Mercer University names Ryan Ridder next men’s basketball head coach

Mercer University announced Friday it has named Ryan Ridder as the program's 30th head coach.

Ryan Ridder (Photo: utmsports.com)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer University announced Friday it has named Ryan Ridder as the program’s 30th men’s basketball head coach. He replaces Greg Gary, whose contract was not renewed after the 2023-24 season. Ridder led UT Martin to 48 wins over the last three seasons, included a 21-11 record in 2023-24. The Lexington, Kentucky native is…

“Operation Wrong Exit” underway in Twiggs County

"Operation Wrong Exit" is an ongoing effort to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries within Twiggs County.

Courtesy: Facebook: Georgia GOHS TWIGGS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – “Operation Wrong Exit” is underway in Twiggs County. “Operation Wrong Exit” is an ongoing effort to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries within Twiggs County, according to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office.  The operation is also aimed at keeping impaired drivers off the road. The operation will be conducted March 15th from…

Cherry Blossom Festival off to a wet start

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia has seen many wet weekends this year, and that is once again the case as the 42nd Annual Cherry Blossom Festival begins. The Rest of the Evening Afternoon thunderstorms will turn into evening rain and eventually showers as time goes by. It will be a very muggy night with low temperatures only expected to…

‘Bikers for Bob Charity Ride’ to raise awareness about cancer

The ride is in support of Bob Melvin who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and to raise awareness about cancer.

MONTEZUMA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)  —  The Bikers for Bob Charity Ride, benefitting Bob Melvin, is March 16th. The ride is in support of Bob Melvin who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and to raise awareness about cancer. The event is also to support the Central Georgia Cancer Care Foundation and others in the community who are battling cancer. Registration begins at…

Lyanta’ Tomlin Productions hosting casting call for play

The casting call for the play will be held at New Life Christian Church in Macon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)  — Pastor Lyanta Tomlin of New Life Christian Church is hosting a casting call for a new book and play. Tomlin is making and promoting his book and play through his production company, Lyanta’ Tomlin Productions. The play is titled ‘Traveling to Canaan.’ There will be two casting dates:  April 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m….

The Perrys and The Kingsmen to perform at Cherry Blossom Festival Gospel Event

The International Cherry Blossom Festival will feature a gospel concert on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The International Cherry Blossom Festival will feature a gospel concert on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. The event, happening at Tattnall Square Baptist Church, located at 4925 Zebulon Road, is presented by LightShine Promotions. The Perrys and The Kingsmen will perform with special guests King’s Cross. Tickets are $25, with special rates available for groups…

Woman charged after triple shooting outside CRU Lounge in Warner Robins

A woman is charged after three people were shot outside a lounge early Friday.

Katlyn Green (Photo: Warner Robins Police Department)WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A woman is charged after three people were shot outside a lounge early Friday. A Warner Robins Police Department news release says it happened just before 2 a.m. at CRU Lounge, located at 85 S Highway 247 in Warner Robins. 24-year-old Katlyn Green is charged in connection with the…

Storms possible today, Dry Saturday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Good morning to you all! Hope your Friday is off to a good start! This morning we are in the 50s. A level 1/5 threat for severe weather has been issued for today. Some strong winds, small hail, or perhaps a brief tornado will be possible. The timing for severe storms will likely be this afternoon…

Former HoCo Baseball Star Drew Burress adapts to collegiate baseball

Georgia Tech Freshman OF Drew Burress has made a name for himself to start off his collegiate baseball career

ATLANTA, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Former Houston County Baseball Star Drew Burress has made quite a name for himself in the early part of the 2024 NCAA baseball season with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Burress commited to Georgia tech, just like many former Bears commit to Division-1 NCAA schools, even when he knew he could be drafted into Major…

Middle Georgia State baseball beats Stillman twice in doubleheader

The Knights took care of Stillman 6-5 in game one, and 11-0 in game two

COCHRAN, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia State University (12-12) swept a doubleheader with Stillman University Thursday, as part of a three game series. The Knights won game one 6-5, and took game two 11-0. MGA has beaten Stillman 16 of the last 17 times the two teams have faced each other. These two battle in the last game of…

HIGHLIGHTS: Houston County sweeps three game series with Veterans

The Bears took game two and three Thursday afternoon against the Warhawks to improve to 6-0 in AAAAAA Region 1 Play

KATHLEEN, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Houston County Bears beat the Veterans WarHawks in Kathleen twice on Thursday to sweep their three game series. Game one saw the Bears come back from being down 3-2 in the Fifth Inning, to win 14-4. HoCo had an easier time in game two, as they pick up the win 6-1. Houston County starts…

Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Festival’s ‘Super Saturday’ this weekend

The biggest event of the festival, Super Saturday, is happening this weekend, and it promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just a couple of days away! The city has been hosting events throughout the month of March to celebrate the holiday. In fact, the festival is the longest St. Patrick’s festival in the state of Georgia with more than 40 events taking place throughout the month. The biggest event of…

