Local organizations debunk warnings on sex trafficking

Mason Mourning, School Manager with Traffick Jam, says don't believe everything you read on social media.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Social media can connect us with friends and family we don’t see on a regular basis. It can also spread misinformation. A warning about zip ties on cars is making the rounds on TikTok, saying it’s a signal to sex trafficking. Mason Mourning, School Manager with Traffick Jam, says don’t believe everything you read on social media….

Senator Jon Ossoff pushing for military facility upgrades

He says military members need these upgrades for themselves and their families.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Senator Jon Ossoff and Senator from Texas, John Corryn, are pushing to get upgrades to military barracks, daycare centers, and other facilities. They hope to accomplish this by looking at the bill that funds the Department of Defense, increasing resources for those facilities. Senator Ossoff says he spoke with junior enlisted personnel, and listened their concerns about…

National Black Growers Council holds Model Farm Field Day

"It's an awesome opportunity to come and engage with current and future producers, but there's a whole host of information out there to help and support our producers."

MONTEZUMA, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT)– The National Black Growers Council partnered with the USDA to speak with farmers in Macon County about the advances in agriculture in Georgia. Executive Director of the USDA Farmer’s Service Agency, Arthur Tripp, spoke to row crop producers about the different resources they can use. “It’s an awesome opportunity to come and engage with current and future producers,…

Peach County High School implements new security measures at athletic events

Peach County High School is taking precautionary measures to make sure its fans are safe during athletic events.

Peach County High School implements safety measure to its athletic eventsPeach County High SchoolFORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Peach County High School is taking precautionary measures to make sure its fans are safe during athletic events. If you’re planning to attend a PCHS sports event, you’ll now have to go through a metal detector. It’s just one of the safety…

Fort Valley State University receives grant to continue McNair Program

Fort Valley State University will continue giving students an opportunity to pursue a doctorate degrees.

Fort Valley State University receives grant to continue McNair ProgramMcNair ProgramFORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Fort Valley State University will continue giving students an opportunity to pursue a doctorate degrees. This is thanks to a $1.3 million grant for its McNair Program. Each year, the program helps 25 income eligible students conduct research. It also gives them the opportunity to…

Community comes together for clothing and food drive

Bob Fickling and the Macon Housing Moving to Success organization are hosting a “Pop Up Dress Up” clothing and food drive Saturday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Bob Fickling and the Macon Housing Moving to Success organization are hosting a “Pop Up Dress Up” clothing and food drive Saturday. The drive will offer free formal clothes and groceries, including canned goods, chicken and fresh produce. Rick Douglas, the owner of the Community Closet which is helping provide free suits, says a suit can…

UPDATE: 16-year-old arrested in connection with Eastman homicide

16-year-old Andre Lynn Johnson faces several charges following the death of 21-year-old Za'Quon Brown.

  UPDATE (8/26) : The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a 16-year-old is now in custody in connection with the death of 21-year-old Za’Quon Brown. A GBI news release says 16-year-old Andre Lynn Johnson of Rhine is charged with malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault. 38-year-old Jemel Wilcox of Rhine, Johnson’s mother, was arrested as well. She’s charged with…

Milledgeville Eatonton Film Festival returns in person after being virtual for two years

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— For the first time in two years, the Milledgeville Eatonton Film Festival is back in person. The pandemic forcer the festival to be virtual for the last two years. The four-day-long festival will feature more than 70 films from categories like comedy, horror, sci-fi, drama, Georgia-based shorts, and more. We spoke with the President of the festival,…

Tech Report: Rural America is fertile ground for healthcare innovation. US elections may be the next big bet for Wall Street.

Thousands of dollars could be gambled on who win the Congressional elections in November. A new V-R headset from META is set to debut in October. Tik Tok videos from Gen Z workers are taking down by Wall Street Banks. Small health systems and hospitals could be the home for tech innovation. Categories: Tech Report, Technology Tags: Congressinal, Meta, October,…

Scattered thunderstorms likely Friday afternoon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The return of some sunshine will provide fuel for scattered thunderstorms around Middle Georgia this afternoon. Today It was a cloudy morning once again around Middle Georgia, however we did not wake up to widespread rain this time. The northern counties in the region saw some sun for the first time this week as it rose…

Morning Business Report: IRS to spend $80 billion budget on customer-service representatives

Jerome Powell, federal reserve chair, provides an update today on the economic outlook that details what central banks think about inflation. The IRS plans to start spending its $80 billion budget by hiring people to answer the phone. The agency says better enforcement will take time, so they will use the money to hire customer-service representatives. A new poll says…

Mercer men’s soccer opens the season with a 5-2 victory

Mercer men's soccer team are the reigning SoCon tournament champions.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Mercer men’s soccer team, the reigning SoCon tournament champions, downed the Winthrop Eagles 5-2 in their regular season home opener. Dylan Gaither scored first on a penalty kick within seven minutes of the start of the game; however, Winthrop would tie the game with under six minutes left in the first half. Once again, in…

Community calls for answers in the death of Jamaya Warner

“This could be your baby. I just want everybody that knows something to just to tell something. I just need justice.”

