Augusta, GA
Georgia passes state law on antisemitism, some disagree with the vote
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday allowing prosecutors to add antisemitism charges to crimes committed against Jewish people or places.
And Governor Brian Kemp says he will sign it.
A study by the antidefamation league shows antisemitic attacks are increasing.
It comes during a tumultuous time in the Middle East, but the Islamic Center in Augusta says the bill should include even more groups.
With war continuing in the Middle East, people are looking for different avenues to help. But when it comes to passing a state law on anti-Semitism, members of the Augusta Muslim community are torn.
“Peaceful coexistence, it did happen before for years and years, it can happen again,” said Azza Elremessy, who’s part of the Islamic Society of Augusta.
44 Georgia Senators votes to pass the bill.
“If you want to go out and say that you hate Israel after this bill is passed, you may absolutely do that. But if you want to commit a crime, you got a problem,” said Senate President John Kennedy.
But six Senators didn’t and some people here in Augusta agree with that vote.
“It does not help to alleviate this bad problem of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is a very bad, heinous activity. And I or actually, all Muslims are against any anti-Semitic actions or talk but you cannot only limit this to the Jewish people, if you want to make a law like that, okay? Anti-Muslims should be outlawed, anti-Asian should be outlawed, anti-Black should be outlawed. So why there’s a distinction here?” said Hossam Fadel, who’s part of the Islamic Society of Augusta.
He says people should be allowed to have their own opinions and thinks this law may infringe on that right to free speech.
“There’s 35,000 Palestinians that have been killed in Gaza, at least for now or by now. So limiting our criticism of these actions by Israel is definitely not acceptable as far as anti-Semitism is. It is not. We have no problem with Jews as Jews or individuals. But we have a problem with the actions Israel committing, what we think is crimes against humanity,” he said.
At the end of the day, people just want peace.
Elremessy said: “I’d really like, you know, for us to be the one, remembered as providing the humanitarian aid, stopping the war, and taking the lead really, to bring back the peace to the Middle East.”
The Islamic Society of Augusta has events that are open to the public where they have discussions about what is happening in the Middle East and its history. For more information, visit their website.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.
“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”
She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.
From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.
Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.
“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.
With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.
Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.
“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
Augusta, GA
Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.
Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.
USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.
On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.
In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.
This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.
Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.
The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.
Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.
Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.
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