https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315931168.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e6138f07-0215-4ec5-bba4-e340f8d1fcc8/1_th.jpg Kevin Blair talks about Pinnacle/Synovus bank merger at Columbus team-building event As Nashville-based Pinnacle Financial Partners and Columbus-based Synovus Financial Corp. work through one of the largest mergers in Southeast banking history, the combined company’s executives are betting culture, not just scale, will determine whether the integration succeeds. During a team-building orientation event this month at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center — in the city where the Synovus roots were planted 138 years ago — Kevin Blair, President & CEO Of Pinnacle Financial Partners spoke with the Ledger-Enquirer about how he views company culture as a key element in the business. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315931168.html/video-embed 79 2026-05-29T02:13:54Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/article315934658.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/cd544c8b-d01d-46bc-9814-de2c9b2f8656/1_th.jpg Madonna University wins national championship at NAIA Softball World Series Madonna University defeated Southeastern 8-4 on May 28 to win the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series at South Commons in Columbus, Georgia. It's the first NAIA Softball National Championship in Madonna's program history. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/article315934658.html/video-embed 67 2026-05-29T12:32:15Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315922411.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/fa593637-b99a-4db1-93d9-9eb2214e326c/1_th.jpg Columbus Councilor Simi Barnes sworn-in to fill her late father's seat Columbus Councilor Simi Barnes delivers a speech after being sworn in as the District 1 councilor during the May 26, 2026, council meeting. Barnes now sits in same seat once held by her late father, Jerry "Pops" Barnes. She was preceded by Byron Hickey, who was appointed to the seat in 2024 after her father died. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315922411.html/video-embed 121 2026-05-28T15:44:38Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315918912.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/608bf328-d0ef-4bf6-95ac-c2570c645d50/1_th.jpg Columbus hosts National Drone Championship. Learn more here Did you know the nation’s top JROTC drone teams competed for a national championship in Columbus, Georgia on May 22–23 at the JROTC All-Service National Drone Championship? If not, take a look inside the competition. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315918912.html/video-embed 74 2026-05-28T11:01:12Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315920835.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8652564c-8ce0-4460-a841-d17f14bbae21/1_th.jpg Watch as Miracle Riders deliver letters to Charlotte, NC brothers during Pony Express ride Scott Ressmeyer and the Miracle Riders returned to Columbus on May 22, finishing their Pony Express themed motorcycle ride to raise awareness of and funds for Columbus State University’s College of Education & Health Professions. Among the stops to deliver letters was one in Charlotte, North Carolina. There, they delivered letters from Columbus resident Heidi Harris to her grandson Jackson, and his little brother Ellis. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315920835.html/video-embed 73 2026-05-28T14:01:59Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315925724.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/96847916-dad4-4096-a13e-0f4ae0b199bb/1_th.jpg Cataula restaurant brings back childhood memories for Ledger-Enquirer's resident foodie Tucked away just off Highway 27 in Cataula, Georgia is a restaurant Ledger-Enquirer reporter Kelby Hutchison says he hadn't heard of before, but wishes he had. Cataula Creek restaurant, on 813 US-27, is in a shopping pavilion. It has food that reminded Kelby of some of his favorite sit-down restaurants growing up, blending Southern comfort food with more modern options as well.  https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315925724.html/video-embed 75 2026-05-28T18:59:34Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315866087.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b0f845da-a5eb-4d01-a344-125adbef0d7d/1_th.jpg We need your help to finding the best brew-spot in Columbus Columbus has built itself a legitimate craft beer culture with a style and vibe for everyone. The Ledger-Enquirer wants to know your favorite brew-spot. We’re rounding up the best breweries in the Columbus area, and we need your nominations to do it right. But the best brewery isn’t always the most well-known, and your vote shapes the story. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315866087.html/video-embed 47 2026-05-23T09:03:20Z 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/environment/article315743879.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4554127f-7433-414d-9d28-341be630e69c/1_th.jpg Public advocates form the Pledge for Public Trust for Georgia Public Service Commissioners Three GA Public Service Commission Candidates sign the pledge for the public trust declaring, they will not take funds from Georgia Power or other affiliated entities from Southern Company. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/environment/article315743879.html/video-embed 122 2026-05-13T20:05:43Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politics-government/article315912004.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/ca8b37d3-0681-452d-be3e-bcdd0de9fcd2/1_th.jpg Byron Hickey provides final words as Columbus Councilor Former Columbus Councilor Byron Hickey completed his time on the council after he was appointed to replace Jerry "Pops" Barnes in 2024. Hickey will be succeeded by Simi Barnes, who won a May 19 special election for the District 1 seat. The Columbus Council proclaims May 26, 2026 as Byron Hickey Appreciation Day. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/politics-government/article315912004.html/video-embed 174 2026-05-27T20:01:53Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315766530.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/2cda7120-1125-47cb-93b5-d5af03bb17cf/1_th.jpg Gubernatorial candidate Chris Carr discusses redistricting during Columbus, GA visit Less than a week ahead of the May 19 election, Chris Carr made a campaign stop on May 13 at The Office Sports Bar & Grill, where he met with local residents and answered questions about his platform for governor. Ledger-Enquirer reporter Brittany McGee asked about his position on redistricting. Here's his response. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315766530.html/video-embed 141 2026-05-15T09:10:55Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315905976.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/a040c7b9-28e7-4cf3-b960-eada6a627337/1_th.jpg Camp Abilities at CSU uses adaptive sports to empower blind and visually impaired children “Camp Abilities is a sports camp for kids that are blind or visually impaired,” said camp director Jeanine Fittipaldi-Wert, associate professor of health & physical education at CSU “It’s where we focus on sports that are either in the Paralympics or sports for individuals that are blind. It also promotes socialization and independence.” Learn more here https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315905976.html/video-embed 139 2026-05-27T14:01:20Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315737199.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/4fceb954-d867-4629-9e0a-93b0a4fd3d92/1_th.jpg Watch as historic Alma Thomas House in Columbus is moved to new location Historic Columbus moved the Alma Thomas House on May 12, 2026 from 411 21st street in Rose Hill and placed it next to the Ma Rainey Home, 805 5th Avenue, in the Liberty Heritage Historic District. Learn more here https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315737199.html/video-embed 76 2026-05-13T12:46:00Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article315892557.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/976392c2-025c-45ee-990b-6972ee324f56/1_th.jpg Why the High School Band Directors National Association seeks donations for multimillion-dollar project in Columbus Oliver Boone, executive director of the High School Band Directors National Association, explains why the nonprofit organization is asking for donation to help construct a multimillion-dollar facility in Columbus. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article315892557.html/video-embed 59 2026-05-27T09:00:00Z no https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315679648.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/b3c74571-666c-4293-8695-269d67643436/1_th.jpg Want a free lunch? Here's an option for May 8 in Columbus, GA VisitColumbusGA is providing FREE Community Appreciation Lunches to Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week.Today's lunch included a free hot dog, chips, drink, and also a treat from The Icey Girl & Co.They're doing so again on Friday, May 8 in front of RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in downtown Columbus from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.Tomorrow's menu is different, and includes food from a favorite Columbus restaurant. Learn more here. https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article315679648.html/video-embed 72 2026-05-08T01:42:51Z no