Good morning, Columbus.

Paws Humane Society will host its Barks & Blues Music Festival on Saturday, May 31 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Woodruff Park in Columbus; the event features live bands, food trucks and vendors with $10 admission supporting care for animals while kids 12 and under enter free.

State officials reported that $23M in EBT credits were stolen since the start of 2025—raising concerns about fraud in benefits programs.

Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley was terminated effective immediately by the city council on Tuesday night after councilwoman Charmaine Crabb cited sustained dysfunction and an operational breakdown in the finance and animal control departments — factors that led to a loss of confidence in his leadership.

The Georgia Attorney General approved the integration of Houston Healthcare — a system serving Warner Robins and Perry — with Emory Healthcare, and the merger will take effect on June 1.

Piedmont Columbus Regional is celebrating Women’s Health Month with a Wellness Wednesday event—details on topics and schedule will be announced soon.

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.

The MED Gala

6-10 p.m. — Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center — Fundraising event — Celebrate veteran physicians while enjoying a glamorous evening of dining and entertainment, benefiting future medical professionals.

Object Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML Training

Mon-Thu, Jun 9-13 — Georgia Training Center — $2090 — Enhance your IT skills in this comprehensive 5-day course on Object Oriented Analysis and Design using UML.

From Fintech to Crypto: Insights in Software Development

5:30-7 p.m. — StartUP Columbus — Free entry — Explore innovative software development lessons from the fintech and crypto realms with local experts.

Luke Brown & The Jubilee Concert

8 PM – 2 AM — The Loft — Buy Tickets — Enjoy a captivating blend of classic country soul with modern swagger.

Knoxville Smokies at Columbus Clingstones Match

1-4 p.m. — Golden Park — Ticket includes all-you-can-eat — Celebrate summer with a vibrant baseball game featuring local teams.

Columbus Area Middle & High School Camp

7:15-11 a.m. — St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School — Cost info not provided — Engage in running, conditioning, and fun activities at this enriching camp for 4th-12th graders.