Morning Business Report: Oil prices surge above $80 as markets fall, Gap sales miss, and Walmart helmet recall announced

Trump administration considers steps to address rising oil prices as Middle East tensions disrupt markets and a new survey finds changing happy hour habits.

(LILAMAX)- Oil prices surged and stock markets fell as global tensions disrupted energy markets, while a major retailer reported weather-related sales impacts, federal officials announced a product recall and new research suggested Americans are redefining “happy hour.” Administration weighing options to address rising oil prices The Donald Trump administration is weighing several options to address the spike in oil and…

Man identified after overnight Macon shooting

Deputies responded to an emergency call just before 1 a.m. in the 3400 block of Houston Avenue after a report of a person down.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— A man is dead following a shooting in Macon, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to an emergency call just before 1 a.m. in the 3400 block of Houston Avenue after a report of a person down. When they arrived, deputies found a 42-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound outside a residence. Paramedics…

UPDATE: Two more suspects arrested in Macon killing of 19-year-old Dantwan Wynes

Investigators say a 15-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man were arrested Thursday in connection with the January shooting.

Ja’Nike Adams (Credit: Bibb County Sheriff’s Office)UPDATE (3/5/26): The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says it has made additional arrests in connection with the death of 19-year-old Dantwan Wynes in January. According to an updated news release, investigators identified a 15-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man as suspects, and both were taken into custody just before 7 a.m. Thursday. The 15-year-old…

Weekend Watch: Family-friendly fun awaits in Middle Georgia this weekend

Family events, live entertainment and downtown festivals highlight this weekend’s activities across Middle Georgia.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Looking for things to do this weekend in Middle Georgia? Here’s the Weekend Watch: 21st annual Kid’s Fishing Derby Start your Saturday at Javor Lucas Lake in Jones County, where the Macon Water Authority and Macon Water Alliance are hosting the 21st Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby. Registration opens at 7 a.m., fishing starts at 7:30, and…

Macon man sentenced to 25 years for shooting domestic partner

The charges stem from an April 12, 2024, incident on Date Avenue, where Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim.

Hiakeem Dillard (Credit: BIbb County Sheriff’s Office)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after authorities say he shot his domestic partner and attempted to mislead investigators, according to a news release from the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Hiakeem Dillard was sentenced March 3, 2026, to 25 years, with the first 10…

Trump says he’s replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem with GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin

President says Noem will become special envoy for new Western Hemisphere security initiative after contentious hearings and criticism over immigration crackdown.

PHOTO: Trump fires DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Photo Date: 03/03/2026By MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Trump made the announcement on social media on Thursday, two days after Noem faced a grilling on Capitol…

Bibb superintendent Dr. Dan Sims says district addressing chronic absenteeism as Monday and Friday absences increase

Bibb County Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims says students need to be at school Monday through Friday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County School District Superintendent Dan Sims says chronic absenteeism is an ongoing problem in the district, and officials are rolling out new programs to address the issue. “Students are missing significant learning when they are not at school,” Sims said. According to Sims, the district is seeing 1,200 to 1,500 more students missing school on…

U.S. and Israel strike Iran as air raid sirens sound in Jerusalem and explosions hit Tehran

The overnight developments come as both countries increase military operations against Iranian targets.

(NBC)- Air raid sirens sounded across Jerusalem and explosions rocked Tehran as the United States and Israel traded strikes with Iran, marking a dangerous escalation in the conflict that is now drawing global attention. The overnight developments come as both countries increase military operations against Iranian targets. U.S. officials say the strikes are aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and…

Morning Business Report: Americans tapping retirement savings as hardship withdrawals hit record high while homeowners stay put and stocks rebound

Americans are tapping retirement savings as financial pressures grow while homeowners stay put and markets rebound.

(LILAMAX)-More Americans are turning to their retirement savings to cover financial emergencies as economic pressures continue to mount. New data from Vanguard Group shows that six percent of workers with 401(k) plans it administers took hardship withdrawals last year, marking a record high. Before the pandemic, the average rate was around two percent. The increase represents the sixth consecutive year…

State Rep. Miriam Paris (D) highlights legislative priorities and International Women’s Day Ceremony at Georgia State Capitol

State Rep. Miriam Paris (D) is continuing her work under the Gold Dome this legislative session while also preparing to celebrate women’s leadership across Georgia.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – State Rep. Miriam Paris (D), who represents District 142 in Macon, serves on several committees in the Georgia House, including Appropriations, Education, Economic Development and Tourism, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, and Urban Affairs. During an interview, she discussed the issues she is focusing on during the current legislative session and the concerns she is hearing from…

Macon Water Authority to host 21st annual Kids Fishing Derby at Javors Lucas Lake

The free event will take place at Javors Lucas Lake, 150 Broach Lane in Jones County.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Macon Water Authority will host its 21st annual Kids Fishing Derby on March 7. The free event will take place at Javors Lucas Lake, 150 Broach Lane in Jones County. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and fishing starts at 7:30 a.m. An awards presentation is scheduled for 11 a.m. The derby is open to children…

Georgia Business Focus: State budget signed, major investments announced

The updates include tax relief in Georgia’s amended budget, rising gas prices, VA upgrades in Dublin and expanded cancer care access.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –   Governor Brian Kemp has signed Georgia’s amended $2 billion budget, which features significant income and property tax relief for residents. Key investments include $325 million for education and workforce development, $225 million for public safety, more than $400 million for mental healthcare, $1.6 billion for transportation infrastructure and nearly $60 million to boost rural development across…

Jones County residents file lawsuit challenging M-2 data center ordinance

Plaintiffs ask court to declare January 16 ordinance void, alleging due process violations

File: January 2026GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents in Jones County have filed a declaratory action challenging the M-2 Data Center Ordinance passed earlier this year on January 16. According to the plaintiffs’ attorney, the lawsuit asks the court to declare the ordinance void. The plaintiffs accuse Jones County of violating the Georgia Zoning Procedures Law, the county’s own Comprehensive Land…

Flint Energies builds new substation in Houston County as growth continues

Flint Energies has put a new substation in Houston County to boost power delivery speed and reliability due to the 20% growth in Houston County.   

Flint Energies new substation (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)KATHLEEN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Flint Energies has put a new substation in Houston County to boost power delivery speed and reliability due to the 20% growth in Houston County.    Vice President of cooperative communications at Flint Energies Marian McLemore says this substation is mainly to keep up with the growth and demand in Kathleen.   “Over the last 10…

Cochran-Bleckley Chamber announces Second Saturday concert, March events

Melissa Barker, president and CEO of the chamber, said events are planned throughout the year with a focus on bringing the community together.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Cochran-Bleckley County Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its Second Saturday event and encouraging the community to take part in upcoming family-friendly activities. Melissa Barker, president and CEO of the chamber, said events are planned throughout the year with a focus on bringing the community together. Second Saturday is scheduled for March 14 and will…

Texas and North Carolina primaries set stage for high-stakes Senate battles in 2026 midterms

The first primary results of the 2026 midterm elections are in, setting up key races that could determine control of the U.S. Senate.

(NBC)- The first primary results of the 2026 midterm elections are in, setting up key races that could determine control of the U.S. Senate. In Texas, four-term Republican incumbent John Cornyn will head to a May runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote in the Republican primary. Cornyn has criticized Paxton…

Morning Business Report: Trump threatens to cut trade with Spain as Target invests billions to refresh stores

New economic developments are unfolding globally and on Wall Street as trade tensions rise and major retailers invest.

(LILAMAX)- President Donald Trump says the United States could cut all trade with Spain amid a dispute over military bases and defense spending. The disagreement centers on U.S. military operations at bases in southern Spain. The United States recently relocated 15 aircraft, including refueling tankers, from the Rota and Morón air bases after Spain’s socialist government said it would not…

U.S. working to evacuate Americans stranded in Middle East as conflict with Iran intensifies

The U.S. government says it is working on multiple options to help Americans stranded in the Middle East as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran continues.

(CNN)- The U.S. government says it is working on multiple options to help Americans stranded in the Middle East as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate across the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the situation Tuesday, saying the State Department is exploring several ways to safely move Americans out of affected areas. “It’s…

Man arrested after firing shots into air in downtown Macon

Investigators said 26-year-old Adam Brent McDuffie Jr. was seen firing shots into the air March 2, 2026, while walking in an alleyway near Third Street and Cherry Street Lane.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man was arrested after shots were fired in downtown Macon, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said 26-year-old Adam Brent McDuffie Jr. was seen firing shots into the air March 2, 2026, while walking in an alleyway near Third Street and Cherry Street Lane. Authorities clarified that no person, vehicle or building was…

BS Report: Hawks playing better basketball

Well. The Atlanta Hawks will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks up in Wisconsin. It’s their only road game in a four week stretch. They had a five game homestand. Then they’ll have this game on Wednesday night in Milwaukee and they’ll come back home for another five game homestand. So a…

Baldwin County jury convicts Indiana man in GCSU student assault case

Prosecutors say the case involved a 2024 incident at a tanning salon where a Georgia College student was working alone.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — An Indiana man was convicted Tuesday of multiple sexual offenses after a Baldwin County jury found him guilty in connection with a 2024 incident involving a Georgia College & State University student. According to a release from the office of District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale III, Thomas James Gregory was convicted in Baldwin County Superior Court…

Four sentenced in Macon drug trafficking investigation

Federal investigators say the group distributed cocaine and possessed dozens of firearms during the operation.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Four people were sentenced to federal prison this week after investigators dismantled a Macon-based armed drug trafficking network that distributed kilograms of cocaine and possessed dozens of firearms, including a machine gun. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the sentences stem from the FBI’s two-year investigation…

BBB warns Middle Georgia residents about jury duty scams

Scammers are posing as law enforcement officers and demanding payment for missed jury duty, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Jury Duty scams (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia is warning the public about a rise in jury duty scams targeting residents. The BBB says jury duty scams are a form of imposter fraud in which scammers attempt to steal money. CEO and President Kelvin Collins says scammers will call pretending to be…

Atrium Health Navicent Wellness Center shares advice for working out during allergy season, looks ahead to Cherry Blossom Road Race 5K

Seneker also said the Wellness Center is hosting the Cherry Blossom Road Race 5K at 8:30 a.m. March 21.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Atrium Health Navicent Wellness Center is offering advice for people who want to exercise during allergy season. Lisa Seneker, manager of Health Promotion Services at the Wellness Center/Fitness Center at Navicent Lofts, said working out outdoors during peak allergy season can be difficult for some people. “Getting outside is important,” said Seneker. “But as more and…