Metro news for Monday

Mercer University, the Macon Telegraph and Georgia Public Broadcasting will share a $4.6 million grant that will enhance local reporting in the Macon area, develop more digital storytelling and create a teaching newsroom on campus.

As part of the collaboration professional reporters and editors will work with and provide additional training to journalism students at the private college. The grant from the Knight Foundation will also support reporting projects on issues Macon residents determine vital to their community. LAURA DIAMOND

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The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship received a $750,150 grant from the Lilly Endowment to create a program that will help ministers who are serving their first church after seminary.

Previous Lilly grants have totaled $4 million.

The CBF Fellows Program will include peer learning, coaching, mentoring and networking.

The program is expected to increase retention of ministers,  foster a greater sense of community among the young ministers and to help re-energize experienced ministers who serve as supervisors and mentors.

The process for applying for the CBF Fellows Program will be announced in the spring. SHELIA POOLE

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The state Department of Transportation is initiating a “sponsor-a-highway” program where companies will help pay for roadside trash removal.

The DOT currently has a volunteer “adopt-a-highway” program, but the paid sponsorships will be the first in the Southeast, according to DOT. Companies signed up include Zoo Atlanta, Tanger Outlets Mall and Hennessy Lexus Atlanta.

DOT spends about $11 million a year on roadside maintenance. ARIEL HART

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