Good morning, Columbus.

Paws Humane Society in Columbus has temporarily closed its general dog intake for 30 days to address severe overcrowding and help save healthy, adoptable dogs—shelter officials also waived impound fees and are urging the community to help reunite lost pets with their owners.

The Stamp Out Food Drive will take place on May 10 in Columbus—organizers plan to collect food donations to support local families.

More details on donation sites and times will be shared soon.

Columbus police arrested Eugene Mabry in connection with the May 5 shooting at Avalon Apartments on Cusseta Road—he faces charges of murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 8:00 a.m. today.

Two suspects — 69-year-old Eugene Mabry and 17-year-old Anthony Pollard Jr. — were arrested for a shooting at Avalon Apartment Homes on Cusseta Road that left 33-year-old Chastain Hunter dead and another person injured after police were called shortly after 2:30 p.m. on May 5.

Bridgette Turner is seeking answers in her nearly 10-year-old cold case after her son, Keith, was fatally shot multiple times on I-185 in 2015 near a now-closed strip club—police reported that a vehicle was seen leaving the scene—and she urges anyone with information to help solve the murder.

Columbus is set to welcome over 2 million tourists in 2025, which will boost local businesses and help residents save taxes as visitors spent over $300 million last year.

City officials say that the funds will go towards infrastructure projects — a sign of growing economic opportunity.

Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson announced that applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program are now open to teens and young adults to gain work experience and income.

Applicants will receive training from the Career Compass Academy and be placed in local government agencies and businesses (including Community Reinvestment, Parks and Recreation, Columbus Civic Center, Homeland Security, Metra, Worksource Georgia Area 14, Let’s Grow STEM, MCSD, Columbus Water Works and Davis Broadcasting) with wages of $14 per hour for trainees and $16 per hour for counselors.

MAFEST

1 PM – 8 PM — Liberty Theatre Cultural Center — Tickets available — Celebrate music, art, and heritage in honor of Ma Rainey with live performances.

Strategies to Secure Business Capital Workshop

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM — Prelude Events Studio — $25 for Members, $45 for Nonmembers — Learn important strategies to access business capital for your ventures.

Startup Runway Georgia - Columbus

3-5 p.m. — Cunningham Conference Center — Apply to pitch for $10k — Local founders showcase their startups for a chance to win funding.

Open Mic Night

4-7 p.m. — Everything Musical — Free entry — Local musicians share their talent in a vibrant community atmosphere.

Columbus River Dragons Playoff Game

7 PM — Columbus Civic Center — Lowest Price Guaranteed — Catch the Columbus River Dragons in action during their playoff run.

Rehab 25th Anniversary Festival

5-9 p.m. — The Outskirts Sports Bar & Grill — Free entry — Celebrate 25 years of Rehab with an exciting lineup featuring music from top artists.

Barks and Blues Music Festival 2025

3-9 p.m. — Woodruff Riverfront Park — $10 admission — Experience live music and a pet-friendly atmosphere with food, fun, and community support.

GASROE GS3 Annual Conference 2025

12 PM – 1 PM — Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center — Ticket required — Train as a School Safety Team and engage with school safety professionals at this innovative conference.

Virtual Senior Living Tour

9 AM - 7 PM — Visiting Angels — Free entry — Explore the benefits of senior living with a focus on quality care and engaging activities.

Fantasia Concert Featuring Anthony Hamilton

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Columbus Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience an unforgettable night of soulful performances by Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton.