Augusta
Morning News
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
Good morning, Augusta. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 16th of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Student-athlete Swaye Mohler of Augusta University uses careful time management to run Swaye Stitches (her custom business) while balancing track practice and classes. She makes handmade tote bags and book sleeves following techniques learned from her grandmother and plans to introduce new designs soon. The Bell Ringer
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Seventeen Aiken County Career and Technology Center students won the national PLTW Community Impact Award on Friday morning for their project Lighting the Way: Middle School Outreach, which taught 500 middle schoolers microscopy techniques + South Carolina State Teacher of the Year Dr. Christie Palladino led guidance. WRDW
- ➤ The UGA J.W. Fanning Institute will host Leadership Matters Live, a free four-part webinar series beginning June 17 that explores community leadership, engages youth and builds partnerships — each session runs from noon to 1:00 p.m. with registration required. Augusta CEO
- ➤ Martha Farmer, the first female president of Augusta University, died at 87 on May 13. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m. at Thomas L. King Funeral Home in Martinez; donations to family scholarships are welcomed in lieu of flowers. The Augusta Press
- ➤ Georgia guidelines for leaving children home alone suggest kids under 8 should not be unsupervised while those between 9 and 12 may stay for short periods (less than 2 hours) and 13-year-olds can be home longer as summer break approaches. The Augusta Chronicle
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ As drought keeps water supplies tight, plans for new data centers in Columbia, Richmond, and McDuffie counties face scrutiny — critics demand clear water-use data while proponents say the sites will bring jobs and technology growth. WRDW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Governor Brian Kemp re-suspended the motor fuel tax to offer travelers a 33-cent per gallon break for Memorial Day. The suspension begins midnight Wednesday and lasts until June 2, and it exempts diesel fuel so drivers can keep more money at the pump. The Augusta Chronicle
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Wellstar MCG Health is finishing construction on its Columbia County hospital and will open in a few months to offer more care access for local residents. Augusta CEO
- ➤ Doctors Hospital placed the final beam (signed by leadership and staff) for two new burn tower floors yesterday as part of a $150 million community campaign expanding the facility. The expansion will increase capacity with private rooms and updated equipment, and the new floors will open next year. WRDW
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ The UGA advises gardeners in middle Georgia—including Augusta—to plant in spring from March to May and in fall from mid-July to September for optimal harvests; spring crops are ready by early summer while fall produce peaks from October to December. The Augusta Chronicle
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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.
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"Weird Al" Yankovic Live in Concert
"Weird Al" Yankovic — 7:30-9 p.m. — Bell Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience the quirky humor and parodies of the legendary comedic musician.
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Tom Papa's Grateful Bread Tour
7-10 p.m. — Miller Theater — Tickets available — Catch comedian Tom Papa as he brings laughs and stories from his 25-year career in stand-up.
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Wild Woods 26: Through the Looking Glass
6 p.m. — Back To Nature Garden Center — $25, kids under 12 free — Experience camping, live music, and nature workshops under the stars at this unique festival.
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Ferris Bueller's Day Off Screening
2-4 p.m. — Miller Theater — Free tickets — Enjoy a classic film in a historic venue as part of the community celebration.
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
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well.
~ Alfred Adler
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