Augusta, GA
Augusta voters gather, share thoughts on presidential debate
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in Thursday’s debate in Atlanta, some locals held watch parties around the CSRA.
The Republican party gathered at the Columbia County Party Headquarters, while the Democratic party gathered at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course.
The watch party is about showing up and standing up to watch what some consider a real debate.
“I think they’re having a real debate between two people and they’re the only two people in the room. It’s a real debate,” Democrat Franklin Williams.
It was the first time since 2020 that Biden and Trump faced each other on the same stage, and there were new rules in place to keep the candidates from interrupting each other.
“Necessary, very necessary. If you go back at those debates in 2020, those rules were necessary,” said Williams.
But others were curious about how the rule would work.
“It could be very interesting and might even have an impact on the way the results of the debate may go,” said Republican Trey Allen.
New rules or not, local supporters believe their respected candidate would perform well.
Viewers on both sides were watching Biden’s stama and Trump’s rhetoric.
“I ain’t worried about his age,” said Williams. “Age today ain’t what it used to be because we have better health care.”
Allen said: “I think Trump is gonna probably perform well but, again, I’m very curious to see what Trump shows up.”
Aside from the candidate’s personal performance, both sides were focused on different issues.
Williams said: “Why do we have a convicted person running for president?”
Allen said: “I’m looking forward to hearing that the plans are about the economy. I think inflation is something we are all concerned about but the standard topics are affecting us all.”
Ahead of the debate, we spoke with local voters on what they wanted to hear as Trump and Biden went head-to-head.
From overseas to here at home, it will be a heavily watched debate with a new set of rules.
It could be a pivotal night in the race for the White House.
With polls showing this to be a very close race, the stakes Thursday night are high with one in five voters telling Forbes they will be watching to decide who they will vote for in November.
What are voters from both parties listening for in Thursday’s debate?
People in Augusta have a lot to say about what they want to change but to sum it all up, people we spoke with want a cohesive plan to solve the financial squeeze many people in Augusta are feeling right now.
No matter the age, race or gender, people in Augusta seem to want the same thing — a better economy.
And on Thursday night, people want to hear genuine words from the candidates.
“Are they standing firm on their faith, or is it being more swayed by politics?” asked one Augusta resident.
Another resident said: “All candidates seem to sound very repetitive and robotic.”
It’s a debate that local political parties say is going to turn that tide for many people undecided.
“For those who are watching, it’s going to be very impactful because not only are you going to have die-hard Biden and Trump supporters you have a pretty good amount of people who are undecided,” Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Johnson.
Columbia County Republican Party Public Relations Chair Ashley Lee said: “I think a lot of people’s minds are made up but there are still a lot of independents that go either way.”
In the end, everyone just says they want stability in the economy and direction, and they want it now.
“I am looking forward to hearing a plan for both sides because the plan right now is not working,” said a CSRA resident.
Other big issues people shared are control of immigration and the federal government using funds for the country first and not other countries.
Certainly, there are a lot of issues on the table that are on people’s minds, and they are waiting to hear what both candidates have to say.
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AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- A new Georgia law that took effect this month is aimed at helping drivers and passengers with autism during traffic stops.
Rio’s Law, already active in South Carolina, provides a special license plate for drivers and extra training for law enforcement with the goal of making traffic stops involving people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) smoother.
“Our deputies deal with hundreds and hundreds of people every single day. And that’s face to face contact,” said Major Andy Shedd, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Rio’s Law went into effect in Georgia on July 1st.
According to Major Shedd, since 2025, law enforcement officers across the Peach State have been training on how to interact with people with ASD, which the new law will expand.
“And it’s also been embedded in our community oriented policing training that we take online. And the beauty of that is some of the far reaching agencies in Georgia, some of the more rural police officers and deputies that that work in the rural areas, the online training gives them that format to where they can receive it also.”
Rio’s Law was created when a mother in California was pulled over for a traffic stop with her autistic son as a passenger. The officer wasn’t well versed in how people with ASD can react to stressful situations.
“They have reactions to specific types of sensories, whether they’re sound or lights or patterns that that can trigger some uncomfortable feelings, especially for people who are neurodivergent or living with things like autism,” explained Dr. Vijay Nagpol, a physician at ER Doctors Hospital Evans.
More noteworthy than the additional training is the access to a special license plate.
“That way, if law enforcement deals with you in the form of a traffic stop or a traffic accident, the deputy knows as soon as he sees that tag that he’s dealing with someone within the vehicle, either driver or passenger that may have autism,” Major Shedd explained.
This knowledge will allow the officers to use tools from training to keep the situation from escalating or to de-escalate if the person is already extremely upset.
“It may be hard for them to react in a way that would be expected from the police who are pulling them over law enforcement. They may have trouble focusing on the task at hand, which is conversing and cooperating with law enforcement,” said Dr. Nagpol.
Experts say that when law enforcement interacts with someone with ASD, awareness and education are key to keeping everyone calm.
“I think it all boils down to communication. The deputy should have good communication with whatever this person is going through,” said Major Shedd.
“I think it’ll be great once it’s rolled out is definitely going to take some training and awareness on the side of law enforcement,” said Dr. Nagpol. “But I know it’ll be something that’s relieving to people who are living with autism and also their loved ones.”
You can find out more about Rio’s Law HERE.
To find more information on getting an Autistic/Neurodivergent license plate in Georgia visit the Department of Revenue’s website or go to your local DMV.
In South Carolina you can go to the DMV website or visit your local DMV office.
Doctor’s Hospital treats and helps people with any health related problem at any of their location.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Launch Augusta hosted its ninth annual Launch Camp at Augusta University on Saturday, welcoming students from 13 Georgia counties to explore careers in health care.
Organizers said the event aims to inspire the next generation of medical professionals by connecting students with experts across more than 25 health-related fields.
Students rotated through clinic simulations, demonstrations and other hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Former Launch Camp participants also returned to volunteer.
“It’s so important to have this exposure at a young age because if you don’t know it exists, there’s things you may not even open your mind to,” said Dr. Kendra Broussard, president and founder, Launch Augusta. “We serve as low as kindergarten students, and they are getting real hands-on medical procedures.”
Organizers said the camp was free to attend thanks to donors and sponsors.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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