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Rhea County K9 Unit rallies behind deputy's mother battling breast cancer
RHEA COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit is stepping up to support one of their own in a powerful way.…
Weather Update: Monday September 28, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Mostly clear. Lows: low/mid 60's. Winds: N @ 5 MPH. Monday: Mostly Sunny, warm. Highs: low 80's. Winds; NE @ 5-10 MPH. Overnight: Mostly clear. Lows: mid 60's. Winds: N @…
Florida Woman Arrested After Domestic Dispute With Former Throuple Partners
Devon Driscoll, 26, was arrested for simple domestic battery following a dispute at her Summerfield, Florida home Tuesday night. Police responded to a 10 PM domestic disturbance call where Driscoll "advised she wants her ex-boyfriend and ex-girlfriend to get kicked…
Doctors Warn Against Taping Your Mouth Shut While You Sleep
Medical experts are warning against a social media trend where people tape their mouths shut at night, claiming it improves sleep and reduces snoring. Dr. Kimberly Hutchison, a neurologist and sleep medicine expert at Oregon Health & Science University, said…
Two Teens Charged After Netflix Account Dispute Leads To Gunfire
Brian Travis Reynolds, 19, and Anthony Constante, 19, were arrested following a gunfire incident that began over a Netflix account. The September 23rd confrontation in San Antonio started when Reynolds changed 20-year-old Vincent Munoz's Netflix account name to an insult.…
18-Year-Old’s Sperm Racing Company Raises Another $10 Million In Funding
Eric Zhu, 18, secured $10 million in investments for his nine-month-old startup, Sperm Racing, now valued at $75 million. The company hosts competitive events where men's sperm samples race on microscopic tracks while crowds watch enhanced video feeds. Zhu's first…
Students Get Second-Degree Burns After Being Forced To Crawl On Hot Track As Punishment
Two freshman dance team team members at Warren Central High School sustained second-degree burns on their hands after allegedly being forced to perform bear crawls on hot asphalt September 18th. Trinity Peagler, 14, was hospitalized with an expected six-month recovery…
Entertainment Tidbits
Netflix has confirmed that Haunted Hotel will return for a second season, following its recent premiere. The animated comedy features voice performances by Will Forte, Eliza Coupe, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides, and Jimmi Simpson. The show centers on a single…
‘Honey Boo Boo’ Hospitalized After Colorado Car Crash, Now Recovering At Home
Reality TV star Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson is recovering at home after a car accident Friday afternoon outside her Colorado residence. The former Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star was struck on the driver's side by a young man…
Saudi Comedy Festival Draws Criticism From Fellow Comedians And Human Rights Groups
Saudi Arabia's inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival, running through October 9th, has sparked controversy among performers and activists. Major comedians including Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Aziz Ansari are participating in the event. However, other fellow comics like Marc Maron, Shane…
‘One Battle After Another’ Claims Weekend Box Office Crown With $22.4 Million
Paul Thomas Anderson's new action film One Battle After Another claimed the weekend's top box office position, earning $22.4 million across 3,634 theaters in North America. The Leonardo DiCaprio vehicle, featuring the star as a fugitive former revolutionary, generated an…
Jimmy Kimmel Back On All Affiliates As Show Hits Brooklyn For Week-Long Run With Huge Stars
Nexstar resumed broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its 32 ABC affiliates Friday night, joining Sinclair's earlier decision to restore the show on its 38 ABC stations. Both groups had preempted Kimmel's late-night program following his September 15th comments about Charlie…
One injured and one dead after Ringgold shooting
RINGGOLD, Ga. (WDEF) - On Saturday night, before 11:00 PM the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to 541 Indian Springs Road for a noise complaint. According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived at a chaotic…
1 person dead and 9 injured in shooting at Michigan church, police say
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP) - A gunman opened fire inside a Michigan church during Sunday services before apparently setting the building ablaze, killing at least one person and injuring nine before police shot him, authorities…
One dead after being struck by vehicle
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - This morning around 1:54 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a pedestrian struck call at 30 North Market Street that resulted in the fatality of the 39-year-old male pedestrian. According to the department, the Chattanooga Police Department…
Make-A-Wish brings Disney dreams to life for brave Ooltewah boy
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) - Inside Chattanooga Sewing Machines, the community came together to stitch a little magic for Cam, a young boy from Ooltewah who has been…
East Ridge hosts weekend fall festival at Camp Jordan
