Augusta, GA
Augusta’s Black History: Lucy C. Laney’s lasting impact in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Lucy Craft Laney is buried in front of the high school that bears her name — and the institution she founded more than 140 years ago is still educating the Augusta community today.
Dr. Cordaryl Middleton, principal of Lucy C. Laney High School, said he passes her burial site at the front of the school every day.
“It makes me feel special knowing that we have a physical lady who gave birth to all of this,” Middleton said. “Her spirit is here with us as we continue to educate our kids.”
Laney was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1854. Her father had purchased freedom for himself and his wife before her birth. She learned to read and write at an early age and later enrolled in the first class of Atlanta University, known today as Clark Atlanta University.
In 1883, Laney started a school in the basement of Christ Presbyterian Church with a handful of children. Three years later, she chartered the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. To fund the school’s growth, Laney traveled north in 1886 to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet with the Presbyterian assembly.
Augusta’s Black History:
“This trip that she made in 1886 to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet with the Presbyterian assembly and it was through that trip she met Francine Haines,” said Corey Rogers, executive director of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. “She gave Laney access.”
The school, named for benefactor Francine Haines, grew to offer kindergarten through junior college, teacher training, and the Lamar School of Nursing. It also served as a cultural center for Augusta’s African American community. Rogers said support for the school extended well beyond a single donor.
“So it wasn’t just northern Presbyterians assisting Laney,” Rogers said. “It was southern black doctors, nurses, dentists, college professors, your average everyday person investing in these schools.”
The Haines Normal and Industrial Institute operated until 1949, when it was replaced by the present Laney High School, built on the same ground where Laney first established her mission.
Today, Laney’s name is attached to schools in two states. An elementary school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, carries her name, as does the high school in Augusta built on the site of her original institute. Rogers, who leads the museum housed in Laney’s former home, said the history belongs to all of Augusta.
“This is Augusta’s history,” Rogers said. “It’s told from a specific perspective, but this history that we’ve been telling for the past 35 years is for all Augustans to appreciate, to celebrate, and to acknowledge.”
Middleton said Laney’s example remains central to the school’s mission.
“Ms. Laney was a pioneer in education, instilling in our students that education is a very important gateway to anything in life,” Middleton said.
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is open to the public.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.
Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.
USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.
On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.
In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.
This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.
Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.
The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.
Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.
Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.
Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.
50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.
Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.
One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.
“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.
The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.
In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”
People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.
Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.
There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Rex Satterfield’s 1956 Bel Air takes 2026 Ridler Award in Detroit
Iran conflict disrupts flights out of SFO
Wilonsky: A mom deported, 4 kids left behind and an 80-year-old Dallas Girl Scout troop leader’s good deeds
Orlando 2-4 Miami (2 Mar, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN
Monster effort from Neemias Queta helps pave the way for Celtics in win over 76ers – The Boston Globe
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
House Republicans push Johnson to go to war with Senate over SAVE Act
Israel FM says Europe too divided, slams Spanish PM
Satellite images provide view inside Iran at war
Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms
Dems’ potential 2028 hopefuls come out against US strikes on Iran
-
World4 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO5 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
News1 week agoWorld reacts as US top court limits Trump’s tariff powers