Voluntary Attainable Housing Incentives Approved by Council

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – In a groundbreaking move, Chattanooga is leading the way in Tennessee with an innovative approach to tackling the housing crisis. The city council has just approved a new ordinance aimed at increasing the availability of housing with a voluntary attainable housing incentive, making Chattanooga the first city in the state to adopt this bold strategy.   The…

New Titans GM Mike Borgonzi Ready to Rebuild Tennessee Team

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are on their third general manager in nine years and second since January 2023. Their president of football operations has a simple answer for why this latest hire will work. “Mike Borgonzi,” Chad Brinker said Wednesday as the Titans introduced Borgonzi as the franchise’s 15th GM all time. Borgonzi has the No. 1 overall pick…

Fort Payne City Schools receives school threat from 11 year old

FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) —  Fort Payne City Schools (FPCS) received a school threat from an 11-year-old outside the county. On January 21, 2025, FPCS’s central office received a call stating that there was a bomb underneath one of their schools. The message was not detected until 6:05 p.m. FPCS and the Fort Payne Police Department (FPPD) investigated these allegations,…

Chattanooga fire crews respond to apartment fire caused by airfryer

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  An apartment fire this afternoon was due to an airfryer on a stove. At 12:12 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025, crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to 1400 Chestnut Street in regards to an apartment fire. Crews quickly extinguished the flames via a fire extinguisher. Photos above so the damage to a kitchen from…

Teen shooter kills student, then himself at Antioch High School in Nashville, police say

One student is dead and another is wounded after a third student opened fire with a pistol Wednesday at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, police said. The 17-year-old shooter then shot himself and died, according to police. “There is no danger at the school,” police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters during a news briefing. The two victims, both female, were…

Heat For The Holidays Winner Receives New HVAC

Ringgold, GA (WDEF-TV) – One lucky News 12 viewer received great news last week. Sharon Brodie was selected as the winner of December’s Heat for the Holidays contest on WDEF.com. Workers with Bailey’s Heating and Air were out at Brodie’s home Friday, installing her new Rheem HVAC unit. Randy Bailey, Owner of Bailey’s Heating & Air, said, “This is our…

The Laken Riley Act is set to be approved and signed into law

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s been almost a year since Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered by José Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant. Riley was attacked on February 22, 2024, while jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Her body was found in Oconee Forest Park near Lake Herrick. Twenty-six-year-old José Antonio Ibarra entered the United…

House of Color styles Chattanooga in pink

Rebekah Latham with House of Colour helps News 12 and Chattanooga turn pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – It’s Color Chattanooga Pink Week in honor of MaryEllen Locher and House of Colour is decking out the city in pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. House of Colour, a UK franchise, helps people fit into…

Chattanooga Christian’s Kamora Moore aka ‘MoMo Buckets’ Lives Up to Her Nickname

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Chattanooga guard Kamora Moore is certainly one of the top girls basketball players in our area with one of the best nicknames. MoMo Buckets. Moore is just a freshman, but she averages over 30 points a game. It’s not surprising she has multiple D-one offers. Brian Armstrong picks up the story. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball,…

Walker Valley Beats Red Bank 72-67 in Overtime

Red Bank, TN-(WDEF-TV) In a battle of top ten teams on Tuesday night, Walker Valley knocked off Red Bank 72-67 in overtime. The Mustangs were up 15 points at the end of the first quarter, but the Lions fought back to force the overtime period. Categories: Sports – Local Sports News Tags: Basketball, Red Bank High School, Walker Valley High…

Local and state response to cracking down on illegal immigration

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – 2025 is off to a new political start, with Donald Trump as the 47th President. As he begins his work in office, one of the most debated issues on the table has been immigration. Statistics show there have been more than 10.3 million “illegal entries” nationwide since 2021. In one of President Trump’s speeches, he tells…

