Morning Business Report: Trump threatens high tariffs on pharmaceuticals, Social Security moves away from paper checks

President Donald Trump told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that planned tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported into the U.S. could eventually reach as high as 250%.

(LILAMAX)- President Donald Trump told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that planned tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported into the U.S. could eventually reach as high as 250%, marking the highest tariff threat he has made to date. While the tariffs won’t start at that level, Trump said they will rise to that point over time. The move aims to encourage drug companies to…

Wildfire smoke triggers widespread air quality alerts across U.S.

Smoke from wildfires burning in both the western United States and Canada is blanketing large parts of the country.

(CNN)- Smoke from wildfires burning in both the western United States and Canada is blanketing large parts of the country, triggering air quality alerts and health concerns for millions of Americans. “The past couple days has been a little rough,” said Lina Wentzel of Wisconsin. “You can definitely feel the heaviness of it.” On Tuesday, air quality alerts were in…

Two arrested in Macon County drug and firearm investigation

Law enforcement seized meth, crack cocaine, marijuana, firearms and cash during a joint drug and gang operation in unincorporated Macon County.

Photos: Macon County Sheriff’s OfficeOGLETHORPE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A multi-agency investigation led to two arrests in the unincorporated Reynolds area of Macon County, according to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office. In a news release Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 13 and Region 3 offices coordinated with the Southwest Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the…

Dublin High School prioritizes student athlete safety as sports season kicks off

Recognizing signs of injury, such as headaches, dizziness, and sensitivity to light

Fighting Irish FootballDUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As student athletes gear up for another season of sports, Dublin High School is placing a strong emphasis on safety and well-being. Head Football Coach Roger Holmes says it’s important to focus on three critical factors: hydration, a healthy diet, and plenty of rest. “You can’t stay up till 12 or 1 in the morning…

Rain will continue Wednesday as temperatures stay cool for August

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Flood Watch for Middle Georgia was extended through Wednesday evening as more widespread rain appears inevitable. This Evening Overcast skies will remain over Middle Georgia as off and on rain and thunderstorms will continue through the evening and into tonight. The Flood Watch has been extended through 8 PM EDT tomorrow evening. The Ocmulgee River…

Warner Robins man arrested after standoff during domestic incident

Warner Robins Police responded early this morning to a family violence call in the 300 block of Athens Street.

UPDATE (8/5/2025 at 3:07 p.m.) A Warner Robins man is in custody following a domestic incident that led to a brief standoff with police. According to the Warner Robins Police Department, officers responded to a domestic dispute where the victims were able to escape and call 911. Officers identified the suspect as 34-year-old Marquis Williams. Police say they obtained probable cause…

Macon charter school emphasizes safety as students head back to school

ACE prepares for new year with drills, lockdown protocols, and personal panic buttons

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As students return to class, leaders at the Academy for Classical Education (ACE) in Macon are focusing on school safety. Chief William G. Ferrell, the campus police chief at ACE, said their goal is to create a strong culture of safety through proactive training and security procedures. “We created a school safety plan, and the first…

Monroe County Chick-fil-A employee arrested on sexual battery charge

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received a complaint on July 16, 2025, involving an employee at the Chick-fil-A location in Monroe County.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Chick-fil-A employee in Forsyth was arrested for sexual battery following an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received a complaint on July 16, 2025, involving an employee at the Chick-fil-A location in Monroe County. After an investigation, deputies arrested 54-year-old Kevin Kurtz of Jackson, Georgia, on August 4….

Restaurant Report Card: Middle Georgia food service inspection scores July 28-August 1

The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, July 28 and Friday, August 1.

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, July 28 and Friday, August 1. Understanding the scores Scores 69 and below (unsatisfactory): Highlighted in red. Scores 70-99 (satisfactory): Displayed in black. Scores of 100 (perfect):…

Morning Business Report: Trump boosts American Eagle, Claire’s nears bankruptcy, and fake studies plague scientific journals

American Eagle Outfitters stock surged 24% Monday after President Donald Trump praised the company's latest ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.

(LILAMAX)- American Eagle Outfitters stock surged 24% Monday after President Donald Trump praised the company’s latest ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney. Trump called it the “hottest ad out there” and said American Eagle jeans are “flying off the shelves.” Analysts warn, however, that the true test for the retailer will come during the critical back-to-school shopping season. Meanwhile, another…

Flood warnings and watches in effect for Middle Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Flood Warning has been issued for Bibb County until Friday evening and the Flood Watch has been expanded to include all of northeast and east Georgia for Tuesday evening. A blanket of clouds and waves of light to moderate rain showers has made for a dreary Monday across the state of Georgia. This activity has…

Democrats promise retaliation against Texas redistricting plan

Democratic leaders across the country are warning Republicans that efforts to aggressively redraw congressional districts in Texas will face pushback from blue states.

