Augusta, GA

Census shows Georgia’s population reaches over 11 million

Published

1 year ago

December 31, 2023

Census shows Georgia’s population reaches over 11 million

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A record-breaking number of people are making Georgia their permanent home. Georgia is growing, especially outside of the state’s largest cities. The counties with some of the largest gains are in the suburbs.

Census data shows Georgia gained more than 100,000 residents in 2022. Over 11 million people now call Georgia home. Most people are moving from states like California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Bob Redford said the food, the weather, the football, and the jobs are attractive to northern transplants like himself.

“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. My relatives come down here from Chicago and say are y’all ever going to stop building roads when you stop moving down here and living down here,” said Redford.

Howard Connell said he moved from Georgia to California, but Georgia called him back.

“Everything you want is here. You drive an hour and a half and you get mountains and lakes. There’s a lot to do for pretty much everyone,” said Connell.

The cost of living in Georgia is 9% below the national average according to the Economic Research Institute. Cory and Crystal Ashbourne said they want to start their own family in the place where they grew up.

“You can come here get a great job and save a lot of money. I love seeing the different people and the cultures they’re bringing with them,” said Ashbourne.

The census determines how much money state and local governments will receive from federal grants.

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Augusta, GA

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

AugustaCon returns to new location in Columbia County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – AugustaCon was back, but in a new home this time.

Saturday’s event was held in Columbia County at the Performing Arts Center.

The event holds video game tournaments and hosts vendors that had anime and video game-style items.

We spoke to one of the vendors, who helped run the video game tournament there.

“We really love it. It’s a great environment. We love seeing new gamers, collectors, anyone that likes anime,” said Cedric Bacon.

If you missed out on Saturday’s AugustaCon, there are ones usually in the summer and winter as well.

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Augusta, GA

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

Published

14 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Store employee fatally shot in Augusta robbery; suspect arrested

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was fatally shot in an armed robbery on Lumpkin Road, according to authorities, and a suspect has been arrested.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop at 2303 Lumpkin Road around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was registered in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, 22-year-old Terrance Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.

One person was arrested in connection to armed robbery and homicide on Lumpkin Rd.(WRDW)

According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the passenger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.

Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.

Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.

The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.

The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.

Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.

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Augusta, GA

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2025

Press Room

Crosstown showdown rescheduled: Augusta and USC-Aiken to play Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The basketball doubleheader featuring both Augusta University and University of South Carolina Aiken has been moved to Sunday.

The two were originally slated to play on Saturday afternoon.

The women’s game will tipoff at 1:30 p.m., and the men’s will follow at 3:30 p.m in the USC Aiken Convocation Center.

Both the Pacers and Jags men’s team last played on Feb. 10 2024.

AU climbed to a 5-point lead in the final period, winning 98-93.

Prior to their last meeting, USC Aiken had a four-game win streak over the Jags.

Sunday will mark the 89th meeting between the two programs.

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