Good morning, Augusta.

Lifting Spirits Mentoring Service is hosting a coat drive to collect new and gently used coats along with donations until Oct.

3 to keep school-age kids warm this winter, with drop-offs and scheduled pickups available.

Primark will open its Augusta Mall store on Sept.

24. The new location is the retailer’s second in Georgia and 48th in the US and will offer *28,000 sqft* of retail space with affordable fashion and Georgia sports merchandise.

On Sept. 20, Taro Takizawa debuted his first solo exhibition titled Skipping The Splash at Mary S.

Byrd Gallery of Art in Washington Hall (he is an assistant professor at UNC Wilmington). His printmaking pieces inspired by climate change and nature will be on display until Oct. 2.

Georgia Power signed an agreement with Google — a plan to fund upgrades at Plant Vogtle and Hatch adding 96 megawatts to the grid — with regulatory approval pending, and the deal supports Google’s expanding data centers in Columbia County which may bring about $900 million in customer savings.

Augusta University’s School of Public Health announced its first undergraduate degree in public health, offering students a foundation to build careers in health sciences.

College esports tryouts at JSAC Game Room welcomed players of all skill levels today.

Casual games led into a Super Smash Bros. tournament where students played, watched matches, and forged new friendships on campus.

The city dedicated the I-20/I-520 interchange to longtime businessman Don Grantham, honoring his service and local impact — the dedication marks a recognition of his contributions to the community.

Two senators are fighting to keep inpatient services at Fort Gordon’s military hospital as a plan would cut beds for up to 40,000 service members, veterans and families.

They introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act and expect the Defense Health Agency to supply local input.

Augusta Utilities warns residents to verify utility workers after about ten calls reported imposters testing drinking water in South Augusta near Deans Bridge and the Elderberry subdivision, according to Utilities Director Wes Byne.

Augusta University School of Public Health hosted a community conversation on addiction and recovery Monday, Sept.

21 from 10 to 11 a.m. at The HUB Augusta Collaborative while local experts discussed addiction impacts and recovery support as part of the 2026 #GARecovers in Communities Bus Tour.

Augusta National and The R&A extended their partnership to offer more qualifying exemptions for the 2027 Masters and The Open by awarding spots based on top finishes at selected national opens + this extension builds on last year’s effort and creates an entry route for LIV Golf players.

The Ironman event will begin Sunday at 7:15 a.m. with a 1.2-mile swim along the Savannah River, starting at the Sharon Jones Amphitheater in North Augusta and finishing at the Fifth Street Marina.

Frashad Tisby (a four-star forward from Cross Creek) has committed to play for South Carolina basketball after his official visit on Sept.

18. He chose South Carolina over offers from Arizona State, UAB and Marquette to stay near family.