: David Sharpe has issued a statement to News 12 in response to the mayor’s comments on the leak of this potential data breach. He said, “I did not leak this memo, and I don’t know who did, but it’s clear that Weston is desperate to redirect people’s attention away from the incompetence and recklessness of his administration.” CHATTANOOGA, Tenn….
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Some Hamilton County property owners can soon expect a tax increase. Property assessor Marty Haynes said Wednesday morning that notices will be sent as soon as next week. Despite previous rumors, the reassessment schedule will remain at every four years instead of being shortened to every two years. Haynes says that final certified tax rates won’t be…