Mother of Jamaya Warner, Brittany Goolsby (left). Pastor Melvin Warner (right)MACON, Ga (41NBC/WMGT)- Macon pastors, family members, community leaders and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office gathered at New Beginning International Fellowship of Covenant Churches on Thursday. They’re calling for justice in the murder of Jamaya Warner. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, she was shot near the corner of…

Historic Macon announces 2022 Fading Five list of endangered historic structures

Historic Macon announced its updated Fading Five list of endangered historic structures Thursday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Historic Macon announced its updated Fading Five list of endangered historic structures Thursday. 2022 marks the program’s eighth year. It targets historic sites in Macon-Bibb County that could be lost due to development issues or neglect. The Executive Director of Historic Macon, Ethiel Garlington, says it’s important to keep Macon’s history standing. “People are moving to…

Mercer students honor Korean War veterans

Mercer students are doing their part to honor Korean War veterans.

Dr. Paul Cable honored for Korean War service with plaque.MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Mercer students are doing their part to honor Korean War veterans. Mercer Mission began in 2015, with part of the program honoring Korean War veterans. Dr. Sinjae Hyun, a professor for the Biomedical Engineering Department at Mercer University, says the school decided to incorporate plaques with 3D…

Warner Robins accepting applications for CHIP grants

The City of Warner Robins is now accepting applications for its "Community Home Investment Program," also known as CHIP.

CHIP grant applications now open for the city of Warner RobinsCHIP grant WARNER ROBINS, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) — The City of Warner Robins is now accepting applications for its “Community Home Investment Program,” also known as CHIP. This program allows home owners to apply for up to $50,000 to help with home repairs. Those repairs can include HVAC, plumbing, a new roof…

Rutland Middle School students benefiting from weather system

Students at Rutland Middle School are learning about the benefits that come with having a weather system at the school.

Rutland Middle School Students learning about weather with weather systemWeather SystemMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Students at Rutland Middle School are learning about the benefits that come with having a weather system at the school. Instead of using a phone app to predict the weather, students at Rutland Middle School are using the system to collect information themselves. “It’s definitely interesting…

GDOT set to close Spring Street for overpass bridge demolition

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Spring Street will be closed overnight starting next week as an overpass bridge is set to be demolished. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) says that Spring Street will be closed starting next Wednesday, August 31st, from 10 p.m. To 5 a.m.  Activities on the project will continue over the nights following the 31st, not including…

Doctors at Atrium Health Navicent urge vaccinations during National Immunization Month

Atrium Health Navicent is reminding people of the importance of being up to date on vaccinations.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Atrium Health Navicent is reminding people of the importance of being up to date on vaccinations. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and physicians are urging community members to get all the required vaccines for their children and themselves. Some of the vaccines include: Chickenpox Tetanus Hepatitis A and B Polio Measles Rotavirus Flu Covid-19 We…

Chef Scottie Johnson’s recipe for lobster croissant sliders

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — This week Chef Scottie Johnson came by the studio to share his delicious recipe for lobster croissant sliders, here’s how you can make your own at home! Ingredients 4 lobster tails, cooked and cut into small pieces 1/3 cup mayonnaise Dash of favorite hot sauce 1 rib celery, finely diced (optional) 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley 1 teaspoon minced tarragon 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon…

More showers possible Thursday afternoon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The wettest day of the week has arrived in Middle Georgia. Today It was a wet start for the whole region as stratiform rainfall moved in shortly after midnight, sticking around much of Middle Georgia past the sunrise. Most of that rain has moved out now, but a few showers are still left straggling. Temperatures today…

Morning Business Report: Magic mushrooms shown to help alcohol addicts

Social media users began reporting issues with federal student loan servicer Nelnet. The IRS will forgive $1.2 billion in late fees from COVID pandemic. Amazon is shuttering its telehealth service, known as Amazon Care. Amazon Care launched in 2019 as a pilot program. So called magic mushrooms are shown to help alcohol addicts. Research found that those given psilocybin-assisted therapy…

Mercer football opens the season in CFB’s Week 0, Pt. 2

The Bears open their 2022 season against Morehead State this Saturday, August 27, at 7 p.m. at Five Star Stadium.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In just three days, the college football season will kickoff with week 0 action, and the first game to be played in Georgia will be right here in Macon. The Mercer Bears open their season this Saturday and are looking to build off last year’s historic season. Head coach Drew Cronic states what his team needs…