Augusta, GA
Georgia Capitol Dispatch: Veterans cemetery sought for Augusta, MLK’s son remembered
No bills were heard on the floor of the Georgia House or Senate on the seventh day 2024 state legislative session. However, state lawmakers had a slew of issues to discuss.
Here’s a look at what legislators were up to under the gold dome:
Augusta lobbies for new veterans cemetery
The Augusta delegation in both the state House and the Senate welcomed a group of 40 veterans to the Capitol to call attention to a project now four years in the making: the construction of a new veterans’ cemetery in Augusta, which is home to Fort Eisenhower. Among the group of visitors was former Augusta Mayor Bob Young and current Commissioner Alvin Mason.
“We are trying to find a way to honor our veterans by allowing them to be interred in their home community,” said state Sen. Max Burns (R- Sylvania).
Proponents of the project say they have been unable to secure more federal funding for the cemetery and are turning to the state legislature to help fill the gap.
“We have over 66,000 military families in the greater Augusta area,” Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah) said, noting that the two closest veterans’ cemeteries are the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville and Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Both are more than 80 miles from Augusta.
“I am a military spouse, so I understand how important it is to make sure that we have our husbands and loved ones laid to rest close to us, so that we can actually visit them.” Frazier said. “A lot of the spouses would like to visit their loved ones a lot more.”
More: Will Augusta get a veterans cemetery? Here’s what you need to know
Celebrating 50 years of diplomacy with Japan
Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Japan, and lawmakers celebrated by designating Jan. 23 as Japan Day at the Capitol. Mio Maeda, the consul general of Japan in Atlanta, returned to the state capitol to mark the occasion, and celebrate the business relationship that lawmakers say has brought numerous businesses and employment opportunities to Georgia.
Minority House whip Rep. Sam Park also made a speech to recognize Korean American day and the contributions of generations of Korean-American immigrants.
“This year marks the 121st anniversary of the first Korean immigrants who came to this country in pursuit of the American dream,” Park said. “With more than 100,000 Korean Americans who call Georgia home, they’ve not only made critical contributions to our economy and society, they’ve helped strengthen the critical, bilateral relationship between the state of Georgia and the Republic of Korea.”
Remembering Dexter Scott King’s legacy
Georgia legislators in the House held a moment of silence to commemorate Dexter Scott King, a civil rights advocate and son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Today we stand with the gentle giant, who they said emulated his father in looks and in conversation and in voice, but more so a great giant who was very quiet,” said Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah).
“He took his rest from being that gentle giant,” Gilliard said. “From fighting for the rights of intellectual property of the King legacy, from fighting for the rights as a gentle giant, and following the wishes of his mother to make sure we have a Martin Luther King center for Nonviolence and Social Change.”
Dexter Scott King passed away on Jan. 22 after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 62 years old.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested after he was accused of hitting two women at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta.
The incident happened on May 14 around 12 a.m.
According to arrest warrants, Bruce Bland struck one victim with a closed hand several times in the face. Bland also threw a garbage can at the victim, hitting her in the head.
The warrant states the victim suffered a bruise on her face.
Bland also hit another victim with a closed hand on her mouth, according to the warrants. She suffered swelling and a bruise on her mouth.
Bland is charged with battery and simple battery, according to the warrants. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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