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Grundy County storm recovery efforts
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. — A powerful line of severe weather tore through the Tennessee Valley early Sunday morning, leaving behind a path of destruction that impacted homes, infrastructure, parks, and the…
Cleveland Names Baylor Defensive Coordinator Chris Brown as New Head Coach
Cleveland high school has announced they have hired Baylor defensive coordinator Chris Brown as their new head football coach. Brown is no stranger to the Blue Raiders. He used to be a linebackers coach at Cleveland over a decade ago.…
One month left until REAL ID is required to fly
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are one month away from a major…
Data-Driven Fight Against Overdoses
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Overdose deaths are on the rise in Hamilton County, but local agencies are using real-time data to help save lives. Every day, first responders across Hamilton County answer calls tied to drug overdoses. But now, local…
Titans Announce Taylor Zarzour as New Play-by-Play Voice Replacing Mike Keith
(press release) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 7, 2025) – The Tennessee Titans today announce the addition of lead broadcaster Taylor Zarzour, who will serve as the team’s play-by-play announcer on Titans Radio. “We are so excited to welcome Taylor back to Nashville,…
Tiger Woods Will Help Build Par-3 Course in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tiger Woods was playing golf with Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley ahead of the Masters two years ago when Ridley mentioned the club’s soon-to-be-announced project to renovate a municipal course that for nearly a century had…
MLB Batting Average Drops to Near Record Low to Start 2025 Season
NEW YORK (AP) — Offense is down again at the start of the big league season, with hits even harder to come by. The big league batting average was .239 through the first full week of play, down from .240…
Weather Update: Monday April 7, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Cloudy early, clearing into early morning. Chilly. Lows: high 30's to low 40's. Winds: NW @ 5-10 MPH. Tuesday: Sunny, dry, cool. Highs: high 50's to low 60's. Winds: N @…
The Chattanooga Zoo adds a young giraffe to the herd
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - There's a new giraffe in town. The Chattanooga Zoo has added a one year old male to the giraffe herd here. His name is Kuzco, named after a character in "The Emperor's New Groove." He…
Novonix PILOT passes IDB, says tariffs are a 'positive'
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Novonix has cleared the final step before construction can begin on a new facility at Enterprise South. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Regional Envirothon Competition
HIXSON, TN (WDEF) - Students from across the area recently came together at Chester Frost Park to compete in the Regional Envirothon competition. It was a way for the kids to learn about our environment in a hands-on and competitive…
Sequoyah High School Student Replace Markers at Windy Hill Cemetery
SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) - Headstones are supposed to be lasting reminders of those who came before us, but time, the elements and vandals can make them hard to read. Thankfully, kids at Sequoyah High School created lasting grave makers…
Carve a memorable gift with Woodcraft
Nate Hiltibran with Woodcraft joins News 12's Amelia Greer to provide some gift inspiration this coming Mother's Day. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Homemade gifts are always the best present to give to a…
The City of Love comes to the Scenic City with Springtime in Chattanooga
Robert Davis with Shop the Market At joins News 12's Amelia Greer to preview one of their big upcoming spring events! CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Get ready to say "oui…
Marion County residents recount the terrifying aftermath of the storms
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Early Sunday morning, severe weather tore through the Tennessee Valley, prompting multiple tornado warnings and leaving behind a path of destruction.…
Collegedale Hosts Thrilling Pigskin & Pig-Out Event with UTC Mocs and Local Food Trucks
COLLEGEDALE,TN -(WDEF)The Collegedale Parks and Recreation Department recently hosted their highly anticipated event, Pigskin & Pig-Out, drawing crowds from all over the area for a day filled with football excitement and mouthwatering food. Fresh off their championship win, the UTC…
Storm Hits Grundy County Overnight
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - Severe storms swept through Grundy County last night, leaving a trail of destruction. High winds and heavy rainfall caused significant damage across the area, affecting homes,…
Chattanooga garage completely destroyed by fire
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Early Sunday morning, Chattanooga firefighters prevented a house from going up in flames. At 3:38 a.m. on April 6, 2025, Red Shift crews were dispatched to the 6300 block of Bonny Oaks Drive after several…
Novonix PILOT passes IDB, says tariffs are a 'positive'
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Novonix has cleared the final step before construction can begin on a new facility at Enterprise South. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Regional Envirothon Competition
HIXSON, TN (WDEF) - Students from across the area recently came together at Chester Frost Park to compete in the Regional Envirothon competition. It was a way for the kids to learn about our environment in a hands-on and competitive…
Sequoyah High School Student Replace Markers at Windy Hill Cemetery
SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) - Headstones are supposed to be lasting reminders of those who came before us, but time, the elements and vandals can make them hard to read. Thankfully, kids at Sequoyah High School created lasting grave makers…
A Chattanooga hero's remains return home after being missing for eight decades
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For over eight decades, a Chattanooga family had one single question. (more…)
City of Chattanooga investigating data breach
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Mayor's office says it learned Friday that city data was affected by the recent Nationwide Recovery Services breach. (more…)
'The Dream' punishment sparks debate on business' responsibility to maintain safety
