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Augusta, GA

Augusta Regional Airport sees rise in passengers, gun seizures

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Augusta Regional Airport sees rise in passengers, gun seizures


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Regional Airport saw an increase in the number of guns found at the security checkpoint in the past six months, but that shouldn’t be a surprise since it saw many more passengers than in the same time last year.

The Transportation Security Administration intercepted nine firearms in the first half of 2024, compared to six in the same period of 2023.

The bigger news may be the increase in passengers at the airport.

The airport saw 174,165 passengers in the first half of 2024, compared to 159,547 in the first half of 2023.

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GEORGIA AIRPORT GUN SEIZURES:

Georgia airport gun seizures
Georgia airport gun seizures(Contributed)

The number of guns found at the Augusta airport is microscopic compared to the state’s behemoth Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest.

Hartsfield-Jackson led the country in firearm detections with 222 in the first half of 2024, according to the agency. The agency said the airport screened 15 million passengers. Airport security detected 214 firearms in 13.4 million screenings in the same period last year.

The TSA says one gun was discovered for 65,828 passengers screened at Georgia airports, more than twice the national average.

Nationally, 443.1 million passengers were screened in the first six months of the year. That’s a 7% increase from last year.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta mayor continues sweet potato giveaway as Thanksgiving approaches

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Augusta mayor continues sweet potato giveaway as Thanksgiving approaches


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Mayor Garnett Johnson is in the mood for the Thanksgiving food giveaway, and we were with him in South Augusta.

At his headquarters in Hephzibah on Friday, he continued his sweet potato giveaway.

If you missed it, do not worry, Johnson has another giveaway on Saturday.

Johnson spoke about what inspired him to specifically give away sweet potatoes.

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“There’s a lot of turkeys that are being given away, but I realize that, you know, oftentimes, people forget about the size. Every household is going to either have some yams or a sweet potato pie, or a sweet potato casserole,” said Johnson. “It’s more about bringing families together.”

Saturday’s giveaway is at Ever Faithful Missionary Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.



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Augusta, GA

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter calls for more ICE agents in Atlanta

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U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter calls for more ICE agents in Atlanta


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter wants more ICE agents in Atlanta.

Carter, a Republican who represents the 1st congressional district on the southeast Georgia coast, sent a letter to acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, asking them to “increase federal law enforcement resources” in Atlanta.

Carter claimed there’s an “urgent need for an enhanced ICE presence in Atlanta,” writing that the federal agents would “protect citizens against record levels of illegal immigrants” and “confront safety concerns.”

You can read the letter below:

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“Residents are clamoring for additional federal support, which would greatly assist state and local partners in maintaining public safety and ensuring that immigration laws are properly upheld,” Carter wrote.

RELATED COVERAGE: Metro law enforcement deny involvement with rumored immigration raids

He added, “Increasing enforcement presence would help deter unlawful entry, disrupt illegal networks, and uphold the rule of law. A stronger federal role would also help prevent the very real public safety risks that criminals pose and restore confidence in the system designed to keep us safe.”

Carter cited two recent metro Atlanta murder cases that allegedly involved undocumented immigrants, including the killing of a mother of five.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Undocumented immigrant accused in killing of Cobb County woman pleads not guilty

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Carter, a self-described “MAGA warrior,” is one of several Republican candidates hoping to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in next year’s midterm elections.

RELATED COVERAGE:

Trump: No endorsement yet in Georgia US Senate race but ‘some very good people’ running

Two Republicans raise almost $2 million each in quest to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff

Georgia Senate poll: Ossoff vulnerable, but GOP must coalesce around a champion

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Field of GOP Senate candidates to unseat Jon Ossoff grows

Rep. Buddy Carter’s granddaughters safe after attending Texas summer camp affected by flash flood

‘MAGA warrior’ Buddy Carter enters Senate race to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff



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Augusta, GA

Augusta–Livingstone Women’s Basketball Game Moved From Nov. 23 to Jan. 16 – Augusta University

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Augusta–Livingstone Women’s Basketball Game Moved From Nov. 23 to Jan. 16 – Augusta University


AUGUSTA, GA – Augusta University women’s basketball has announced a schedule change for its upcoming home matchup against Livingstone College.

The game, originally set for Sunday, Nov. 23 at 5:00 p.m., has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The Jaguars will next travel to face nationally ranked No. 4 Coker on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

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Fans are encouraged to visit augustajags.com for the latest schedule updates and game information.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags





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