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Strait of Hormuz could be vulnerable to Iran retaliation. Here's what to know about the vital oil trade route.
The United States launched military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday morning local time, an action President Trump said aimed to neutralize a threat "posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror." It was widely seen…
Medicare Threatens Vital Skin Treatment
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Image-guided superficial radiation therapy, or IGSRT, is a noninvasive treatment with a 99.3 percent success rate in treating nonmelanoma skin cancer, the most common cancer in the…
Congressman Fleischmann weighs in on U.S. strike against Iran
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - As headlines around the world focus on the United States’ latest military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the global stage feels tense —…
Collegedale Leaders Combine Summer Sale with Giving Back
Collegdale, TN- (WDEF)In Collegedale, community spirit was on full display Saturday as local leaders and residents came together to fight food insecurity—right in the middle of a summer shopping event. Commissioner Laura Howse and Vice Mayor Tonya Sadler organized a…
Colonel Cummings Honors Legacy of WWII’s 6888th Battalion
Fort Oglethorpe, GA -(WDEF)A powerful story of service and history was shared today in Fort Oglethorpe, as retired U.S. Army Colonel Edna Cummings spoke at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center. Cummings highlighted the legacy of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion,…
Knox County deputy critically injured in the line of duty
UPDATE: The suspect, Christopher Michael Hensley, 44, of Powell, has been charged with the following: Attempted Second-Degree Murder Aggravated Assault on First Responder Domestic Assault Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Go Armed Manufacturing/Delivering/Selling/Possession of a Controlled Substance…
Bradley County Woman charged after dozens of neglected and dead animals found
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) — On Saturday (6/21), the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check involving multiple animals at a residence located at 1325 8th Street NE. Upon arrival, deputies discovered numerous animals on the property living in…
Chattanooga Strikes a Musical Chord
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - From parks to sidewalks and even the airport, Chattanooga turned up the volume this weekend. Make Music Day is back this weekend, bringing a full day of…
Red Bank Celebrates 70 Years
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - The City of Red Bank is turning 70 and they’re celebrating with music, food, and a full day of family fun. Saturday’s anniversary event at Red Bank…
Harvest Deaf Ministries hosts car wash to support global mission trip
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — For more than three decades, Harvest Deaf Ministries has been committed to reaching the Deaf community with the message of Christ. Established…
Traffic Alert: Avoid I-24 West at Germantown Road This Weekend
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Drivers are being urged to avoid I-24 West at Germantown Road (Exit 183) this weekend due to major detours and closures. According to…
A group protested at Miller Park demanding "No War on Iran"
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) - Saturday evening, a protest was held at Miller Park centered on a growing concern: the possibility of war with Iran. The…
President Trump addresses the nation about the U.S. strikes on Iran
CBS: President Trump addressed the nation from the White House Saturday night about the U.S. strikes on Iran. In his remarks, the president described the…
'A last hurrah' boys and girls Tennessee vs Georgia all-star high school soccer
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Tennessee and Goergia girls followed by the boys competed at Finley stadium against each other and the heat.
Weather Update: Saturday June 21, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Mostly clear, mild. Patchy fog overnight. Lows: high 60's to low 70's. Winds: L&V. Saturday: Mostly sunny, hot. Highs: low 90's. Winds: L&V Overnight: Mostly clear, mild. Lows: low 70's. Winds:…
Marlins Dump the Braves 6-2
MIAMI (AP) — Agustín Ramírez hit a three-run home run, Janson Junk pitched five effective innings and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Friday night. Ramírez made it 4-0 in the third with a drive off Braves…
Wisconsin Sues Miami For Tampering With Player
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract…
Eagles Linebacker Patrick Johnson Returns Home For Football Camp at Notre Dame
Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Notre Dame grad Patrick Johnson has enjoyed the ultimate football journey from high school to the NF L. Johnson has spent time as…
Residents fuming after Plan Hamilton tabled by Commissioners
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- For years, residents…
Hamilton County adopts record low certified tax rate amid skyrocketing home prices
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A new certified tax rate has been passed for Hamilton County amid record home prices. The approved rate is $1.51…
Hamilton County budget passes as Sharpe is lone vote against
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Hamilton County budget was approved Wednesday. It is a little over a billion dollars, and features additional money for…
Third officer files lawsuit against Soddy-Daisy over intimidation in Whaley case
SODDY DAISY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Another lawsuit has been filed against the city of Soddy-Daisy in a 2018 vehicular manslaughter case. Justin Whaley, a…
Crews respond to Daisy Dallas Road mobile home fire