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) - The City of East Ridge kicked off one of its biggest events of the year this weekend, the annual Fall Festival at…
WTCI PBS Hosts Ale tRail
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - WTCI PBS hosted its inaugural Ale tRail. This was an Off the tRack Beer Festival today at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Gardens. From 4 to 7 p.m.,…
Hamilton County man found safe after TBI Silver Alert issued
UPDATE: Leon Lowe has been found safe, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has issued a Silver Alert for a Hamilton County…
Lookout Mountain Conservancy to reopen Guild-Hardy Trail
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The popular Guild-Hardy Trail on Lookout Mountain will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 8, after weeks of cleanup following two sewage leaks, officials announced. The Lookout Mountain…
International Film Festival Coming to Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) -- A global film festival will have a screening venue right here in Chattanooga. The Chattanooga Public Library is co-hosting this event along with Manhattan Short. The…
Fire crews quickly extinguish Orange Grove flames
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) quickly put out a fire at Orange Grove Friday afternoon. On September 26, 2025, around 12:45 p.m., CFD crews were dispatched…
Rolls Royce Hosts Event at ChattState
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Rolls Royce was on ChattState’s campus today with a great opportunity for students. Rolls Royce doesn’t just make luxury cars. They also make jet engines…
Police Say Man Jumped from Market Street Bridge
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Witnesses say a man jumped from the Market Street Bridge today. Search and rescue teams from the Chattanooga Fire Department, Hamilton County STARS, and the Dallas Bay Fire…
Chattanooga firefighters put out fire in school caused by small refrigerator
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Crews with the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) put out a small refrigerator fire inside a school Thursday morning. On September 25, 2025 at 6:27 a.m., crews responded to…
Rails to Trails project in Soddy-Daisy brought back for discussion
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposed new trail in Soddy-Daisy was back up for discussion Wednesday. (more…)
Next round of Hamilton County school projects set to be approved
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The next round of school maintenance projects is set to be approved in Hamilton County. (more…)
Fire crews extinguish blaze in FedEx box truck on I-75 near Ooltewah
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Crews with the Tri-Community Fire Department (TCFD) put out a fire on a FedEx truck in Ooltewah Wednesday morning. On September 24, 2025, at 10:27 a.m., crews were dispatched to the fire on I-75…
Hamilton County Coalition Hosts 'Recover Together' Event
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Opioid addiction crisis slammed the southeast over the last few decades, with many communities ravaged by overdoses and deaths. Here in Hamilton County, multiple…
Chattanooga City Council withdraws UAW resolution
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga City Council has pulled a resolution that would’ve supported the UAW. (more…)
Man arrested for attempted murder after shooting in Soddy Daisy
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Soddy Daisy man has been arrested for attempted murder following a shooting Monday night. On September 22, 2025, at 11:10…
Soddy Daisy man arrested after SWAT standoff near Dayton Pike
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Soddy Daisy man was arrested after a SWAT standoff Monday evening. At 7:20 p.m., September 22, 2025, deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office (HSCO) responded to the 8800…
Multiple agencies respond to multi-vehicle crash on I-75
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Multiple agencies responded to a multi-vehicle crash on I-75 Monday morning. TDOT reported the crash at 10:02 a.m., September 22, 2025. News 12 reached…
Soddy-Daisy announces upgrades to Holly Park thanks to county contribution
SODDY-DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Upgrades could soon be coming to a park in Soddy-Daisy. (more…)
Vietnam Veteran honored by Hamilton County on Friday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Hamilton County veteran who was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War is receiving a special honor. (more…)
Hamilton County School Board tables Centerstone MOU
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Last month, the Hamilton County School Board voted to terminate an…
Hamilton County Commission votes to change meeting times to evenings on trial basis
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission has seen a series of controversial votes pass through their chambers this year. (more…)
Hamilton County to not cover legal fees for Daniel Wilkey
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An ex-Hamilton County Deputy will not get his legal bill covered by the county. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland Middle School's "We the People"
