Government shutdown looms as September 30 deadline nears

With just days left before the September 30 funding deadline, the U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown.

(NBC)- With just days left before the September 30 funding deadline, the U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown. President Trump warned, “I think you could very well end up with a closed country for a period of time.” His administration has raised the stakes, threatening not just unpaid leave but permanent job losses for federal employees in…

A pattern shift brings storms and cooler temperatures

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A frontal boundary is approaching Georgia, and will bring with it instability and moisture. Periods of widespread rain are expected tonight through the end of  the short term period. Rainfall totals are going to range between 1 – 1.5 inches. Isolated higher amounts are possible, particularly over north Georgia, with up to around 3 to 4…

Fallout grows after deadly shooting at Dallas ICE office

Questions are mounting in the wake of a deadly sniper attack at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas.

(NBC)- Questions are mounting in the wake of a deadly sniper attack at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas. Top officials are promising tighter security nationwide. “We’ve seen a 1,000% increase in violent attacks against ICE officers,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, pledging to ensure agents can operate safely. On Wednesday, a gunman opened fire from…

Morning Business Report: New home sales surge, Honda ends EV production, and Texas jobs hit record high

Sales of new homes jumped sharply in August, reaching their highest level in nearly four years.

(LILAMAX)- Sales of new homes jumped sharply in August, reaching their highest level in nearly four years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, sales surged more than 20 percent with 800,000 homes sold—before the Federal Reserve’s most recent interest rate cut. In the auto industry, Honda announced it is ending production of its all-electric ZDX crossover. The EV, scheduled to…

Palestinian Authority leader addresses U.N. as Gaza death toll mounts

As famine and violence continue in Gaza, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a remote address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

(CNN)- As famine and violence continue in Gaza, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivered a remote address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. The Trump administration barred him from entering the U.S. by denying a visa, leaving Palestine’s ambassador to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, as its sole representative at the gathering. “If they think that this way they…

Typhoon Ragasa batters Hong Kong and southern China after deadly path across Asia

Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful tropical storm so far this year, has pounded Hong Kong and southern China with wind gusts exceeding 120 miles per hour.

(NBC)- Typhoon Ragasa, the world’s most powerful tropical storm so far this year, has pounded Hong Kong and southern China with wind gusts exceeding 120 miles per hour. The massive storm churned across the South China Sea for days, its scale visible from space and prompting widespread alerts across China. In Hong Kong, torrential rains flooded streets, with seawater even…

Hollywood Minute: Final trailer for Wicked: For Good released as Apple TV+ delays The Savant, Bernadette musical hits theaters

The final trailer has arrived for “Wicked: For Good,” the highly anticipated conclusion to the big-screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical.

(CNN)- The final trailer has arrived for “Wicked: For Good,” the highly anticipated conclusion to the big-screen adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical. Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the film will soar into theaters on November 21. Audiences looking for a more spiritual experience can catch “Bernadette of Lourdes: The Musical” in U.S. theaters this Sunday, September 28, and…

Macon Bacon Hire Former MLB Pitcher Jesse Litsch as Head Coach

Litsch has at least four years' experience coaching in summer collegiate baseball

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Bacon have hired former Major League pitcher Jesse Litsch as their new head coach for the 2026 season, the team announced. Litsch, who played eight years of professional baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays, appeared in 92 major league games between 2007 and 2011. He has spent the past four years coaching in…

West Laurens’ Cummings Named GHSF Daily Week Six Player of the Week

Senior Raider Running Back Ty Cummings earned himself the honors after a big region road win over Harlem

DEXTER, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – West Laurens senior running back Ty Cummings has been recognized as the Week Six Player of the Week by the Georgia High School Football Daily for his performance in the Raiders’ 26-21 region win over Harlem last Friday night. Cummings rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. His 62-yard touchdown run with…

West Laurens Looks for Revenge in Rivalry Game Against Baldwin

The 5-0 West Laurens Raiders will host the 2-2 Baldwin Braves in a Region 4-AAA Rivalry Matchup

DEXTER, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Week Seven of the high school football season brings a Region 4-AAA rivalry as the undefeated West Laurens Raiders host the Baldwin Braves on Friday night at Raider Field inside Horseshoe Stadium, ‘The Shu’. West Laurens, 5-0 under fourth-year head coach Kip Burdette, is coming off a five-point region victory over Harlem, a team that…

Mercer University sets new record-breaking numbers

"Mercer offers an amazing combination of both size, quality and program offerings that you just can't find anywhere else."

(Photo Credit: Fiona King /41NBC)Mercer Freshman MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer University has reached a historic level of enrollment this year with 1,130 new residential undergraduate students arriving on campus, along with 114 transfer students, marking a record-breaking year for enrollment.  Mark Fox, Director of Residential Undergraduate Programs, says the most popular majors of the freshman are biology, biochemistry, and…

Houston County fire stations to receive round-the-clock coverage after new hires

Houston County fire stations will now be staffed around the clock thanks to nine new firefighter positions approved by commissioners.

HOCO hires 9 firefighters for 24/7 staffing (Photo: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Houston County Commissioners recently approved the hiring of nine new firefighters. This will allow eight Houston County fire stations to be staffed around the clock. Houston County fire Chief Chris Stoner says the population has increased in Houston County over the years, and the number of calls…

Secrets & Stilettos to raise awareness about sex trafficking, ways to support survivors

Tomieka Daniel, deputy director of Georgia Legal Services Program, said the event is free and open to the community.

