Augusta, GA
Augusta leaders hire new emergency management director
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta-Richmond County has hired an emergency management director.
Kymber Keaton was hired after a competitive multi-round interview process involving several applicants and input from key public safety stakeholders.
It’s been a goal for quite some time to hire a full-time Emergency Management Agency director.
In recent years, Antonio Burden has been acting in that role in addition to serving as fire chief.
Augusta hasn’t had a full-time director for more than 20 years.
Keaton, originally from Scottsdale, Ariz., brings nearly a decade of high-level experience in emergency management, disaster response, public safety and homeland security spanning local, state, federal, tribal and international operations.
Her career includes service with the Air Force, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the White House Operations Center.
She has played key roles in operations, planning, training, mitigation, and recovery for some of the nation’s most complex emergencies, including COVID-19, wildfires, earthquakes, severe storms, flooding and civil disturbances.
Keaton has contributed to three presidential administrations, collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Secret Service and the National Park Service. She has also been involved in both national and international disaster relief efforts with Team Rubicon and Volunteer Nepal, supporting efforts to strengthen emergency readiness and improve coordination across partner agencies.
Keaton holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Emergency Management and has completed advanced emergency response and disaster risk training.
“I am excited to begin my service with Augusta-Richmond County,” she said. “This community made a lasting impression on me during Hurricane Helene, and the resilience I witnessed here stayed with me. When the opportunity to join Augusta arose, it felt like the right place to contribute and lead. My focus now is to enhance preparedness and ensure every resident feels informed, supported, and ready for any emergency.”
Keaton will oversee emergency preparedness, disaster response, outreach and training, working with local, state and federal partners.
Copyright 2025 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.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 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.
-
New Mexico5 minutes agoLos Alamos Public Schools Students Compete At 2026 New Mexico State Science & Engineering Fair
-
North Carolina11 minutes ago
NC Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for April 19, 2026
-
North Dakota17 minutes agoWindy conditions fuel shop fire in rural Mapleton
-
Ohio23 minutes agoWanda Lou Bailey, Louisville, Ohio
-
Oklahoma29 minutes agoCord Rager’s Return, Consistent Hitting Earns Oklahoma First SEC Sweep of Missouri
-
Oregon35 minutes agoSmall Oregon town residents’ trust shaken as state sues disaster nonprofit founder
-
Pennsylvania41 minutes agoMother, 6 children die in Central Pennsylvania house explosion, state police say
-
Rhode Island47 minutes agoThe Real Housewives of Rhode Island Recap: Wrong Side of the Tracks