Joe Kovac Jr.
Joe Kovac Jr. staff image
Joe Kovac Jr. is Macon bureau chief covering Middle Georgia for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is a Warner Robins native and he previously reported for the Macon Telegraph, where he was a staff writer for three decades. He was a Pulliam Fellowship recipient in 1991, working for the Indianapolis News. His stories have appeared in the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and Atlanta Magazine. He has been a Livingston Award finalist and won Georgia Press Association, Georgia Associated Press and Green Eyeshade journalism awards.
Latest from Joe Kovac Jr.
ROBINS AFB Hiring Surge

Major economic jet engine for Middle Georgia is hiring again

Frank Rubio, a NASA astronaut, is helped out of the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft minutes after he and Roscosmos cosmonauts landed near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Rubio safely returned to Earth after spending 371 days in space, a record in spaceflight for American astronauts. He will return to orbit next year aboard the Orion spacecraft. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via The New York Times)

He delivered 100 Georgia babies. Soon, he’ll return to space on Artemis III.

Warner Robins High School Shooting Suspect Denzelle D. Willis Jr., 14

‘Courageous’ teacher, deputy saved student shot in leg at Georgia high school

Students leave Warner Robins High School as Houston County Sheriff's vehicles remain on the scene after a shooting on campus left one injured at the Middle Georgia school on Aug. 12, 2026, officials said. Police have a suspect in custody. (Joe Kovac/AJC)

Suspect in custody after shooting at Warner Robins High School, officials say

Bibb County Sheriff's cruiser

Georgia sheriff’s deputies arrested, charged with stalking, misusing Flock

Iran War Deaths

Tyler James Feehan, U.S. soldier killed in Jordan, buried Friday in Georgia

Super-rider James Fordham

The roller coaster he’s ridden 28,000-plus times is closing. Now what?

Peach at Lane Southern Orchards

The secret to plucking the perfect Georgia peach is, well, kind of a secret

Alan Walden

Alan Walden, who managed Otis Redding and Lynyrd Skynyrd, dies at 83

New Macon arena

‘Spectacular’ arena between Atlanta and Savannah is part of city’s $1B ‘flex’