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Eighth graders at Cleveland Middle School recently got a civics lesson they won't soon forget. The students marched onto the football…
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland City Schools Historic Growth
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Cleveland City Schools is extra proud of their latest TCAP testing results Students across the district reached five-year highs in math, science,…
What's Right With Our Schools Cleveland High School Welding Grant
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - In today's rapidly evolving workforce, careers in the trades are looking more attractive than ever. The American Welding Society Foundation recently awarded…
Fire crews battle house fire on Brentwood Drive in Athens
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Athens Fire Department (AFD) worked a structure fire Monday afternoon. At 3:24 p.m., August 25, 2025, AFD responded to the fire on Brentwood Drive. Upon arrival, crews found the back…
Bradley County EMS assists with overturned truck on North Lee Highway
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A driver caught a lucky break after an accident on North Lee Highway Tuesday morning. On August 19, 2025, Bradley…
Judge tells Liner not to stall over attorney situation in murder case
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Bradley County judge is warning a man charged with the murder of his ex-wife against stalling future proceedings. (more…)
What's Right With Our Schools: Cleveland High Aviation Grant
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) -- TDOT has awarded $22,000 to Cleveland High School's Aviation Program. The money will go be used to prepare future pilots, engineers and aerospace…
Man arrested in Bradley County after authorities uncover large-scale money scam ring
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A man was arrested after authorities uncovered a large-scale money scam ring that was targeting a vulnerable resident. According to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), the victim involved…
Wacker confirms 90 layoffs at Bradley County facility
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Officials at the Wacker Chemical Corporation have put a number on the layoffs coming to their plant in Charleston. Last week, the…
Florida woman charged after crash kills her two children in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Florida woman was arrested in Bradley County after a crash killed her son and daughter. On Monday, July 14, 2025, around 11:00 a.m., a Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)…
What's Right With Our Schools: STEM Summer Camp
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Museum Center at 5Points turned up the energy for local students. Last week, rising fifth through seventh graders dove into hands-on learning at…
TBI agents investigating officer involved shooting in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) special agents are investigating an officer involved shooting in Cleveland. On Sunday June 29, 2025, at 11:23 p.m., a…
Firework shows happening across the News 12 viewing area
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The fourth of July is a week from today, and we've compiled a list of firework shows happening around our area. The list is by date, here are the following shows…
Liner says he cannot pay for attorney as murder trial date is set
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Cleveland man charged with the…
Crews battle large blaze near Resolute Products facility in Calhoun
CALHOUN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Late Monday night, the Cleveland Fire Department (CFD) responded to a major fire in Calhoun. The fire broke out near the Resolute…
Liner appears in court on murder for hire plot
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Cleveland man charged in the murder of his ex-wife was back in court. (more…)
Cleveland Fire Department responds to early morning house fire
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.…
Bradley Central High School student dies after car accident
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Bradley Central High School student died Saturday after being involved in a car accident. 16-year-old Brodie King fought for his life…
Bradley County man arrested after deputies find drugs during welfare check
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A welfare check turned into an arrest after a man was found unconscious with drug paraphernalia nearby. On May 21,…
Bradley County authorities investigating report of missing mother and two daughters
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is investigating the disappearance of a mother and her two daughters. The three were last seen on Friday, May 9, 2025. According to BCSO, 35-year-old Jhovana Short,…
Calhoun man sentenced for attempted murder after stabbing his girlfriend
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Calhoun man will be behind bars for three decades after being convicted of attempted murder. On October 24, 2025, Terry Lee Chamlee purchased a knife from a…