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Legal Services Program will host its 2025 “Secrets and Stilettos” luncheon Saturday in Macon, highlighting the issue of sex trafficking and providing resources for survivors. The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Anderson Conference Center, 5171 Eisenhower Parkway. The free forum is open to the public, but guests must register in advance as…

Upcoming library branch named after longtime board member, volunteer

The Middle Georgia Regional Library honors the late Catherine Ivey with new branch name

(Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Middle Georgia Regional Library has named their newest branch the Cathy Ivey Community Library. According to MGRL, Catherine “Cathy” Ewing Ivey joined the Friends of the Library in 1978 as a member on it’s Board of Directors. Ivey also served four terms as president over the years. She continued her work with…

Morning Business Report: U.S. nears Boeing jet deal with China, markets fall, Spirit furloughs workers

The U.S. ambassador to China says America is in the final stages of a deal to sell as many as 500 Boeing jets to China.

(LILAMAX)- The U.S. ambassador to China says America is in the final stages of a deal to sell as many as 500 Boeing jets to China. Ambassador David Perdue called the agreement the centerpiece of a broader trade package expected to be announced soon. Markets closed lower on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq posting the steepest losses. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines announced…

Forsyth Main Street to host Fall Festival, community yard sale

The event will be held September 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jackson Street.

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Downtown Forsyth will welcome families and visitors this weekend for the annual Fall Festival and Community Yard Sale, featuring food, music and seasonal activities. The event will be held September 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jackson Street. The festival will include family games, live music and food vendors, with food trucks offering items…

Warner Robins police investigating fatal domestic violence shooting

Houston County 911 dispatched Warner Robins officers to the 200 block of King Drive at 10:16 p.m. on September 23 in reference to reports of shots fired and a person struck, police said.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man died Tuesday night after being shot multiple times in what police are investigating as a domestic family violence case, according to a news release. Houston County 911 dispatched Warner Robins officers to the 200 block of King Drive at 10:16 p.m. on September 23 in reference to reports of shots fired and a…

Warner Robins police investigating shoplifting, chase near school

Houston County 911 first dispatched officers to Ross at 2620 Watson Blvd. at 12:53 p.m. on September 23 in reference to a robbery in progress.

(Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A shoplifting suspect led police on a vehicle chase Tuesday afternoon near an elementary school in Centerville, forcing the school to go into safety protocols, authorities said. Houston County 911 first dispatched officers to Ross at 2620 Watson Blvd. at 12:53 p.m. on September 23 in reference to a robbery in progress….

Warmest day of the week, then storms arrive Thursday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temperatures will be well above average in most locations today. Today is expected to be the warmest day this week with a forecast high of 92 in the Atlanta area. With temperatures looking to cool outside the forecast period this could very well be the last 90 of the year (fingers crossed).  Moving into Wednesday evening,…

Kamala Harris reflects on 2024 campaign, Biden’s exit, and lessons learned

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is revisiting the tumultuous final stretch of the 2024 presidential election, offering new details about her short-lived campaign.

(NBC)- Former Vice President Kamala Harris is revisiting the tumultuous final stretch of the 2024 presidential election, offering new details about her short-lived campaign and the decision-making inside the Biden White House. Speaking on The View, Harris said her 107-day campaign simply didn’t allow enough time to connect with voters. She also revealed that President Joe Biden confided in her…

Jimmy Kimmel returns after suspension as Disney faces backlash, media preemptions

Jimmy Kimmel is back behind the desk at Jimmy Kimmel Live! after nearly a week-long suspension from Disney.

(CNN)- Jimmy Kimmel is back behind the desk at Jimmy Kimmel Live! after nearly a week-long suspension from Disney. The network pulled the late-night host following controversial remarks he made in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder — a move that drew both political backlash and criticism of censorship. In his return monologue, Kimmel addressed the controversy directly….

Plans for new arena in Macon move ahead after special commission meeting

According to the Mayor, the goal is to break ground in July 2026. If all goes as planned, the arena is expected to open to the public by the summer of 2028.

fileMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County Commissioners have taken the step toward getting a new arena built in Macon.  At Tuesday night’s special meeting, Commissioners approved PBK Architects to provide architectural services for the new arena. The planned arena will be built at the existing Macon Centreplex site. Project advocates describe the future venue as an “icon on the interstate”,…

Macon-Bibb Commission approves plans for multimillion-dollar jail expansion

Bibb County’s $28–$31 million jail expansion will add 150 beds, including more for mental health inmates, with groundbreaking planned for 2026.

Presentation of Possible Design for Bibb JailMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County’s plans to expand the county’s jail are moving ahead after commissioners approved Jericho Design Group Tuesday to provide architectural services for the Law Enforcement Center expansion during a special called meeting. The expansion project aims to address overcrowding and improve safety for inmates and staff.  The expansion will…

Empty Bowls fundraiser at Middle Georgia State supports food bank efforts

Middle Georgia State University’s first Empty Bowls fundraiser raised money to fight hunger across 24 counties, supporting the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank.

Empty bowls fundraiser (Photo: 41NBC/ Bre’Anna Sheffield)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia State University hosted its first Empty Bowls fundraiser on Tuesday, an event that combats hunger by combining art, food, and community support. Each guest enjoyed a bowl of soup and refreshments, then took home a handcrafted bowl, with proceeds supporting the food bank’s efforts to fight hunger across…