Francars
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Francar’s restaurant back open after briefly closing earlier this year

The restaurant is adding new menu items and posting on social media to intice new and returning customers.
Andrew Willis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An iconic restaurant in the Mercer University community is still open after briefly closing its doors earlier this year. Francar’s Buffalo Wings closed for 17 days in March due to staffing shortages and low sales caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. After an outpouring of support from the community, the restaurant was able to re-open. Francar’s owner,…

100 Deadliest Days
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Teen drivers reminded to not drive distracted or impaired during summer months

According to AAA, nearly 30% of fatal traffic crashes involving teen drivers in Georgia occur during a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day called “the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.”
Andrew Willis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Learning how to drive is a rite of passage that can be exciting for any teen driver, but while driving is a necessary skill, getting behind the wheel also has its risks.  Marquis Jordan has been driving since he was 13 years old. At age 19, he urges other teen drivers to put their seat belts…

Untitled Presentation 2023 07 04t144137652
Baldwin County, Featured, Local News

Georgia College & State University hires new Chief Diversity Officer

Haley Janes,

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Georgia College & State University has hired a new chief diversity officer. GCSU says Dr. Michael Snowden started in his position as chief diversity officer on July 1st, and that he’ll be welcoming one of the largest and most diverse freshmen classes in years. Snowden previously served as the vice president of Inclusion and Diversity at…

Untitled Presentation 2023 07 04t123355706
Featured, Local News, Telfair County

Telfair County Sheriff’s Office seizes guns and drugs

Haley Janes,

MCRAE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Telfair County Sheriff’s Office made a post on social media on Monday concerning several drugs and guns that were seized. According to the post, TCSO found the following and prevented them from reaching the streets: 3.7 Ounces Methamphetamine 3 Ounces Ecstasy 2.3 Ounces Marijuana 1.6 Ounces Crack Cocaine 1.1 Ounces Oxycodone 1.1 Ounces Mushrooms 20…

Tech Byte: Phone Accessories That Will Make Your Fourth Of July Easier
Tech Byte

Tech Byte: Phone accessories that will make your Fourth of July easier

Finn Balfour,

The Fourth of July is here and for many people, that means travel, fireworks shows, and sometimes dead or dropped phones. In today’s Tech Byte, five products that can help you prepare for your Fourth of July celebrations. First up, a convenient charger bundle. If you have an older device, you’ve probably struggled to find a charger cable while away…

Discover Middle Georgia: Our Local Birds And Birdwatching
Discover Middle Georgia, Featured, Local News

Discover Middle Georgia: Our local birds and birdwatching

Haley Janes, Drake Rozelle,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Colorful, musical, and everywhere you look, you can’t go far outside without seeing one of the members of nature’s choir: birds. We spoke with Marc Jolley, a professor at Mercer who also happens to work with the Ocmulgee Audubon Society, which is the local chapter for the Middle Georgia area. Jolley says there’s lots of benefits…

1232
Featured, Local News, Weather

Heat and scattered storms return for Independence Day

Highs for the 4th of July will once again heat into the mid 90s with scattered storms possible during the afternoon and evening.
Cecilia Reeves,

It was another stormy day for parts of Middle Georgia, with most of us seeing some calm weather for the evening. The 4th of July will be another hot day in the area with highs in the mid-90s. Humidity will be high, which means our “feels like” temps will be warming into the 100s. By the afternoon and evening, storms…

Untitled Presentation 2
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Preparations underway for Lake Tobesofkee’s ‘Sparks Over the Park’ Independence Day Celebration

The 27th annual 4th of July Celebration on Tuesday, which will conclude with a fireworks show, is expected to bring thousands of people to Lake Tobesofkee for food, fun and festivities.
Andrew Willis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – If you’re planning on going to Lake Tobesofkee this Fourth of July, you can expect to find food, fun and fireworks during the 27th annual “Sparks Over the Park” Independence Day Celebration. Park staff, lifeguards, food vendors and first responders are preparing for the day of festivities, with a turnout expected to be in the thousands….

Screenshot 406
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Local shelter urges pet protection this Independence Day

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, All About Animals shelter in Macon is urging local pet owners to ensure the safety of their animals during noise from fireworks.
Edward Smart,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, All About Animals shelter in Macon is urging local pet owners to ensure the safety of their animals during noise from fireworks. Shelter staff and volunteers report an increase in missing dogs during past fireworks celebrations. The shelter is advising pet owners to keep their dogs inside a secure…

Unity Service
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Hundreds from across Georgia attend unity service to support Temple Beth Israel

Local and state leaders, as well as clergy and community members, gathered in Macon on Sunday to condemn the antisemitic rally that took place a week earlier.
Andrew Willis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temple Beth Israel received an outpouring of support Sunday in the wake of an antisemitic rally that took place in front of the synagogue one week earlier. “There were those people with such extreme hatred out there, and we were in the building just trying to understand how much of a threat they posed for us,”…

