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Will Chattanooga be impacted by nationwide flight delays?
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Thousands of flights across America are facing delays or cancellations as a result of the federal government shutdown. This is due to a FAA mandate…
Trial for man charged in fatal 2023 Frazier Avenue crash rescheduled for next year
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new trial date has been selected for the man charged in a tragic incident on the Chattanooga Northshore.…
What's Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Woodworking Academy Awards
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Mayor Tim Kelly believes the creative economy is a crucial component of Chattanooga's bottom line. The current class at Chattanooga Working Academy is the…
Construction Prompts Lane Closures on I-75
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will perform nighttime closures of the I-75 South entrance ramp from Shallowford Road to facilitate the installation of steel bridge girders…
CFD responds to Brainerd Road oil spill
CHATANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the 3500 block of Brainerd Road at 10 a.m. on November 10 for a spill in the roadway. A large transformer being transported came off a trailer and landed…
Pikeville officer helps deliver baby
PIKEVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- On November 10, a Pikeville police officer assisted a woman in active labor deliver her baby. Bledsoe County 911 received a call at 3:38 a.m.…
Pet of the Week: Lola!
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Join us at Prime News at 7 for this week's Pet of the Week: Lola! Lola is a beautiful and elegant 10-month-old mixed breed hound/terrier with the…
Lookout Wild Film Festival announcement
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) --The Lookout Wild Film Festival is losing its founder. Andy Johns says he is leaving the event he created 12 years ago. The festival shows short outdoor and adventure films from around the world here in Chattanooga.…
East Ridge Animal Shelter Seeks Community’s Help During Maximum Capacity
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The East Ridge Animal Shelter is currently facing a capacity crisis and is reaching out to the community with an urgent plea: adopt or foster a shelter pet today! Each day, an overwhelming number…
Major signal retiming, technology upgrade intended to smooth commutes for residents
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga is installing and upgrading cutting-edge smart technology and undergoing a comprehensive traffic signal retiming effort to help smooth commutes across the city. The core of this technological upgrade is the installation and upgrade of…
Weather Update: Monday November 10, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Monday: Clearing, cold, windy. Low wind chills at times. Highs: low 40's. Winds: NW @ 10-15 MPH, gusts of 25 MPH. Overnight: Mostly clear. Cold. Lows: mid 20's. Winds: NW @ 10-15…
No charges filed after two teens shot due to insufficient evidence
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) is investigating a shooting that happened on Sunday, around 4:54 p.m. in the 4400 block of Highway 58. According to the Chattanooga Police, officers responded to…
Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and others who backed efforts to overturn 2020 election, official says
ASSOCIATED PRESS By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned his former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and others accused of backing the Republican’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, a Justice Department official…
2025 Veterans' Appreciation Banquet
ROCK SPRING, Ga. (WDEF) - Today marks a special evening in Walker County, one filled with music, gratitude, and heartfelt appreciation for those who have served our nation. Operation Outreach is once…
Preliminary tests find germ that causes botulism in ByHeart baby formula
ASSOCIATED PRESS By JONEL ALECCIA Preliminary tests showed that ByHeart baby formula contained the type of bacteria that produces the toxin linked to a botulism outbreak, California health officials said. The outbreak has sickened at least…
There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases, and they mostly strike women. Here’s what to know
ASSOCIATED PRESS By LAURAN NEERGAARD Our immune system has a dark side: It’s supposed to fight off invaders to keep us healthy. But sometimes it turns traitor and attacks our own cells and tissues. What are called…
Chattanooga Zoo hosts Asian Lantern Festival
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Asian Lantern Festival, Forest of Fantasy, kicks off November 21 with our friends at the Chattanooga Zoo. Communications Director Jake Cash says visitors can expect…
Community walk shines light on Epilepsy Awareness Month
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Among the many things November is known for, this month also highlights Epilepsy Awareness. Here in Chattanooga, dozens of people laced up their sneakers…
Trial for man charged in fatal 2023 Frazier Avenue crash rescheduled for next year
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new trial date has been selected for the man charged in a tragic incident on the Chattanooga Northshore.…
What's Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Woodworking Academy Awards
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Mayor Tim Kelly believes the creative economy is a crucial component of Chattanooga's bottom line. The current class at Chattanooga Working Academy is the…
Construction Prompts Lane Closures on I-75
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will perform nighttime closures of the I-75 South entrance ramp from Shallowford Road to facilitate the installation of steel bridge girders…
CFD responds to Brainerd Road oil spill
CHATANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to the 3500 block of Brainerd Road at 10 a.m. on November 10 for a spill in the roadway. A large transformer being transported came off a trailer and landed…
Major signal retiming, technology upgrade intended to smooth commutes for residents
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Chattanooga is installing and upgrading cutting-edge smart technology and undergoing a comprehensive traffic signal retiming effort to help smooth commutes across the city. The core of this technological upgrade is the installation and upgrade of…
Two people injured in shooting at Highway 58 Bojangles
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Two people…
Three arrested in human trafficking sting
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The TBI says three people were arrested in a joint operation with the Chattanooga Police Department and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s office. The arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation into human trafficking throughout…
