Smiths Station, AL Municipal and More

Smiths Station City Council appoints new mayor after Richard Cooley's death

The Smiths Station City Council appointed a new mayor Tuesday night. In a 4-0 vote, the council decided Mayor Pro Tem Victoria Green will be the city’s next mayor. Green abstained from the vote. Green will fill the vacancy left by Mayor Richard Cooley, who died Oct. 24 at Columbus Hospice House. He was 79. Cooley became interim mayor of Smiths Station in December 2023 after Bubba Copeland’s death by suicide . He was elected to a full term as mayor in August 2025. According to Alabama law, the city council fills the vacancy by electing a successor to serve the remainder of the four-year term, which runs through November 2029. Smiths Station followed this process after Copeland and Cooley died. Green is from Phenix City and worked at TSYS/Global Payments for 25 years. She has served as a Smiths Station councilor for six years. “I don’t think six years ago I saw myself in this position,” Green told the Ledger-Enquirer. “My home has been here for 21 years, and I just want my home to be successful, to be prosperous, to be safe, and (for) us to be proud of where we come from.” Smiths Station resident Makenzie Hartley,

Smiths Station, AL · 1d

WTVM

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Marcus Fuller chosen as next superintendent of Lee County Schools

LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WTVM) - Lee County school leaders have selected a familiar face to serve as the district’s next superintendent as Dr. Mike Howard prepares to retire at the end of the year. At Tuesday night’s Lee County School Board meeting, members chose Marcus Fuller from a field...

Lee County, AL · 1d

WTVM

Rep. Carolyn Hugley nominated for Georgia House Speaker

Georgia · 2h

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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‘My wounds are invisible.’ Ex-soldiers help scores of vets — and themselves.

Former soldiers Dominique Williamson and Jon Jackson help military veterans with PTSD at Comfort Farms and Tranquility Gardens in Georgia.

Milledgeville, GA · 1d

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

‘Today' show co-host coming to Columbus for interview with ‘Theo of Golden' author

NBCUniversal announced Wednesday that “Today” show co-host Jenna Bush Hager will bring her Read with Jenna book club to Columbus. Bush Hager will host a live conversation with Columbus native and Harris County resident Allen Levi, author of the No. 1 New York Times bestselling novel “ Theo of Golden” on Dec. 16 in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, according to NBC’s news release. The event is sponsored by VisitColumbusGA. The event will also be recorded for an episode of Bush Hager’s video podcast, Open Book with Jenna . The episode will be available for streaming Dec. 21. “We’re hopeful that it’s a great event that brings attention to Columbus, and we can celebrate Allen, the success of his book, and the place behind it,” Tabetha Getz, executive director of the Regional Prosperity Initiative, told the Ledger-Enquirer. “Having this opportunity to be here in Columbus is really exciting and special.” This event follows months of national attention surrounding “Theo of Golden.” Levi also recently brought Columbus into the national literary spotlight in October , appearing at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. Bush Hager has previously visited Columbus, including for the 2015 Jim Blanchard

Columbus, GA · 1d

wabe.org

Lake Lanier and other reservoirs get lower; drought operations kick in

As unusually dry conditions drag on in Georgia and neighboring states, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun drought operations affecting dams along the Chattahoochee River, including Buford Dam on Lake Lanier. The Corps has limited the amount of water it releases from Lanier for months, according to James...

Georgia · 3d

mindfullyamerican.com

5 Things Alabama Cemeteries Can Remove From a Grave Without Telling the Family

Under Opelika’s cemetery rules, an iron item on a grave has to go once it starts to rust. Alabama cemeteries each set their own rules, and some let staff remove items without telling the family. Here’s what Alabama cemeteries can remove from a grave without telling the family.

Alabama · 2d

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Columbus father-son duo is second family pair inducted into US Army Ranger Hall of Fame

This summer, Blair Brown , executive director of the National Ranger Memorial Foundation, was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame . He joined his father, 81-year-old retired Maj. Roger Brown, who was inducted in 2004, making the Browns only the second family pair in the Ranger Hall of Fame. According to the National Ranger Memorial Foundation website , 510 people have been inducted since 1992. U.S. Army Rangers make up the military’s 75th Ranger Regiment. The regiment’s 3rd Battalion, Special Troops Battalion and Intelligence Battalion are stationed at Fort Benning. The National Ranger Memorial at Fort Benning was built in 1992. The monument includes more than 7,000 stones, Blair said, honoring retired and active-duty Rangers. When Blair was inducted as an honorary hall of fame member June 24, he stood aside several general officers and the widow of a Delta Force member who fought in the Battle of Mogadishu. “I get to work around a lot of these people every day, and then to be considered amongst them as a peer was just overwhelmingly humbling,” Blair told the Ledger-Enquirer. Roger Brown’s service as a Ranger Roger grew up in California and joined the Army at 17. Early

Columbus, GA · 1d

WTVM

Muscogee County Prison recognized for inmate rehabilitation programs

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Muscogee County Prison is receiving statewide recognition for programs designed to prepare inmates for a return to society. On Nov. 10, Senator-elect Teddy Reese presented the prison with a proclamation recognizing programs that help prepare inmates for life after release. Through a partnership with Columbus Technical...