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A controversial Chattanooga nightclub once again found itself in front of the Chattanooga Beer Board for the fifth straight meeting. (more…)
U-Haul employee dies after East Ridge propane accident
UPDATE (4/3/2025): We're learning more about the propane accident in East Ridge Wednesday. The U-Haul employee who was struck by a pick-up truck was identified as 42-year-old Jason…
Two workers electrocuted on Hixson worksite
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two workers were electrocuted at a Hixson job site Wednesday afternoon. Crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the 4800 block of Woodland Circle at 2:50 p.m. It was determined one worker…
Roberts trial delayed due to court error
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The murder trial of Darryl Roberts has been postponed by two weeks. (more…)
Chattanooga firefighters quickly contain kitchen fire in Hixson home
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga firefighters put out a kitchen fire in Hixson Tuesday night. On April 1, 2025 at 9:05 p.m., crews responded to the 2100…
Authorities investigating the cause of a two vehicle fire in Hixson
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Authorities are investigating the reason two cars were lost during a fire Tuesday evening. At 11:04 p.m., April 1, 2025, personnel with Dallas Bay Fire & Rescue (DBFR) responded to 1943 Light Tower Circle on…
Jury still being selected in Darryl Roberts murder trial
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- In September 2023, a Baylor alum and Chattanooga businessman was murdered in front of Patten Towers. (more…)
Golden Apple Award: Warren Smith, CCS
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Biology is defined as the study of living organisms. It can be one of the more challenging subjects on a 9 grader's schedule, but Warren Smith…
Report says most Hamilton County inmates stay behind bars through the end of their case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Just how many Hamilton County inmates are staying behind bars while awaiting trial? (more…)
Property value notices going out across Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Reappraisal notices have started going out across Hamilton County. (more…)
Two Civil War sites in Hamilton County to receive funding for preservation
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Wars Commission has awarded grants to preserve key Civil War battlefield sites in Hamilton County. This funding is part…
Chattanooga firefighters battle woods fire at Shepherd Community Center
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga firefighters have battled a woods fire Friday afternoon. (more…)
Historical marker honors Chattanooga Rotary Club
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new historical marker will immortalize one of Chattanooga's longest running institutions. (more…)
Florida man sentenced in Chattanooga for enticement of a minor
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Florida man was sentenced in Chattanooga Thursday, March 27, 2025 for attempting to entice a minor into sending him sexually explicit images. Rodney Paul Martin was sentenced to 90 months…
Mayor Wamp discusses entrepreneurship, education at Rotary Club
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressed the Downtown Rotary Club Thursday. (more…)
Lee University facing federal lawsuit over breach
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Lee University is facing a federal lawsuit. (more…)
Cleveland Berry Street hit and run suspect arrested
UPDATE (4/2/2025): A suspect has been arrested in connection to the hit-and-run incident on Berry Street in Cleveland over the weekend. Cleveland police say they…
Bradley County K9 unit tracks down fleeing suspect
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Bradley County K9 Unit assisted in the capture of a fleeing suspect. The suspect fled from a traffic stop…
Georgia woman pleads ‘no contest’ in TennCare fraud case
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Georgia woman has pleaded “no contest” to a charge of TennCare fraud. Erikea Akridge now lives in Crandall, Georgia but used to be in Tennessee. The state says she…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office drone team locates missing juvenile
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office's (BCSO) drone team located a missing juvenile in a wooded area. On the night of March 24, 2025, BCSO received…
Representative Kevin Raper to return to Tennessee House following liver transplant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- State Representative Kevin Raper (R-Cleveland) will return to the Tennessee House of Representatives on March 27 after successfully undergoing a liver…
Bradley County deputy reunites with woman he rescued from fire
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. — The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) recently welcomed a survivor back for a reunion with the first responder who helped save her…
Golden Apple Award: Susan Glasheen, George R. Stuart Elementary School
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - The best teachers truly care about their students. That certainly describes Susan Glasheen. Her classroom at George R. Stuart Elementary in Cleveland…
Bradley County man arrested on attempted first degree murder
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Bradley County man has been arrested and charged for Attempted First Degree Murder in Hamilton …
Overnight road closures scheduled for Paul Huff Parkway at SR 60 in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Drivers in Bradley County should prepare for temporary road closures as construction crews work overnight to complete grading and paving at the intersection of Paul Huff Parkway and Georgetown Road.…
Candy's Creek Cherokee Elementary reveals new expansion
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Cleveland City school is expanding. Candy's Creek Cherokee Elementary school had their grand expansion today. The new additions include multiple new classrooms that will…
Fatal crash in Bradley County leaves one dead after running into semi
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- One person is dead after a fatal accident in Bradley County Monday afternoon. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol…
Liner could face death penalty if convicted of Cleveland realtor and ex-wife's murder
