Augusta, GA
Augusta’s Black History: Lucy C. Laney’s lasting impact in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Lucy Craft Laney is buried in front of the high school that bears her name — and the institution she founded more than 140 years ago is still educating the Augusta community today.
Dr. Cordaryl Middleton, principal of Lucy C. Laney High School, said he passes her burial site at the front of the school every day.
“It makes me feel special knowing that we have a physical lady who gave birth to all of this,” Middleton said. “Her spirit is here with us as we continue to educate our kids.”
Laney was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1854. Her father had purchased freedom for himself and his wife before her birth. She learned to read and write at an early age and later enrolled in the first class of Atlanta University, known today as Clark Atlanta University.
In 1883, Laney started a school in the basement of Christ Presbyterian Church with a handful of children. Three years later, she chartered the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. To fund the school’s growth, Laney traveled north in 1886 to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet with the Presbyterian assembly.
Augusta’s Black History:
“This trip that she made in 1886 to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet with the Presbyterian assembly and it was through that trip she met Francine Haines,” said Corey Rogers, executive director of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. “She gave Laney access.”
The school, named for benefactor Francine Haines, grew to offer kindergarten through junior college, teacher training, and the Lamar School of Nursing. It also served as a cultural center for Augusta’s African American community. Rogers said support for the school extended well beyond a single donor.
“So it wasn’t just northern Presbyterians assisting Laney,” Rogers said. “It was southern black doctors, nurses, dentists, college professors, your average everyday person investing in these schools.”
The Haines Normal and Industrial Institute operated until 1949, when it was replaced by the present Laney High School, built on the same ground where Laney first established her mission.
Today, Laney’s name is attached to schools in two states. An elementary school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, carries her name, as does the high school in Augusta built on the site of her original institute. Rogers, who leads the museum housed in Laney’s former home, said the history belongs to all of Augusta.
“This is Augusta’s history,” Rogers said. “It’s told from a specific perspective, but this history that we’ve been telling for the past 35 years is for all Augustans to appreciate, to celebrate, and to acknowledge.”
Middleton said Laney’s example remains central to the school’s mission.
“Ms. Laney was a pioneer in education, instilling in our students that education is a very important gateway to anything in life,” Middleton said.
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is open to the public.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.
Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.
The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.
All areas of the park will be closed.
However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta 911 center has been named 2025 Communications Center of the Year at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference in Athens.
The award recognizes excellence in public safety communications, innovation, leadership and service.
The award recognizes a center that demonstrates strong performance in emergency response coordination, training, technology and community engagement.
The Augusta center was selected among agencies statewide for its consistent service, professional standards and coordination with public safety partners.
“This recognition reflects the work our team does every single day,” said Daniel R. Dunlap, 911 director. “Our communications officers are the first point of contact during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. They provide reassurance, direction and critical coordination until help arrives. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and strength they show.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new gourmet popcorn shop has opened on Broad Street, bringing a Chicago-style twist to downtown Augusta.
Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts, located at 716 Broad Street next to the Miller Theater, opened late last year. Owner Sheila Jones moved to Augusta from Chicago, where she said gourmet popcorn has a strong following.
“I’m from Chicago where gourmet popcorn is kind of a big deal,” Jones said.
Specialty flavors made in house
The shop offers specialty flavors including caramel, strawberry drizzle, peppermint, Oreo, green apple, and peanut butter — all made in house. Jones said the experience starts before customers even reach the counter.
“The smell is part of the experience. Green apple, strawberry, strawberry drizzle with chocolate. We have a new peanut butter flavor I just did,” Jones said.
A business built for family
Jones said her move to Augusta and her decision to open the business were driven by her son, who is on the autism spectrum. She said she believed he would be more comfortable in Augusta and wanted to build something that would benefit him long-term.
“I wanted him to have something when he gets older. He has a job already if he wants one. He already has a business,” Jones said.
Jones said starting the business has been harder than she expected. She handles most operations herself, with some help from family. She said the purpose behind the shop keeps her motivated.
“Coming into this every day is fulfilling because I built it. I’m building it and I just wanna see how high we’ll go,” Jones said.
Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shop is also holding a pop-up Saturday at noon on Gordon Highway.
Here’s a link to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584084467886#
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei
Boy dies after being struck by vehicle in Hawaii Kai | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Who is running for Illinois governor in 2026? What to know as primary Early Voting sites open
Indiana Pacers Must Manage Two-Way Contract Player Availability Down Stretch
Iowa Boys High School State Basketball Tournament Sets Two Classes
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Mamdani’s response to Trump’s Iran strike sparks conservative backlash: ‘Rooting for the ayatollah’
Activists hail ‘historic’ EU’s decision on accessible abortion
A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR
2 Survivors Describe the Terror and Tragedy of the Tahoe Avalanche
Iran fires missiles at US bases across Middle East after American strikes on nuclear, IRGC sites
-
World3 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana6 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO3 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT