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…

Travis Tritt to perform at Macon City Auditorium in September

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. on September 25.

Travis TrittUPDATE: The Macon City Auditorium announced Tuesday night that the Travis Tritt concert originally scheduled for Saturday, September 26 will now happen Friday, September 25. Click here to sign up for presale access. ORIGINAL STORY: MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Country music singer Travis Tritt will perform at the Macon City Auditorium in September. Country music star Travis Tritt is…

Hollywood Minute: Scary Movie trailer sparks buzz, Fringe streams free on Pluto TV

Hollywood is buzzing after the release of the first trailer for the new “Scary Movie.”

(CNN)- Hollywood is buzzing after the release of the first trailer for the new “Scary Movie,” and it’s already stirring conversation. The preview opens with over-the-top gags and sharp-edged satire, including a scene that plays on modern pronoun usage and slasher-movie clichés. The franchise’s signature mix of parody and potentially offensive humor is front and center, signaling a return to…

Middle East war intensifies as U.S. embassies close, Americans stranded

War in the Middle East is intensifying, triggering a scramble to move Americans out of harm’s way.

(NBC)- War in the Middle East is intensifying, triggering a scramble to move Americans out of harm’s way as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran expands. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by drones, though a Saudi official told NBC News that no injuries were reported. In response to escalating threats, several U.S. embassies across the region…

Morning Business Report: Oil prices surge after Iran reportedly closes Strait of Hormuz, mortgage rates rise

Oil prices are surging and global markets are reacting after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reportedly announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters report.

(LILAMAX)- Oil prices are surging and global markets are reacting after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reportedly announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters report. Roughly one-third of the world’s seaborne oil exports passed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, making it one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world. An Iranian commander has…

Restaurant Report Card: Middle Georgia food service inspection scores February 23-27

The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, February 23 and Friday, February 27.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – This week’s Restaurant Report Card provides food service inspection scores across Middle Georgia, as released by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, February 23 and Friday, February 27. Understanding the scores Scores 69 and below (unsatisfactory): Highlighted in red. Scores 70-99 (satisfactory): Displayed in black. Scores of 100 (perfect):…

BS Report: Pitchers Look Promising

Well, we are starting to see some good signs from the Atlanta Braves starting pitchers down in Florida. It’s early. They’re still three and a half weeks of spring training to go before the start of the regular season on March the 27th, but so far, so good. Now, on Saturday, Spencer Strider through his first Grapefruit League game. And…