Augusta, GA
Georgia Capitol Dispatch: Veterans cemetery sought for Augusta, MLK’s son remembered
No bills were heard on the floor of the Georgia House or Senate on the seventh day 2024 state legislative session. However, state lawmakers had a slew of issues to discuss.
Here’s a look at what legislators were up to under the gold dome:
Augusta lobbies for new veterans cemetery
The Augusta delegation in both the state House and the Senate welcomed a group of 40 veterans to the Capitol to call attention to a project now four years in the making: the construction of a new veterans’ cemetery in Augusta, which is home to Fort Eisenhower. Among the group of visitors was former Augusta Mayor Bob Young and current Commissioner Alvin Mason.
“We are trying to find a way to honor our veterans by allowing them to be interred in their home community,” said state Sen. Max Burns (R- Sylvania).
Proponents of the project say they have been unable to secure more federal funding for the cemetery and are turning to the state legislature to help fill the gap.
“We have over 66,000 military families in the greater Augusta area,” Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah) said, noting that the two closest veterans’ cemeteries are the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville and Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Both are more than 80 miles from Augusta.
“I am a military spouse, so I understand how important it is to make sure that we have our husbands and loved ones laid to rest close to us, so that we can actually visit them.” Frazier said. “A lot of the spouses would like to visit their loved ones a lot more.”
More: Will Augusta get a veterans cemetery? Here’s what you need to know
Celebrating 50 years of diplomacy with Japan
Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Japan, and lawmakers celebrated by designating Jan. 23 as Japan Day at the Capitol. Mio Maeda, the consul general of Japan in Atlanta, returned to the state capitol to mark the occasion, and celebrate the business relationship that lawmakers say has brought numerous businesses and employment opportunities to Georgia.
Minority House whip Rep. Sam Park also made a speech to recognize Korean American day and the contributions of generations of Korean-American immigrants.
“This year marks the 121st anniversary of the first Korean immigrants who came to this country in pursuit of the American dream,” Park said. “With more than 100,000 Korean Americans who call Georgia home, they’ve not only made critical contributions to our economy and society, they’ve helped strengthen the critical, bilateral relationship between the state of Georgia and the Republic of Korea.”
Remembering Dexter Scott King’s legacy
Georgia legislators in the House held a moment of silence to commemorate Dexter Scott King, a civil rights advocate and son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Today we stand with the gentle giant, who they said emulated his father in looks and in conversation and in voice, but more so a great giant who was very quiet,” said Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah).
“He took his rest from being that gentle giant,” Gilliard said. “From fighting for the rights of intellectual property of the King legacy, from fighting for the rights as a gentle giant, and following the wishes of his mother to make sure we have a Martin Luther King center for Nonviolence and Social Change.”
Dexter Scott King passed away on Jan. 22 after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 62 years old.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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