Theatre Macon celebrates 40 years of performances, community impact

The celebration will continue with Theatre Macon’s annual gala on May 16, where the official 40th season will be revealed.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Theatre Macon is celebrating a major milestone, marking 40 years of performances and contributions to the community. The theater kicked off its anniversary season with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Along with celebrating four decades, leaders are also highlighting an addition to the performance space. Organizers say the milestone reflects not only years of entertainment, but also the…

Seventeen become U.S. citizens during ceremony in Macon

The ceremony at the federal courthouse marked the end of a long journey for new citizens from around the world.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Inside the William A Bootle Federal Building & US Courthouse Wednesday, 17 people stood together, raised their right hands, and took the oath of allegiance, officially becoming United States citizens. Those applicants came from 11 different countries. Erica Yang first arrived in the United States as a toddler from a refugee camp in Thailand. She says…

Deputies: I-75 chase leads to arrests in prison drop attempt

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says deputies found a drone and other items linked to a planned prison drop during the traffic stop.

Watkins (top) and Bonner (bottom); Credit: Monroe County Sheriff’s OfficeMONROE COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two men are in custody after Monroe County deputies say a traffic stop on Interstate 75 turned into a chase tied to an attempt to deliver contraband to a state prison. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted a traffic stop just after 8:30…

Houston County law enforcement agencies join regional drug, gang task force

Sheriff Matt Moulton says the effort will strengthen investigations into drug trafficking and gang activity across multiple jurisdictions.

law enforcement joins regional drug & gang task force (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County law enforcement agencies are joining a regional drug and gang task force to target crimes that cross county lines.   The task force connects the Houston County sheriff’s Office and the Warner Robins and Perry police departments. Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton…

Pinwheels planted in Macon to promote child abuse prevention

The pinwheels serve as a national symbol of child abuse prevention and childhood innocence.

Crescent House child abuse prevention month ceremony (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent’s Crescent House marked Child Abuse Prevention Month on Wednesday with a pinwheel garden planting ceremony and a county proclamation. Manager of the Crescent House Kemberlie Sanderson says the pinwheels that are planted are a national symbol for child abuse prevention. “I always say there’s…

Inmate dies at Hancock State Prison, investigation underway

The death is being investigated by the GDC’s Office of Professional Standards, and the investigation is ongoing.

SPARTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — An inmate died Tuesday at Hancock State Prison, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. The inmate has been identified as Jacorey Pearson. The cause of death has not been released at this time. The body was turned over to the county coroner and will be transported to the GBI crime lab to determine the official…

Annual Mentors and Manners Tea Party returns to Macon

The registration deadline is April 15. For more information, contact April Montgomery at lamusica3@bellsouth.net.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The 16th annual Mentors and Manners Tea Party with Miss Georgia pageant is scheduled for April 26 at the Hay House from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is open to the public, with a special invitation extended to children ages 5 to 13. Miss Georgia, Miss Macon, Miss Macon’s Teen and other titleholders from across…

Ceasefire announced between U.S. and Iran as negotiations begin

President Donald Trump says a two-week ceasefire is now in effect, giving both nations time to work toward a permanent agreement.

(NBC)- A temporary pause in fighting has been announced between the United States and Iran, as both sides move toward negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. President Donald Trump says a two-week ceasefire is now in effect, giving both nations time to work toward a permanent agreement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. will ensure Iran follows the terms…

Morning Business Report: Markets surge on Iran ceasefire, airlines raise fees, and used car prices climb

Morning Business Report: Markets surge on Iran ceasefire, airlines raise fees, and used car prices climb

(LILAMAX)-  Stocks surged overnight, with the Dow jumping as much as 900 points following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire. Oil prices also dropped sharply, falling 17 percent on hopes of stability in global energy markets. The agreement is tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil shipments worldwide. In the auto market, used car prices…

Orion crew releases new images of the moon

The Orion crew is sharing a breathtaking new batch of lunar images, offering some of the most detailed views of the moon ever captured.

(NBC)-  NASA released what officials are calling a “mega download” of photos from the Artemis mission, showcasing never-before-seen crater details and sweeping views of the lunar surface. Among the highlights — a striking image of Earth from nearly 250,000 miles away, along with a modern take on the iconic Apollo 8 “Earthrise” photo from 1968. Astronauts also captured images of…

Search intensifies for missing woman who vanished at sea in the Bahamas

A search-and-rescue mission is intensifying for a 56-year-old woman who vanished at sea in the Bahamas.

(NBC)- Authorities say Lynette Hooker disappeared during an evening boat ride with her husband, Brian Hooker. Video obtained by NBC News shows rescue crews combing the waters in the hours after she went missing. According to police, the couple left around 7:30 p.m. Saturday on an eight-foot dinghy, traveling from Hope Town to Elbow Cay. Brian Hooker told investigators that…

Vice president JD Vance visits Hungary ahead of high-stakes election

Vice president  JD Vance is in Hungary, showing support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán just days before a pivotal national election.

(CNN)- The upcoming vote is being described as the most consequential in Hungary since the fall of communism, with Orbán facing his toughest challenge after 16 years in power. JD Vance’s visit has drawn criticism from Orbán’s opponent, Peter Magyar, who called it a form of election interference. During a joint appearance with Orbán, Vance pushed back on those claims,…

American journalist Shelly Kittleson freed after abduction in Iraq

Journalist Shelly Kittleson was freed after being kidnapped in Baghdad last week.

