Good morning, Augusta.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday at Studio Lodge Extended Stay near 1052 Claussen Road for allegedly forcing a non-verbal person with autism to perform oral sex—he now faces charges of aggravated sodomy and exploitation of an elderly or disabled person.

Authorities charged father Chris Louis on March 22 with child neglect after video evidence showed he arrived at the West Bank Inn for a job interview hours before witnesses said he left his three children unattended at a McDonald's playground—raising doubts about his claim even as a fundraiser led by former NFL star Antonio Brown nearly reached its $50,000 goal.

A police chase turned deadly Monday night near Augusta when Joseph Mobley, 47, drove away after an officer checked on him at Krystal’s on Bobby Jones Expressway—he ingested narcotics while waiting for help and lost control during a PIT maneuver on I-520 that led to a fatal crash into a guardrail.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputy captain Danny Whitehead said extra patrols will cover Washington Road—Riverwatch Parkway and downtown as Masters week nears, while the Georgia Department of Transportation has stopped highway construction on major roads to ease traffic.

Local agencies and Augusta Traffic Engineering will work together to keep visitors safe throughout this busy week.

The Partridge Inn in Augusta is opening a few rooms for Masters Week so guests can book a stay with services like daily shuttle, valet parking, complimentary champagne, and nightly dinners.

The historic hotel—recently upgraded in its verandah and rooftop areas—mixes Southern charm with modern luxury near Augusta National.

Megha Ganne led day one of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a record score of 63—she made seven birdies and an eagle without any bogeys, finishing two strokes ahead of Lottie Woad.

The second round begins today at Champions Retreat in Evans and will air on Golf Channel from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

An official Masters media guide ranks all Augusta National holes from easiest to hardest based on average scores dating back to 1942.

The guide shows the four par-5s often offer more scoring chances while noting each hole’s par, yardage, and past performance trends.

Duke golf grad Phoebe Brinker is competing in her fourth Augusta National Women’s Amateur as she teams with her aunt Suzy Whaley—a famed UNC golf veteran and former PGA president—who is caddying for her amid a friendly family rivalry and hopes to help her qualify for the final round this week.

Forecasts for Masters Week events show mixed weather for Augusta golf matches — practice rounds on April 7 may be rainy until early afternoon while April 8 is expected to be sunny, and the Par 3 Contest on April 9 along with the Masters Tournament from April 10 to 13 will see sun with a rainstorm on April 11 and cloudy skies on April 13. The Augusta National Women's Amateur, which began Wednesday and runs until Saturday, will experience warm humid conditions, and the Drive, Chip and Putt Finals on April 6 will have rain starting in the afternoon.

RnB Invitation Tour

8 PM – Midnight — Bell Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Experience the smooth sounds of R&B artist Joe in an unforgettable live performance.

Concert by '68 in Augusta

7-11 p.m. — Grantski Records — Find tickets online — Experience a night of live music with '68 at this local venue.

Comedy Night with Brad Sativa

8-10 p.m. — Savannah River Brewing Co. — Grab your tickets — Enjoy an electrifying evening of humor with Brad Sativa's sharp wit and engaging storytelling.

2nd Annual Off-Broad Street Play Festival

Apr 18-26, 8 p.m. — Le Chat Noir — Check website for costs — Experience a night filled with diverse short plays from global playwrights at an intimate theatre.

Earth Day Augusta 2025

10 AM – 3 PM — Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — Free entry — Celebrate Earth Day with family activities, local crafts, and green business vendors.

AHA BLS CPR and AED Class

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. — CPR Certification Augusta — Contact the organizer for refund details — Get hands-on training and certification for essential life-saving skills.

Sports Playtime

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Imagination Station Children's Museum at Hickman Park — No cost specified — Engage in fun activities with your family at the museum.

Gladys Knight Concert

7:30 PM – 1:30 AM — William B. Bell Memorial Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary Gladys Knight performing timeless R&B hits.

Augusta Symphony Concert: Star Wars

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Miller Theater — Ticket Info TBD — Experience the iconic Star Wars movie soundtrack performed live by the Augusta Symphony.

Do The '80s Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — Whiskey Bar Kitchen — 25% OFF with code RAD25 — Relive the '80s with fun contests and vibrant themes in Augusta's nostalgic party.