Exclusive Content
Latest News
Driver in custody after fleeing from traffic stop
GEORGIA -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office says they assisted the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol with a vehicle that fled from a traffic stop in Catoosa County. The…
McKamey Animal Center holds free adoption weekend
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The McKamey Animal Center will be hosting a free dog adoption weekend starting Friday, March 13, and lasting through Sunday, March 15. Adoption fees will be waived for all adult…
Utah judge in Charlie Kirk killing case weighs media access
PROVO, Utah (AP) — The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus was back in court Friday as a state judge weighs whether certain documents and proceedings…
First Responder Hero Award: Captain Christopher Blazek
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter,…
14 million doses of fentanyl seized from secret drug lab in Mexico
Mexico's government said Thursday it had seized 14 million doses of fentanyl, the latest major haul in a drive to stem the flow of the powerful opioid into the United States. The Public Security ministry said the drugs were found during raids on…
TechByte: The Internet Archive is the Library of the Web
Public Libraries are an important institution. They’re strongholds of information, accessible to everybody. But what if there were a public library that was accessible to everyone…
Remembering the Blizzard of '93: Office of Emergency Management says they're prepared
It’s been thirty-three years since the Blizzard of 1993 ravaged the southeast. Local officials say that funding for emergency agencies has greatly increased since then. Communication between agencies has also been prioritized, including with the National Weather Service. The Hamilton…
U.S. fugitive captured in Mexico 73 minutes after being added to FBI's most wanted list, fastest arrest in history
A U.S. fugitive was captured in Mexico just over an hour after being added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, making it the fastest arrest time in…
Number on gun used in fatal Old Dominion shooting was obliterated, law enforcement official says
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The shooter who opened fire in a classroom at Virginia’s Old Dominion University on Thursday in an attack being investigated as an act of terrorism had a gun with an obliterated serial number, potentially complicating investigators’ efforts to…
Weather Update: Friday March 13, 2026
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Friday: Sunshine, dry, near normal temperatures in the mid/high 60's. Winds: S @ 5-15 MPH, gusts to 20 MPH. Overnight: Mostly clear, dry, chilly. Lows: low 40's. Winds: E @ 5 MPH.…
Two-car crash causes non life-threatening injuries
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Chattanooga Fire Department says a two-car crash caused non life-threatening injuries on Thursday, March 12. The crash was on Rossville Boulevard. They say Squad 1, Engine 1, and Squad 20 Green Shift responded.
ROTC students at Old Dominion University subdued and killed shooter who left 1 dead, 2 hurt
A former Army National Guard member who had spent eight years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State opened fire on a classroom at Virginia's Old Dominion University…
The Rotary Club to host a shoe drive for Soles4Souls
Dr. Edna Varner, David Carroll, and Deb Birdsall join News 12's Chip Chapman to promote donations for their Soles4Souls campaign at the Rotary Club. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The Rotary Club will…
Killer Beaz returns with some killer jokes
Comedian Killer Beaz is getting ready to entertain folks in South Pittsburg this weekend. He joins News 12's Chip Chapman before he takes over The Princess Theatre this Saturday. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)…
Is part of the $248 million of unclaimed money yours?
