James Giles
Reporter/MMJ
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/f8dad297-7091-497c-a425-3dfd77b8d5c9.png)
James Giles was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and later relocated to Columbus, Georgia with his mother and sisters. James graduated from Shaw High School in 2014. He played varsity basketball and marched in the marching band. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve before attending Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, where he studied Mass Communications with a concentration in Radio and Television. James' extracurricular activities include four years participating in the Mighty Marching Hornets Band at Alabama State University, where he was a Sousaphone player. In 2017, James joined Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, a fraternity for professional men in music. He served as the event coordinator where he planned and hosted numerous events around the campus of Alabama State University. After college, James was hired at WTVM News Leader 9 in his hometown of Columbus, Georgia, as a Reporter. He quickly moved up and within the first year with the station, he was promoted to weekend morning anchor for the 7 A.M. and 9 A.M. shows on WTVM. James is a Fall 2021 initiate of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated through the Delta Iota Lambda Chapter in Columbus. His interest includes crime documentaries and television shows, horror movies, video games, and sports. In James' off time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their daughter. If you have a story idea for James please feel free to email him at james.giles@wtvm.com or call him at (706) 580-2119.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/M6T5LQDOSNEP7ICNL5SJOAIQVM.JPG)
More than 24 hours after the killing of a four-year-old and the shooting of his mother, Columbus police have found and arrested the suspect – the child’s father.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/A4WMQ5DTXVHQRAUUSTKFDFZAOA.jpg)
A manhunt for the suspect in a tragic shooting that ended with a toddler dead and another woman injured is still underway by the Columbus Police Department.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RCQSWKYENNAI5EACIRZ65WQ6AM.jpg)
According to our crew, the crash occurred on Morris Road near Tillinghurst Road.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MZVIRNYRSBBH5OXLDUY6SQ6RTI.jpg)
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are back on the radars of hospitals in our area. While officials say cases are not as severe, the numbers in some places in our area aren’t exactly normal.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/72VAJYCXFJBW7HXT6HA3K3UP4M.jpg)
The Peach State’s highest ranking public education official paid a visit to the Chattahoochee Valley on Sept. 12 to encourage, motivate and reward local students and teachers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OQTQ6EHYBJFHHAOTSAOWM7YCPA.jpg)
In honor of the 22nd anniversary of September 11th, the LaGrange Fire Department commemorated the day by walking 2,200 steps in honor of the fallen first responders.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LGWN5FWUG5FPBNWVKPLIRM3364.jpg)
For many families, planning a funeral for a loved one is one of the hardest things they will do. The process is hard enough, but now, scammers are making things tougher by pretending to work with a funeral home and demanding money over the phone.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SQTVV4BPV5BIHAPUSR5B5WGDVI.jpg)
A recent strain on the working relationship between the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department is no secret. Now a new chief is temporarily in place for one agency the and the two are working together, and both hope things will last.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SHY57EF7MVGGRFB4V3LPBPIC2M.jpg)
Friday night lights quickly turn sour at the 61st annual Heritage Bowl. The game is a well attended annual match between Carver and Spencer high schools in Columbus.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OEUXWTDMARFCZAYHJMTFEZGQ74.jpg)
Business license renewals for this year in the Fountain City are moving at a snails pace, according to several business owners, some currently operating without a license, but they say it’s not their fault.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GDUX3FVLFNFUHC6T65SAYOEREY.jpg)
The summer just keeps getting hotter, and with temps hitting triple digits in the Chattahoochee Valley there are some tips you should know to stay safe in the heat.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XDP75P6IORGLXMJWVAVELIBENI.jpg)
