A controversial plan to expand the capacity of the Folkston ICE Processing Center in Charlton County has been put on hold as some immigrant rights advocates call for it to be shut down.

A federal judge in Florida has blocked the imports of a high-priced Chilean sea bass from protected waters near Antarctica.

Stay updated as severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings are expected, with a Weather Authority Impact Day declared for Sunday at 7 a.m.

WJXT is proud to continue its long-serving promise of dedication to North Florida and South Georgia communities by introducing a new, inside perspective of area neighborhoods.

This two-month-long event invites families to explore the island while enjoying its natural beauty and various trails.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency for all 159 counties ahead of Tropical Storm Debby making landfall along the Florida Big Bend on Monday.

A family in South Georgia is trying to rebuild a week after a fire destroyed their home as one of the residents starts chemo treatments.

A South Georgia fugitive, accused of drug trafficking conspiracy, was arrested in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, according to the FBI.

A South Georgia fugitive will be featured in an upcoming episode of America’s Most Wanted on Fox Network television, according to the Glynn County Police Department.

Four South Georgia programs moved on in their high school football openers, including defending Class 5A state champ Ware County.

Brunswick, Camden County, Charlton County, Glynn Academy, Pierce County and defending state champion Ware County open the state playoffs this week.

Every JEA customer who lost power during the storm has had their electricity restored, and now local crews are headed to help people in South Georgia.

Bold City Con is back!

Near record-breaking heat continues into work week

All games will be streamed on News4JAX+ and select games will be broadcast live on WJXT Channel 4. We look at the matchups.

Jesse Cole, owner of the wildly popular Savannah Bananas baseball franchise, likes to say that normal is boring.

A diplomatic row at the bottom of the world is playing out between the normally allied U.S. and U.K. governments in response to provocations from Russia.

A tornado watch was issued until 11 p.m. Wednesday for Brantley, Pierce and Ware counties in Georgia.

March rainfall totals are impressive, 9-11″ across much of North Florida and South Georgia. Just since Wednesday, rainfall amounts have been 2-4″, enough such that the North Fork of Black Creek will reach flood stage later Friday.

The second annual McDonald’s Drive-Thru Challenge has kicked off! Now through Dec. 12, McDonald’s restaurants across North Florida and South Georgia are raising money through the drive-thru benefiting local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and families in need.

Thursday afternoon saw the tropical rains return. Up to 4″ of rain fell near the airport prompting a flash flood warning from 6pm until 9:15 pm Thursday evening for parts of Duval County. But it wasn’t just in Duval, as areas of South Georgia and St. Johns County also saw 2-4″ of rain on Thursday.

Georgia's seven-day average rose above 4,000 cases on Tuesday, almost 11 times higher than when cases bottomed out in late June. Statewide, 26 hospitals report they were turning away all patients or new intensive care patients.

Large area of moisture across the entire State of Florida (and South Georgia) is going to be hanging around and with it, the possibility of lightning. Not a good combination for a rocket launch.

Severe storms have been widespread the past few days throughout the South. Tornadoes, severe hail, damaging storm winds and heavy rainfall have been spreading ever closer towards Jacksonville. The good news? These heavier/severe storms are likely to fade before reaching Jacksonville.

Nearly a year after a video surfaced showing 25-year-old Black man Ahmaud Arbery being chased down the street of a South Georgia neighborhood, and eventually shot to death, the three men accused in his murder have been indicted on federal hate crime charges.

One day after signing Georgia’s controversial election reform bill, Gov. It’s an election security bill that increases early voting opportunities on the weekend here in Georgia,” Kemp said Friday during a visit to South Georgia. While Senate Bill 202 does guarantee at least one Saturday of early voting in future elections, the sweeping Republican-sponsored overhaul of state election law requires a photo identification to vote absentee by mail. State police arrested state Rep. Park Cannon, an Atlanta Democrat, on Thursday after she said she wanted to see Republican Gov. “It’s unfortunate a sitting state representative would actually stomp and kick a Georgia State Patrol officer,” Kemp said.