Rain to arrive in Middle Georgia Friday afternoon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An incoming cold front will bring thunderstorms and rain Friday afternoon through the evening. This Evening While the sun remains out skies will remain mostly clear, however cloud cover is expected to increase during the overnight hours. Winds will come from the south-southwest overnight at around 5 mph. With conditions having become more humid over the…

Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony moved due to threat of weather

The Festival's Opening Ceremony will now take place at the Douglass Theatre on Friday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The International Cherry Blossom Festival’s Opening Ceremony, usually held at Carolyn Crayton Park, will be held at the Douglass Theatre on Friday. That’s according to the Festival’s Director of Marketing and Fulfillment, Hannah Theus. “Due to the weather, the Cherry Blossom Festival is moving our Opening Ceremony to The Douglass Theatre,” she wrote in an email…

Bibb County candidate for sheriff ordered to pay thousands to employees of his private business

After nearly three years, a lawsuit filed against Bibb County Sheriff Candidate and business owner, Christopher Paul, has ended.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – After nearly three years, a lawsuit filed against Bibb County Sheriff Candidate and business owner, Christopher Paul, has ended. In March of 2021, two employees filed a lawsuit in federal court against Paul’s company, CP Security Groups, Inc. Kenneth Grable and Arthur Redding accused their boss, Christopher Paul, of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. Their…

Inmate at Macon State Prison dead after fight with roommate

The death is being investigated by the Georgia Department of Corrections.

OGLETHORPE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An inmate at Macon State Prison is dead after an altercation with his roommate, according to the Georgia Department of Corrections. The body of Reginald Ginn has been turned over to the county coroner and transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death. The death is being investigated by the…

UPDATE: Location change for Pink Provisions Preview Party on Friday

The Pink Provisions Preview Party will usher in the 2024 International Cherry Blossom Festival on Friday, March 15.

UPDATE (3/14) – Due to the current inclement weather forecasted for Friday, the Pink Provisions Preview Party will now be held at the Macon Terminal Station at 200 Cherry Street. The party will still be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Pink Provisions Preview Party will usher in the 2024 International Cherry Blossom…

Man dies in single-vehicle accident in Macon

The Houston Avenue and Broadway intersection was closed early Thursday as a result of the accident but is now back open.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man died Thursday morning after crashing his vehicle into a utility pole. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the single-vehicle crash happened at 1:32 a.m. near the intersection of Broadway and Houston Avenue. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as 30 year-old Dmondo Eugene Simmons. Deputies say Simmons was driving a silver…

Wonderful forecast for today!

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Good morning to you all! Hope your Thursday is of to a good start! Weather wise we are in the 40s right now. Today we will see plenty of sunshine with temperatures in the 80s. Get out and enjoy the nice weather today!However, rain and thunderstorms are forecasted to return to the region on Friday, with…

Takeo Spikes part of 2024 NFHS National High School Hall of Fame

Former Washington County High School football legend and NFL Star Takeo Spikes will be a member of the 2024 class inducted into the The National Federation of State High School Associations National High School Hall of Fame.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Former Washington County High School football legend and NFL Star Takeo Spikes will be a member of the 2024 class inducted into the The National Federation of State High School Associations National High School Hall of Fame. 1994’s Atlanta Journal Constitution and Region player of the year spent his four years with the Golden Hawks,…

HIGHLIGHTS: Peach County dominates Southwest 15-0 in three innings

The Peach County Trojans get win number 11 at home against the Southwest Patriots

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Peach County Trojans (12-2) took care of the Southwest Patriots (2-5) at home Tuesday evening by winning 15-0 in just three innings. Peach County heads to Taylor County Thursday at 6:00 p.m., while Southwest heads to Rutland next on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Categories: Local Sports, Sports Tags: Fort Valley, GHSA, GHSA baseball, Peach…

HIGHLIGHTS: Bleckley County takes down Mary Persons 7-4

The Bleckley County Royals beat the Mary Persons Bulldogs in Forsyth by a score of 7-4

FORSYTH, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Bleckley County baseball (5-5) played Mary Persons (5-6) in Forsyth Tuesday evening. The Royals took an early 3-0 lead off the back of great hitting in the start of their rotation. However, the Bulldogs stayed in it with a home run in the bottom of the first inning to make the score 3-1. From there,…

HIGHLIGHTS: Houston County beats rival Veterans 3-0

The Bears remains undefeated in GHSA Regional play as they beat rival Veterans in the first game of the three game series

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Houston County Bears (11-3) beat the Veterans Warhawks (7-4) by a final score of 3-0 on Wednesday evening at the Garden. This was game one of a three game series. The last two games will be played at Veterans on Thursday in a doubleheader starting at 4:30 p.m. Categories: Local Sports, Sports Tags:…

Pollen levels stay high as temperatures continue to warm

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temperatures will climb into the 80s Thursday as trees continue to bloom. The Rest of the Evening The scattered thin clouds over Middle Georgia this afternoon will slowly clear out through the overnight hours. Expect low temperatures in the mid to upper 40s around the region. Wind tonight will shift from the southwest to the northwest…