In this final article of our six-part series, our editor wished to directly address our city’s officials on the implications of the documents covered throughout this series. Explore the full story to hear what our editor believes needs to be said, whether city officials like it or not.

In this fifth article of our six-part series, we’ll be looking at the original draft report of Jensen Hughes Operational Assessment of the Columbus, GA Police Department. The word ‘leadership’ is mentioned 61 times throughout the report. Explore the full story to see how an extreme lack of leadership continues to destroy the department from the inside out.

In this fourth article of our six-part series, we’ll be looking at a survey conducted by the Fraternal Order of Police showing how 70% of the entire Columbus Police Department had no faith in their chief’s leadership in February 2022. Explore the full story to see the information officials dismissed as ‘racism’ as the dept and our city’s public safety continued to fall apart.

In this third article of our six-part series, we’ll be looking at the findings of the Columbus Police Department’s specially-formed retention committee, which identified severe leadership issues in January 2022. Explore the full story to see the information officials chose to ignore as the department and our city’s public safety continued to fall apart.

In this second article of our six-part series, we’ll be taking a deep look at a study that highlighted the Columbus Police Department’s severe leadership issues under chief Freddie Blackmon’s command all the way back in 2021. Explore the full story to see the information some city officials chose to ignore as our city’s public safety continued to fall apart.

Every news agency has these documents, though no one has made them available for public viewing. We believe the public has a right to know. That’s why we are leaking them for you. Explore the full story to see the four CPD documents that city officials and news media don’t want you to see.

In another special edition of The Weekend Muck, we take a deeper look at the Operational Assessment of the Columbus Police Department, as presented to city council by Jensen Hughes. Here’s your weekend look at all the muck that’s fit to print from the Columbus, Georgia area, along with a look at what to expect in the week ahead.

This is the fifth article in a five-part series on the Operational Assessment of the Columbus Police Department, as presented by Jensen Hughes to city council. Explore the full story as we close out this series to see why falsely calling 70% of the entire police force ‘racist’ might have been a really stupid idea.

This is the fourth article in a five-part series on the Operational Assessment of the Columbus Police Department, as presented by Jensen Hughes to city council. Explore the full story and stay with Muscogee Muckraker as we break down the world-class presentation, Chief Blackmon’s follow-up, and the reactions of our city officials.

This is the third article in a five-part series on the Operational Assessment of the Columbus Police Department, as presented by Jensen Hughes to city council. Explore the full story and stay with Muscogee Muckraker as we break down the world-class presentation, Chief Blackmon’s follow-up, and the reactions of our city officials.

This is the second article in a five-part series on the Operational Assessment of the Columbus Police Department, as presented by Jensen Hughes to city council. Explore the full story and stay with Muscogee Muckraker as we break down the world-class presentation, Chief Blackmon’s follow-up, and the reactions of our city officials.

This is the first article in a five-part series on the Operational Assessment of the Columbus Police Department, as presented by Jensen Hughes to city council. Explore the full story and stay with Muscogee Muckraker as we break down the world-class presentation, Chief Blackmon’s follow-up, and the reactions of our city officials.

Another CPD officer who recently left the dept says things are so bad that “soon you will dial 911 and just get a busy signal because there is no one left to send.” Explore the full story to find out why hundreds of officers continue to quit the dept in another exclusive article giving voice to the officers of the Columbus Police Department.

When 70% of our diverse police force has no confidence in their chief’s ability to lead, but officials claim “racism” is somehow to blame, all while cops quit in droves naming their chief as the reason as they go work for other diverse depts, it becomes apparent our city may be led by a group of f***ing morons. Explore the full story to make the call for yourself.

In this special edition of The Weekend Muck, we take a look at the dangerous state of the Columbus Police Department under the command of Chief Freddie Blackmon, told through several exclusive interviews with CPD officers themselves. Here’s your weekend look at all the muck that’s fit to print from the Columbus, Georgia area, along with a look at what to expect in the week ahead.

