CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Officials have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert, meaning pollution levels have reached levels that could pose health risks, particularly for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions are especially vulnerable. Experts are urging residents to limit prolonged outdoor activities and avoid strenuous exercise outside…… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Precautions to take following fires
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – We have the latest updates on the recent brush fires in Walker County, Georgia, and important wildfire prevention tips to help safeguard our communities. As of this morning, the brush fires that spanned a four-mile stretch from Rossville to near Chickamauga in northern Walker County have been contained. The fires, which…… MORE
Resolution would not allow non-WWTA treatment facilities in Hamilton County
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- Sewage capacity in rural Hamilton County has long been a point of contention. A resolution proposed by Commissioner Gene-O Shipley of Soddy-Daisy would require all onsite wastewater treatment facilities in the county to be under the ownership of the WWTA. This is as developers say they want to come up with…… MORE
More discussion on local effects of potential dissolution of Department of Education
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)– Discussion is continuing about how cuts to the federal Department of Education will affect local schools. Doors were closed at the Department’s office today in Washington as Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced they were beginning cuts to staff. There has been ongoing debate here in Hamilton County as to how education will…… MORE
Novonix PILOT approved by city council, county commission
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Novonix’s expansion plans in Chattanooga are moving forward. Both the City Council Tuesday night and the County Commission Wednesday morning approved a PILOT agreement. This is an economic incentive for the electric battery manufacturer to build a new facility at Enterprise South. They had faced criticism for some recent layoffs at their…… MORE
Hamilton County officials launch new Overdose Prevention Team
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County officials announced the launch of the Overdose Prevention Team (OPT) Wednesday. OPT is a new program aimed at saving lives and connecting individuals to long-term recovery resources. This program is operating through two Quick Response Vehicles, designed to bring life-saving medications for opioids use disorder directly to those…… MORE
Man arrested after leading authorities on a pursuit in stolen EPB vehicle
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A male suspect has been arrested after leading authorities on a pursuit in a stolen EPB vehicle. At 12:34 p.m., March 12, 2025, Chattanooga Police responded to the 1000 block of Central Avenue for reports of a vehicle theft. An officer with the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) located and stopped the…… MORE
Weather Update: Wednesday March 12, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Increasing clouds. Cool. Lows: low 50’s. Winds: Light & Variable. Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs: low 70’s. Winds: S @ 5 MPH. Overnight: Partly cloudy. Cool. Overnight showers/thunderstorms. Lows: low 50’s. Winds: Light & Variable. Friday: Mostly Cloudy. Windy. Highs: low 70’s. Winds:…… MORE
Fire crews working to contain Mullins Cove wildfire
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Fire crews are working to contain an active wildfire in Marion County. Mullins Cove Volunteer Fire Department (MCVFD) responded to the area of the Grandview Church of God at 7:18 a.m. for reports of a fire. According to the state’s website, the fire has spread 5 acres and is 50…… MORE
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 students can apply to get state money to send their kids to private schools instead. It’s part of the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program. The schools that qualify for the alternative scholarships are…… MORE
