Augusta, GA
Ga. budget plan includes $10.7M for design of new MCG building
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Senate on Tuesday released its budget for the next fiscal year, including $10.7 million to fund the design of a new “translational research” building for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.
This would allow the state’s flagship medical school to begin planning for a $146 million, 150,000-square-foot research building to house state-of-the-art labs and equipment for researchers and attract new physician-scientists and faculty to the state’s oldest and most prominent public medical school.
Translational research is meant to translating results in basic research into direct benefits for humans.
GA. CAPITOL COVERAGE:
MCG ranks 67th in the nation for National Institutes of Health research funding but ranks second in the country in NIH funding compared to other medical schools of a similar faculty size.
According to Regent James M. Hull, the new building would attract the talent Georgia needs for more research bench-to-bedside discoveries.
The Georgia House and Senate would need to agree in conference to fund the remaining cost of the planning for the new research building.
That is expected to be under $15 million for planning, design and demolition of buildings constructed in the 1950s.
The new translational research building is expected to cost $146 million, and funding for that project would need to be approved in next year’s budget.
Augusta leaders praised this first step in the process, including Augusta’s Mayor, Garnett Johnson.
“It’s important to note that every dollar of National Institutes of Health funding brings $2.64 back to communities where this important research is being done,” he said. “This is a wonderful signal from the Georgia Senate.”
Dr. J. Ben Deal, immediate Past Chair of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, agreed.
“We need to expand what the Medical College of Georgia can do, but we can only do that with investment,” he said.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy, G. L. Brightharp & Sons announces the transition of Mr. Willie J. Tanksley who entered into rest April 18, 2026.
Mr. Tanksley, a native of Richmond County, was a 1985 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County. He was a member of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church where he served in the Brotherhood Ministry.
Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Tanksley; two daughters, Ashley Tanksley and Taylor Tanksley; siblings, Elise Tanksley of Augusta, GA, Wilhelmina Roland of Atlanta, GA, Terry Tanksley, Tommy Tanksley, Watler Tanksley and Elder Claude (Kimberly) Tanksley all of Augusta, GA; an aunt, Frances Tate; an uncle, James Tanksley; mother-in-law, Sandra Harrison of Beech Island, SC; father-in-law, Jimmy (Elnora) Bing; three sisters-in-law, Fonda Rainey, Nicole Harrison and Nina Bing; a brother-in-law, Eric Bing; a host of nieces , nephews, along with other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Greater Young Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Blount officiating. Interment will follow at Walker Memorial Park. Viewing will be held from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.
The family will not be receiving visitors at the home. We ask that you continue to pray for them during this time.
Professional Services are under the compassionate care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s funeral was held on Friday morning.
The funeral began at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, the Rev. Karlton Howard officiating.
WATCH THE FUNERAL
Interment will follow at Noah’s Ark Baptist Church Cemetery in Waynesboro.
A viewing was held on Thursday at Good Shepherd Baptist Church from 2-6 p.m.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Classmate remembers former Sheriff Richard Roundtree ahead of funeral
- Funeral announced for former Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree
News 12 first learned of Roundtree’s passing on April 11. He’d been in a metro Atlanta hospital with serious medical issues.
Several people spoke during the funeral service, but one deputy in particular spoke of Roundtree’s leadership.
“He was more than a sheriff. He was an innovator. He looked for better ways to serve. He led with integrity, courage and genuine commitment,” said the deputy.
Roundtree, 57, was the head law enforcement officer in Augusta for more than a decade − and when he took office in 2012, notably no sheriff had been like him.
He was the first African American elected to the title, something he spent a career working toward.
He was highly visible in the community, where he could frequently be seen in a vest, working a crime scene along with his deputies.
Former classmate Clarence Brown said he was proud of Roundtree for his work.
“I was proud of him for, for actually, you know, getting to that level. But at the same time I realized that that’s a heavy weight, especially being from the community, um, and, and to draw in the community,” Brown said. “And so I wanted him to know that there was somebody in his corner that didn’t need anything.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
California5 minutes ago
Billionaire Steyer’s spending binge dwarfs rival campaigns in California governor’s race
-
Colorado11 minutes agoLandeskog – April 18 | Colorado Avalanche
-
Connecticut17 minutes agoOvernight Forecast for April 19
-
Delaware23 minutes agoState Police Arrest Dover Man for Assault and Aggravated Menacing in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
-
Florida29 minutes agoSNAP benefits will be changing in Florida starting Monday
-
Georgia35 minutes agoGeorgia on nobody’s mind: The Dawgs are under the radar, and that’s a compliment
-
Hawaii41 minutes agoLarge section of Aloha Stadium demolished as project proceeds – West Hawaii Today
-
Idaho47 minutes ago
Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Pick 3 on April 18, 2026