Good morning, Augusta.

A viewer found dangerous medical waste, including needles and vials with blood, near Pine College in the Laney-Walker neighborhood and police quickly removed the items—since the waste could harm children—while investigations continue.

A Graniteville man, 29-year-old Sean Benjamin Cushman, was arrested after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led investigators to find photos and videos showing children ages 7–13 on his computer — he is charged with sexually exploiting children and will be prosecuted by the state Attorney General’s Office.

The Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival returns to the Savannah River from Sept.

19-21 and will be held along the Augusta Common, Reynolds Street and near the river. The event will feature music by Leon Robinson, Niki Haris and other performers, 150 juried artists, international cuisine and family activities while guests pay admission.

More than 30 faculty and students from Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia went to the American Physiological Society summit in Baltimore to share research on heart health, obesity, kidney disease and diabetes.

They earned awards—such as the Shih-Chun Wang Young Investigator Award—and showed the university is a leader in health research.

Brooks Jenison, a sophomore business student at the University of South Carolina Aiken, is interning at Savannah River Site’s Containment Fabrication Facility—he is learning to assemble dip sample bags and glove bags that keep workers and the environment safe.

Fort Gordon’s Alliance hosted the nation’s largest CyberPatriot camp from June 23rd to 27th at the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center and sent its 1,000th youth to cyber camp, while a CyberPatriot Advanced camp is running now with 102 students from July 14th to 18th.

The free program has trained 1,118 youth since 2019 (boosting local cybersecurity skills).

Ella Pascual, a Greenbrier High School student, organized the Pack For Comfort project to send care packages and letters to cancer patients, collecting 100 blankets + 100 pairs of socks along with 40 care packages.

The donations were welcomed by patients and staff.

High school basketball players are battling at Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball Peach Jam at the North Augusta Riverview Activities Center as pool play nears its end and bracket play starts on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s championship games.

A Thursday contest saw No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes score 20 points in a 94-78 loss for the Oakland Soldiers (with a 2-2 record) while Team Durant stays undefeated in pool play.

2nd Annual Bookbag Bash

10 AM - 1 PM — Bell Auditorium — Free entry — Enjoy free school supplies, costume characters, and live DJ performances.

Mahjong Mania Camp

9 AM - 12 PM — Episcopal Day School — Supplies included — Learn the art of Mahjong with expert instruction in a fun, engaging environment.

Augusta Captains Seafood Festival

1 PM to 5 PM — Augusta Common — Free admission — Enjoy three days of fresh seafood and live music in a family-friendly atmosphere.

AugustaCon Summer 2025

10 AM – 5 PM — Columbia County Exhibition Center — Ticket details pending — Explore a variety of fandoms at Georgia’s premier comic convention.

FREE Sundays at The Morris

12-5 p.m. — Morris Museum of Art — Free entry — Enjoy a cultural experience at Augusta's art museum on this special free Sunday event.

Free Sundays at The Morris

12-5 p.m. — Morris Museum of Art — Free entry — Enjoy art and culture at no cost thanks to community sponsorship.

PokeKon Fest

10 AM – 5 PM — Columbia County Exhibition Center — $20 — Discover the ultimate gathering for Pokemon collectors and fans of all genres at this vibrant one-day convention.

Jammin' — A Night of Reggae

7-8:30 p.m. — Miller Theater — VIP tickets available — Experience the spirit of reggae with The Legendary Wailers and Terence Young Project for a night of celebration and unity.

Lilo and Stitch Movie Screening

2-5 p.m. — Miller Theater — General admission — Relive the magic of Lilo and Stitch at this beloved local movie palace.