Good morning, Augusta.

Brandon Wilde held a 'Christmas in July' event on Thursday that brought together residents for ice cream + frozen hot chocolate and a chance to wear favorite Christmas outfits as part of the Scoops and Smiles program; grandchildren also joined to reconnect with neighbors.

Advance Auto Parts opened its new 36,000 sqft distribution hub at 417 E.

Martintown Rd on Thursday — the fourth location in North Augusta — to serve 39 CSRA stores and local auto shops. City leaders, including Mayor Briton Williams and the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, joined the ribbon cutting and marked the event with a $1,000 donation to Augusta Technical College.

On Friday, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities performed at the Augusta Symphony’s 4th Community Chords Music Therapy Showcase at Miller Theater; the performers from Accent, Inc., Tri-Development Center and Upside of Downs spent six months with a board-certified music therapist preparing their pieces with a theme of Better Together.

In June, the Georgia Department of Labor reported that the metro area’s unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, up 0.5 percentage point from May as the labor force increased by 106 & local employment shifted subtly.

LinkedIn’s 2026 report names Augusta the nation’s fastest-rising career hub, citing strong growth in cybersecurity and investments in medical technology and data centers (26.5% of jobs are fully remote).

The findings highlight robust job creation and talent migration.

Construction nears completion on two projects at Aiken Technical College: a 30,000 sqft nursing education center that will host a spring 2027 ribbon cutting and a 100,000 sqft career center set to welcome students in January 2027.

Campus updates funded by the Savannah River Site plutonium settlement include modern renovations.

SRP Federal Credit Union employees volunteered in United Way of the CSRA’s Stuff the Bus drive, donating school supplies and sorting items at the Salvation Army Kroc Center to help local K-12 students prepare for the school year.

A NOAA report finds that warmer winters are shifting wildlife patterns in neighborhoods, with insects emerging early and birds altering their migration.

These changes could reshape backyard food chains, experts say.

Lawmakers held a hearing at Augusta University's Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center early Saturday to weigh AI's promise for farming & healthcare with worker risks amid calls for fair policies.

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Rick Allen, Rep. Lucy McBath, and Rep. Joe Wilson held a congressional field hearing at the Georgia Cyber Center to discuss how AI can drive opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, and other fields.

Local experts and industry leaders shared insights during the event called Building an AI-Ready America.

Local health officials outlined the key vaccines kids need before school starts — parents should book appointments with their doctors to stay on schedule.

Augusta’s GreenJackets lost Friday night in Salem as the RidgeYaks scored five unanswered runs after Luis Guanipa’s leadoff homer sparked early excitement.

The team dropped three straight games and will seek a spark in two more Salem matches before returning home next week.

Darci Lynne: Up Close and Personal Tour

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Imperial Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a high-energy performance with fan-favorite puppets and original comedy for all ages.

Ronnie McDowell's Red, White, and Blue Tour

7 p.m. — Imperial Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the legendary Ronnie McDowell and his iconic hits in Augusta.

Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute

7:30-9 p.m. — Miller Theater — Ticketed event — Experience the iconic sounds of Fleetwood Mac brought to life by a tribute band with over a decade of performances.