Augusta, GA

Augusta Pride celebrations bringing more than a good time to the CSRA

Published

2 years ago

June 23, 2024

Augusta Pride celebrations bringing more than a good time to the CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Hundreds of people cheered on numerous floats and participants at the 14th annual Augusta Pride Parade.

The parade was held downtown on Saturday.

The parade started at the James Brown Arena and it was followed by the pride festival.

The streets were filled with kids throwing candy, an array of decorations, colors and people out having a good time dancing to music.

Caleb Hawkins said Saturday’s Augusta Pride Parade and festival marked five years for him.

He said every year encourages him more.

“Every year the parade gets bigger. Last night was amazing. The parade this year has been amazing, versus my first year where it was kind of like, you know, pride, but this year, it’s like, everybody’s coming out. You know, it’s not just the LGBTQ+ community. It’s also allies, which I really love that,” said Hawkins.

It was Megan Barlow’s first pride event and she said she could feel all the heart from the community and people who traveled to this event.

“All of the love and support like people just handed out so many things like we got so many stickers and pins and just just a surreal feeling of just just how happy and pleasant everybody was, ” said Barlow.

Organizers like James Mintz said it’s really about representing the LGBTQ+ community and remaining visible to our peers.

“We’re part of your community where your neighbors, your friends, family members, friends, colleagues, and we just want to be a visible part of the community. Because if they believe that you don’t exist, they’ll try and take away your rights,” said Mintz.

Hawkins hopes for more community engagement where these events can continue to flourish, but in the meantime, he said he likes where things are so far.

“I always think that there can be more representation, you know, with our community. But when it comes down to it, like I said, I feel supported, I feel I trust my community to you know, have my back,” said Hawkins.

After the parade, people gathered at the Augusta Common to continue the celebration for the festival.

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Augusta, GA

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Press Room

FBI agents identify chemical used in Georgia acid attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The FBI agents have confirmed that they’ve identified the chemical used in a Georgia acid attack.

Just last month, Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park in Savannah when a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked Wasielewski with an unknown chemical substance.

Despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, Ashley Wasielewski is smiling in a photo from her hospital bed.(Contributed)

Sources close to the investigation say that liquid melted through Wasielewski’s clothing and headphones and left her with severe burns.

On Friday, the FBI released that they now know what that substance was but are not releasing the name of the substance to the public at this time.

FBI officials say that SLED assisted and did the testing on behalf of the the organization.

Agents are also following up on leads now that the substance has been identified.

Just days after the attack, more than $260,000 had been raised for Wasielewski, who was recovering at a burn center in Augusta.

One of Ashley’s friends, Kristen Oddi organized a GoFundMe to help pay for Wasielewski’s extensive medical care.

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Augusta, GA

Another name joins Augusta mayor race

Published

14 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta mayor race now has three candidates as another person has announced their candidacy.

Eric Gaines, who’s on the charter review committee and is a local real estate investor, announced on Sunday that he is running for mayor on Sunday.

He said in a Facebook post that his campaign is built on a simple idea: People before politics.

Transparent leadership you do not have to decode.
Accessible government that listens instead of lectures.
Decisions based on what actually improves lives not what protects careers.

“I’m not running because someone tapped me on the shoulder. I’m not running because a political machine told me it was my turn. And I’m definitely not running because I raised a mountain of cash behind closed doors,” he said.

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Augusta, GA

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate Rep. David Clark visits Augusta

Georgia Lt. Gov candidate state Rep. David Clark made a stop in Augusta Saturday. He says that some of his priorities if he wins include expanding school choice, eliminating the state income and property taxes, and reaching out to younger voters.

Clark is also an Army veteran, who served overseas. He hopes to represent all Georgians.

“Before politics and parties we’re Americans, we’re Georgians. That’s the biggest thing. People want someone who stands up and listens to people,” said Clark.

“I’m not saying we’re always going to agree, but in the end—we’re the American family, we’re the Georgian family.”

The Georgia primary will take place on May 19th, and the general election will be on November 3rd.

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