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Fire crews responded to a mobile home fire on Daisy Dallas Road. The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to 8520 Daisy Dallas Road…
Skyuka Hall to relocate, expand with $11.75 million purchase of Precept Ministries Facility
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Skyuka Hall, a Chattanooga-based K-12 school for students with learning differences and ADHD, is expanding in a major…
Mayors talk about various issues in joint event
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Both Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp took the stage together Tuesday. (more…)
VFW post in Ooltewah renamed to honor fallen soldier Travis F. Haslip
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1697 in Ooltewah held a special ceremony to honor U.S. Army Private First Class Travis F. Haslip.…
What's Right With Our Schools: CCS Theater Camp
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- It’s lights, camera, summer fun! Chattanooga Christian School is once again hosting its long-running Musical Theatre Camp—welcoming students from across the region and beyond. …
First private development tied to Erlanger Park breaks ground
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As Erlanger Park continues its construction, some of the recent discussion around the surrounding district was when nearby development would begin. (more…)
CARTA updates plans to modernize transportation network
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- CARTA gave an update on its plan to modernize its transportation network. (more…)
Dueling visions presented ahead of Plan Hamilton vote
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Two different visions of future growth in rural Hamilton County are making their case for what limits should be placed on new housing. (more…)
Woman charged in credit card fraud tied to 99-year-old
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A woman has been charged with financial exploitation of a 99 year old woman. Police say 66 year old Glenda Stoudemire charged over 11-thousand dollars on the credit card of…
Incline Railway on track to open next month
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- CARTA CEO Charles Frazier gave an update on the repair progress of the Incline Railway. (more…)
Two women arrested in Chattanooga human trafficking operation
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A human trafficking investigation in Chattanooga has led to the arrest of two women as part of an undercover operation. On June 9, 2025 law enforcement agencies carried out a targeted operation to crack down…
Developer says Foundry District around Erlanger Park is on target
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- An update was provided Thursday on Erlanger Park and its surrounding development in the South Broad District. (more…)
Plans for Hawk Hill still being developed
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- As Erlanger Park continues to head for completion, talks are ramping up about the future of the Lookouts’ current home. (more…)
Stroke survivor reunites with first responders who saved her life
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A Hamilton County woman who survived a major stroke earlier this year had a…
New certified tax rate presented to Hamilton County Commission
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Commissioners questioned Hamilton County Property Assessor Marty Haynes on the new certified tax rate. Haynes announced last week that this rate is…
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,…
Cleveland man accused of wife’s murder now charged in murder-for-hire plot
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- There is a new charge tonight against Craig Liner, the Cleveland man accused of killing his wife, Karen. News 12 obtained…
What's Right With Our Schools: Ivy League Graduates
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- Cleveland High School continues to excel both in and out of the classroom. This year, two graduating seniors are taking their achievements to the…
Suspect arrested after attempted vehicle theft at Bradley County golf course
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — A quick response from Bradley County deputies led to the arrest of a suspect following a series of suspicious events at a local golf course. Deputies from the Bradley County…
Cleveland fire crews contain kitchen fire at Bradley County Jail
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A fire broke out in the kitchen area of the Bradley County Jail Tuesday afternoon. Crews with the Cleveland Fire Department (CFD)…
Firefighter and family lose their home in a morning fire
CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) - Bradley County EMS has begun a Go-Fund-Me campaign to help one of their own rebuild. Bradley firefighter and part time EMT, James Gray, lost his home to a…
Juvenile arrested and charged with assault after Eureka Road paintball incident
BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) -- A juvenile has been arrested following a paintball incident on Eureka Road a few weeks ago. On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) responded to a report of reckless driving on…
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…
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…
Calhoun officer shot at during domestic call at Buc-ee’s, turns into deadly vehicle pursuit
UPDATE (4/17/2025): The suspect involved in a vehicle pursuit in Whitfield County early Thursday morning is believed to have also shot at officers at the Bucee's in Calhoun. Officers with the Calhoun Police Department…
Golden Apple Award: Deborah Baker, Dalton High School
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Deborah Baker has dedicated her long teacher career making a difference in the lives of her students. She challenges them and equips them with…
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.…