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The state Treasury Department is reminding us about all the unclaimed money and property in Tennessee. $248,000,000 just since July 1, 2025. You can go to ClaimIt.TN.gov to see if you can claim some of it.…
Last weekend for Girl Scout cookie booth sales
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - This is the last weekend to buy Girl Scout cookies at booths in Chattanooga. They end on Sunday. Of course, you can always order online or get more info at www.iwantcookies.org. Thursday actually marked the anniversary of…
Boyd Buchanan Tabs Charles Fant as New Head Football Coach
(press release) Boyd-Buchanan School has announced the hiring of Charles Fant as the new head football coach for the Buccaneers. “We are thrilled to have Charles…
Titans Unveil New Logo and Uniforms
Showtime pic.twitter.com/LQTvkN3in5 — Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 13, 2026 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have a new coach in Robert Saleh for the upcoming season and are opening a new enclosed stadium in 2027. So, no reason to wait to…
First Responder Hero Award: Captain Christopher Blazek
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responders Hero Award. Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter,…
Remembering the Blizzard of '93: Office of Emergency Management says they're prepared
It’s been thirty-three years since the Blizzard of 1993 ravaged the southeast. Local officials say that funding for emergency agencies has greatly increased since then. Communication between agencies has also been prioritized, including with the National Weather Service. The Hamilton…
Commission to consider lease with Jailhouse Studios as public continues to raise concerns
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A proposal is now under consideration to turn the old Hamilton County Jail into a television and film studio as…
Proposal of rural planning commission sparks tense debate over future growth in Hamilton County
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Will Hamilton County create its own planning commission? That's what some in county government would like to see. However,…
Meeting time once again discussed by Hamilton County Commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Hamilton County Commission once again discussed when they should hold their weekly meetings. Commissioner Gene-O Shipley proposed that meetings go back to 9:30…
Prosecutors say Darron Lee used ChatGPT to try to cover February murder of girlfriend in Ooltewah
[blox_vms account="WDEF" key="d90e08fd826c3ac9142049fb27ac70dc6dcb052c" vtitle="Proseuctors say Darron Lee used ChatGPT to try to cover up February murder of…
Off-duty Hamilton County deputy killed in motorcycle crash
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- An off-duty Hamilton County deputy has been killed in a motorcycle crash, according to the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD). They say 26-year-old Caleb LeBruno died following a crash on the…
What's Right With Our Schools: Brotherhood Brunch at Pneuma Church
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Teenage boys aren't the best at talking about their feelings. They want to appear strong and tough, but that can take a…
Caleb Askins gets reduction in charges on day four of murder trial
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Friday was day four of the Askins Brothers Trial. They are charged with the 2023 murder of Warren Crutcher at a…
Chattanooga City Council tours Erlanger Park
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- It is less than 50 days from now when the Chattanooga Lookouts will take the field at their brand new stadium in the South Broad District. Tuesday, Chattanooga City…
Golden Apple Award: Lindsey Flaherty, Allen Elementary
SODDY DAISY, TN (WDEF) - For the best educators, teaching is much more than a job. It's a passion. That's certainly true for Lindsey Flaherty. One Allen Elementary school…
Grier gets sentenced to 62 more years in prison for murder of Bianca Horton
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga gang member who was…
What's Right With Our Schools: Teachers Meet With Medal of Honor Author
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Inspiration is an important part of education. Some local teachers recently completed a workshop where they learned how to incorporate the…
Hamilton County commission to get final say on term limits
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The topic of whether or not Hamilton County elected officials should have term limits was up for a vote at Wednesday afternoon’s commission…
McDonald Farm set to become 70th Tennessee state park
SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF)- Ever since Hamilton County acquired McDonald Farm in 2021, there have…
Victim's family sues Darron Lee for $50 million over suspected homicide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) The family of the victim of a suspected homicide in Ooltewah is suing a former NFL player. Darron Lee is charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Gabriella Perpetuo. A Hamilton…
Playing field goes in as Erlanger Park is two months from Opening Day
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The construction of the newest stadium in Chattanooga is rounding third base. The sodding of the future home of the…
Chattanooga Tourism Company faces criticism from commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Tourism Company is facing some criticism from the Hamilton County Commission. They are considering a resolution to transfer some funds from the Chattanooga Tourism Company…
Lee denied bond as Wamp says she may seek the death penalty
Darron Lee standing with his public defender in front of Hamilton County Judge Tori Smith on Wednesday at his initial…
Term Limits resolution for Hamilton County mayor, commissioners, introduced
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A resolution that would create a referendum on term limits in Hamilton County government was formally introduced Wednesday. If passed, voters would get to…
Golden Apple Award: Alexis Kaczor, Oak Grove Elementary
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Did you ever have a teacher who made you love going to school. For students at Oak Grove Elementary, Alexis Kaczor is that teacher.…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office warns of scam involving social media groups
