Augusta, GA
Harris and Biden surveyed damage wrought by Hurricane Helene in 2 swing states
Vice President Harris consoles a woman as she toured damage from Hurricane Helene in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Augusta, Ga., on Oct. 2.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP
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Brendan Smialowski/AFP
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Vice President Harris took a pause from the campaign trail on Wednesday to visit a neighborhood ravaged by Hurricane Helene where more than half of residents don’t have power and many don’t have running water, consoling a woman who she said had lost her husband.

“There is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this hurricane,” Harris said.
Meanwhile, President Biden spent about an hour flying over Asheville, N.C., by helicopter. “You can see homes that are moved, clearly, from one side of the river, down the river to another side,” he said. “Communities like Chimney Rock are reduced to piles of wood and debris.”
Vice President Harris speaks about damage caused by Hurricane Helene in Augusta, Ga., on Oct. 2.
Bendan Smialowski/AFP
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Bendan Smialowski/AFP
Biden and Harris are trying to reassure residents hurt by the massive storm that the federal government will help the region recover. Making good on that promise is a critical test for the administration in this election year, particularly in the swing states of North Carolina and Georgia, where Biden and Harris visited.

But Biden said it wasn’t about politics. “At a moment like this, we put politics aside — at least, we should put it all aside, and we have, here,” Biden said at a briefing at an emergency operations center in Raleigh, N.C.
“There are no Democrats, Republicans — only Americans — and our job is to help as many people as we can, as quickly as we can, and as thoroughly as we can,” he said.
President Biden talks with state officials at an emergency operations center in Raleigh, N.C., with a map of the area hit by Hurricane Helene behind him.
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Mandel Ngan/AFP
Biden announced that the federal government would cover 100% of the costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months for North Carolina, as requested by its Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
He also directed up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to be deployed to help the North Carolina National Guard deliver food, water and medicine.
In Georgia, Harris said the federal government would cover 100% of the costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures for three months for the state, as requested by its Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Kemp was not with her for the tour.
President Biden surveyed storm damage on Marine One near Asheville, N.C. on Oct. 2.
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Mandel Ngan/AFP
The White House also announced that Biden had authorized 100% of the costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures for three months for Florida — a state he plans to visit on Thursday.
Biden will also make a stop on Thursday in Georgia. That’s where former President Donald Trump was on Monday, where he, too, said that disasters transcend politics.
Former President Donald Trump visitsa furniture store damaged during Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Ga., on Sept. 30.
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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election. But in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters. We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved,” Trump said.

But during his stop, Trump falsely said Gov. Kemp had not been able to reach Biden. “He’s been calling the president, hasn’t been able to get him. But they’ll come through, I’m sure,” Trump said. Biden later that day angrily criticized Trump.
“He’s lying, and the governor told him he was lying,” Biden said, noting he had spoken with Kemp. “I don’t know why he [Trump] does this. And the reason I get so angry about it — I don’t care about what he says about me, but I care what he communicates to the people that are in need. He implies that we’re not doing everything possible. We are,” Biden said.
Augusta, GA
Mother’s Day concert brings gospel music to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Several artists came together for a Mother’s Day concert Bethel Community Church Family Life Center.
Lucresha Thomas with Psalm 100 Entertainment said the event honors mothers.
“I think that is very important to honor the mothers because there’s some people that don’t have mothers due, the mothers passing away and mothers not being local,” Thomas said. “So this helps bring them together and they’re able to fellowship with other mothers and just be positive, bringing some gospel to the community where they can fellowship together, be blessed and maybe receive a blessing.”
Host Tommy Ingram said groups from across the area participated in the concert.
“We got a live, a lot of groups coming from all over the area to make sure that all the mothers in the area have a good time today,” Ingram said.
Host Adrian Monet said the free concert gives back to the community.
“Well, okay, yeah, a lot of mothers enjoy some good gospel singing. They love gospel concerts,” Monet said. “And this one is a give back, you know, to the community because it’s completely free. And so it’s a chance for people to bring their mothers to enjoy the music that they love so much.”
Erica and Jessica Harris, co-owners of Sophisticated Soul Food, said they wanted to celebrate mothers.
“Okay, we’re out here today for this pre-Mother’s Day event, and we’re just, we just want to give back to the community and celebrate all mothers,” the co-owners said. “And so we’re so excited to be out here. And we have great soul food for everybody that wants to come out.”
Kenneth Medlock, Tyrell Gibson and Gary Durham of The Country Boys, a gospel group from Thomson, said they were honored to participate.
“So we’re just so grateful to be here and honored to be able to stand up and let the world know how good God is through our songs and our praise,” the group said.
Anthony Gallant and Lamont McDowell, members of a gospel group from the Carolinas, said celebrating mothers is important.
“Oh yeah, I think it’s extremely important because mothers work hard throughout the year. They’re very diligent,” Gallant and McDowell said. “And I think at least if you could celebrate them one time, just make them feel special and that the queens that they are, I think it’s important and they’ll feel that love.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Historic Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident
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Augusta, GA
Georgia governor candidate Olu Brown campaigns in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Olu Brown visited Augusta on Friday evening, stopping near the Sand Hills Community Center as early voting continues.
Brown is one of six candidates in the Democratic primary.
Campaign priorities
Brown said his vision as governor would focus on three main areas.
“One, it’s affordability around health care and making sure we expand Medicaid and expand Peach Care and make sure we continue to make our rural health care systems healthy and vital,” Brown said. “Number two, we’ve got to address education in all of Georgia, making sure every kid in Georgia gets an excellent education, and we’re paying our teachers more. And number 3, we’re protecting the rights of all women. Folks in the Gold Dome shouldn’t be making decisions about their bodies or the choices that they make.”
Brown is running against Amanda Duffy, Derrick Jackson, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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