Augusta, GA
Georgia, South Carolina to get millions from Kroger in opioid deal
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Attorney General Chris Carr says the state of Georgia will receive more than $55 million to expand access to opioid treatment, prevention and recovery services.
South Carolina, meanwhile, will receive about $18 million for opioid abatement, with payments anticipated to begin early next year.
This is part of a recently finalized agreement with Kroger, which totals $1.37 billion overall and includes a bipartisan coalition of 30 states.
“We’re fighting this battle on multiple fronts by declaring war on fentanyl and holding accountable those who have contributed to this crisis in the first place,” Carr said.
The nationwide opioid epidemic started in the 1990s with increased opioid prescribing and opioid overdose deaths, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The total number of deaths in Georgia increased by 302% from 2010 to 2022, the department says. The increases appeared to be driven by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often found in drugs such as cocaine, heroin and counterfeit pills.
“No amount of money can make up for the lives we’ve lost to the opioid crisis, but the money from this settlement, along with the other settlements we’ve announced, will go to treat people who are addicted to opioids,” South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said. “We will continue to go after those responsible for the opioid crisis to hold them accountable.”
The deal, announced in September 2023, declared that Kroger Co. would pay up to $1.4 billion over 11 years.
In addition, Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The second annual Juneteenth trail ride took place on Old Waynesboro Road in Augusta on Saturday.
The event featured trail rides with horses and ATVs, a mechanical bull contest and music.
People shopped at vendors, and there was entertainment for kids, including a petting zoo, inflatables and games.
“It’s really a privilege just to be able to have the opportunity to share my space, to share my area, and to share for an event with so much value, to give back to my community and a place to celebrate,” said Davon Wallace, chief of operations at Crimson Hills.
Wallace said they will be hosting more events, with a haunted trail coming in October.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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