Augusta, GA
Augusta Junior Players performing ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s a musical that many of us can relate to, the journey of finding yourself and the struggles that come with mental health.
The Augusta Junior Players last performance of the season is “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.”
We sat down with the director and some of the cast members before they take the stage.
It’s rehearsal time at the Augusta Players new home.
The Augusta Junior Players are gearing up for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.
“So if you don’t know the story, the series, or the movie, there’s something for everyone. I think our parents will identify with it as well as our younger audience members,” said Roy Lewis, director.
Lewis says it’s a new twist on Greek mythology, with Percy Jackson on a mission.
“Percy, who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, and he struggles to find his identity, and so the story is beautiful in that respect,” said Lewis.
The cast is full of different personalities.
Ella Jane Anderson is the antagonist, Clarise.
“She’s just very big and angsty, and always looking for a fight,” said Anderson.
This is a role that Anderson says is outside her comfort zone, but she’s taking it head-on.
“I’ve never had to work with a weapon before. And now all of a sudden, I’m practicing with a sword. It’s crazy, I’ve never had to do combat before. All of a sudden, it’s like, fight with someone, fight with a spear. I’m like…okay,” said Anderson.
There’s also some comic relief.
That’s where Braylen Fergerson comes in, playing the role of Grover.
“Overall, he’s just a very fun character, and it’s actually one of my dream roles, so it’s been exciting playing him,” said Ferguson.
When the cast bows and the curtain closes, the Augusta Junior Players hope you leave feeling empowered.
“It’s okay to be different, it’s okay to struggle with some things because eventually you’re going to find out on your quest where you belong and who you belong to,” said Lewis.
The performance is June 13 at 7 p.m., and June 14 with showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
You can get your tickets by going to https://augustaplayers.org/buy-tickets/.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Golden Harvest Food Bank is partnering with local legal organizations for the 15th Annual Georgia Food Frenzy.
The fundraising competition is held in partnership with Feeding Georgia, the Office of the Georgia Attorney General, the State Bar of Georgia, and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.
The two-week competition runs from April 20th through May 1st, and every dollar raised stays local, supporting Golden Harvest’s work across the state of Georgia.
Groups can register at www.galegalfoodfrenzy.org/sign-up, and registration will remain open throughout the competition.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
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