Rant and Rave: January 6th – Championship Breakdown

Georgia and Alabama are ready to face off for the college football national championship.

It’s almost time for Georgia and Alabama to meet up once again, this time the national title is on the line and nothing is left on the table. Bill Shanks and Tucker Sargent give us a breakdown of both teams and why this game is going to come down to the wire. Categories: Sports

Atlanta Motor Speedway reconfiguration complete, NASCAR set to visit in March

It's the first major reconfiguration at the track since 1997.

HAMPTON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atlanta Motor Speedway recently went through its first major reconfiguration since 1997. Crews narrowed the track’s racing surface from 55 feet to 40 feet in most areas, increased the track banking to 28 degrees from 24 degrees, added technology to help dry the surface much quicker and also resurfaced the entire track’s asphalt. NASCAR Cup Series…

Proposed Constitutional Carry law: What it means for Middle Georgia

A proposed law aims to eliminate the need for a Weapons Carry License in Georgia.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Howard Reed has been a gun owner for more than 40 years. He says his love for collecting guns motivated him to open a gun store in Macon 20 years ago. As someone who handles guns every day, he’s hoping it becomes simpler for others, too. “I would say in a heartbeat that if it was…

Local hospitals awaiting Georgia National Guard troops

Governor Brian Kemp announced recently he would deploy Georgia National Guard troops to help 11 hospitals across the state with Covid response.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Local hospitals are feeling the strain as Georgia feels the impact of the fifth wave of Covid. Houston Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Stewart says the hospital is full, and it currently has more than 40 Covid patients. Governor Brian Kemp announced recently he would deploy Georgia National Guard troops again, like he did…

Middle Georgia Representatives share thoughts on Capitol attack anniversary

Middle Georgia lawmakers Austin Scott and Sanford Bishop shared their thoughts on the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection.

Credit: ZUMA / MGNMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Middle Georgia lawmakers are sharing their thoughts on the one-year anniversary of the Capitol insurrection. District 8 Representative Austin Scott was unavailable for an interview Thursday, but he did provide this statement: “The peaceful transitions of power and the First Amendment right to free speech are two of the hallmarks of our democracy….

Macon-Bibb County announcing two new free, drive-up COVID-19 testing sites Friday

A news conference will be held in Commission Chambers at City Hall.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County and Heritage Pharma Group will hold a news conference Friday morning to announce two new free, drive-up COVID-19 testing sites. The sites will include both PCR and rapid testing, according to a Macon-Bibb release. The news conference will be held in Commission Chambers at City Hall at 10:30 a.m.. The public can stream the…

Cold air and clear skies return Friday

Rain is pushing through Middle Georgia this evening along a cold front that will bring a big change to our weather overnight. We will start to see some clearing after midnight, and a big cool down that will start tonight and continue into Friday. Wind chills early Friday will drop to the 20s, so make sure you bundle up as…

UPDATE: FVSU responds following failed USDA inspection

FVSU has been cited by federal regulators for breaking U.S. laws in the treatment of animals.

UPDATE (1/10) – Fort Valley State University issued the following statement in reference to the inspection mentioned below: “The FVSU College of Agriculture takes the welfare of its animals very seriously. The humane and responsible treatment of animals in our care is and has always been a priority.We work closely with the USDA to ensure the health and welfare of…

BS Report: January 6th – Georgia Prepares for the Championship

Georgia is ready for the rematch against Alabama for the College Football National Championship

It’s the first BS Report of 2022 and the Dawgs are heading to face Alabama for a chance at the national title. Bill Shanks goes over the plan of attack and the Dawgs chances to make history this year. Categories: Sports

Jones County High School administrators to begin random screening with metal detecting wands

It's part of an effort to "enhance school safety and provide a safe and orderly learning environment" for students.

Jones County High School (File)Jones CountyGRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Jones County High School administrators will begin random screening of entire classrooms of students using handheld metal detecting wands. That’s according to a letter posted on the Jones County High School Facebook page Wednesday night by Principal Lance W. Rackley. Rackley wrote it’s part of an effort to “enhance school safety…

Rain returns to Middle Georgia Thursday

High temperatures ahead of the front will be warming into the mid 60s with a bit of an increase in humidity as well. Although we will be starting out with mostly clear skies, clouds and rain will be pushing in during the afternoon and evening. We are not expecting severe weather, but we could see a few areas of moderate…

Grilled Cheese Festival returns to Macon this weekend

Following an overwhelming response last year, the Society Garden says it has worked out the kinks to make sure you can get a grilled cheese sandwich as quickly as possible.

File: January 2022MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Grilled Cheese festival is back in Macon for a second round. Following an overwhelming response last year, the Society Garden says it has worked out the kinks to make sure you can get a grilled cheese sandwich as quickly as possible. Satterfield’s Barbecue now serves food at the Society Garden, and it will…

Macon-Bibb residents excited for expanded waste convenience center hours

Matt Childers uses the temporary convenience center on 11th Street in downtown Macon every four to six weeks.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Matt Childers uses the temporary waste convenience center on 11th Street in downtown Macon every four to six weeks. He was there Wednesday getting rid of cardboard and excess trash. He says the center is to use, but there’s one issue. “The only downside was trying to find some time during the week to get down…

Fort Valley Police Department awarded $150,000 grant to fight crime

The U.S Department of Justice is helping Fort Valley Police fight crime.

Fort Valley Police Department awarded GrantGrantFORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The U.S Department of Justice is helping Fort Valley Police fight crime. The agency recently received a $150,000 grant that’s expected to help Fort Valley Police fight crime. Maj. Jerrell Smith says the first step will be to collect community feedback using surveys. “We would like for you to reach…

Local organizations helping you keep your New Year’s resolution

Sparks Yoga and Bike Walk Macon are hoping to help the community achieve their goals for 2022 by offering a group setting for accountability.

MACON, Georgia (41NBc/WMGT) – Whether it’s healthier eating, making more time for yourself or just being a little more active, many of us enter a new year with goals to better ourselves. However, a study by the health company VERV reveals that after 36 days, most people fall off the path when it comes to forming new habits. Two organizations…

No cases of ‘flurona’ in Middle Georgia, but the North Central Health District offers tips on how to avoid the illness

Covid-19 cases and flu cases are both on the rise, and there's now concern over contracting both illnesses at the same time.

How to avoid FluronaFluronaMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Covid-19 cases and flu cases are both on the rise, and there’s now concern over contracting both illnesses at the same time. When you become sick with both the flu and Covid-19, it’s called “flurona.’ According to the North Central Health District, the co-infection has attracted a lot of attention. “With some cases…

Central Georgia Technical College breaks records with Fall 2021 semester

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Central Georgia Technical College broke records at the end of the Fall 2021 semester with a single-term enrollment of 9,614 students. According to a release from CGTC, one of Georgia’s largest 2-year colleges, the college recorded more than 18% growth for credit students from Fall 2020 to Fall 2021– which the college attributes to the…

New dealership brings high end classic cars to Byron

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- On Highway 49 in Byron in the old Fred’s building is the Byron Auto Group. From the outside, it looks like a regular run-of-the-mill car lot, but on the inside, it looks like a car museum. Classic Mustang fastbacks, a modern Mustang Terlingua, classic F-150’s and C10s an old Chevelle. These aren’t just old vehicles. We’re talking…

UPDATE: Arrest made following shooting at Loaves and Fishes Ministry

30-year-old John Paul Sewell was arrested Tuesday night following a shooting that left 45-year-old Carlos Antonio Gordon dead.

John Paul Sewell (Bibb County Sheriff’s Office)UPDATE (9 p.m.) –  30-year-old John Paul Sewell was arrested Tuesday night following a shooting that left 45-year-old Carlos Antonio Gordon dead. A news release from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting happened at Loaves and Fishes Ministry, located at 651 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, just before 2 p.m. Deputies say…

Kemp announces Georgia National Guard troops will help at Macon, Warner Robins hospitals

Governor Brian Kemp announced Tuesday National Guard troops will help at several state testing locations and hospitals, including two middle Georgia hospitals.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Governor Brian Kemp announced Tuesday National Guard troops will help at several state testing locations and hospitals, including two middle Georgia hospitals. Kemp tweeted nearly 100 troops will support 16 Department of Public Health testing sites and its warehouse and more than 100 troops will be sent to 11 hospitals across the state. Atrium Health Navicent…

David Perdue makes first campaign stop for Governor

David Perdue made a stop in Houston County Tuesday night as part of his campaign to be the state's next governor.

David Perdue first campaign stopDavid PerdueWARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — David Perdue made a stop in Houston County Tuesday night as part of his campaign to be the state’s next governor. He joined the Middle Georgia Republican Women in a meeting. We spoke with Perdue prior to the meeting about his reason for running and his goals moving forward. Perdue…

Study: Average of 11,700+ cars a day visited Warner Robins Buc-ee’s Christmas Week

Hogan says the city is hoping to develop the area more, including adding a visitor center.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — It’s been a little more than a year since Buc-ee’s opened its doors in Warner Robins. Whether you’re buying gas, buying a chopped brisket sandwich, or joining the fandom and buying a t-shirt, it has become a destination for locals and travelers. That fandom brought Rex Warner to the store on Tuesday morning. He and…

How to properly dispose of your Christmas tree in middle Georgia

Woape Farm in Houston County is taking your tree and putting it back where it came from: into the ground.

How to dispose of your Christmas treeChristmas TreeThere are several ways you can dispose of your tree besides setting it out on the curb. Woape Farm in Houston County is taking your tree and putting it back where it came from: into the ground. “Christmas trees and pine trees in general have very high Vitamin C content in their needles,…