James Giles
Reporter/MMJ
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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.
Updated: Mar. 27, 2023 at 6:15 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp confirmed an EF-3 tornado was responsible for the damage left behind in West Point on Sunday.
Updated: Mar. 27, 2023 at 4:57 PM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is holding a press conference Monday afternoon on storm damage in Troup County.
Updated: Mar. 26, 2023 at 11:56 AM EDT
|By James Giles
Hundreds of people gathered to remember and honor the fallen.
Updated: Mar. 21, 2023 at 11:21 PM EDT
|By James Giles
“What we’re hearing in the street is that Mayor Skip Henderson has offered Chief Freddie Blackmon a severance package. In order for him to do that, he has to have seven votes,” said Hails.
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 10:50 PM EDT
|By James Giles
A longtime school board member is closing the chapter on her time with the Muscogee County School District.
Updated: Mar. 20, 2023 at 10:20 PM EDT
|By James Giles
The time school starts is crucial for both students and parents. Now a change is on the table for when kids are supposed to get to their first class in Muscogee County.
Updated: Mar. 1, 2023 at 7:26 PM EST
|By James Giles
People around town are not seeing eye to eye when it comes to the treatment of Police Chief Freddie Blackmon. Some are against him and want change, while others believe he needs more time to do his job.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 4:23 PM EST
|By James Giles
Before the White House and national notoriety, a peanut farmer turned president from the Peach State was once a student at Georgia Southwestern College, now known as Georgia Southwestern State University.
Updated: Feb. 22, 2023 at 11:19 AM EST
|By James Giles
To the world, she’s known as the queen of the blues, but in the Fountain City she started out as Gertrude Pridgett.
Updated: Feb. 20, 2023 at 12:46 PM EST
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
Anthony King, an active and validated gang member - as well as Atlanta rapper, was taken into custody on a violation of probation warrant.
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023 at 11:55 AM EST
|By James Giles and Jatavia O'Neal
Almost three decades ago, one local Black florist set out to crack into the flower business. More than three decades later, she is the only Black-owned business of her kind in Columbus and still is going strong.
Updated: Feb. 8, 2023 at 6:24 PM EST
|By James Giles
Guns, gangs, and young people, it’s a trio local leaders say they are noticing and its leading to an alarming trend
Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 10:27 AM EST
|By James Giles
That assessment was paid for by local businesses. We take a look at how the police force handles gang activity in the Fountain City.
Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 at 9:14 AM EST
|By James Giles
News Leader 9 was able to get a copy of a fairly new assessment of the Columbus Police Department, which is making its rounds in the community.
Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 8:52 AM EST
|By James Giles
News Leader 9 continues its deep dive into an assessment of the Columbus Police Department, specifically about the hiring and retention of officers, in the midst of staffing shortages.
Updated: Jan. 11, 2023 at 10:57 PM EST
|By James Giles
Keeping police on the job, uneasiness with their pay, and low moral due to leadership and management issues are just a few issues a prominent consultant company highlights should be fixed within the Columbus Police Department.
Updated: Dec. 21, 2022 at 4:17 PM EST
|By James Giles and Jatavia O'Neal
Twenty-three gang members accused of various crimes, ranging from murder to armed robbery and drug trafficking, are one step closer to trial.
Updated: Dec. 15, 2022 at 10:45 AM EST
|By James Giles
In Alabama, permit-less carry goes begins January 1 - meaning Alabamians will no longer need a permit to conceal carry a firearm in the state.
Updated: Dec. 14, 2022 at 4:26 PM EST
|By James Giles
Jeremy Williams, the suspect in the Kamarie Holland murder investigation, made an appearance in a Russell County courtroom Wednesday - his first since April to ask a judge to remove him from suicide watch.
Updated: Dec. 12, 2022 at 10:02 AM EST
|By James Giles
In Columbus, car break-ins are on the rise.
Updated: Nov. 28, 2022 at 12:58 PM EST
|By James Giles and Jessie Gibson
The past six years have been a legal rollercoaster for the family of the late Richard Collier.
Updated: Nov. 4, 2022 at 4:14 PM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson, James Giles, Katrice Nolan and Jatavia O'Neal
An 11-year-old girl has been found following a large-scale search, says Phenix City Sheriff Heath Taylor.
Updated: Nov. 2, 2022 at 8:37 PM EDT
|By James Giles
There are several misconceptions surrounding military enlistment and having access to money to pay for college. A veteran’s group in East Alabama is debunking the myths for veterans and their families, all while providing money to help with college expenses.