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals about a scam involving social media groups. The scam is about local social media groups involving an individual claiming to need assistance…
Parkridge to be allowed to build freestanding emergency room in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A few months ago, the Parkridge Health System announced their intentions to build a new freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. However, they faced…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office Warns of Local Scam
BRADLEY COUNTY -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is warning locals about a circulating scam that could affect individuals. The BCSO says they have received an increase in reports of scam calls where…
Bradley County Sheriff's Office Partners with Blood Assurance for Blood Drive
The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) says they are partnering with Blood Assurance to hold a blood drive. The blood drive will take place Monday, February 9, 2026 from 12 to 4…
Aggravated Domestic Assault Suspect Caught with Drone Assistance
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- An individual has been apprehended following an aggravated domestic assault incident in Cleveland, according to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). At approximately 5:50 a.m., deputies responded to a residence on Bent Tree Drive North West. BCSO…
Cleveland to utilize school bus cameras with AI to deter stop sign violators
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Getting kids to and from school everyday is a top priority for school districts.…
5 Vehicles Involved in Crash that Shut Down I-75 in Bradley County
BRADLEY COUNTY -- Five vehicles were involved in a crash on I-75 at mile marker 24 in Bradley County, which temporarily shut down the roadway. One person was extracted and transported to a local hospital with non life threatening…
Battle continues over proposed Bradley County emergency room
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- The debate over a proposed new emergency room in Cleveland is continuing to heat up. Despite there being over 110,000 people in Bradley County, the…
Vitruvian Health petitioning against new Cleveland Parkridge emergency room
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- A battle is brewing in Bradley County over a proposed new hospital. Vitruvian Health, who operates the Bradley Medical Center, has posted a petition opposing Parkridge's plans to open a freestanding emergency room in Cleveland. They argue…
State no longer pursuing Bradley County site for mental institution
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- For months, the state of Tennessee has been searching for a replacement for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. (more…)
Bradley County Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Eric Wayne Helton, owner of the Aquatic Den, has pled guilty to tax evasion after an investigation by The Special Investigations Section of the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Helton's charges stem from his failure to remit collected…
BCSO Asks for Public's Assistance Regarding Stolen Trailer
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- The Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is asking the public for its help locating a stolen trailer. A black and silver 24-foot 2019 Formula Triumph Slope Nose…
Golden Apple Award: Kaitlyn Foulks, Charleston Elementary School
CHARLESTON, TN (WDEF) - Kaitlyn Foulks is living her dream as a Charleston Elementary School teacher. She may be new to the job, but her enthusiasm and dedication more…
Bradley County Firefighter Pay Increases
TENNESSEE -- Bradley County Mayor Gary Davis has redirected a total of $76,000 in vacancy savings to firefighter salaries, prompting an increase in pay. This adjustment increased pay for…
Chemical Exposure at M&M Mars Facility Prompts Emergency Response
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Around 9:00 a.m., a chemical exposure at the M&M Mars facility prompted an emergency response on December 5. Bradley County EMS and the Cleveland Fire Department responded to the incident. Seven individuals…
Bradley County woman arrested after dog reportedly shot
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Bradley County deputies responded to a residence after a report of a dog had been shot on November 23, 2025. Witnesses reported that Crystal Palmer got a firearm and shot multiple rounds at the dog. The dog…
Single-engine aircraft incident leaves one uninjured
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. -- Bradley County EMS responded to a single-engine experimental aircraft after it experienced a hard landing after performing a touch-and-go maneuver. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without…
Local judge reportedly assaulted in residential neighborhood
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- An arrest has been made after the Bradley County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported assault on a local judge in Cleveland,…
Bradley County firefighters push for more pay
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- Bradley County firefighters are asking their county commission to increase their pay. (more…)
Chatsworth man convicted of child molestation, cyber sex crime
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- A Chatsworth man was convicted of two counts of child molestation and computer pornography on March 11, 2026. Barry Alexander Gordon, 40, was found guilty in 5 minutes by a Whitfield…
What's Right With Our Schools: GeorgiaFIRST Robotics Competition
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Creating a working robot requires a strong understanding of mathematics and mechanical engineering. Teams of local teenagers recently showed what the machines could do…
Spill from commercial motor vehicle causes lane closures on Highway 201 at I-75 exit 341
Lanes are closed at Highway 201 at I-75 (341 exit) due to a large spill from a commercial motor vehicle, according to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). They say a temporary…
Golden Apple Award: Ashley Lyons, Westside Middle
ROCKY FACE, GA (WDEF) - The best teachers truly care about their students. That certainly describes Ashley Lyons. Her students at Westside Middle have a friend and mentor for…
Who will replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Congress?
