Augusta, GA
Georgia mental health hospital expansion draws hundreds of millions in funding
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -Hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated to expand mental health care in Georgia through the construction of a new state hospital, and Augusta is among the locations under consideration.
Mental health advocates in Augusta say local facilities currently offer only short-term treatment, and patients with more severe needs are often required to travel to Atlanta for care. Even there, a lack of inpatient beds and a backlog for state hospital placement leaves many patients without the care they need.
NAMI Augusta weighs in
Peter Menk, a board member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Augusta chapter, said the new facility would serve a significant number of people in the region.
“MCG had shut down. The VA uptown is more military oriented. Even going back in the day into Gracewood, a huge facility that helped a lot of people,” Menk said. “This funding will really go a long way in the state of Georgia to really become kind of a centerpiece for health care in general.”
Augusta’s role in the conversation
Talks have indicated Atlanta may be the site of the new state hospital, though other locations — including Augusta — are still being considered. State Sen. Blake Tillery said Augusta remains part of the discussion.
“The good news is if it doesn’t go to Augusta in the first round, we need to build three of these,” Tillery said. “So we’re going to have to build another one in order to have the bed space necessary to make sure that our jails aren’t being used as our state’s mental health hospitals. So do know that yes, Augusta is going to be pivotal to this conversation.”
Local provider moves forward with its own facility
Serenity Behavioral Health Crisis Center has also begun work on its own facility in the Augusta area, with a planned opening in May. The center said it hopes the facility will provide more beds and resources, and ease the burden on law enforcement and hospitals in the region.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Construction continues on the James Brown Linear Park in downtown Augusta, with ceiling tiles now installed inside the park structures.
The tiles feature designs showcasing the Godfather of Soul from different years in his career.
According to the city, the completed park will include an interactive water feature that will “dance” to Brown’s greatest hits. A statue of the music icon will return to a new stage at the park.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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