https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/article315834462.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/f7c19dea-782f-4427-aabb-bb365131018e/1_th.jpg NAIA Softball World Series softball teams volunteer to beautify Columbus College softball players in Columbus for the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series swapped their softball gloves for disposable gloves Wednesday morning to beautify the Chattahoochee Riverwalk. Players and coaches from two schools, the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and Marian University in Indianapolis scoured the Riverwalk for trash, debris and litter as part of the Champions of Character Cleanup effort organized by the Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission and Columbus Sports Council. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/article315834462.html/video-embed 76 2026-05-20T22:47:10Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315826922.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/860c48bd-46cd-4ce7-a88e-cd6f9945c9da/1_th.jpg Upson County citizens voice concerns about proposed Brightmark plastic plant Over 100 Upson County residents gathered Monday night in the Thomaston Civic Center to speak in-person to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, which has the power to approve or deny the latest air permit application for the Brightmark plastic plant, Thomaston Circularity Center. The proposed 2.5 million-square-foot, 100-acre plastic plant would take in 400,000 tons of plastic annually, break it down to its original petroleum liquid form (a process called pyrolysis), hydrocarbon fuel and ship it off and use it for future plastic.  https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315826922.html/video-embed 155 2026-05-20T15:05:13Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315824768.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/183d7b5c-0723-4e9b-95f4-00edd1d05525/3_th.jpg 'We are one step closer to victory.' Mayoral candidate speaks to supporters after election results Isaiah Hugley, the former Columbus city manager who is currently running for mayor of Columbus, joined family, friends and supporters Tuesday night for an election night watch party. Hugley got 16,315 (44.68%) votes and will face Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle, who received 9,188 (25.17%) votes, in a runoff. Hugley and Cogle will compete in a runoff election June 16. This is an excerpt from his public comments. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315824768.html/video-embed 166 2026-05-20T12:18:29Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article315856305.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/7cc0f091-6ece-4a92-a07f-699cab3c3626/2_th.jpg Russell County student goes viral after earning $1.8 million in scholarships A video showing Russell County High School 2026 graduate Isabella Williams's Senior Night has been viewed more than 300,000 times on TikTok after the student earned over $1.8 million in scholarships. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article315856305.html/video-embed 59 2026-05-22T14:46:00Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315853042.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/061cf380-0e9d-4441-89dd-88c9f277d186/22_th.jpg From Miracle Riders to "Bad Boys, Bad Boys..." Here's one story from the 2026 Miracle Ride Robbie Green is among the 2026 Miracle Riders who shared a memorable moment from this year's Pony Express themed ride with fellow rider Jason McKenzie, who recorded several and provided them to the Ledger-Enquirer. Look for more reporting at Ledger-Enquirer.com https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315853042.html/video-embed 50 2026-05-22T08:56:33Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315823434.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/1cd690bc-7f9e-4620-8602-ec3dd81cacea/1_th.jpg Photo Gallery: Go inside mayoral candidate's election night watch party in Columbus, GA Isaiah Hugley, the former Columbus city manager who is currently running for mayor of Columbus, joined family, friends and supporters Tuesday night for an election night watch party. Hugley got 16,315 (44.68%) votes and will face Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle, who received 9,188 (25.17%) votes, in a runoff. Hugley and Cogle will compete in a runoff election June 16. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315823434.html/video-embed 52 2026-05-20T09:53:26Z no