Super Speeders on Columbus highways and roads have been a problem for a while, but law enforcement is working hard to crack down on the dangerous drivers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2PA4BM4HNJBOTHQ2QAX37KDLEY.jpg)
Concerns over safety at Columbus Parks has had some parents on high alert, and city leaders are taking action.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DZT3H6LNTBAQNNZMVOCAFJLCLY.jpg)
Hundreds of students at Auburn University are starting their fall semester looking for somewhere to live.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QUSBEKUGZBEBBMIGWX37XGDOBA.jpg)
August 9 will mark 100 years of Phenix City incorporating.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ILOMZTK6OVHOLICUV37FQKQIO4.jpg)
Big news for Phenix City, a new baseball field aimed at giving everyone a chance at hitting the diamond is on its way, and it’s the only one of its kind in the entire Chattahoochee Valley.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OU4GQRDZYNHZLJXDS5SA3E6JP4.jpg)
A veteran accused of killing an Auburn police officer and shooting two others four years ago is getting his day in court after several delays. Whether he will be sentenced to death is hanging in the balance.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NOLDZIGXKRDGPN3DXWHUK4QC5A.jpg)
A Russell County project, approximately seven months in the works, will have to wait a little longer before the real work can take place.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UUJTQW7KMBB6RM3WUKDM2USRZ4.jpg)
After a vote in the Russell County Commission meeting, sheriff’s deputies in the county will soon be equipped with the tools they need to tackle almost any scenarios they face.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YZELXEJGUBBHRAIQZTEBDRIPK4.jpg)
A firefighter shortage across the nation is impacting departments in our area. One north Georgia department is dealing with getting people in the door while doing its best to accommodate its rapidly growing community.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JHGMXUL6CNBTXHWXJDORYEAADA.jpg)
A Columbus Attorney has been disbarred by the Georgia Supreme Court after a client complained about him stealing money, having inadequate communication, and not doing his job.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/S3HTODGBYRCTNMELI5D6DQ4IGI.jpg)
Recent news of the alleged abduction of a Birmingham, Alabama, woman has women’s self-defense at the forefront for many people. Here at home, a local business equips its clients with the skills they need to be prepared just in case they find themselves in a situation where they must fight for their lives.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QRF2RISEGZF3HLWLRZIRZ5ULPY.jpg)
The man accused in the traffic death of a five-year-old Russell County boy is pleading guilty to manslaughter.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/M4ZHBS3535CQVB5ZPRJOYDQHSQ.jpg)
An East Columbus community is healing from the scars left by what an army veteran describes as a scene of terror after shots ring out during a friendly water fight between kids and a little league baseball practice in a Columbus park.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WFADEWUKUNBWFNAK5I4LWG7N4E.jpg)
A Phenix City woman says she is fed up after her bill payments are being lost in the mail. The response from the postal service - there’s nothing they can do.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GYFREWIVANEZNIAXUVB7JVBM3U.jpg)
A new bill in Georgia aims to help families of cold case murder victims across Georgia.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OYOBD5334BDWRAHAF3SYRNYOSQ.jpg)
People in our area said that they are seeing a lot of bad driving habits and people in a rush, but others are traveling during the ideal times suggested by Triple A and not seeing those things as much.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DYMREY57BBAM7HF3VY34DD3SJY.jpg)
A recent supreme court ruling has people around the Valley talking. The decision will likely impact millions of Americans, including you at home. Some people praise the supreme court, while others are not happy at all about having to pay back their student loans. One expert breaks down what comes next as student loan payments pick back up later this year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QRUQO5XRORHD5P7P3D4M52MUHE.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/T3U6ROWCUBCGHPOUB4OSAF72HQ.jpg)
For some time now, court officials in Muscogee county say they are having a problem getting people to show up for jury duty.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CW2X6WO4PZB43LCNZA6SFD6IIQ.jpg)
The murder trail for now 70-year-old Johnnie Bryant is underway.