ALBANY, Ga. – A South Georgia brewery is among those affected by a cyberattack that is disrupting beer-making and shipments at the Molson Coors Beverage Co.Employees tell WALB-TV they were all sent home and told not to use any work-related internet sites until further notice. “The company is working around the clock to get its systems back up as quickly as possible,” Molson Coors said in its filing. Molson Coors wouldn’t say how many facilities were impacted. The company operates seven breweries and packaging plants in the U.S., three in Canada and 10 in Europe. AdThe company has nearly 600 employees at its Albany brewery.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A group of museums and historic sites are working together to promote a Georgia World War II Heritage Trail with stops across the state. The trail officially launched Tuesday and ties together 10 sites connected to Georgia’s history during the war. They include the Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, where the Army trained its first paratroopers, and the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning outside Columbus. On the coast, there’s the St. Mary’s Submarine Museum near Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, while South Georgia has the World War II Flight Training Museum in Douglas, where Army pilots trained at South Georgia College. The idea for a tourism trail linking Georgia’s World War II sites was launched a few years ago by Scott Loehr, president of the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force near Savannah and Sheri Jones of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, which operates the World War II Home Front Museum on St. Simons Island.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s national signing day around the country and quite a few local athletes are deciding on their college destinations on Wednesday. FletcherBella Phillips, volleyball, Florida State College at Jacksonville. MandarinSummer Alexander, softball, East Georgia State; Brennan Baker, baseball, Tallahassee Community College; Zach Mizrahi, baseball, Daytona State College; Madison Price, girls diving, Indian River State College. MenendezBrooks Berry, boys lacrosse, Berry; Ella Chang, girls swimming, University of North Florida; Ahnalie Layman, girls soccer, University of West Florida; Jasmyn Newson, girls swimming, Indian River State College; Mandy Taylor, softball, Eastern Florida State College. YuleeIan Cochran, baseball, Thomas University; Josh Green, baseball, Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Authorities said 16 people died when tornadoes swept through five South Georgia counties on Jan. 22, 2017. It was Georgia’s third deadliest tornado outbreak in history when a line of thunderstorms unleashed tornadoes across the state and narrowly missing Jacksonville. The radar indicated a series of tornadoes south of Jacksonville, one which began in Clay County and traveled into St. Johns County. Events like that typically don’t happen in January but tend to be reserved for the spring or fall severe storm season. A storm risk scenario marking the most extreme potential for nontropical storms.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Recent mornings have been a string of freezing cold/chilly starts. Not so much for this morning, clear skies and chilly, but not freezing cold temperatures. Starting off in the 40s, skies will have a few high clouds, not quite the super blue skies of recent days. Friday morning will be the mildest we have seen in weeks, sunrise temperatures will be mainly in the low 60s. Weekend OutlookPartly cloudy, breezy and chilly temperatures returning.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The federal air traffic control center in Hilliard that controls air space throughout North Florida and South Georgia closed Wednesday -- the second time the center has closed this year. Several flights in and out of Jacksonville International Airport were delayed anywhere from a few minutes to 3 ½ hours. The FAA JAX Center in Hilliard is temporarily closing this afternoon into the evening which may cause extensive delays and/or cancellations. According to George Winterling, retired News4Jax Weather Authority chief meteorologist, the air traffic control center first opened in December 1941 at Imeson Field -- also known as Jacksonville Imeson Airport. In February 1961, the air traffic control center moved to Hilliard.

Parts of South Georgia never saw their temperatures get out of the 40s, now that is a cold day. Those gray skies did break up towards sunset, but that means tonight we will see the perfect conditions for cold, for some, freezing cold temperatures. This month (and this winter, so far...) we have seen 3 freezing cold days where the “official” temperatures here in Jacksonville are measured. Sunrise Friday TemperaturesAs typical, the coldest morning low temperatures will be in the inland areas of Florida and Georgia. Area beaches will not see freezing temperatures, but will see some frost on car windshields, rooftops and grassy areas.

The British Antarctic Survey says a team of scientists will set off next month on a research mission to find out the impact of a giant floating iceberg on the wildlife and marine life on a sub-Antarctic island. (Corporal Phil Dye/Ministry of Defence via AP)LONDON – A team of scientists will set off next month on a research mission to find out the impact of a giant floating iceberg on the wildlife and marine life on a sub-Antarctic island, the British Antarctic Survey said Tuesday. Scientists are concerned about the risks it poses to the wildlife in the area if it grounds near the island. The research ship RRS James Cook is expected to depart from the Falkland Islands for the iceberg in late January. Povl Abrahamsen, who is leading the mission, said it normally takes years to plan such marine research trips.

