Monk who lost leg in crash receives prosthetic from Mercer team

Monk Dam Phommasan continues spreading peace after receiving a prosthetic leg in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Buddhist monk is continuing to spread a message of peace after a life changing accident cut his journey short. Dam Phommasan was one of 19 monks who began a 2,300 mile walk for peace from Texas to Washington, D.C. Weeks into the journey, a crash involving an escort vehicle left him severely injured, and his…

Pink Pancake Breakfast returns for Cherry Blossom Festival

Proceeds from the event will benefit United in Pink.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Macon-Bibb Fire Department will partner with the Macon Bacon to host its annual Pink Pancake Breakfast, a Cherry Blossom Festival tradition. The event will take place Saturday, March 21, and again March 28 from 7 to 10:30 a.m. at Luther Williams Stadium on Willie Glover Drive. Attendees can enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast featuring pink pancakes,…

Pulaski County Middle School expands robotics program for students

A Pulaski County Middle School program is expanding robotics and computer science opportunities with new equipment and hands-on learning.

PCMS robotics program (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Pulaski County Middle School is expanding robotics opportunities for students in Pulaski County. Pulaski County Middle School fifth-eighth grade teacher Dr. Marie Collins says Equitable Robotics opportunities focus on students having the benefits, development and career paths within the robotics field, regardless of race, gender or abilities. Over the past two…

Tulsi Gabbard pressed on Iran threat as intelligence officials clash and FBI probes Joe Kent

A tense hearing on Capitol Hill is raising new questions about the justification for U.S. military action against Iran.

(NBC)- A tense hearing on Capitol Hill is raising new questions about the justification for U.S. military action against Iran, as top intelligence officials face scrutiny over whether the country posed an imminent threat. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard drew sharp criticism from lawmakers after declining to directly answer whether Iran’s nuclear program presented an immediate danger to the…

Morning Business Report: Fed holds rates steady as stocks drop, tax scams rise ahead of April deadline

The Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady, even as economic uncertainty grows.

(LILAMAX)- The Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady, even as economic uncertainty grows following rising global tensions and higher gas prices linked to the conflict involving Iran. At its first meeting since the escalation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the impact of developments in the Middle East on the U.S. economy remains unclear. Following Powell’s remarks, markets reacted…

Weekend Watch | The Pinkest Party on Earth: Your guide to the Cherry Blossom Festival kickoff weekend (and more spring family activities)

From concerts to parades, here’s what to expect during the opening weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s almost time for the pinkest party on Earth! Friday marks the official kickoff of the 44th Cherry Blossom Festival, and Macon is ready to bring out the pink gear for a jam-packed weekend of festivities. Here’s some of the events on deck for the festival and beyond (for the full event schedule and more info…

Dolores Huerta and others accuse labor leader Cesar Chavez of sexual abuse

New and deeply troubling allegations are emerging against labor rights icon Cesar Chavez

(NBC)- New and deeply troubling allegations are emerging against labor rights icon Cesar Chavez, decades after his death, raising questions about the legacy of one of the most influential figures in American labor history. Dolores Huerta, now 95 and co-founder of the United Farm Workers union alongside Chavez, has publicly accused him of sexual assault in a statement released following…

Weather whiplash hits U.S. with California heat wave and Midwest winter storm recovery

A dramatic weather divide is unfolding across the United States.

(CNN)- A dramatic weather divide is unfolding across the United States, with an unusually early and intense heat wave scorching the West while the Midwest and East Coast continue recovering from a powerful winter storm. The extreme contrast—often called “weather whiplash”—is bringing record-setting heat to parts of California and the Southwest, even as other regions dig out from snow, wind…

BS Report: March 18, 2026

We are now nine days away from the start of the 2026 baseball season, as the Braves will start against Kansas City next Friday at Truist Park. Looking forward to that, of course. And we are seeing very good signs down in spring training. Now, look, there is always a disclaimer with this comment that it is spring training, but…

GBI: Former Wilkinson County JROTC teacher arrested after investigation

The GBI says a former Wilkinson County High School teacher is facing charges after an investigation involving a student.

WILKINSON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Dublin man and former Wilkinson County High School JROTC teacher has been arrested following an investigation into allegations involving a student, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI said in a news release Wednesday that 41-year-old Cliffton Alan Bryant is charged with electronically furnishing obscene materials to minors and improper sexual contact…

GBI: Butler man charged with five counts of child molestation

The GBI says a Butler man is facing five counts of child molestation following two separate investigations in Taylor County.

BUTLER, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Butler man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child molestation following two separate investigations, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI said in a news release Wednesday 66-year-old William Robert Busbee is charged with five counts of child molestation. Agents say the first investigation began October 30, 2024, after the…

Georgia bill would put 988 hotline on student ID badges

Lawmakers and local leaders support effort to increase mental health awareness among students

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A bill aimed at increasing mental health awareness among students is gaining support at the state capitol. House Bill 1045, known as the You Are Not Alone Awareness Act, would require public schools to place the 988 suicide and crisis hotline number on student ID badges. State Representative Tangie Herring says the goal is to make…

PETA brings virtual reality animal testing simulator to Macon

The virtual reality experience aims to show what animals go through in laboratories and raise awareness about animal testing.

