Augusta
Morning News
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Augusta. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 2nd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Salvation Army is 97% to reach its $15.7 million goal for a new Center of Hope shelter in downtown, which will serve as an emergency overnight site with separate areas for families + single women + single men and extra space for case management. WRDW
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Wrightsboro Road Walmart reopened after a month-long closure for remodeling as part of a national campaign. The store on Wrightsboro Road is now ready to serve local shoppers. WRDW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gray Media and WRDW/WAGT launched the Star-Spangled Sing-Off contest to invite Americans to submit a capella rendition of the National Anthem for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville (contest entries close Sunday, May 31 and the winner is announced July 2). WRDW
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Georgia Power broke ground Thursday at Plant Wansley (on the Heard/Carroll county line) to build a 500-megawatt battery storage system and a 1,500-megawatt natural gas plant to serve local data centers. The battery facility will open in 2028 and the natural gas plant in 2029 to help keep rates steady. WRDW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Generac Foundation is giving $5,000 to support Cougar Camps, a hands-on STEM and workforce program for students ages 11 to 15 run by Augusta Technical College Foundation. The camps will run from June through December, offering learning in fields such as manufacturing, construction, and engineering. Augusta CEO
- ➤ Paine College received full five-year reaffirmation from TRACS on March 27 after overcoming its prior 'Show Cause' status, ensuring continued federal aid and respected degrees while paving the way for campus improvements & enrollment growth. Augusta CEO
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A government document appears to outline a plan to convert Eisenhower Army Medical Center—at Fort Gordon—from an inpatient hospital to an outpatient facility with discontinued inpatient, operating room, and emergency room services; officials have yet to confirm the changes, which could begin Sept. 1. WRDW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Health officials in Augusta caution residents to avoid burning candles, smoking indoors, and vacuuming frequently when wildfire smoke returns to help maintain clean indoor air. They recommend keeping windows closed, running air conditioners with clean filters, and using air purifiers if available. The Augusta Chronicle
- ➤ State officials launched the Look Again campaign to remind drivers to check if children are in cars as temperatures rise. They warn that when it is 85 degrees outside, vehicle interiors can quickly reach over 100 degrees, putting kids at risk of heat stroke. Augusta CEO
- ➤ Belvedere firefighters warned residents that surge protectors with grounding issues could start fires. They advised checking devices soon to avoid hazards. WRDW
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First Tuesday Tech Talk Augusta
7-9 p.m. — Jessye Norman School — Free entry — Connect with local tech enthusiasts for discussions and hands-on workshops.
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Dinosaur Adventure
3:30 AM – 1 PM — Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center — Check website for costs — Families can experience an exciting dinosaur-themed adventure at this local favorite.
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Mamma Mia! Movie Screening
2-4 p.m. — Miller Theater — Free entry — Enjoy a nostalgic screening of Mamma Mia! as part of the Movies at the Miller series.
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IdleWild Style Augusta II
8 PM-12 AM — Central Station Event Center — Cost info not provided — Enjoy a vibrant night with live music from Kydd Joe and exciting choreography.
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An Unforgettable Night of R&B Royalty
7-8:30 p.m. — Miller Theater — Tickets available — Experience a magical evening of classic R&B with Grammy winner Regina Belle and Keith Washington.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.
~ Cornelius Vanderbilt
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