Thursday, February 12, 2026

Goodwill to host free Veterans Affairs enrollment event

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Local veterans will have the opportunity to apply for free Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare at Goodwill's upcoming enrollment event. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Center on Lumpkin Road. Officials label this event as "veterans' first step" [...]
Governor Kay Ivey signs Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- Governor Kay Ivey signed the Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law Thursday. The Child Predator Death Penalty Act strengthens criminal penalties against those who are convicted of felony sexual crimes against a child. Crimes of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual assault of victims under the age of 12 [...]
New '483' area code to be implemented beginning Feb. 23

ALABAMA (WRBL) — The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) announced Thursday that the scheduled implementation of a new area code will begin in late February 2026. According to PSC officials, the new '483' area code will overlay the '334' area code region starting on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. The new area code ensures customers will [...]
'Choose Columbus' to begin developing project plans to attract major data center

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The economic development arm of Columbus, Choose Columbus, has announced its plans to attract a data center that could bring more than $5 billion in investments and nearly 195 high-paying jobs. According to Choose Columbus officials, the development authority has partnered with Habitat Partners, to develop a private and secure site [...]
Piggly Wiggly Phenix City Plaza location to close after nearly 40 years

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WRBL) — The Piggly Wiggly located on 13th Street, which has served its Phenix City community for the last four decades, will soon be closing. The locally owned grocery store came to the decision after years of financial struggles. According to company leadership, the Phenix Plaza location suffered from equipment replacement needs, [...]