PETA2 visits MGA (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – peta2, an offshoot of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) aimed at reaching young people, according to their website, brought what they call an abduction simulator to Middle Georgia State University Wednesday.  The experience used virtual reality to mimic what lab animals go through. Tour administrator Makayla Hooper says…

Georgia Business Focus: From tax rebates to new business investments and community initiatives

Governor Brian Kemp has announced a new round of one-time tax rebates that could return more than $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers, pending approval from the state legislature.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  From major tax rebates to new business investments and community initiatives, here’s a roundup of the latest news making headlines across Georgia this month.  Governor Brian Kemp proposes new tax rebates for Georgians Governor Brian Kemp has announced a new round of one-time tax rebates that could return more than $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers, pending…

38-year-old woman hospitalized after Tuesday night shooting in Macon

Deputies say a 38-year-old woman was found with a gunshot wound on Shirley Court and taken to a hospital.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A woman is in stable condition after being shot Tuesday night in Macon, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say the call came into the Macon-Bibb E911 Center at 7:49 p.m. reporting a shooting in the 5000 block of Shirley Court. That’s in a neighborhood near Mercer University Drive. When deputies got there, they…

New playroom opens for kids at Macon children’s hospital

Chick-fil-A campaign helps create space for young patients to relax

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new space designed just for kids is now open at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital in Macon. The playroom was funded by local Chick-fil-A operators through the Cookies for Kids campaign. The effort turns everyday purchases into something meaningful for families across Middle Georgia. Hospital leaders say the room is meant…

Morning Business Report: TSA shortages, Lululemon outlook, Oscars ratings and car reliability report

A growing number of TSA agents are calling out of work as the government funding fight continues to impact airport operations across the country.

(LILAMAX)- A growing number of TSA agents are calling out of work as the government funding fight continues to impact airport operations across the country. Roughly 10% of Transportation Security Administration screeners missed shifts Monday — the highest rate since the partial government shutdown began, according to officials. The staffing shortages are causing long security lines at major airports. The…

Early heat wave hits California and West as Midwest, East recover from winter storm damage

A dramatic swing in weather is gripping the United States, as parts of the West face an unusually early and intense heat wave—while the Midwest and East Coast continue digging out from a destructive winter storm.

(CNN)- A dramatic swing in weather is gripping the United States, as parts of the West face an unusually early and intense heat wave—while the Midwest and East Coast continue digging out from a destructive winter storm. In California, temperatures are soaring to levels more typical of late spring or even summer. Cities like Los Angeles are already feeling the…

U.S. strikes Iranian missile sites near Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate, Trump defends action

The Trump administration is now ramping up military operations aimed at weakening Iranian capabilities and securing the critical Strait of Hormuz.

(NBC)- Air raid sirens echoing across Israel underscore the rising toll of the escalating conflict, as a deadly missile strike hit central Israel this morning amid intensifying fighting in the region. The Trump administration is now ramping up military operations aimed at weakening Iranian capabilities and securing the critical Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil shipping route that…

BS Report: March 17, 2026

Well, the Atlanta Hawks did it. 124 – 112 win on Monday night over the Orlando Magic. And any questions about whether or not the Hawks could beat a good and winning team were answered as they dominated that game. They were up by as many as 29 points, wound up winning by 12 only because they let up off…

38 arrests made during Twiggs County’s ‘Operation Wrong Exit’

Deputies say a weekend DUI operation in Twiggs County resulted in 38 arrests, including 17 felony charges.

Credit: Twiggs County Sheriff’s OfficeJEFFERSONVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Dozens of arrests were made during a weekend DUI enforcement operation in Twiggs CountY. In a news release Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said “Operation Wrong Exit” was held on March 13 and 14 with the goal of removing impaired drivers from the road and reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities. According to the…

Cooke leads in District 5 special election, runoff still possible

Andrea Cooke has just under 50% of the vote as provisional ballots are still being reviewed.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Andrea Cooke is leading in the special election for the Macon-Bibb County Commission District 5 seat, but a runoff remains possible as provisional ballots are still being reviewed. According to Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections Supervisor Tom Gillon, Cooke has received 523 votes, accounting for 49.53% of the vote. Edward Foster is in second with 205…

Bibb County deputy charged with incest, cruelty to children

Jones County deputies say a Bibb County deputy and his wife face multiple charges and are being held without bond following an investigation.

Michael And Ashley Dorough (Credit: Jones County Sheriff’s Office)GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputy and his wife have been arrested on multiple charges following an investigation by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. According to a Jones County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post Tuesday, its investigators, with assistance from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Sgt. Michael Scott…

BBB warns Middle Georgia residents about contractor scams after storms

The Better Business Bureau says residents should take their time and avoid high-pressure tactics when hiring contractors for storm repairs.

Storm damage repair scams (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia is urging the public to exercise caution when hiring a contractor to repair damages following recent storms in our area. Jason Blankenship, Vice President of The Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia, says you shouldn’t act under pressure. He says you should never…