Travis McMichael, 34, and his father, Gregory McMichael, 64, have been jailed since their arrests in May, more than two months after Arbery was slain. Langford’s wife, Ashley Langford, testified that Travis McMichael expressed remorse about shooting Arbery. Arbery can be seen grappling with Travis McMichael over the shotgun and punching him before being shot at point-blank range. Arbery can be seen grappling with Travis McMichael over the shotgun and punching him before being shot at point-blank range. COVERAGE OF AHMAUD ARBERY CASE: Timeline of killing, delayed prosecution | Witness heard racial slur after killing | Not first time Glynn County hesitated to arrest one of their own

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bad weather start to the work week as a strong nor’easter kicks it up from Central Florida to South Georgia. Meanwhile, in South Florida, Eta brushes through the Keys giving them torrential heavy rains and possible hurricane conditions. Inland Tidal Flooding up to 2′ possible as well, especially on Tuesday afternoon. All High Tides from here through Friday Monday and Tuesday High Tides Beach Erosion Moderate but not as bad as the September nor’easter Constant the next 7 days Monday and Tuesday morning Deadly Rip Currents Heavy surf advisory and High Rip Current Risk. Now Sunrise Monday into Sunset Monday Power Outages Possible when bands of heavy rains roll though on Monday Now Monday sunrise to mid-afternoonJacksonville ImpactsMonday Wind GUSTS

The video showing Arbery’s death, which was posted to a South Georgia radio station’s website, sparked nationwide outrage and brought new scrutiny to how the case was handled. Prosecutors in the case could also bring up on Thursday’s hearing their notice to bring in evidence of alleged racial videos, text messages and social media posts by the McMichaels and Bryan. An exhibit from a previous bond hearing for Bryan shows 22 pages worth of messages from Bryan’s phone where he repeatedly used racial slurs. Happy MLK day!”Cobb County Assistant District Attorney, and lead prosecutor on the Arbery case, Jesse Evans said the evidence of racial messages is relevant because of an ongoing federal investigation. Arbery’s mother says she is trusting in God as the hearings in her son’s case continue.

LONDON – A giant iceberg the size of the U.S. state of Delaware is floating toward the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, raising fears it could indirectly endanger young wildlife. The British Antarctic Survey said Wednesday it is concerned the iceberg may run aground near the island, preventing land-based marine predators from reaching food supplies and returning to their offspring. Professor Geraint Tarling, an ecologist with the Antarctic Survey, said it is the time of year when seals and penguins are tending to pups and chicks. The giant iceberg, named A68, has been floating north since it broke off from the Larsen C ice shelf in July 2017, the Antarctic Survey said. South Georgia, located in the southern Atlantic Ocean, is a British overseas territory,___Follow AP's climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate

Morning low temperatures this month have been an even bigger story. Morning low temperatures are a great proxy to knowing just how humid the overall pattern has been. During an 11-day stretch, at the end of month no less, the average morning low was 70° — not unlike June. The good news is, at least temporarily, we will now see Canadian dry air push the deep tropical air further south into the Southern Caribbean Sea. Although it may not be enough to stop additional tropical cyclones, tropical cyclone Eta is expected to form by Monday, but there’s enough dry air to lower our humidity and early morning low temperatures.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Great way to wrap up September, no nor’easter, no hurricanes, no tropical storms, no depressions... aaaahhhh. Saturday starts out in the mid to low 70s and warms up quickly to around 90°. Sunday starts out similarly, in the mid 70s with plenty of sunshine. We will see scattered afternoon storms on Sunday that kicks off a wetter weather pattern to start the week off. Expect to wake up in the upper 60s and warm up into the low 80s with a few showers lingering.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The opening week of the high school football season is here. Heres a glance at the top games of Week 1 and the full schedule for North Florida and South Georgia teams. BEST BETSBradford at Baker County: The best game in the area in Week 1. That ended a 10-game losing streak in the series, with the Tornadoes last win before that coming in 2005. GeorgiaFridays gamesBrantley County at Charlton County, 7:30 p.m.Brunswick at Pierce County, 7:30 p.m.Cook at Ware County, 7:30 p.m.Glynn Academy at Savannah Islands, 7:30 p.m.Richmond Hill at Camden County, 7:30 p.m.

WAYCROSS, Ga. – Police officers did not turn on their body cameras during a traffic stop that ended in an officer shooting at two teenagers in South Georgia, investigators say. RELATED: Man threatens action if Georgia officer isn’t arrested | Georgia pastor wants officer firedIn the calls, Officer Jesse Shook can be heard saying he was following a silver Acura he saw speeding near the local Walmart. “Trying to come up behind him.”The supervisor recommended the officer try to run the car’s tag and then to attempt a traffic stop safely. Officer Shook and Lt. Scott Rowell were wearing body-worn cameras, but according to a GBI spokesperson, the two officers did not turn them on. Officer Shook and Lt. Rowell remain on administrative leave pending the results of the GBI’s investigation.