EPB and partners offer trees for free
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- EPB is partnering up with the city of Chattanooga and Reflection Riding to offer something special. They’re giving away two native trees for free to…
Residents, commissioners voice concerns over proposed Birchwood development
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few months ago, a version of Plan Hamilton was approved to guide the future of growth across rural Hamilton County. (more…)
Traffic camera citations set to begin at Orchard Knob Elementary School, Brainerd High School
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The City of Chattanooga is beginning its Automated School Zone Speed Enforcement program to encourage safe driving near two local schools. Traffic cameras were installed at Orchard Knob Elementary School and Brainerd…
CPD efforts lead to multiple arrests and narcotics seized
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) was able to arrest multiple individuals and seize different types of narcotics on November 5. CPD made a total of 5 arrests,…
Chattanooga Zoo teaming up with Chattanooga Area Food Bank
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The pause in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown left many in the Chattanooga area struggling to make ends meet and keep…
Hamilton County Commission held first evening meeting Wednesday
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Wednesday was the first evening Hamilton County Commission meeting in recent memory. (more…)
Chattanooga Zoo hosting food drive, offering $1 off admission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Chattanooga Zoo is hosting a food drive that will donate to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and participants can get $1 off their general admission Zoo ticket throughout…
Hamilton County Directs $195,000 to Help Local Food Banks Feed Families Impacted SNAP
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County Commission has unanimously approved the County Mayor’s resolution allocating $195,000 in unrestricted opioid settlement funds to local food banks. These one-time funds will support more than…
Hamilton County allocates unused opioid funds for local food banks during government shutdown
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As the federal government shutdown extends past day 35, over 34,000 people in Hamilton County are no longer receiving SNAP…
Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade Returns Friday November 28
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The 45th Annual Lighted Boat Parade is returning to Downtown Chattanooga on November 28. From 4-6:30 p.m., attendees will have the chance to see real reindeer and from…
New floodplain maps released for Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The floodplain maps for the city of Chattanooga have been updated as it considers changing its floodway policies. This is due to a requirement from FEMA as…
Collegedale man reaches plea deal in federal sexual exploitation case
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Collegedale man has reached a plea deal in a federal sexual exploitation case. Prosecutors say Quentin Anthony Williams contacted more than 30 boys to send…
CFD responds to school bus crash on Middle Valley Road
UPDATE: The Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County deputies responded to a vehicle wreck with injuries involving a school bus transporting students at the 6500 block of Middle Valley Road. The investigation indicates the driver of a red Honda…
Rockslide causes major backups on Monteagle
MONTEAGLE, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A rockslide on Monteagle caused major backups on November 4. TDOT reports debris on roadway at Mile Marker 137. The rockslide was reported at 2:33 p.m CST. The slide has caused all westbound lanes and…
What's Right With Our Schools: Walker Valley STEM DAY
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Walker Valley students recently got to look into their possible futures at STEM Career Day. Employers from throughout our region were on…
Solid Orange Drive Thru in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) -It's Tennessee Alabama week! With both teams ranked in the top 11, the stakes could not be *any* higher for Saturday night's showdown in Tuscaloosa. More…
Bail bondsman shootout in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland Police report an arrest after a dramatic confrontation between a bail bondsman and suspects this morning. They say the bondsman from Cumberland County tried to apprehend Jacob…
SK Foods celebrates grand opening of Cleveland plant
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County’s newest…
Sheriff Steve Lawson of Bradley County announces bid for re-election
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Sheriff Steve Lawson has announced on Thursday that he will be seeking re-election as Bradley County Sheriff. "In 2018, the people of Bradley County allowed me…
Rabies vaccination baits to be dropped throughout Eastern Tennessee
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Signal Mountain Police Department said our region will be getting some help to protect people and pets from the threat of…
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…
Whitfield County man sentenced to 30 years for violating sexual offender registry statute
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- A Whitfield County jury found Vincent Michael Harper guilty of violating the sexual offender registry statute, leading to a sentence of 30 years in prison…
Residents pack meeting on Whitfield County property tax rate proposal
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- Could Whitfield County property taxes soon go…
Property tax increase proposed by Whitfield County Board of Commissioners
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Board of Commissioners have announced a proposed property tax increase. They say it would be roughly 23 percent higher than the rollback millage rate. The commissioners say…
12 kilograms of cocaine found during traffic stop in Whitfield County
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) conducted a traffic stop on I-75 in Whitfield County, resulting in 12 kilograms of cocaine…
Georgia Bureau of Investigation promotes Dalton native, Daniel Nicholson
DALLAS, Ga. (WDEF) -- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has announced that they are promoting Dalton native Daniel Nicholson to assistant special agent in charge of the…
Man fatally stabbed in Whitfield County
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF) -- During the night of October 1st, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) responded to a call at the Dollar General on Beaverdale Road about a female covered…
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…)
