Good morning, Augusta.

Dairy Queen hosts Miracle Treat Day on Thursday when every Blizzard purchase donates at least a dollar to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Local stores also offer games, face painting + balloon sales to provide extra support for the kids.

Golden Harvest Food Bank hosted its annual recertification conference yesterday and continues today at 3301 Commerce Drive (downtown Augusta), where hunger relief partners trained on food safety, TFAP, and civil rights measures amid rising food needs, especially among seniors.

The event addresses growing demand for support across the region.

McDuffie Manna has served families in McDuffie, Warren and Wilkes counties for decades and now works to feed hundreds facing growing need — a new push that builds on its longstanding community support.

Grace Place Mission Center at 418 Old Evans Road is facing record food demand as families struggle with high grocery prices and summer meal gaps now that school is out.

Donations, including baby items and hygiene products, are welcomed to help serve all ages in the community.

International retailer Primark is set to open its first Georgia store soon at Augusta Mall.

The company has been hiring for various roles as it prepares to debut the new location after announcing openings in Texas and South Carolina.

Popn’ Off owner Sheila Jones says her gourmet popcorn store on Broad Street has lost over 50 percent of business due to ongoing road work, and she calls on the city to help ease the financial strain so her store can thrive when the work is complete.

First-grade teacher Bailey Ledbetter prepares to return to her Columbia County roots by setting up her classroom at Martinez Elementary ahead of the new school year.

She plans to use small group instruction to support each student’s needs — fulfilling a promise made during her high school years.

Augusta parents are preparing for back-to-school as they cross items off their lists; Fox 54 reported that many families are shopping for supplies — a sign that community efforts are underway for a smooth start to classes.

Drivers in Augusta face delays as Barton Chapel Road remains closed through Aug.

14 for underground piping installation — Columbia County has activated a new traffic signal on Furys Ferry Road, now in flash mode and set to operate normally on Aug. 5. Officials urge motorists to plan ahead and follow marked detours.

Developers plan to build nearly 500 homes on 142 acres off I-520 at Benson Road; the $141M project is set to boost taxes by $1.5M annually & may bring traffic changes to the area.

On July 29, the Augusta GreenJackets tried a late rally but lost 9-8 to the Columbia Fireflies in a close game.

Both teams split the series with one win each.

The Georgia High School Association now mandates that all girls flag football players wear protective headgear this fall for safety—over 11,000 athletes in 307 schools statewide must use five-star gear after studies linked injuries to head, face and neck impacts, with teams facing a 10-yard penalty for non-compliance.

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.