Another officer of the Columbus Police Department spoke up about the dangerous state of the dept. under Chief Blackmon, saying the city will “become a warzone” if the problems remain unsolved. Explore the full story to hear specific examples of how the department continues to erode, leaving the city to rot.

A former officer of the Columbus Police Department’s Special Operations Unit speaks up about their experiences before they recently left the department, answering questions about what they believe is adding to the department’s dysfunction. Explore the full story to see why they quit the force and how the sheriff’s office and city courts amplify CPD’s leadership issues.

In a follow-up to our previous reporting, a Columbus Police Officer answered the Muckraker’s questions about what is really going on inside the department, shedding light on how city officials have continued to do nothing about it, and how it continues to increase the dangerous crime plaguing our city. Explore the full story to hear the officer’s words for yourself.

Another veteran officer of the Columbus Police Dept. reached out to the Muckraker to speak up about the dept.’s dangerous staffing issues, saying Chief Blackmon’s claim of the city being properly policed is “complete horse sh*t.” Explore the full story to see how dangerously low CPD’s numbers continue to fall and how it prevents officers from keeping our city safe.

Officers of the Columbus Police Department have confidentially reached out to the Muckraker with new information that updates Jensen Hughes’ study, showing the issues have continued to devolve since the report was printed last November. Explore the full story to see how CPD’s severe leadership issues continue to destroy officers’ ability to keep our city safe.

When 70% of the entire police department said Chief Blackmon couldn’t do his job, officials dismissed their claims as “racism.” After insane rates of violent crime remained unanswered, locals funded a world-class study that now vindicates the officers’ claims. Explore the full story to decide for yourself if Chief Blackmon has broken the Columbus Police Department.

From doubled apartment rent and evictions coinciding with a significant population decrease, to a 23 year decline in the city’s employment rate, and even a city councilor saying she believes $1,400 rent is ‘affordable’ for her constituents, here’s your weekend look at all the muck that’s fit to print from the Columbus, Georgia area, along with a look at what to expect in the week ahead.

While the city hosts its new free GED and job training courses at the Phenix City-Russell County Library, we doubt anyone knows about it. Explore the full story to see the program’s absolutely atrocious marketing along with how Mayor Lowe can easily fix the issue.

For years, Frank’s Alley owner Ross Horner has been letting his actions speak louder than the words of most when it comes to making a difference in his community. Now, Ross has launched a new campaign to help connect those in need with the right services that can give them a hand up. Explore the full story to see why you should eat more hot dogs and support this guy.

We’re not sure what planet city councilwoman Toyia Tucker is living on, but Tucker claims that families making just $30k can afford $1,400 monthly rent. Even if both adults in a family of four made that, they’d still come up short. Explore the full story to see the real-world math behind how insanely out-of-touch Tucker’s privileged world view really is.

While several city officials are quick to brush aside the effects of their own overdevelopment efforts by saying “we need rent control,” the concept’s severe side effects ironically perpetuate the problem it artificially seeks to solve. Explore the full story to see the basic economic principles behind why rent control can only wreak havoc on the Fountain City.

The percentage of Columbusites who are gainfully employed has consistently fallen for the past 23 years to a rate far below the rest of the nation. Now, data shows fewer Columbusites are willing to go to work as the city faces serious staffing challenges. Explore the full story to see the data yourself.

After analyzing and cross-referencing eight years of Columbus rent data, there are clear connections between skyrocketing apartment rent, evictions, and the city’s declining population. Explore the full story to see how data suggests the city’s development is outpacing itself.

Earlier this week, we talked about how last year’s rise in Columbus homelessness was expected to increase for 2023. Now, new data just released by Home For Good confirms the increase was far worse than expected. Explore the full story to see the data for yourself.

After a years-long pattern of scandals and shoddy behavior, Springer Opera House producing artistic director Paul Pierce has announced he is ‘retiring’ — which includes continuing to work at the Springer, but in a new role, without executive authority, while his old job is covered by two current employees. Explore the full story for the details.