14th DISTRICT, Ga. (WDEF) -- On January 20, the Walker County Republican Party held a meet and greet for the Republican candidates vying for the open 14th Congressional District seat in Georgia. There are 22 candidates who have qualified for…
Driver in custody following foot chase
The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) says they are on scene in the area of Eugenia Drive and Zell Drive regarding a foot chase. They say deputies stopped a black passenger car and…
Dalton man arrested for child molestation, aggravated sodomy
A Dalton man has been arrested on multiple charges, including child molestation, according to the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO). On February 19th, 2026, Whitfield County Sheriff's Office detectives served a warrant…
What's Right With Our Schools: NWGA College and Career Academy
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - The Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy is continuing its mission to develop a 21st century workforce. They do that through focused…
Whitfield Co. Sheriff's Office Receives “Adventure Bags” to Support Children in Crisis
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) says they have been the recipient of "adventure bags" that are able to help children in crisis. They say this is a resource…
Golden Apple Award: Janet Robbins, Northwest Whitfield
TUNNEL HILL, GEORGIA (WDEF) - Janet Robbins has a knack for growing things. From the endless rows of flora lining the Northwest Whitfield greenhouse to the young minds inside…
What's Right With Our Schools Northwest Whitfield AG Program
TUNNEL HILL, GA (WDEF) - Traditional classrooms are great places to learn, but sometimes students need to get their hands dirty. That's exactly what happens at the…
Whitfield County Drug Bust Leads to One Arrest
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following a drug bust. Eric Underwood was arrested and charged with the following: • Trafficking in Methamphetamine • Trafficking in…
Theft Ring Disrupted in Whitfield County Possibly Linked to Multiple States
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- A theft ring has been disrupted in Whitfield County following the discovery of $4,000 of merchandise in a vehicle. On Monday, February 2nd, 2026, deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office made arrests involving shoplifting at…
Whitfield County Sheriff's Office to Host Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Course
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) has shared they are hosting a free Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Course (CRASE). They say the CRASE training will cover: *…
Whitfield Co. Coroner's Office Identifies Pedestrian Struck and Killed on South Dixie Highway
WHITFIELD COUNTY -- The Whitfield County Coroner's Office has identified the pedestrian who was struck and killed on South Dixie Highway on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They say the person was identified as 43-year-old Daniel…
Discovery of container leads to Whitfield County hazmat response
WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- A surprising discovery led to a large police presence in Whitfield County Wednesday. Whitfield County Sheriff's…
What's Right With Our Schools: 11th Hour Theater
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - A new, non-profit performing arts organization is up and running in Dalton. 11th Hour Theater and Creative Studio is a great place for kids…
Concerns rising over reintroduction of Georgia PFAS shield law
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- As Georgia legislators prepare to head back to Atlanta next week, the Whitfield County Republican Party says they are opposing the reintroduction of a controversial…
UPDATE: Resident Suffers Burns Following Cohutta House Fire
UPDATE: A resident suffered burns in a house fire this morning in Cohutta, Georgia. It happened around 6 a.m. at a home on Chattanooga Road. The Whitfield County Fire Chief tells us the victim suffered burns to the hand…
Runners excited for Haig Mill Lake Park improvements
DALTON, Ga. (WDEF)- The city of Dalton is working to replace one of its primary walking trails. Their Parks and Recreation Department announced that portions of the Haig…