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The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism

Gov. Tuberville should lower his media hostility

Alabama governor-elect Tommy Tuberville treats political reporters a lot worse than he treated sports reporters when he was Auburn University’s head football coach. He regaled the sports guys in his office, shared his cellphone number with a few of them, and presumably felt some appreciation that they helped to save his job by uncovering the infamous Jetgate.

Alabama · 2d

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Georgia House Democrats select Carolyn Hugley as state's first Black woman Speaker

The Democratic caucus in the Georgia House of Representatives voted Thursday to make state Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus) the presumptive Speaker of the House. If the full House officially votes for her in January, when the Democrats will be in the majority, Hugley would become the first Black woman to be elected Speaker in Georgia. Hugley tips her hat to the women who came before her and inspired her career over the years, she told the Ledger-Enquirer. Women like Shirley Chisholm, Hugley’s “political hero,” who became the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress in 1968, representing New York’s 12th Congressional District. “She showed us how it’s to be done,” Hugley said. “You have to be fearless and bold and prepared.” Hugley also was inspired by Maretta Mitchell Taylor of Columbus, the first Black woman elected to serve Georgia House District 94, now District 134. She was a good friend and mentor, Hugley said. “We’re naming the interchange at Buena Vista Road in her honor,” she said. “Rep. Taylor was here when I got here, and we worked on a lot of things together because she was an educator.” Taylor died in 2013 after a lifetime of

Georgia · 3h

WRBL News 3

City of Auburn looks toward the future as developments and investments continue

AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) — Over the past year, the City of Auburn has attracted eight new businesses and approved expansions for six others, bringing in nearly $400 million in new investment. My questions focused on two things: why businesses are choosing Auburn, and how this growth will affect current and future residents. “In the late […]

Auburn, AL · 2d

WALB 10

Dougherty Co. attorney appointed to state court judgeship by Gov. Brian Kemp

DOUGHERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — An attorney from Dougherty County has been appointed to serve as a judge on the State Court of Muscogee County. The Dougherty County Board of Commissioners offered their congratulations to County Attorney Alex Shalishali on his appointment Monday, Nov. 9. Shalishali is one of three appointees announced by Governor Brian Kemp. He will fill a new judgeship established by House Bill 1258 in the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly.

Dougherty County, GA · 3d

WRBL News 3

Opelika contractor awarded $22 million bid to replace SR-77 bridge in Etowah Co.

MONTGOMERY (WRBL) — An Opelika business has been awarded a more than $22 million contract to replace Gilbert’s Ferry Bridge on SR-77 in Northeast Alabama, Gov. Ivey announced Monday. The Scott Bridge Company will remove the 87-year-old northbound bridge and replace it with a modern two-lane bridge. The bridge will carry two 12-foot travel lanes […]

Opelika, AL · 3d

WRBL News 3

Local women veterans turn trauma into healing, purpose, and support for others

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — For many women who serve in the military, the battle does not always end when they return home. For Army veteran Arvinette Brooks, healing has meant finding a new way to express herself through art. “There is life after trauma,” Brooks said. Brooks served nine years, seven months, and 22 days […]

Columbus, GA · 1d

cnaw2news.com

Columbus announces District 4 neighborhood meeting

Columbus District 4 neighborhood meeting scheduled for November 17 to discuss community cleanup efforts. City will provide cleanup kits and debris pickup assistance; additional district meetings planned. The City of Columbus is inviting residents to take part in an effort to clean up neighborhoods across the community. A District 4...

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The Georgia Sun

Georgia artist’s work featured in the Obama Presidential Library

Columbus artist Cynthia Golden-Frasier was verifying some records as President of the Columbus Artists’ Guild, when her internet search turned up an astonishing surprise: a portrait she’d painted more than a decade ago is now part of the permanent collection of the Barack Obama Presidential Library. Golden-Frasier had...

WRBL News 3

Pinnacle sign installed on River Road; Synovus-Pinnacle integration efforts continue

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The merger between Synovus and Pinnacle is continuing its integration process. Crews were seen at the Synovus Bank on River Road Monday afternoon, replacing the buildings existing signs with Pinnacle Financial Partners signage. The two banks officially merged in January, creating a $117 billion regional bank. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Synovus, Pinnacle merger […]

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Alabama Reflector

Alabama college, university counties shift toward Democrats in midterms

While Democrats saw gains in every Alabama county last week, shifts in counties holding three of the state’s major universities were notable. In Tuscaloosa County, home of the University of Alabama, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones won 54%-45% over Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville, a reversal from 2022, when Republican Gov. Kay Ivey won against […]

Alabama · 13h

WTVM

Columbus State to host Veterans Day event for students and community

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Columbus State University will host a Veterans Day event Wednesday for students, staff and community members. The event starts at 10 a.m. with opening remarks from retired U.S. Army Col. John House. Boots and Bites, with food, music and activities, will follow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.