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Continued Coverage
Keep Columbus Beautiful kicking off anti-litter campaign
Keep Columbus Beautiful is kicking off its annual anti-litter campaign Saturday.
Randolph County Neighbor 2 Neighbor initiative helping seniors register for COVID-19 vaccine
An initiative in Randolph County is helping seniors with COVID-19 vaccination registration.
Beauregard Tornado: Two Years Later
Chief Meteorologist Derek Kinkade takes a look back at Beauregard tornado from 2019 and how the recovery process is going two years later.
Columbus Parks and Recreation reopening recreation centers
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department are reopening recreational amenities throughout the city.
MOST RECENT
Opelika man arrested, charged with murder of woman found dead in her home
An Opelika man is behind bars and facing a murder charge in a woman’s death earlier this week.
Columbus police investigating shooting at Steam Mill Rd. apartment complex
Columbus police are currently on the scene of a shooting at an apartment complex on Steam Mill Rd.
Hamilton City Council addresses concerns of residents over hiring of new police chief
It has been a little over a month since News Leader 9 aired bodycam footage that showed the former Hamilton police chief and a patrolman exchanging racial slurs.
Attorney, law enforcement speak on how LaGrange man wrongfully spent 40 years behind bars
After 40 years behind bars, Terry Talley was released from prison after being wrongly convicted of a series of rape and sexual assault crimes from 1981.
Woman dead after overnight shooting on Torch Hill Rd. in Columbus
A second overnight shooting in Columbus has claimed the life of a 31-year-old woman.
UPDATE: Man ID’d following deadly shooting on North Lake Parkway in Columbus
The shooting happened on North Lake Parkway.
Several Chambers County residents without access to high-speed internet amid pandemic
The Chambers County Library is looking to help families get Wi-Fi at home by allowing people to check out Chromebooks and hotspots.
GA gets virtual help from Illinois to fight teacher shortage
Georgia, like many other states in the nation is in the midst of a teacher shortage. School districts have had to think outside the box to fill the need.
Alabama Senate expected to take up casino, lottery proposal Tuesday
Alabama lawmakers are still working on a bill that would create a lottery and expand gambling.
Suspect arrested in shooting that injured man on Wright’s Mill Rd. in Auburn
35-year-old Brandon Morgan was arrested Thursday and is charged with one count of first-degree felony assault.
Girls Inc. announces inaugural Golf Fore Girls Tournament
The tournament is intended to raise money for different needs of the organization.
New department store opening in Auburn Mall
B. Turner's Clothing Company is expected to open this month.
DPH encourages people in Phase 1A+ to schedule vaccine appointments soon
Gov. Brian Kemp announced the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccination eligibility on Thursday.
Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office launches anonymous tip line for criminal investigations
The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office has launched an anonymous tip line for criminal investigations.
Columbus police searching for man who stole money from Fla. man’s bank account
Columbus police are releasing a surveillance photo of a man wanted in fraud investigation.
Auburn fires women’s basketball coach after 9 seasons
Auburn University has parted ways with Terri Williams-Flournoy, the head coach of the Tiger’s women’s basketball program for the last nine years.
Columbus murder suspect arrested in Fla.
A Columbus woman wanted for stabbing and killing man on 32nd Ave. in Columbus has been arrested in Florida.
Gov. Ivey to extend Alabama mask mandate 1 final time
Ivey, speaking at a news conference with State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, said this will be the final extension for the mask mandate.
Muscogee Co. Publix pharmacies to begin giving out COVID-19 vaccinations
If you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but have not been able to get an appointment, you might be able to get the vaccine at Publix.
Columbus Police Department warning the public of secret shopper scam
The police department’s financial crimes unit is seeing several scams involving fraudulent secret shopper jobs.
East Alabama community remembers tornado victims during candlelight memorial
An East Alabama community spent Wednesday remembering those lives lost two years ago in Lee County, ending with a candlelight memorial service.
Vigil held in Phenix City for S. Seale Rd. murder victim
A candlelight vigil and balloon release was held on Seale Road in Phenix City in remembrance of Kiron Golden.
Columbus mother starts crime petition against gun violence in the community
One Columbus mother is fed up with the crime and violence in the Chattahoochee Valley and is calling on the community to help her take a stand.
Smiths Station takes moment of silence on anniversary of Lee County tornadoes
The Smiths Station community took a moment of silence Wednesday at 3:03 p.m.
MCSD to hold in-person graduations for seniors
The Muscogee County School District (MCSD) announced Wednesday that it plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies for seniors. All ceremonies will have COVID-19 protocols in place.
Martin Army Community Hospital in Ft. Benning to offer COVID-19 vaccine
People 65 and older and high-risk beneficiaries will be eligible to get vaccinated at the hospital by appointment only.
Beauregard woman receives new home two years after husband dies, house destroyed in tornado
Two years after she lost her husband and her home in the deadly Lee County tornadoes, she’s getting a fresh start in a new house.
LaGrange man free after wrongfully spending 40 years in prison for rape
In 1981, Terry Talley was charged and convicted of a series of rapes and sexual assaults in LaGrange. In the four decades since then, Talley has been sitting in a jail cell. Today, he is a free man.