Buddy Carter, R-Georgia, says safety will be the top priority when the Republican National Convention visits Jacksonville in August for President Trumps renomination speech. Carter said the convention is good for both sides of the Florida/Georgia line. Itll be beneficial to us in South Georgia, no question, he said. Hes passionate about health care issues and said hes concerned about the increase in reported COVID-19 cases. The RNC is a short-term, one-time boost, but Carter clearly wants the economy restarted and restored.

An additional 3,394 cases of COVID-19 were reported Tuesday afternoon by the Georgia Department of Public Health -- 249 cases less than were reported a day prior. Georgia has now recorded 3,054 deaths, according to numbers released Monday afternoon, an increase of 28 from Monday. A total of 209 hospitalizations were reported. In the six counties that News4Jax covers in South Georgia -- Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Pierce and Ware -- 94 new cases were reported Tuesday, down slightly from the 109 cases reported Monday. Confirmed cases and hospitalizations have been rising sharply in the state over the past few weeks.

With an additional five coronavirus-related deaths reported Sunday in Georgia, the state has now recorded 3,001, according to numbers released Sunday afternoon by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Georgia on Sunday added more than 2,525 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 116,926 cases. In the six counties that News4Jax covers in South Georgia -- Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Pierce and Ware -- 73 new cases were reported Sunday. No new deaths were recorded in those counties. Hospitalizations in Georgia totaled 13,259 as of Sunday, although the state admits thats likely an underestimation since it only counted if it was at the time the case was reported to DPH.

Here’s what to do when a tree falls on your house:If a tree falls on and damages your house, contact your homeowners insurance. This is also true if a tree on your property falls on to a neighbor’s house. If a tree falls on your property and isn’t a danger, then it’s likely you’ll have to remove a tree on your own:Consider contacting a tree removal service. Power lines might have been damaged near the tree or the tree might be resting precariously on some unseen obstruction. Rule of thumb: If you would have to use a ladder to reach and remove tree limbs, that tree is too big for you to remove safely.

DOUGLAS, Ga. - A South Georgia woman convicted of killing her boyfriend's 2-year-old daughter has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Prosecutor Ian Sansot says a Coffee County jury found Amanda Jacobs Coleman guilty of malice murder on Friday. News outlets report police responded in March 2018 to the home Coleman shared with her boyfriend near Douglas, where Coleman said she found Brooklyn Aldridge dead. WALB-TV reports a Georgia Bureau of Investigation autopsy found severe hemorrhaging around the girl's brain, likely a result of blunt force trauma. The outlet says Coleman later admitted to a witness she felt overwhelmed and had recently relapsed into drug use.

Photo courtesy of WSAV-TVHINESVILLE, Ga. - Two young girls were found dead in a car in the backyard of a South Georgia home, police said. Tracey Howard said investigators are still trying to figure out how the twin 3-year-old girls ended up in the vehicle. If autopsy results show the children died of heat exposure, the twins could be the 45th and 46th children to die in hot cars this year. Neighbors like Onesha Forrest, who has a daughter about the same age, are still reeling from the news. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting Hinesville police with the investigation.

FITZGERALD, Ga. - A former South Georgia high school band director has pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Jonathan Kelly pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to 15 years of probation after his prison sentence, WALB-TV reported. Prosecutors say the former band director at Fitzgerald High School "engaged in various repeated sexual acts with two different students'' both on and off campus. Court documents say the incidents happened between 2013 and 2017. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WAYCROSS, Ga. - Two drug traffickers, a Douglas, Georgia, man and an illegal alien with ties to a Mexican drug cartel, will spend more than a decade in federal prison after sentencing in a South Georgia methamphetamine conspiracy. Ricardo Santana-Hernandez, 32, of Cdaltimairano, Guerroro, Mexico, was sentenced to 135 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood. Santana-Herndandez, Bland and nine other conspirators -- five of them South Georgia residents -- pleaded guilty after their indictment by a federal grand jury in October 2018 for drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses. Ryon Bland, 32, of Douglas, Georgia, was sentenced to 110 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood. Prosecutors said that Santana-Hernandez was a source of supply for the drug trafficking organization that operated in Telfair County and elsewhere.

From Thomas Beauty II via WALBMOULTRIE, Ga. - A South Georgia woman is accused of dropping and fatally injuring her 3-month-old baby during an altercation with another woman. WALB-TV reports 26-year-old Karen Lashun Harrison was charged with felony murder, cruelty to children and simple battery. Moultrie Police Lt. Freddie Williams says Harrison got into a fight Friday with a woman at a beauty supply store and dropped the baby onto the pavement. Harrison told police the baby was injured when he fell from family friend Carneata Clarks arms. The other woman involved in the fight hasnt been charged.