Trial is set to begin in Harris County Superior Court Tuesday morning, June 20, for a man accused of shooting and killing his neighbor over a land dispute.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FKEQ2RVJ7NFHTKJPF7IVIYYH4I.jpg)
The weather did not stop the Hamilton Hood Foundation from celebrating its second annual Juneteenth commemoration for the Pierce Chapel African cemetery Monday morning in Midland. The almost 200-year-old history at the historic site is renewed thanks to Yamona Pierce.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EEDV2BPWNFHMDNIR3SI5QYSUBI.jpg)
Property Owners ask City Council to Rollback Millage Rate After increase in Tax Assessment
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KH3QLLTCJND7BCP2BKWEW7HB7Q.PNG)
The Georgia GOP State Convention begins today in Columbus.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LJK7NXQXLNHTJBNMOVARRFJLK4.jpg)
A 20-year military veteran describes the shooting scene at an East Columbus park last night--like being in Iraq. It all started as a water balloon fight among children and quickly turned to panic and chaos, and with all the gunfire, some say it’s amazing only one person was shot, a 16-year-old.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7ADZPEX2YVD2LO6FYNLLE5KHWQ.jpg)
Honoring those who pay the ultimate sacrifice is the goal of Fort Moore during the installation’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6QX3ISFE4FBELAMXHVTICYQCUY.png)
Safe Kids Columbus, other partners establish life jacket loaner stations across Chattahoochee Valley
Drowning incidents in the Chattahoochee Valley from over the years are prompting several local agencies and cities to team up to make sure people are being safe while enjoying the waterways this summer.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/N54NMCOD6BCU3KUK36XDMEDMFE.jpg)
A man faced a judge for the first time after being arrested for allegedly killing his wife in Columbus last year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HX5YVY63O5BXHMER67AHCYFL6Q.jpg)
Efforts are underway to establish a new interstate that would run through Columbus and connect parts of west Texas to Georgia.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GWMTCVSFP5GUNHZYXHPQYUUWCM.jpg)
The suspect in a triple murder in Columbus pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ABZKD45D6BHVZI2HNIZHSTK7QI.PNG)
We first told you about a business owner’s dilemma with truck drivers illegally parking and dumping trash in his parking lot on Buena Vista Road. We learned the problem may not be a lack of public parking but knowing where to go.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FOXPQMZW6JHUTIMYWU7EDKKOXE.jpg)
For the first time, we are hearing from family members of the six young men charged with killing four people and injuring 32 others in the Dadeville mass shooting.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/O6EO5LQ2RVDIJCG3DTD2QOYZFI.jpg)
One Columbus native and Army hero continues to gain recognition. The most recent came today in the Nation’s Capitol.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5E2F3FJQPVDCZFNLA4GPDOCECY.jpg)
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, along with other law agencies, will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at 10 a.m. CST.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RYDEHCG2QFBYNEYE3IWRC2CLCE.jpg)
The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley hosting their Breakfast of Champions Celebration honoring community volunteers and partners.
Business owners in the old Walmart parking lot on Buena Vista Road are fed up with semi-trucks parking there illegally
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2GKMFB375BGQLKBX57IZSWUZFA.jpg)
One Columbus City Councilor is sounding off and giving insight into why councilors deemed it necessary to force Columbus’ top cop into retirement. District Four City Councilor, Toyia Tucker, couldn’t say too much about Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon and his severance package for legal reasons, but she could say why he got it and how we got here.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DDQUC33YRJDFFOLXISYEBBK5SY.jpeg)
Thousands of foster children across Georgia are waiting to find their forever home. Some wait for years. 400 of those children are in Muscogee County, but today that list gets a little shorter after one child and his siblings finally get their chance to be a family with their new adoptive parents.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2BDQLZL2XREZFBPD2XLN2J7TEI.jpg)
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp confirmed an EF-3 tornado was responsible for the damage left behind in West Point on Sunday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/C4GQSA2ZGFHURO67RJ4RMKNH54.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DJX5PUMNOBDALFATIXH25VYYX4.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y5SCK265X5GIVD7WPS72A4HDBA.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BLKF6HAE3VCIHMKJLK4WD5KC5Q.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Q4ZQTURWSBDWZCVEO6LXZYHM7U.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LDU3DXCSFNHBLFRN55VVJV6DRM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LDH3LFW3BBD3BOY4G2CN3UFRXI.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2Z3WOF5H5NE4NMQEWVFHA74YUU.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DEZJRJORRFHX7CRD6VSA3UA6IM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/USDAGIOW3NBOBIR5NMMKTBS3JY.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HZJ5BLUZBVB2ZL3MK7A5RP3QRI.jpg)