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Back on January 27th, Karen Liner, a beloved Cleveland realtor was murdered at her Arthur Lane home. (more…)
Linde, Inc. announces industrial gas facility near Charleston, Tennessee
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Tennessee officials announce a $70 million investment in Bradley County. Linde, Inc. plans to build a new facility to supply industrial gases in…
Amaero holds ribbon cutting for new Cleveland headquarters, plant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A defense contractor has launched operations in Bradley…
Fatal crash near Charleston leaves one dead, one injured
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A single-vehicle crash in Bradley County yesterday resulted in one fatality and one injury. According to a preliminary report from the Tennessee…
Man arrested in Bradley County for attempted burglary and vandalism
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A man has been arrested in Bradley County for attempted burglary and vandalism of a local business. On January 10, 2025, deputies with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) responded to 2171 APD 40 for…
5 people hospitalized after SUV semi truck collision in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- 5 people are in the hospital after an SUV collided with a semi truck. Crews with the Cleveland Fire Department…
Doordash drivers arrested for porch pirating, charged in multiple counties
MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Two individuals are facing charges in McMinn, Bradley, and Hamilton Counties after being involved in porch pirating incidents. [caption id="attachment_1882249" align="alignright"…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland High is Level 5 Again
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Great things are going on at Cleveland City Schools, and the state is taking notice. Cleveland High is celebrating a three…
Whitfield County authorities searching for escaped inmate
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is actively searching for an inmate who walked away from a work crew. Vincente Vasquez-Lopez walked away near Five Springs Road and South…
Whitfield County educator named finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- One of the ten finalists for teacher of the year in Georgia is from Whitfield County Beth Taylor teaches K-thru-5 at Varnell Elementary. The state school superintendent flew in to the school by helicopter to…
15 local schools make Georgia under-performing list qualifying students for private school scholarships
ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) - We have 15 local schools on the under-performing list in the state of Georgia. And that means parents of those…
Dalton Police arrest 53-year-old in sexual assault case
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Dalton Police have arrested 53-year-old Philip Kevin McKinley in connection to a sexual assault case. A report was filed with the Dalton Police Department (DPD) on February 12, 2025…
Residents react to proposed bill that would shield carpet manufacturers from lawsuits
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- A controversial bill regarding forever chemicals was the subject of a tense hearing in Atlanta. (more…)
Whitfield County house fire claims life of 88-year-old
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A house fire in Whitfield County claimed the life of an 88-year-old Monday morning. At 8:45 a.m., March 3, 2025, the Whitfield County…
Catoosa County’s historic patrol car restoration nears completion
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Several organizations have been working to restore a Pontiac Trans Am that belonged to the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office (CCSO). In 1978, Catoosa County Sheriff J.D. Stewart bought four Trans Am's to be used…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office investigating suspicious death
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is investigating what they call a suspicious death in Dalton this morning. WSCO responded to 3089 North Dug Gap…
Whitfield County man arrested hours after fatally stabbing woman
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. — A homicide suspect was apprehended early Tuesday morning, hours after a fatal stabbing on Richardson Road claimed the life of a local woman.…
Family horrified by water quality test results on Whitfield County property
The Fletcher children playing in the creek on their property, now known to contain an unsafe amount of the PFAS chemical.…
Mohawk suing chemical companies over "fraud" related to forever chemicals
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- A few months ago, a group of conservationists raised alarm bells about the presence of dangerous chemicals in Northwestern Georgia waterways. (more…)
Pierce wins Whitfield County sheriff's race
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- There will be a brand new sheriff in Whitfield County. (more…)
Whitfield County Schools mulling millage rate increase
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Property owners in Whitfield County will likely see an increase in their property taxes this year. (more…)
Man charged with killing a woman with a rock
DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) - The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office has charged a man with killing a homeless woman by hitting her in the head with a rock. Officers found the body of 50…
Whitfield County fire chief retires after 40 years of service
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Whitfield County Fire Chief Ed O'Brien has retired, according to the county's spokesperson. Whitfield County Government Press Release: Whitfield County Fire Chief Retires After Decades of Distinguished Service Whitfield County, GA – Whitfield County Fire Chief…
Dalton GNTC receives CDL truck program investment
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced an investment into the Georgia Northwest Technical College campus in Dalton. $5.5 million will be invested to…
Fiery crash on I-75 is fatal for 1, passenger seriously injured
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A single vehicle crashed on I-75 southbound over the weekend in Whitfield County. The Georgia State Patrol said the wreck…
Whitfield County jury finds man guilty of attempted murder
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Whitfield County grand jury found a man guilty of attempting to commit murder, kidnapping and two other charges. The jury found Mitchell Lee…
