CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tennessee continues to battle a deadly wave in the opioid epidemic, driven largely by the rise of fentanyl. Often lurking in counterfeit pills and street drugs, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid so potent that just a speck can cause a fatal overdose. In response, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and…… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Stroke Awareness Saves Precious Time
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Stroke is one of the most serious medical emergencies in the United States, striking without warning and often leaving a lifetime of impact. It’s the fifth leading cause of death and the number one cause of long-term adult disability. But the good news is, stroke is treatable and, in many cases,…… MORE
Governor, TDOT talk Chattanooga road construction updates
Gov. Bill Lee with TDOT workers and local state representatives in front of the Apison Pike construction project. COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Much of Chattanooga’s main roads continue to be a construction zone. However, state officials are saying there is an end in sight for many of those projects. Two years ago, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee…… MORE
Illegal Immigrant convicted of First Degree Murder in strangulation of his girlfriend
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A jury has convicted a man of murdering his girlfriend more than two years ago. Hamilton County Prosecutors say 21 year old Jose Ramirez strangled his girlfriend, Oliva Pena in August of 2022. He said he choked her and then fell asleep. When he woke up, she was unresponsive. But District Attorney…… MORE
Sheriff updates recovery from ransomware attack
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tennessee (WDEF) – Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett reports progress in the recovery from a ransomware attack. The Sheriff’s Office was hit on the morning of April 14. “Since the incident occurred, the HCSO has been working methodically and diligently alongside an external cyber defense firm to preserve and examine this cyber-ransomware event…… MORE
Weather Update: Tuesday April 29, 2025
WDEF-TV News 12 Tennessee River Valley weather forecast Overnight: Partly cloudy. Mild. Lows: low 60’s. Winds: S @ 5 MPH, then calm. Wednesday: Cloud/Sun Mix. Warm. Isolated PM Showers/Thunderstorms. Highs: low/mid 80’s. Winds: NE @ 5 MPH. Overnight: Early showers/thunderstorms. Mild. Lows: mid 60’s. Winds: L&V. Thursday: Cloud/Sun Mix. Warm. Isolated PM Showers/Thunderstorms. Highs: mid…… MORE
Siler indicted on charges of firing into a crowd on Glass Street
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Chattanooga Police have arrested a suspect in a January shooting on Glass Street. Investigators say 24 year old Reginald Siler, Jr. began shooting towards a group of people at the Dream nightclub. A security guard returned fire and hit the suspect, who was hospitalized. A grandy jury this month indicted Siler on…… MORE
18-year-old arrested in connection to March Central Avenue shooting
MGN Cordai Miree CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — An 18-year-old has been arrested in connection with a March shooting that left a man injured in the 4900 block of Central Avenue. On April 22, 2025, Cordai Miree was taken into custody by Chattanooga Police with help from the U.S. Marshals Service. This arrest was the result…… MORE
Dunlap native participates in live-fire exercise on USS Milius in Indian Ocean
Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Gregory Johnson DUNLAP, Tenn. (WDEF) — Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Jacob Scott, a native of Dunlap, Tennessee, took part in a live-fire weapons exercise aboard the USS Milius (DDG 69) while operating in the Indian Ocean. Scott was responsible for adjusting the fire mode on the Mark 45 5-inch…… MORE
East Ridge considering cuts to Care-A-Van service as costs increase
EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The city of East Ridge is considering the impact of rising costs of CARTA’s Care-A-Van service. The service specifically serves those with disabilities in Chattanooga, Red Bank, and East Ridge who cannot otherwise use CARTA’s fixed bus routes or their own transportation. Each city, including East Ridge, subsidizes the service as…… MORE
