Southern California wildfires continue spreading as other regions battle storms and heat

Evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect Tuesday as multiple wildfires continued burning across Southern California.

(CNN)- Evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect Tuesday as multiple wildfires continued burning across Southern California. “It was surreal, to be honest,” Sandy Fire evacuee Mia Luv said. “I’ve never had it so close to home.” The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, started Monday as a fast-moving brush fire. According to Cal Fire, the wildfire…

Garrett-Boyd wins another term on Bibb school board

Unofficial results show Garrett-Boyd earned about 56% of the vote in the four-candidate race.

Credit: Lisa Garrett-Boyd for Bibb BOE/FacebookMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Incumbent Lisa Garrett-Boyd won reelection Tuesday in the Bibb County Board of Education At-Large Post 8 race, according to unofficial election results provided by Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections. With 31 precincts reporting, Lisa Garrett-Boyd received 14,677 votes, or 55.79% of the vote. Nola McFadden was second with 4,591 votes (17.45%),…

Gary Bechtel wins re-election as Macon Water Authority Chairman

Bechtel says he will continue ongoing projects and focus on safe, clean water and economic development across Bibb County.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Incumbent Gary Bechtel has won re-election as chairman of the Macon Water Authority, securing another term in office. Bechtel secured 55.14% of the vote in his race against challenger Desmond Brown, according to unofficial results. Bechtel’s victory keeps him in a leadership role overseeing the authority, which is responsible for providing water services across Bibb County. Following…

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller proposes $221M budget with no tax increase

Public safety would receive 57% of funding as leaders aim to keep property tax rates steady in Macon-Bibb County

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mayor Lester Miller is proposing a new budget for fiscal year 2027 that prioritizes public safety while keeping taxes steady. The mayor presented a proposed budget of approximately $221 million on Tuesday. The plan includes increases in several key areas but does not raise the millage rate. County leaders are aiming to keep the millage rate…

Piedmont Macon doctor discusses importance of Mental Health Awareness Month

“Mental Health Awareness Month is so important because we're trying to break and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health,” said Dr. Robyn Cotney with Piedmont Macon Behavioral Health.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Mental Health Awareness Month aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage people to seek help and support when they are struggling, according to a Macon behavioral health expert. “Mental Health Awareness Month is so important because we’re trying to break and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health,” said Dr. Robyn Cotney with Piedmont…

Amy Morton wins Bibb BOE Post 7 at-large race

Morton received 14,998 votes in the race (56.79%). Kerry Hatcher received 11,410 votes.

Courtesy: mortonforschools.org MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Amy Morton won the Bibb County Board of Education Post 7 at-large race Tuesday night, according to unofficial election results. Morton received 14,998 votes in the race (56.79%). Kerry Hatcher received 11,410 votes. “The school board must be fiscally responsible, and that means looking at the budget with great detail, to make sure that…

Georgia preservation leaders react to Kemp veto of historic tax credit bill

Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation President and CEO Wright Mitchell says the veto will stall economic revitalization and historic preservation efforts across Georgia.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Historic preservation leaders across Georgia say Governor Brian Kemp’s veto of House Bill 376 could slow revitalization projects and leave historic buildings vacant across the state. One week ago, Kemp vetoed House Bill 376, a legislative measure that would have expanded the state’s historic rehabilitation tax credit program by doubling the annual cap on credits from…

Ed DeFore, fixture in Macon politics for decades, dies

DeFore served nearly 45 years in public office and was the only official in city history to serve simultaneously on the Macon City Council and Bibb County School Board.

Ed DeFore (41NBC File: 2014)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Former longtime Macon commissioner Ed DeFore has died at 94. Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says DeFore died on Tuesday around 3:45 surrounded by his family at a personal care home. He called him one of his mentors and said he was “completely heartbroken.” “He was a ringleader for this city,” Jones said….

Middle Georgia titleholders set sights on Miss Georgia crown

Nine Middle Georgia representatives will compete for the titles of Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia's Teen in Columbus later this month.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia pageant title holders are preparing to compete in the upcoming Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia’s Teen competition June 17-20 in Columbus. The Middle Georgia representatives will compete for both titles June 17-20 in Columbus. They attended a media event at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Among those competing is Miss Central…

New historical marker in Milledgeville highlights Georgia State Prison Farm

Marker at Walter B. Williams Park shares complex history of Georgia’s prison system

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new historical marker is now in place in Milledgeville that highlights a complex part of Georgia’s past. The Georgia Historical Society unveiled the marker at Walter B. Williams Park Tuesday, recognizing the history of the Georgia State Prison Farm. Program Manager Breana James says the history behind the site is significant, even as it reflects…

UPDATE: More prison sentences handed down in Macon drug ring case

Federal prosecutors say three additional defendants have now been sentenced in the large-scale cocaine trafficking investigation.

UPDATE (5/19/26): Three more defendants tied to the federal “Operation Mobile Order” drug trafficking investigation have now been sentenced to prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Federal prosecutors say 52-year-old Roosevelt Cole of Macon was sentenced to 170 months in prison, 50-year-old Marvin Huff of Macon was sentenced to 125 months in prison…

Two inmates die days apart at McRae women’s prison

Corrections officials say both deaths remain under investigation and no signs of foul play were reported.

