UPDATE: Howard Middle School employee fired after inappropriate interactions with student

Suspect was fired and the Bibb Sheriff's Office is investigating

Photo Credit to Bibb County Sheriff’s Office — Cedric GoolsbyUPDATE: More details concerning the employee fired from Howard Middle for inappropriately interacting with a student have been released. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says the former employee involved in the case is 56-year-old  Cedric Goolsby. According to the incident report from the Sheriff’s Office, Thursday, February 23rd, officers began investigating…

Tech Byte: Is an EV the right car for you?

How the AAA is helping drivers decide

Electric cars are becoming a lot more popular these days, but how do you know if they’re right for you? The American Automobile Association is out with a Used EV Buyer’s Guide, to help drivers decide if going electric is right for them. The Auto Club Group found more consumers are looking for cars that are a little more high…

Tech Report: Snapchat launches AI chatbot

Snapchat has released a new tool called My AI. According to Snapchat, My AI “can recommend birthday gift ideas for your friends, plan a hiking trip, suggest a recipe for dinner, or even write a haiku.” It has been “trained to have a unique tone and personality.” The feature is currently only available to fee-paying Snapchat Plus subscribers. However, Snapchat…

Restaurant Report Card: Food service inspection scores February 20-24

Here are Middle Georgia's food service inspection scores from the Georgia Department of Public Health between Monday, February 20 and Friday, February 24, 2023.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Here are Middle Georgia’s food service inspection scores from the Georgia Department of Public Health between Monday, February 20 and Friday, February 24, 2023. All scores of 69 and below are shown in red, which is considered unsatisfactory on the state’s scale. All scores between 70 and 99 are shown in black. All scores of 100…

Morning Report: Rent for apartments falls

Rent for apartments fell in every major metropolitan area in the U.S. The decline took place over the past six months and continued through January. According to Apartment List, renters with new leases in January paid a median rent that was 3.5% lower than rates they would have paid in late August. The trend is expected to continue this year…

Houston County BOE honors former Black high school

In honor of Black History Month, the Houston County Board of Education unveiled a monument Monday afternoon at the former site of Houston High School.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In honor of Black History Month, the Houston County Board of Education unveiled a monument Monday afternoon at the former site of Houston High School. Houston High served as an all Black school during the segregation era before its closure in 1969. Superintendent Dr. Mark Scott, along with students who attended the school, spoke during the…

Fort Valley State University working to recruit more women, minority students for science, engineering jobs

Fort Valley State University is working to recruit women and minority students for science and engineering jobs.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Fort Valley State University is working to recruit women and minority students for science and engineering jobs. The university held a scholarship awards luncheon Monday afternoon as part of the school’s 40th annual Energy Career Day and Student Recruitment Conference. The luncheon was hosted by FVSU’s Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP), which works in partnership…

Vineville Academy hosts wax museum to celebrate Black History Month

Students dressed up as historic black figures of their choice and recited a speech in character.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Have you ever wanted to meet famous historical figures of Black History? Vineville Academy of the Arts might have something to help you do that. Fourth-grade students of Vineville Academy hosted a “wax museum” for fellow students and their parents. It was started by fourth-grade teachers Tyler Burns, Kimberly Hughes, and Courtney McCoy as a way…

Drowning victim at Amerson River Park found and identified

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The body of the man who went missing while swimming in the Ocmulgee River at Amerson River Park on Wednesday has been found. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the man was identified to be 22-year-old Jaivon Whitest. Around 11:24 a.m. on Monday, Members of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department Dive Team and Georgia Department…

Tech Report: The employment rate has improved for disabled people

How remote work improved accessibility last year

The percentage of disabled people who were employed rose to 21.3% In 2022, according to data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor statistics. That’s more than 2% higher in 2021, the highest since 2008. As companies adopted remote and hybrid work arrangements, more disabled people applied for and landed jobs. For some of these employees, this was their first opportunity to…

Staying warm to begin the new week

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temperatures will again climb into the 80s for much of Middle Georgia as February nears its end. Today A cloudy morning gave way to a mix of sun and clouds rolling into the late morning hours. Temperatures will rise into the upper 70s and lower 80s this afternoon across Middle Georgia. There will also be plenty…

Morning Report: Supreme Court takes on Biden’s student debt relief plan

The Supreme Court will take on the student debt relief plan this week. Beginning tomorrow, they will hear arguments regarding president Biden’s 400 billion dollar student loan debt program. The Supreme Court will work to determine if the plan is constitutional and if a president can enact such a policy without spending approval from Congress. Nike is facing an onslaught…

A bit cooler Saturday with mostly to partly cloudy skies

Cooler air will continue to push in across Middle Georgia tonight and tomorrow. Rain chances will decrease through the day Saturday.

