Augusta, GA
Augusta funding cuts leave nonprofits in a tough spot
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders approved a 2026 budget that cuts all discretionary funding for nonprofits, including MACH Academy, which received $200,000 from the city last year.
The nonprofit gives children opportunities to develop social skills and tennis abilities. MACH Academy has operated in Augusta since 1992.
The loss of discretionary funding will force changes at MACH Academy, but the organization plans to continue its mission.
“So it may be that our hours may be changing,” said Helen Thomas-Pope, MACH Academy operations manager. “It may be that, looking at some of the supplies and things that we provide, that may have to change.”
Thomas-Pope said the organization’s mission will remain the same despite the budget cuts.
“As our tagline says, change lives,” Thomas-Pope said.
Parents, students praise program impact
Parents described MACH Academy as essential to their families and community.
“MACH Academy to me is a place of hope,” said Danielle Davidson, a parent.
Milissa Burch, another parent, said the academy provides crucial community support.
“You know, you always hear you need a village as a parent to raise your kids, and you come here, and you’re like, I want these people in my village,” Burch said.
Laquonna Peters said the program has helped her children develop socially and educationally.
“They’re starting to blossom again, my children and with the social interacting and the educational piece,” Peters said. “It’s just a blessing.”
Students at the academy described learning tennis skills and life lessons.
“I think it’s a place where you learn and play tennis and whenever you mess up, coaches will tell you where it’s wrong,” said student Sona.
Another student, Zeke, said the program helps him manage energy while learning to be a better person.
MACH Academy is one of several nonprofits facing cuts in Augusta’s new budget. Other organizations and departments also face funding reductions.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta Prep student was arrested on a charge of terroristic threats over a picture of a LEGO gun he posted on social media.
It happened Wednesday, according to an incident report from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Eric Hedinger, the principal of Augusta Preparatory Day School, told deputies a student had uploaded a picture to Snapchat of a “pistol” with the caption “shooting up the school so I don`t have to take the stats exam tomorrow. Don`t come yall!”
The principal said he spoke to the student and his father about the photo.
The principal also provided deputies with the student’s address in Grovetown.
A deputy went there and was told by the student that the “pistol” was a LEGO set that he had built.
He also said the comment he made was supposed to be a joke because he was not looking forward to taking his Advanced Placement statistics test this week.
The student showed the deputy the box that the LEGO set came in, and how the set was already disassembled.
The deputy also looked in the boy’s room to make sure he was not in possession of any weapons.
The mother advised that there was one firearm in the residence but it was locked up.
The deputy contacted Judge Leslie Morgan and she issued a warrant for terroristic threats.
The student, age 18, was taken into custody and transported to the Columbia County Detention Center.
News 12 is not reporting his name or publishing his photo since the LEGO gun could not have actually harmed anyone.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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