MCRAE-HELENA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Georgia Department of Corrections confirms two inmates at McRae Women’s Facility died within days of each other this month. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, inmate Shannon Rush died at the prison on Saturday, May 16. Officials say the cause of death remains undetermined. GDC officials say there were no reports of an altercation…

Trump targets Thomas Massie in costly Kentucky GOP primary

President Donald Trump faces a major political test Tuesday as he continues efforts to unseat Republicans who have publicly broken with him.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump faces a major political test Tuesday as he continues efforts to unseat Republicans who have publicly broken with him. One of the president’s biggest targets is Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, who is facing what has become the most expensive House primary race in U.S. history. “It’s great to be here,” Massie told supporters on the campaign…

Deadly shooting at San Diego Islamic center investigated as hate crime

Police and SWAT teams rushed to the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday morning after a deadly shooting left multiple people dead and sent worshippers running for safety.

(NBC)- Police and SWAT teams rushed to the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday morning after a deadly shooting left multiple people dead and sent worshippers running for safety. Authorities said officers responded around 11:43 a.m. following reports of multiple victims and active shooters at the scene. “Within four minutes officers arrived on scene and observed immediately three deceased what…

Southern California wildfire forces evacuations in Simi Valley

Residents in parts of Southern California were forced to evacuate Monday after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Simi Valley and surrounding communities.

(CNN)- Residents in parts of Southern California were forced to evacuate Monday after a fast-moving wildfire broke out in Simi Valley and surrounding communities. “I was getting ready to go out to work and, you know, just a lot of smoke,” evacuated resident Mike Clark said. Clark said he quickly gathered his family’s pets and helped his wife evacuate safely….

Morning Business Report: TrumpRx expands as fraud concerns and ATM settlement grow

The Trump administration says it is expanding its TrumpRx prescription drug platform by adding more than 600 generic medications.

(LILAMAX)- The Trump administration says it is expanding its TrumpRx prescription drug platform by adding more than 600 generic medications. Officials also announced new features for the site, including tools that connect patients with the lowest-priced pharmacies in their area and home-delivery options for prescriptions. The administration says the platform has already been visited more than 10 million times and…

Restaurant Report Card: Middle Georgia food service inspection scores May 11-15

The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, May 11 and Friday, May 15.

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, May 11 and Friday, May 15. Understanding the scores Scores 69 and below (unsatisfactory): Highlighted in red. Scores 70-99 (satisfactory): Displayed in black. Scores of 100 (perfect):…

John F. Kennedy says campaign strong ahead of Election Day

Lieutenant governor candidate urges voters to head to the polls Tuesday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – John F. Kennedy says his campaign for lieutenant governor is going well as the race nears the finish line. The longtime state senator says he believes his experience and qualifications make him the strongest candidate in the field. With Election Day set for Tuesday, Kennedy is asking voters for their support as the primary comes to…

Republican candidate Rick Jackson campaigns in Perry ahead of election day

Jackson outlines tax cuts and public safety priorities during campaign stop

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Republican candidate for governor Rick Jackson made a campaign stop in Perry Monday as part of his fly around event ahead of Election Day on Tuesday. Jackson spoke to supporters about his priorities if elected, with a focus on tax cuts. He said he plans to lower property taxes and cut the state income tax in…

Sheriff: Spoofed calls behind recent Houston County school threats

Sheriff Matt Moulton says investigators believe many of the threats are coming from concealed or spoofed phone numbers.

HOCO schools threats (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Deputies investigated a threat Monday morning at Warner Robins High School, leading officials to temporarily move more than 100 students outside the school gym before an all-clear was given. 41NBC spoke with Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton Monday about these ongoing threats. “We have seen an increase this year, specifically…

‘Serious injury crash’ shuts down I-16 W in Twiggs County

Deputies say the crash involved a semi-truck and several passenger vehicles near the 22 mile marker

Credit: Twiggs County Sheriff’s OfficeTWIGGS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Interstate 16 westbound is shut down in Twiggs County after a crash involving a semi-truck and several passenger vehicles, according to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office says the crash happened Monday near the 22 mile marker on I-16 westbound. Serious injuries have been reported. Deputies say a Life…

ONLY ON 41NBC: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones summoned for jury duty ahead of Election Day

41NBC was the only television station inside the courtroom Monday and the only station to speak exclusively with Jones outside the courthouse as he fulfilled jury duty obligations just one day before Election Day.

JACKSON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Lt. Gov. Burt Jones spent the day before Georgia’s gubernatorial primary inside a courtroom instead of on the campaign trail. The Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for governor says civic duty comes first before returning to campaign operations ahead of Tuesday’s primary. “We’re going to do our civic duties here, and then whenever they decide they don’t need…

RECALL WATCH LIST: Ice cream, seasoning and children’s stools among products recalled

New safety alerts: Food and children’s furniture recalled across U.S.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Ice Cream, seasoning, noodles and children’s stools: Consumers are being urged to check their homes after a series of new product recalls affecting popular food brands and a children’s furniture item.   Straus Family Creamery recalls ice cream for metal fragments CREDIT: FDA Straus Family Creamery has recalled several flavors of its organic ice cream due…

Trump-backed candidates continue GOP primary winning streak

Another Republican who broke with President Donald Trump has lost a primary election, as Trump continues tightening his grip on the Republican Party.

(NBC)- Another Republican who broke with President Donald Trump has lost a primary election, as Trump continues tightening his grip on the Republican Party. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy lost his primary race, becoming the latest Republican defeated after openly opposing Trump. “When you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to,” Cassidy said after…