Clouds, rain chances, and a damp weekend ahead

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) -- Good Friday morning! We are starting the day on a cloudier note as we wrap up the work week. Temperatures are noticeably milder compared to recent mornings, with most locations sitting in the mid to upper 70s. As we head through the day, expect mostly cloudy skies with scattered showers and [...]

Closing arguments done in 2022 Cross Tie Court murder trial; Jury begins deliberating Friday morning

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) -- The fates of three Columbus teens facing multiple charges, including murder, will be put in the hands of a Muscogee County Superior Court jury Friday morning. Attorneys finished closing arguments about 9 Thursday night as Superior Court Judge Maureen Gottfried pushed to get through hours of closing arguments. Malik Lewis, Mayel [...]

Support local teachers during week one of supply drive

The annual Teacher Supply and Hygiene Drive launched today at the Family Dollar on Auburn Avenue near Cross Country Plaza. The initiative aims to collect essential supplies to support local educators and their students. Organizers will continue accepting donations until 6:30 PM Eastern to help boost resources for regional schools.

Gov. Brian Kemp orders U.S. and Georgia flags to be lowered in honor of 9/11

GEORGIA (WRBL) — Gov. Brian Kemp ordered on Thursday that the state of Georgia recognize Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, as Patriot Day by flying the U.S. and Georgia flags at half-staff on all state buildings and grounds. On September 11, 2001, the nation faced a tragedy when nearly 3,000 men, women, and children were killed as [...]

UST looks to carry Pinoyliga Cup crown into succesful UAAP Season 89 campaign

UST guard-forward Mark Llemit believes the Growling Tigers can use their successful preseason campaign, highlighted by a Pinoyliga Cup championship, as a springboard heading into UAAP Season 89.

In an exclusive interview with Abante reporter Maverick Valite, Llemit said the confidence they gained from winning the preseason title could be valuable once the level of competition rises in the UAAP.

“I hope na Pgdating sa UAAP, ma-translate namin ang mga ginagawa namin doon. I hope na iyung confidence namin, iyung momentum na nag-champion kami, I hope ma-translate namin iyun sa UAAP,” Llemit said.

The UST standout, however, acknowledged that preseason success will mean little once the UAAP season begins, where the atmosphere and competition are expected to be more demanding.

“Kasi iyung UAAP iba na iyun. Iba ang atmosphere ng UAAP,” he added.

Llemit also sees team chemistry as one of the biggest advantage UST developed during its preseason run.

The Tigers were able to build familiarity with one another while consistently executing their system throughout the tournament, something Llemit hopes they can bring into the UAAP.

Still, he stressed that the team must make an important adjustment before the regular season: maintaining discipline and staying humble.

“Siguro iyung adjustment na gagawin namin iyung disiplina namin. Stay humble lang. Iyung parang disiplina namin na parang wala pa talaga kami naabot. Para mas maging hungry pa kami,” Llemit said.

For Llemit, the preseason championship should not become a reason for UST to become complacent. Instead, the title should serve as motivation to continue improving as the team prepares for a tougher stage.

“I hope na, iyun na, madala namin iyung mga ganoong chemistry na ipinapakita namin sa preseason,” he added.

UST now turns its attention to UAAP Season 89, where the Growling Tigers will have to prove that their preseason success can translate against the country’s best collegiate teams.

For Llemit and UST, the Pinoyliga Cup championship is not the finish line, it is the foundation for what they hope will be a stronger UAAP campaign. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)

The post UST looks to carry Pinoyliga Cup crown into succesful UAAP Season 89 campaign first appeared on Fastbreak.

Columbus residents to honor 9/11 victims with 2nd Annual Columbus 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The city of Columbus is preparing for a stair climb at Synovus Park, soon to be Pinnacle Park, in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. This Saturday will mark the 2nd Annual Columbus, Georgia 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Officials say climbers will meet at the baseball park for registration at [...]

Report: FIFA friendly pumps more than $27 million into Lee Co. economy

AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) — A report released on Wednesday by Auburn Athletics stated that the FIFA Friendly hosted by the university in June generated more than $27 million for Lee County. The study, done in partnership with Collegiate Consulting and Auburn-Opelika Tourism, analyzed lodging data, event-generated revenue and overlapping marketing data points to determine the [...]