When it comes to television shows, the rules for children’s programming are pretty strict and that’s a good idea.

The economy on a national scale is performing at heights not seen in decades and that is good news for us here in Columbus, too.

How is it that any driver, accused in connection with a fatal crash, is allowed even one citation for reckless driving, without having his bail immediately revoked?

Only two Americans are honored with federal holidays in their names: George Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We’d like to invite you to “Set a Date to be Great” and join our community project with the Red Cross to make an appointment to donate blood.

It should be the top priority of every house of worship, just as it is for every school and every large public venue, to have a security plan that acknowledges that dangerous people exist everywhere.

Chuck Leonard’s retirement from WTVM happened last week after a broadcasting career of over 40 years, 38 of those years at WTVM.

We want to be able to rely on our professionally trained officers, but the police can not be everywhere all the time.

From now through December 18th, WTVM and our client partners: Gil’s Auto, the Ritz Hollywood Connection and Headquarter Nissan are collecting toys for needy children and children in foster care.

Around this time of year, we ask our viewers to help us gather non-perishable food to donate to the area’s premier food bank: Feeding the Valley.

With the alarming and almost constant news of shootings, murders and other acts of violence in parts of our community, we at WTVM decided to make a sustained effort to examine this deeply rooted problem.

A first-of-its-kind Men’s Empowerment Breakfast last week provided many inspiring messages, especially aimed at young men, one of which was, “You cannot be what you cannot see.”

The sad case of Trillisha Williams, of Columbus, who was recently shot in the face and remains in critical condition, should be understood as a cautionary tale about domestic violence.

We want to salute a truly amazing woman from Smiths Station, Alabama who was born just as the first shot was fired in World War 1.

It’s a certainty that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, is here to stay.

It should not take the occasion of the annual remembrance of 9/11 to give first responders some extra love.

As we live through another summer hurricane season, the effects of severe weather can never be underestimated or glossed over.

There are plenty of more down-to-earth duties police officers perform every day to keep us safe, and those duties require a special kind of person with excellent character.

A dramatic jewelry store robbery last week in Phenix City, all caught on surveillance video, demonstrates the value of a responsible gun owner acting in self-defense.

It’s time for school to begin and that means it’s time to encourage our students of all ages to grow into adulthood as educated, positive and productive citizens.

So many people dream of being a Super Bowl superstar. Others dream of being a game show host, winning an EMMY as an Outstanding Talk Show host, writing a best-selling book or creating a popular fashion line. Well, one man did all those things.

Two recent public arguments in Georgia captured on cellphone video, both escalated to out-and-out brawls that included life-threatening behavior.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since Georgia’s Hands-Free Law took effect, banning drivers from holding or using their cell phones while driving unless they use hands-free technology.

This week, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing. It was – and still is – an amazing feat of human intelligence, bravery and dedication.

It’s completely heart-breaking that six year old Jeremiah Henderson drowned in the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. There is nothing as devastating as losing a child, no matter how it happens.

One of the most inspiring stories this graduation season centered around a young man who rose from poverty to play Division 1 College football, get his college degree, then a Rhodes Scholarship and is now an author - all this, at age 25.

A-list and D-list celebrities alike, want to punish Georgia’s 92,000 production company workers, who are just trying to make a living on the set, because of politics.

If recent surveys are correct, most Americans don’t know why we entered World War II, nor can they name any of the rights protected in any constitutional amendment.

There are a lot of debatable statistics when it comes to police officers and shootings, but there is one statistic that is a cold, hard fact.

With the country at large currently enjoying 3.6% unemployment, the lowest rate since 1969, finding qualified workers is getting tougher.

Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff takes a positive approach to teaching kids about law enforcement by teaching students in his Junior Deputy Program.

Two important, trailblazing women were both in the news in the past few weeks, but you might not know their names.

With more new cases of Measles now identified in Georgia and the possibility of new cases in Alabama, it deserves to be stated again: vaccinations are safe and effective.

Congratulations to the Muscogee County School Board and Superintendent David Lewis for hiring a school district police chief to meet the goal of stronger and more consistent security for Columbus area students.

By now you may have seen the gruesome video making the rounds on the internet of the brave Auburn gymnast who dislocated both knees and suffered excruciating pain during a recent floor routine, which included an ambitious handspring into a very difficult landing that went horribly wrong.

One Georgia lawmaker is proposing legislation that would do lasting harm to those of us who gather the news to keep you informed.

Over two weeks have passed since deadly tornadoes ripped through Lee County, Alabama and Harris County, Georgia.

We’ve been putting out more news alerts lately about missing teenagers with what seems like more frequency.

This year and each year, WTVM News Leader 9 had the privilege and honor of helping sponsor the Youth of the Year Award ceremonies for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley.

There’s something wonderful happening in Columbus, thanks to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and the performers of Ballet Hispanico.