Mom To Mom: Diy Pool Noodle Firecracker Decoration
Mom to Mom

Mom to Mom: DIY pool noodle firecracker decoration

Finn Balfour,

Today on Mom to Mom, Mandy walks through an easy DIY firecracker decoration made of pool noodles. This Fourth of July craft is an inexpensive way for you and your kids to add some flare to tables. You can find everything you need at Dollar Tree for about $7.  To get started, you’ll need: Red and blue pool noodles Electric…

Morning Business Report: Teamsters Union Keeps Up Pressure Despite Offer From Ups
Morning Business Report

Morning Business Report: Teamsters Union keeps up pressure despite offer from UPS

Finn Balfour,

Negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters Union continue. UPS has around 340,000 unionized employees, represented by the Teamsters, under what is the largest private sector collective bargaining agreement in North America. The union is threatening a strike if a deal is not reached before the current contract expires at the end of July. While UPS has offered the Teamsters a…

Former Veterans Warhawk Basketball Player Returns Back To Middle Georgia As A Mercer Bear
Across Georgia Sports, Bibb County, Featured, Houston County, Local Sports, Sports, WMGT

Former Veterans Warhawk basketball player returns to Middle Georgia as a Mercer Bear

"It feels so good," Stacie Jones said. "There's no separation from me and my family."
Shaaz Peerani,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Mercer women’s basketball team experienced a significant setback with the departure of nine student-athletes due to graduation or transferring to other schools. In response to this substantial loss, the Bears swiftly turned to the transfer portal to rebuild their roster, and in the process, they successfully recruited a talented hooper from Middle Georgia. “It feels…

Laurens County Gbi Murder Arrests Gfx
Featured, Laurens County, Local News

GBI investigation into missing Laurens County man leads to 2 arrests

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested two Laurens County residents in connection with the disappearance of James Douglas Wilkinson, who had been missing since June 1.
Tucker Sargent,

EAST DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)  — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested two Laurens County residents in connection with the disappearance of James Douglas Wilkinson, who had been missing since June 1. A GBI news release says 60-year-old Edwin Lamar Wilkinson and 55-year-old Leslie Young were arrested following the execution of a search warrant at a home on 883…

Untitled Presentation 2
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Stay safe, stay sober and stay with a buddy if you’re hitting the water this 4th of July

With large crowds anticipated for Lake Tobesofkee's Independence Day Celebration, emergency responders are stressing the importance of safe boating and swimming practices.
Andrew Willis,

MACON (41NBC/WMGT) – If you’re headed to the lake for the 4th of July weekend, it’s important to put safety first so everyone can have a good time. Whether you’re boating, swimming or relaxing on the beach, there are laws and guidelines everyone should follow to keep themselves and others safe. As hundreds prepare to visit Lake Tobesofkee for its…

Public Safety Day
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Macon-Bibb first responders host Public Safety Day to teach kids emergency preparedness

Members from all emergency response agencies in Macon-Bibb County gave safety demonstrations to kids from Union Baptist Church on Friday.
Andrew Willis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Kids from Macon’s Union Baptist Church got a chance to learn about how first responders handle emergencies during Macon-Bibb County’s Public Safety Day on Friday. Responders from the Sheriff’s Office, Code Enforcement, Emergency Management Agency and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division were at the Macon-Bibb Fire Department to teach kids about safety and help them feel…

Screenshot 402
Featured, Local News, Peach County

11th annual Unity Retreat in Fort Valley empowers youth to combat violence

The 11th Annual Unity Retreat, an initiative aimed at empowering youth and curbing violence, was held at the Camp John Hope center in Fort Valley on Friday.
Edward Smart,

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The 11th Annual Unity Retreat, an initiative aimed at empowering youth and curbing violence, was held at the Camp John Hope center in Fort Valley on Friday. The retreat, hosted by the Vicki Foundation, focuses on instilling valuable life skills and promoting teamwork among young attendees. “It was founded to curb youth violence,” Charles McGhee,…

Screenshot 2023 06 30 104935
Bibb County, Elections, Featured, Local News

Stanley Stewart announces run for Macon-Bibb District 3 Commissioner

Stanley Stewart has officially launched his campaign for the District 3 Commission seat in Macon-Bibb County.
Drake Rozelle,

  MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Stanley Stewart has officially launched his campaign for the District 3 Commission seat in Macon-Bibb County. He says he’s seeking to drive economic development and improve safety in east Macon. Stewart announced his candidacy Friday as the current District 3 Commissioner Elaine Lucas reaches the end of her term limit. “I’ve put a lot of…

Tech Report: 5g Service Is Coming To Airlines And Some Are Concerned
Tech Report

Tech Report: 5G service is coming to airlines and some are concerned

Finn Balfour,

Coming up on July 1, AT&T, Verizon, and other wireless carriers will bring 5G services to airplanes. Although 80% of domestic airlines have made adjustments to prevent technology interfering with equipment, flights could still be disrupted, says Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The chances of flights being delayed or canceled due to disruptions will increase on days with bad weather and…