Updated: Nov. 2, 2022 at 2:51 PM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
With that in mind, the Opelika Police Department is teaming up with Live View Technologies to help keep shoppers and businesses safe this year.
Updated: Oct. 18, 2022 at 5:39 PM EDT
|By James Giles
While a Columbus family is waiting on the wheels of justice to turn for their loved one that was murdered six years ago, they are now taking legal action.
Updated: Oct. 5, 2022 at 9:35 PM EDT
|By James Giles
A strike could be on the horizon for workers at one of Russell County’s largest employers
Updated: Sep. 20, 2022 at 6:54 PM EDT
|By James Giles
A well-known 33-year-old Columbus criminal defense attorney was laid to rest today.
Updated: Sep. 14, 2022 at 7:09 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Attorneys for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit already have their hands full, scratching criminal cases off an ever-growing backlog.
Updated: Sep. 13, 2022 at 3:16 PM EDT
|By James Giles and Jessie Gibson
Piedmont Columbus Regional continues to partner with various community organizations to bring the latest developments in health care, promote wellness and prevention, and encourage individuals to make better decisions about their health.
Updated: Sep. 10, 2022 at 10:42 AM EDT
|By James Giles
INTERVIEW: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
Updated: Sep. 7, 2022 at 6:55 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Recent displays of intolerance have local LGBTQ+ leaders scratching their heads but unwavering in their efforts at inclusion.
Updated: Aug. 20, 2022 at 12:26 PM EDT
|By James Giles
INTERVIEW: Happiness Loves Company Too
Updated: Aug. 20, 2022 at 11:54 AM EDT
|By James Giles
INTERVIEW: Soul Fest 2022
Updated: Aug. 16, 2022 at 11:57 AM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
A murder suspect had his first court appearance Tuesday morning after an alleged vehicle chase on Buena Vista Road that led to the suspect’s ex-girlfriend fatally shot and another woman critically injured.
Updated: Aug. 13, 2022 at 11:39 AM EDT
|By James Giles
INTERVIEW: Domestic Violence Resources within the Community
Updated: Aug. 9, 2022 at 3:13 PM EDT
|By Jatavia O'Neal and James Giles
The footage allegedly shows Officer Bramblett throwing homeowner Tomeisha James Madden’s security camera in some nearby bushes and using a racial slur.
Updated: Aug. 9, 2022 at 8:32 AM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
The Columbus Police Department is investigating shooting that left a teenage girl dead and another person severely injured.
Updated: Aug. 8, 2022 at 7:37 PM EDT
|By James Giles
The Harris County School District students returned to the classroom this Friday.
Updated: Aug. 8, 2022 at 7:31 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Back-to-school time comes with its own set of challenges for kids, especially now with it being the first ‘normal’ school year for many since the pandemic started.
Updated: Aug. 3, 2022 at 7:46 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is expanding efforts to attract more foster care parents in the Peach State.
Updated: Jul. 27, 2022 at 6:41 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Recent incidents on the other side of the country are prompting them to be proactive and not get left behind.
Updated: Jul. 25, 2022 at 9:28 AM EDT
|By James Giles
A Columbus nonprofit is aiming to make sure at-risk youth don’t end up dead from senseless violence or in jail.
Updated: Jul. 21, 2022 at 8:16 AM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
Should potential homeowners be forced to buy 10 acres of land just to build one house?
Updated: Jul. 13, 2022 at 8:04 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Law enforcement agencies are noticing a disturbing trend in more violent crimes involving violence women against women.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 11:35 AM EDT
|By James Giles
News Leader 9 is taking a look at how anti-abortion laws will impact the state’s foster care system.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 4:40 PM EDT
|By Jessie Gibson and James Giles
According to SafeKids Columbus, this is the 7th child to die in a hot car this year and second in Georgia.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 8:04 PM EDT
|By James Giles
With recent changes in the district attorney’s office and past circumstances, a high number of court cases are stuck in limbo for now.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2022 at 9:40 AM EDT
|By James Giles and Leonard Hall
Judge James McGlaun, a longtime probate judge for the Unified Government of Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, has died.
Updated: Jun. 8, 2022 at 7:12 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Summertime is here, which means more teen drivers out and about. With that in mind, AAA is urging parents and teens to be extra cautious while on the roads during what they call the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.”
Updated: Jun. 7, 2022 at 4:35 PM EDT
|By James Giles
Columbus Animal Care and Control desperately needs your help.
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