Golden Apple Award: Lisa Crowley, Gordon Lee Middle School

Chickamauga, GA (WDEF) – The best teachers always seem to go the extra mile for their students. Lisa Crowley does that every day, without ever losing her smile. That kind of dedication at positivity earned Ms. Crowley’s this week’s Golden Apple Award. “Miss Crowley is a true success story.  She, worked here for a while as a Paraprofessional before she…

UTC Secures $2 Million Grant for CURV Program to Combat Gun Violence

“It’s an all-encompassing experience, and I get to look at the impacts in our community, like the reduction of gun use—things that make real-world, tangible differences,” said Ellie Yates, a graduate student involved in the initiative. UTC has launched a new initiative focused on combating gun violence in Chattanooga. UTC Foundation Associate Professor Rick Dierenfeldt, a former police officer, worked…

Ensuring Your Car is Prepared for Winter Weather

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As temperatures drop and winter weather sets in, it’s crucial for drivers to take steps to prepare their vehicles for the cold and potentially hazardous conditions.  With low wind chills expected over the next few days, now is the time to ensure your car is ready for the chill as winter weather can take a toll…

Chen gets life without parole as Pace’s family confronts him

Photo of Jasmine Pace (Courtesy: Catrina Bean) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Monday, a Nashville based jury convicted Jason Chen of first degree murder and abuse of a corpse in the November 2022 killing of Jasmine Pace. They came to that verdict after hearing testimony that proved Chen stabbed Pace 60 times, and then left her body inside of a suitcase off…

Nonprofit Launching Study for Potential Performing Arts Center

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A nonprofit organization has just announced the launch of a study to assess the need for a community Performing Arts Center in the city.  ArtsBuild, the nonprofit dedicated to supporting arts and culture in the region, says the study will involve extensive community input, including feedback from local artists, organizations, and residents.  The initiative aims to…

Educators hosts State of Youth event in February

CHATTANOOGA,Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga and Midtown Community is hosting the annual State of the youth address next month.  Organizers have put on this event for more than 8 years. Chattanooga and Midtown Community is gearing the state of youth address towards college education.  “It’s more of a  learning journey and exposure from something that is possibly different, and when you see…

EPB & TVA issue power advisory for January 22

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  EPB and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have issued a ‘power advisory’ for the morning hours of January 22, 2025. Both organizations say they are asking customers to reduce power from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. January 22, due to extremely cold temperatures. This power advisory has been issued a day early to give customers enough notice. EPB…

Utility commission rejects major Chattanooga water rate hike

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  The Tennessee Public Utility Commission (TPUC) delivered a win for Chattanooga residents today by rejecting Tennessee American Water Company’s proposed 19.7% rate increase for city water users. Instead, the Commission approved a significantly smaller 1.45% increase. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly applauded the decision, emphasizing the importance of affordability for residents amidst rising living costs. “This is…

Local Trump Supporters’ reactions to the Inauguration

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – With multitudes gathering in DC for Trump’s Inauguration, we interviewed local Trump supporters, asking their thoughts on this historic event. January 20, 2025, marks the end of President Biden’s time in office and welcomes Donald Trump as the 47th President. Kyah Dollinger, a well-versed young local, explains why he believes this is a strategic move in…

What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, MLK Jr. Day

Today, history comes alive at the historic Bessie Smith Cultural Center. Chattanooga Preparatory School and the Chattanooga Girls Leaderships Academy held an event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both schools hosted a student-led debate and a living wax museum. Today, we take a look at how the discussion is just another example of What’s Right With…

Pet of the Week: Benjen

  Meet News 12’s Pet of the Week, Benjen! Benjen is a dog at the Humane Educational Society (HES) ready to find his forever home. Benjen / HES HES says Benjen is a 9-year-old fluffy, sweet, chow mix and is searching for a not-so-quiet retirement home. Benjen is fully housebroken, does great with other dogs, and would likely do well…

Tennessee Valley Preparing for Arctic Blast

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – From freezing pipes to black ice on the roads, the impact of winter weather can be serious if you’re not ready.  Whether it’s your house, your vehicle, or simply how you dress, being prepared for cold weather is about more than just comfort… It’s about safety.  Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of…