(NBC)- An American journalist who was abducted in Iraq has been released, according to U.S. officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that journalist Shelly Kittleson was freed after being kidnapped in Baghdad last week. An Iran-backed Iraqi militia group, Kataib Hezbollah, said she would be released on the condition that she leave the country immediately. Rubio said the…

Macon Kid Spring Fling Market to feature 23 youth entrepreneurs

The event is set for April 11 from noon to 3 p.m. and will feature vendors ages 6 to 15.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Kid Spring Fling Market is scheduled for this weekend and will feature 23 youth entrepreneurs. The event is set for April 11 from noon to 3 p.m. and will feature vendors ages 6 to 15. The event will take place at Fort Hawkins, located at 736 Emery Highway. The market is hosted by Little…

Gray woman charged after alleged $500K theft from Macon church

According to the news release, after discovering suspicious and fraudulent activity, the conference reported its findings to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A woman was arrested in connection with a Georgia RICO Act violation investigation, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The incident was reported October 28, 2025. According to a news release, the Criminal Investigation Division responded to a complaint from leaders of the South Georgia United Methodist Conference, where it was reported that, in recent…

Forsyth man faces prison after passport fraud guilty plea

Prosecutors say the defendant used another person’s identity for years before the case was uncovered.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Forsyth man who federal prosecutors say used a stolen identity to obtain a U.S. passport has pleaded guilty and now faces prison time, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. According to a news release, 54-year-old Roan Lynch, a Jamaican citizen, pleaded guilty Monday to making a false statement in…

Macon hospitals raise Donate Life flag to honor donors, encourage registration

Piedmont Macon facilities mark Donate Life Month by raising awareness about the need for organ donors

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – April marks Donate Life Month, and in Macon, two hospitals raised a flag to honor organ donors and encourage others to register. At Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital, the Donate Life flag now flies as a symbol of hope. Hospital leaders say the ceremony is meant to recognize donors, their families and…

Buc-ee’s construction continues as officials mark groundbreaking in Monroe County

President of Buc-ee’s Arch Aplin, he says he’s bringing in the 4th Buc-ee’s in Georgia, due to the traffic interstate 75 brings to the Monroe County area. 

Buc-ee’s Forsyth groundbreaking (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Monroe County leaders held a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday for a new Buc-ee’s location, even as work on the site has already been underway for several months. The new Buc-ee’s will be located at 1080 Rumble Road near Interstate 75, becoming the fourth location in Georgia and second in our viewing area….

Piedmont Macon shares resources ahead of Black Maternal Health Week

"Black mothers have a higher mortality rate and it's not just about race," says Willingham. "It's against the biases and access to healthcare that these women experience."

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As Black Maternal Health Week approaches, Piedmont Macon is raising awareness about the disparities Black mothers face and sharing resources to support mothers and families throughout pregnancy and the postpartum journey. Kari Willingham, director of women’s services at Piedmont Macon, says it is important that mothers listen to their bodies if something doesn’t feel right. “Black…

Bethel CME Church to host Fort Valley State University Choir Concert

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fort Valley State University Choir and Bethel CME Church.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Fort Valley State University Choir is set to perform a concert at Bethel CME Church this weekend. The concert is scheduled for April 11 at Bethel CME Church, located at 1668 Pio Nono Ave. in Macon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 6 p.m. Church member Freeman Lester says Bethel CME…

Explosions in Tehran as Trump sets deadline for Iran deal, tensions escalate

Fresh explosions were reported in Tehran as Donald Trump increases pressure on Iran to reach a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

(NBC)- Fresh explosions were reported in Tehran as Donald Trump increases pressure on Iran to reach a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The president has set an 8:00 p.m. Eastern deadline, warning of severe consequences if an agreement is not reached. “After that, they’re going to have no bridges. They’re going to have no…

Morning Business Report: Tax refunds rise as markets climb and new child investment accounts announced

The average tax refund is higher so far this filing season, according to Internal Revenue Service data.

(NBC)- The average tax refund is higher so far this filing season, according to Internal Revenue Service data. As of March 27, the average refund for individual filers is $3,521—up about $350 compared to roughly $3,170 at the same time last year. The IRS says it has received about 88.4 million individual returns so far, out of approximately 164 million…

Father dies saving children from rip current in Florida

Ryan Jennings is being remembered as a husband, father, and hero after giving his life to save his children.

(NBC)- A family vacation turned into tragedy after a father died while rescuing his children from dangerous ocean conditions in Palm Beach County. Ryan Jennings is being remembered as a husband, father, and hero after giving his life to save his children from a powerful rip current. “He was like my real-life hero, just as he was for everybody else—so…

Artemis II astronauts break distance record

Now on day six, the Artemis II crew has reached a maximum distance of roughly 252,000 miles from Earth

(CNN)- The NASA Artemis II mission is making history, as the crew travels farther from Earth than any humans before President Donald  Trump spoke with the astronauts Monday, congratulating both the crew and mission teams for what he called an “incredible, historic mission.” He also emphasized the broader goal of the program, signaling future plans beyond the current mission. “We’ll…