Augusta, GA

Augusta University receives $2.4 million grant to address behavioral health challenges

Published

6 days ago

November 19, 2025

Augusta University receives .4 million grant to address behavioral health challenges

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new $2.4 million grant is empowering Augusta University students with hands-on training to address the community’s behavioral health challenges.

Local experts say that while the community may struggle with many of these challenges, they hope a new grant will help change that in the long run.

For students like Talynn Saxer, Mahogany Davis and Ariel Figueroa O’Farrill, this is more than just a part of their studies.

“Working out in the community, it’s made me more comfortable working within an interdisciplinary team,” said Saxer.

“It relieves the financial burden while we’re also able to gain the benefit of the clinical experience in field and out of field,” said Davis.

“It really much prepared me for a career in research, if I so choose to,” said Figueroa O’Farrill.

Alicia Becton, Chair of the Department of Research, Counseling & Curriculum at Augusta University, says it’s a pipeline for students to do hands-on learning and give community clinics support.

“So we secured the HRSA grant, which is a $2.4 million training grant to increase workforce development and increase mental health professionals in the community,” Becton said.

The program focuses on training students in behavioral health practices while targeting young people.

“We need nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, everyone at the table,” Becton said.

With recent health care shortages in underserved areas, Dr. Tommy Ginn says health care workers are needed now more than ever.

“The mental health needs are huge in, I would say, all communities. We see anxiety, depression, drug use, all of those things, from kids on up through adults. And like I say, it’s really hard because the number of people taking care of patients like that is limited,” Ginn said.

The program continues with the hope that students will fall in love with the passion to serve.

This is a 4-year program where they partner with other community groups to give these graduate students real world experience to prepare them for next steps.

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Augusta, GA

Churches distribute food in Downtown Augusta on Monday

Published

60 minutes ago

November 25, 2025

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A food giveaway was held at the Julian Smith Casino on Monday.

Several local churches came together for the event on Nov. 24, just days before the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We do this because we’re servants the churches of Christ. We want to serve the community,” said Johnny Kinsey of Churches of Christ. “We’ve been doing this for almost 19 years now and with that, we’re just grateful for the people who come out. You know there are a lot of folks and we take Thanksgiving for granted. There’s a lot of folks come out that don’t know where their next meal is coming from, so we invite them in to sit down and have a good meal and if they want some food to-go, we give them two plates to-go.”

Organizers say they hope to continue the giveaway for years to come.

Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps

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Augusta, GA

Woman injured in shooting on Brenda Court in Augusta

Published

19 hours ago

November 24, 2025

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Woman injured in shooting on Brenda Court in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A woman was injured in a shooting in Augusta Sunday night, according to authorities.

The shooting happened on the 2700 block of Brenda Court around 9:34 p.m. Sunday, according to Richmond County deputies.

Deputies say while on scene, they learned two woman were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical.

During the physical altercation, a gun was pulled out with one of the females, shooting the other at least one time, according to deputies.

The sheriff’s office says the investigation is ongoing.

This isn’t the only shooting that happened in Augusta over the weekend.

On Friday night, 21-year-old Heavaughn Brooks was killed in a shooting on the 1300 block of 10th Street.

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Augusta, GA

Motorcyclist suffers life-threatening injuries in Augusta crash

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2025

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Motorcyclist suffers life-threatening injuries in Augusta crash

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -A motorcyclist was badly injured following a crash Sunday morning, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the scene of the accident at the intersection of Willis Foreman Road and Ulm Road around 10:37 a.m.

7-year-old hurt in hit and run accident

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a hit-and-run on Oak Street. According to deputies, the accident happened Saturday at 4:31 p.m. on the 400 block of Oak Street.

A car was heading east on Willis Foreman Road and was trying to turn left onto Ulm Road when a motorcycle going west on Willis Foreman Road collided with the car as it made the left turn, officials said.

The driver of the motorcycle was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the crash.

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