DA seeking death penalty in Floyd Rd. double homicide case in Columbus
According to District Attorney Mark Jones, the state will be seeking the death penalty against Quartez Thomas.
Remembrance ceremony held in Opelika for Lee County tornado victims
Several dozen people gathered in downtown Opelika Wednesday for a remembrance ceremony in honor of the 23 people who lost their lives in a Lee County tornado two years ago.
Gov. Kemp announces new mass vaccination clinic coming to Columbus
Five new mass vaccinations clinics are going to be spread throughout the state of Georgia and one of them will find its home in Columbus.
Trial date set for suspended Lee Co District Attorney charged with 7 felony counts
Hughes was arraigned on seven felony counts during a hearing Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to five ethics violations, conspiracy to commit theft and perjury.
WATCH LIVE: Gov. Kemp to update COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Gov. Brian Kemp and Dr. Kathleen Toomey will give an update on vaccine distribution across the state.
Columbus residents look back as anniversary of Muscogee Co.’s first COVID-19 case approaches
On March 19th, 2020, Muscogee County saw its first case of the coronavirus.
WATCH: Remembrance ceremony for 23 2019 Lee Co. tornado victims in Opelika
Wednesday marks two years since tornadoes ripped through Lee County, destroying homes, injuring dozens and claiming 23 lives.
PHOTOS: A look back at the Lee County tornado devastation in pictures
On this second anniversary, we take a look back through the photos that show the destruction of that day.
Beauregard church rebuilt, just like the community two years after deadly tornado
A church destroyed in the storm has now been rebuilt, just like the community of Beauregard has rebuilt itself, despite the loss.
Beauregard woman reflects after losing nine family members, including her parents and brother, in 2019′s deadly tornado
It has been two years since a tornado ripped through Lee County, destroying dozens of homes, injuring dozens of people and taking the lives of 23.
WATCH: Woman who lost husband, home in Lee Co. tornadoes receives new home two years later
A Lee County woman who lost her husband home during the 2019 Beauregard tornadoes that claimed 23 lives is receiving a new home.
Market Days on Broadway in Columbus returns for 2021 season
Warmer outdoorsy days are coming soon and we can’t wait!
Russell Co. High School baseball coach charged with assaulting student-athlete
Russell County High School’s baseball coach has been charged with assault following an incident with one of his student-athletes.
Firefighters rescue elderly woman, animals from overnight house fire in Valley
A Valley couple, an elderly woman, a dog and a cat are all safe following an overnight house fire Wednesday morning.
Death investigation underway after Opelika woman found dead in her home
Authorities in Opelika are investigating after a woman was found dead in her Tuesday night.
TWO YEARS LATER: Church destroyed in Lee Co. tornadoes being rebuilt; welcoming members back
Watoola United Methodist Church, built back in 1905, was destroyed by the EF4 tornado that ravaged Lee County’s landscape March 3, 2019.
Concerned citizens, business owners voice concerns of paid parking proposal in downtown Columbus
The current plan proposes to have pay stations for parking downtown during the weekday for $2 an hour.
Local school districts continue enforcing COVID-19 safety protocol as spring break nears
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still recommending that people not travel as spring break approaches.
Nearly 25K COVID-19 vaccines administered in Columbus
Officials say plans are in the works to help expand vaccine availability by potentially receiving shipments of the recently approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Auburn University announces spring graduation to be held at Jordan Hare Stadium
Officials say in place of larger ceremonies that combine multiple colleges and schools , graduates will participate in individual college and school ceremonies.
Alabama Senate passes bill banning transgender treatments for minors
Senate Bill 10, called the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, passed 23-4 Tuesday afternoon. It now goes to the House.
Columbus man sentenced to 14 years for attempting to sell meth in Harris Co.
Jeffery McBride, 40, is convicted of attempting to distribute a half-kilo of methamphetamine.
NEW DETAILS: Suspect in double homicide at Family Dollar store in Columbus in custody
Columbus police confirmed the suspect, Quartez Thomas, is also the suspect in another shooting just this past Sunday.
Opelika man to be honored for saving mother, children from apartment fire
Brandon Taylor caught two children who had to be dropped out of the window from an upper level apartment unit.
UPDATE: Muscogee Co. Prison inmate captured after escaping at Cooper Creek Park
Columbus police and the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office are searching for an inmate who has escaped.
$4.93M awarded for Alabama road and bridge projects
Nearly $5 million is headed to cities and counties across Alabama for road and bridge projects.
NEW DETAILS: Suspect in Family Dollar double homicide was one victim’s ex-boyfriend
Tragic new details are coming to light in the double homicide that claimed the lives of two women at Family Dollar on Floyd Rd. in Columbus Monday afternoon.
Man charged with vehicular homicide after Columbus pedestrian killed on 29th St.
It has been nearly a week since 24-year-old Curtis Ledbetter was struck by a vehicle and killed on 29th St. in Columbus.
Reward being offered in 11-year-old Lee Co. girl’s 1999 murder
In January 1999, 11-year-old Shameka Ray was reported missing from her Lee County home. She was later found murdered.
Opelika man charged in York Ave. stabbing incident
A man is behind bars in connection to a stabbing incident that took place on Opelika’s York Ave.