Dalton parents arrested after toddler dies in car seat at home
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Two Dalton parents have been arrested and charged after their 22-month-old son was found dead in a car seat inside their home earlier this summer. On June 5, 2025, police were…
Dalton Police searching for suspect who used counterfeit money at local store
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is reaching out to the public in hopes of identifying a suspect who allegedly used counterfeit money to make a purchase. On Friday, August 22, 2025, shortly before 7:00…
Whitfield County authorities make arrest in New Zion Hill Road murder
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A man was arrested in connection to a murder on New Zion Hill Road. In the evening hours of August 19, 2025, deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office…
Whitfield County authorities arrest suspect in connection with armed robbery at Dixie Corner
UPDATE (8/5/2025): Authorities in Whitfield County have made an arrest in regard to the armed robbery Tuesday morning. Whitfield…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office donates hundreds of backpacks
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office gave back to their community on Friday. Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce wants the community to know that…
Early morning fire destroys vacant Dalton home, fire officials say
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Crews with the Dalton Fire Department (DFD) responded to a house fire on Fairview Drive early Wednesday morning. DFD arrived at 500…
Whitfield County authorities arrest known gang member following major drug bust
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) uncovered, what they're calling, one of the largest drug busts in Whitfield County history.…
Fire crews knock down fire at Cohutta Dollar General
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Fire crews responded Monday to a working fire at the Dollar General located at 4525 Cleveland Highway. Crews were able to bring the fire under control after confirming the primary search of the building…
Cohutta Police Department searching for driver in Apison Road hit-and-run
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Police are asking for help identifying the driver of a truck involved in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday morning. The incident happened between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. on June 29, 2025…
Dalton police searching for person suspected of stealing tools from Christian Heritage School
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Dalton Police Department (DPD) is asking the public for help in identifying a man who stole tools from Christian Heritage School. Surveillance cameras first captured the suspect at 2:00 a.m., June 8, 2025. He…
Whitfield County authorities searching for wanted man
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted on multiple felony charges. WCSO says Dallas Brendel is facing several serious…
One dead in multi-vehicle crash on I-75 northbound in Whitfield County
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A woman from Dalton was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning on I-75 northbound. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said troopers responded around 6:44 a.m. on June 20, 2025 to the crash near…
Forever chemical test results in North Georgia alarm scientists
CHATSWORTH, Ga. (WDEF)- A group of environmental scientists in northwest Georgia say recent test results of forever chemicals in North Georgia have them alarmed. (more…)
GBI investigates deadly officer-involved shooting in Dalton
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- Authorities in Whitfield County are investigating an officer involved shooting in Dalton. At 10:40 p.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2025, detectives with the Dalton Police…
Authorities in Cohutta searching for wanted offender
COHUTTA, Ga. (WDEF) -- Authorities in Cohutta are searching for a woman who is facing several charges. Natasha Reynolds is wanted for littering/dumping in a local park, giving false information,…
Ximena Arias-Cristobal granted bond in deportation case
UPDATE: We spoke with Arias-Cristobal's lawyer, Dustin Baxter, who says that the judge instantly saw that Arias-Cristobal was deserving of this bond…
Internet outage delays Dalton teen's deportation bond hearing
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- A Dalton teen who police say was wrongly arrested a few weeks ago was supposed to face her deportation hearing Tuesday. (more…)
Community members frustrated with Dalton Police following mistaken arrest that could get college student deported
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- 19 year old Xiamena Aries-Cristobal was arrested last week in Dalton. (more…)
Dalton woman mistakenly pulled over, charges dropped, still in ICE custody
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- Traffic charges against Ximena Arias-Cristobal have been dismissed after dash cam footage revealed she was mistakenly pulled over during a traffic stop earlier this month. The incident occurred on May 5, 2025, when Arias-Cristobal…
