AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in Thursday’s debate in Atlanta, some locals held watch parties around the CSRA.

The Republican party gathered at the Columbia County Party Headquarters, while the Democratic party gathered at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course.

The watch party is about showing up and standing up to watch what some consider a real debate.

“I think they’re having a real debate between two people and they’re the only two people in the room. It’s a real debate,” Democrat Franklin Williams.

It was the first time since 2020 that Biden and Trump faced each other on the same stage, and there were new rules in place to keep the candidates from interrupting each other.

“Necessary, very necessary. If you go back at those debates in 2020, those rules were necessary,” said Williams.

But others were curious about how the rule would work.

“It could be very interesting and might even have an impact on the way the results of the debate may go,” said Republican Trey Allen.

New rules or not, local supporters believe their respected candidate would perform well.

Viewers on both sides were watching Biden’s stama and Trump’s rhetoric.

“I ain’t worried about his age,” said Williams. “Age today ain’t what it used to be because we have better health care.”

Allen said: “I think Trump is gonna probably perform well but, again, I’m very curious to see what Trump shows up.”

Aside from the candidate’s personal performance, both sides were focused on different issues.

Williams said: “Why do we have a convicted person running for president?”

Allen said: “I’m looking forward to hearing that the plans are about the economy. I think inflation is something we are all concerned about but the standard topics are affecting us all.”

Ahead of the debate, we spoke with local voters on what they wanted to hear as Trump and Biden went head-to-head.

From overseas to here at home, it will be a heavily watched debate with a new set of rules.

It could be a pivotal night in the race for the White House.

With polls showing this to be a very close race, the stakes Thursday night are high with one in five voters telling Forbes they will be watching to decide who they will vote for in November.

What are voters from both parties listening for in Thursday’s debate?

People in Augusta have a lot to say about what they want to change but to sum it all up, people we spoke with want a cohesive plan to solve the financial squeeze many people in Augusta are feeling right now.

No matter the age, race or gender, people in Augusta seem to want the same thing — a better economy.

And on Thursday night, people want to hear genuine words from the candidates.

“Are they standing firm on their faith, or is it being more swayed by politics?” asked one Augusta resident.

Another resident said: “All candidates seem to sound very repetitive and robotic.”

It’s a debate that local political parties say is going to turn that tide for many people undecided.

“For those who are watching, it’s going to be very impactful because not only are you going to have die-hard Biden and Trump supporters you have a pretty good amount of people who are undecided,” Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Johnson.

Columbia County Republican Party Public Relations Chair Ashley Lee said: “I think a lot of people’s minds are made up but there are still a lot of independents that go either way.”

In the end, everyone just says they want stability in the economy and direction, and they want it now.

“I am looking forward to hearing a plan for both sides because the plan right now is not working,” said a CSRA resident.

Other big issues people shared are control of immigration and the federal government using funds for the country first and not other countries.

Certainly, there are a lot of issues on the table that are on people’s minds, and they are waiting to hear what both candidates have to say.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – For some athletes, having success can have a lot to do with their fit on the team they play for. 

Making the trip across the Atlantic and landing in Augusta was the best thing for one Augusta University basketball star. 

At 16 years old, Maximillian Amadasun moved from Dublin, Ireland to New York City with hopes of following his dreams on the basketball court. 

“I’m thankful to have a lot of friends that care for me, and told me, you know, you’re tall so you should play basketball, and I said, ‘Okay let’s do it,’” said Amadasun. 

The 6 foot 10 inch center spent time at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of St. Bonaventure before finding his home away from home at Augusta University. 

Head Coach Dip Metress said: “He had a great line on his visit. I said something about working hard, he goes I continue to work hard because I must not have been good enough to play at the places I was before. Didn’t blame a coach, didn’t blame the meal plan, didn’t blame anything. So, I knew then he was made of something.” 

Amadasun said: “With Dip, he’ll always give you some form of freedom in a way to be yourself and that’s one thing I love about this system, the environment.” 

His work ethic and attention to detail make him a perfect fit for Metress and the Jags.   

“He averaged the most rebounds of anybody I’ve coached in my 20 years, and I would say this, I’ve had a lot of bigger guys he’s the hardest working guy over 6 foot 8 inch that I’ve had,” said Metress. 

Amadasun said: “Sticking to it just, you know, chopping wood, carrying water each and every day doing the same stuff and good results will come out of it.” 

Being an international player living in Augusta is something Amadasun takes a lot of pride in. 

“The number is slowly growing, but I’m one of few that play basketball in the States let alone live in America for sports or anything. It is you know, good to share different cultures and share different experiences with people because some people might never ever get to go to Ireland. So, it’s good to tell people about where I’m from,” he said. 

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The search continues for a new Augusta parks and recreation director.

The Augusta Commission discussed the vacancy during a work session Thursday.

The position was first opened in March and closed on April 6. Augusta Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse said more than 58 people applied, but only 16 met all the qualifications.

The job will be reposted July 1, and the position will close again July 31.

The commission is requesting an update around Labor Day on applications and finalists.

WORK SESSION MATERIALS:

City human resources staff members say they’ll have an update at the commission’s Aug. 13 meeting

Maurice McDowell resigned as head of the department in February, leaving with severance as he faced a penalty after a human resources inquiry found evidence of age discrimination.

In addition to filling the vacancy, commission members have been grappling with selecting a firm to audit the department.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.