Showers are staying mainly in the northern counties of Middle Georgia this evening, as a cold front stalls over the area. A few of these showers could linger into early Saturday, but most of us will see dry conditions by the afternoon. Skies will eventually start clearing a bit by the afternoon and evening, but highs should be limited to…

UPDATE: 3 wanted on animal neglect charges in Monroe County now in custody

Monroe County deputies were looking for three people they say are responsible for leaving more than 50 animals malnourished and five dogs dead.

Photos: Monroe County Sheriff’s OfficeUPDATE (2/24 5 p.m.) –  The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says all three suspects turned themselves in. MONROE COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Monroe County deputies are looking for three people they say are responsible for leaving more than 50 animals malnourished and five dogs dead. According to a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post, deputies responded…

UPDATE: Crews still searching for missing swimmer, Amerson River Park to remain closed

A man is missing in the Ocmulgee River after going underwater while swimming at Amerson River Park Wednesday afternoon.

UPDATE 2/24 (6 p.m.) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says the search for a missing swimmer at Amerson River Park has been suspended for a third day. Lt. Sean Defoe says crews will continue the search Saturday, and Amerson River Park will remain closed until further notice. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE 2/23 (5 p.m.) – According to Lt. Sean Defoe with…

Carl Vinson VA celebrates Black History Month with cultural festival

In honor of Black History Month, the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center hosted a cultural festival on Friday. The event included a food tasting, keynote speakers, traditional songs and African attire to celebrate the rich history of African Americans.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In honor of Black History Month, the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center hosted a cultural festival on Friday. The event included a food tasting, keynote speakers, traditional songs and African attire to celebrate the rich history of African Americans. Organizer Marcia Morris spoke about her inspiration for the event. “It’s important for us to recognize and…

Students help place crosses at historic cemetery in Dublin

The cemetery, founded in 1906, was largely forgotten until the late 1960's.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Cross the Creek Cemetery in Dublin, is receiving much-needed help from Dublin students. Students who participated in “Skills USA” along with the Dublin High School Beta Club, gathered at the cemetery to place crosses on marked grave sites of African Americans. The cemetery, founded in 1906, was largely forgotten until the late 1960’s. In 2015, Dublin…

Piedmont Macon holds free heart screening event

The Piedmont Macon Medical Center held its Healthy Heart Screening event Friday morning as part of American Heart Month.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Piedmont Macon Medical Center held its Healthy Heart Screening event Friday morning as part of American Heart Month. The free event included blood pressure screenings, weight and BMI checks, hip-to-waist ratio checks and a blood test to check cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels. Director of Cardiovascular Services, Debbie Bryan, explained why it is important for…

Bike Walk Macon to host historic Pleasant Hill bike tour Saturday

Bike Walk Macon is hosting a historic Pleasant Hill bicycle tour Saturday morning that will highlight the history and culture of the neighborhood that was founded in 1879.

  MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bike Walk Macon is hosting a historic Pleasant Hill bicycle tour Saturday morning that will highlight the history and culture of the neighborhood that was founded in 1879. Riders will pass more than 10 cultural and historical sites in Macon’s Pleasant Hill community. “A lot of people do know about Pleasant Hill,” resident Tonja Khabir…

Tech Report: Calls for ticket sale reform

Live Nation pushes for change after Taylor Swift fiasco

Live Nation is calling on the government to deter scalpers. After the fiasco with a Taylor Swift concert earlier this year, the company says that the industry needs to change. Specifically, Live Nation is calling for artist to have more control over how ticket resale is done and by whom. The company is also calling for more transparency from ticket…

Ask Angi: Modernizing your old home

If your home is feeling stale or outdated, it may be time to add some modern upgrades. Changing details like popcorn ceilings or old hardware and letting in natural light can go a long way when refreshing an older house. Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Agni, demonstrates how a few projects can modernize and increase the value of your…

Morning Report: Workers are cutting back on health expenses

How inflation is impacting health and retirement

Nearly 1 in 6 Americans are making efforts to cut back on their health expenses. Telus Health found that 13% of workers in the United States cite inflation as the cause. Health and wellness expenses not covered by insurance, such as glasses and gym memberships, are the first to go. Telus Health also reports that parents are almost twice as…

Daybreak exceeds goal of $250,000 during annual sleep out fundraiser

Almost 100 people are sleeping at Carolyn Crayton Park Thursday night in solidarity with the homeless.

File: February 2023MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Almost 100 people are sleeping at Carolyn Crayton Park Thursday night in solidarity with the homeless as part of Daybreak’s 10th annual Greater Macon Sleep Out—the organization’s biggest fundraiser each year that helps fund basic necessities for the homeless. Dozens of tents were set up at the park, which is not far away from…