(CNN)- Democratic leaders across the country are warning Republicans that efforts to aggressively redraw congressional districts in Texas will face pushback from blue states. Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi cautioned, “Don’t mess with democracy… You can gerrymander the hell out of that map. Guess what? Two can play that game. Other states will do exactly the same thing and neutralize what…

Manhunt underway for Montana shooting suspect after deadly bar attack

Authorities in Montana are intensifying their search for 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown.

(CNN) – Authorities in Montana are intensifying their search for 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, who is suspected of killing four people in a bar shooting early Friday morning near Anaconda. Investigators released a photo of Brown taken shortly before he escaped in a stolen pickup truck—showing him without a shirt or pants. Officials believe he has since found clothing and…

Hollywood Minute: Usda uses ‘Marriage Story’ audio to deter wolves as ‘Jurassic World: Reborn’ hits digital

Marriage Story, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, recently received Oscar nominations.

(CNN)- Marriage Story, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, recently received Oscar nominations. Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is using audio from the film to scare wolves away from cattle herds in the western United States. According to The Wall Street Journal, clips of the characters’ arguments are being broadcast from drones flying over grazing areas. A USDA supervisor…

Middle Georgia teachers, mental health experts share tips for back-to-school anxiety

Misha Blaise, a clinical mental health counselor with Piedmont Macon Medical, says anxiety can manifest physically in both children and adults.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As students across Middle Georgia gear up for a new school year, many are feeling the usual mix of excitement and nerves—especially those starting school for the first time, changing schools, or entering a new grade. Renatta Wilson, a pre-K teacher at Northwoods Academy, said those first-day jitters don’t just affect the kids. “We see a lot…

Rain continues for the first week of August

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Cloudy skies and ample rain odds will persist this week. This Evening Rain has been ongoing around Middle Georgia through much of today, and more will be possible through the evening and into tonight. A Flood Watch is in effect for all of Middle Georgia until 8 PM EDT tomorrow evening. Severe weather is not expected…

Lane closures expected for pipe replacement project on Spring Street in Macon

The work will take place daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is expected to continue through fall 2025.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A pipe replacement project is scheduled to begin August 11 on Spring Street between Walnut and Mulberry streets in Macon-Bibb County, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Contractors will replace pipes beneath the roadway, requiring partial lane closures. One northbound and one southbound lane will remain open throughout the project. The work will take place…

Deadly rollover crash in Washington County leaves two dead

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the crash happened at 12:59 a.m. on Georgia Highway 24 near Smith Robinson Road on August 2.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two people are dead following a single-vehicle crash on Saturday in Washington County. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the crash happened at 12:59 a.m. on Georgia Highway 24 near Smith Robinson Road on August 2. A preliminary investigation shows a gray Ford Fusion was traveling westbound when the driver failed to maintain their lane…

UPDATE: Pedestrian killed in collision with 18-wheeler identfied

Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a deadly incident involving a pedestrian and a tractor-trailer on Interstate 75 late Sunday night.

(UPDATE): In a news release Monday afternoon from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the pedestrian killed on I-75 North on Sunday, has been identified as 39-year-old Thomas Lucree. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT-DT) – Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a deadly incident involving a pedestrian and a tractor-trailer on Interstate 75 late Sunday night. Deputies responded to a call around…

Crimestoppers seeking man wanted for terroristic threats in Jones County

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these individuals is asked to call Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68-CRIME (1-877-682-7463).

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Sgt. Greg Thomas of Macon Regional Crimestoppers appeared on 41Today to spotlight five individuals currently wanted by law enforcement agencies in Middle Georgia and to share the organization’s word of the day. Crimestoppers partners with media outlets and law enforcement in eight Middle Georgia counties, offering anonymous rewards for tips that lead to arrests. The following individuals are…

Dublin veterans give back with school supplies for local middle schoolers

Residents of Dublin VA nursing home donate backpacks filled with classroom essentials

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT-DT) – Veterans from the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin delivered book bags to students at Dublin Middle School, to thank them for visiting them at their nursing home. The veterans filled the book bags with many classroom necessities, such as notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, crayons, hand sanitizer, and hand wipes. Retired U.S. Public Health Service…

First day of school brings mentors and motivation to Bruce Elementary in Macon

100 Black Men of Macon-Bibb greet students and offer words of encouragement

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT-DT) – Monday marked the first day of school for Bibb County students, and at Bruce Elementary, students were welcomed with cheers, high-fives and smiles all thanks to 100 Black Men of Macon Middle Georgia. The local chapter of the national mentoring organization greeted students at the front door as they entered the building. Garrett Williams, president of…

Former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley announces 2026 Senate bid in Georgia

Backed by Kemp, former Tennessee football coach targets Ossoff seat in high-stakes race

Photo: Derek Dooley’s U.S. Senate campaignATLANTA (AP) — Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley on Monday announced his 2026 Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Georgia against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. The 57-year-old Dooley is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and has been teasing a bid since June. He joins a GOP field that includes U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter and Mike Collins, as…