Chatt Prep celebrates first cohort as all graduates accepted into college

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga Prep celebrated their first senior class Friday. The school says their entire first cohort of 50 students have been accepted to at least one college or university. This comes after uncertainty if they would be able to graduate on time due to issues with teacher and course verification. All of that was discovered following the arrest…

DeKalb County capital murder suspect in custody in Gordon County, GA

FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) —  A Capital Murder warrant has been issued for Christopher Brayden Jones, 23, of Calhoun, Georgia, in connection to the murder of Marcus Adam Battles. The murder occurred on April 10, 2025, in Mentone, Alabama. The warrant was issued after a 21-day investigation. Jones is already in custody in Gordon County, Georgia on other unrelated charges….

Cumberland County woman convicted of animal cruelty, dog Zeus recovers

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  A woman in Cumberland County has pled guilty to an animal cruelty charge. On January 17, 2024, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a civil matter at a home on Breckenridge Drive. With the help of Cumberland County Animal Control, deputies conducted a welfare check on the animals after hearing distressing sounds from…

How Batman and Comic Books have Influenced the Tech in Your Life

CHATTANOOGA, TN – In May of 1939, Bob Kane and Bill Finger would introduce the world to what we would come to know as the worlds greatest detective. If you’re fortunate to own Detective Comics No. 27 that features the first appearance of Batman, then you’re probably a comic aficionado. Every year on the first Saturday of May, the North…

Avondale celebrates one full year without a homicide

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Avondale neighborhood in East Chattanooga has historically dealt with violence. However, a milestone has been reached today that community leaders say is a sign things are changing for that area. It has been a full year since there was a recorded homicide in the Avondale neighborhood. This is defined by Chattanooga Police’s Zone 3, which is…

Inaugural Frazier Festival celebrates the completion of Frazier Avenue

Geno Wallace with the Northshore Merchants Collective joins News 12’s Amelia Greer to talk about the first ever Frazier Festival. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Lots of changes are happening in Chattanooga’s Northshore which gives the community a reason to celebrate! With the Walnut Street Bridge being closed for renovations but Frazier Avenue being updated to accommodate pedestrians better, the Northshore…

14th Annual Valley Fest this weekend

Dunlap native and ‘Outlaw Gospel’ Artist Cody McCarver joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as the small town in Sequatchie County gets ready to celebrate the 14th annual Valley Fest. DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) – The annual Valley Fest returns to Dunlap, Tenn. for its 14th year with plenty of musical acts, vendors, and food! The free event will have free entertainment…

Thursday Throwback: Dr. Shock

Earlier this week, we told you about the passing of Hosea Pierce, Jr. But he was better known to kids around our area as EPB’s Doctor Shock. For years, he taught local school children how to be safe around electricity. So for our Thursday Throwback, we take you back a few years to one of his last classes. Categories: From…

Chattanooga Hosts 76th Armed Forces Parade

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Chattanooga is getting ready to roll out the red, white, and blue as the city prepares to host the 2025 Armed Forces Parade and Luncheon this Friday.  Now in its 76th year, Chattanooga’s Armed Forces Parade is the longest continuously running event of its kind in the nation.  The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at…

Reel Rivals Return to Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The world’s top bass anglers have cast off in Chattanooga as Major League Fishing’s Bass Pro Tour Stage 4 gets underway.  From May 1st through the 4th, 66 elite pros are competing across two iconic Tennessee River fisheries: Lake Chickamauga and Nickajack Lake.​ The first two days feature qualifying rounds on Chickamauga, known for its trophy…

Multi-agency pursuit ends in crash and arrest in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies ended Thursday morning with a crash and foot pursuit just before the I-75 and Highway 153 interchange. The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department initiated the pursuit around 9:00 a.m. on May 1, 2025, involving a black Dodge Durango. As the chase crossed into Hamilton County, Hamilton County deputies joined…

Rick Davis told to not talk to opposing attorneys in initial court appearance

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Rick Davis made his first court appearance Thursday morning on just one of many charges against him. Davis was arrested in January and charged with passing worthless checks. This was before his Gold and Diamonds business on Brainerd Road was raided last month. Authorities allege he failed to return a family hairloom after finding out it was…

Driving Our Economy Forward: Clockout

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)-  It’s an earned-wage access model that is growing in our area.  Tonight, we are learning how hourly employees can get faster access to their paychecks.  Clock-out is this week’s Driving our Economy Forward. Vladimir Dumitrean, Co-Founder, “Clock up provides cash when you need it, if you’ve already earned it without having to wait for payday. So, imagine…

76th Annual Armed Forces Parade on Friday

Retired Navy Captain Mickey McCamish joins News 12’s Chip Chapman as they get ready to celebrate 76 years of the Armed Forces Day Parade in Chattanooga. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The longest running parade in the United States returns for its 76th year on Friday. The parade kicks off Friday morning at 10:30 from 9th and Market Street and MLK…