Augusta, GA

Historic Augusta home opens up to the public on James Brown tour

Published

2 years ago

May 6, 2024

Historic Augusta home opens up to the public on James Brown tour

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new stop has been added to the James Brown tour in Augusta.

It’s the first house his family lived in that James Brown bought for his father when they came back to Augusta. This, before moving to Walton Way and then over to Beech Island.

But this is a piece of history you can go inside; the family wanting to share a piece of their history with the world.

Walking inside is like you’re taking a step back in time.

“You’re not just standing in a home. This is history that happened in this home, and then a lot of the homes around here,” said Dr. Yamma Brown, James Brown’s daughter.

But the memories still feel fresh, almost everyone in James Brown’s family has memories here on Parkway Drive.

“From the late 60s all the way up until the 2000s at some point in time, somebody in our family was living in this home, and we were coming in and out of this home. So there are a ton of memories. Some we will say, some we will not,” said Dr. Deanna Brown Thomas, James Brown’s daughter.

And the history goes beyond the doors of the home.

“This is a home from the 60s, in an area that was not black, it was predominantly Caucasian. And so you have African American family that’s living here. And then not only my dad, but my grandfather, this being my grandfather’s home, coming from, you know, being like having nothing,” said Dr. Yamma Brown.

Some fans have been on the tour before and came back to be a part of the first tour allowed inside the space.

“I used to write letters to the editor for James Brown Boulevard being to be changed James Brown Boulevard. I used to send him birthday announcements in the newspaper. I used to send him Father’s Day gifts. All kinds of stuff. I was really into James brown, ”said Patrick Brissey, a James Brown fan.

Now it will hold even more memories outside of James Brown’s family.

“He would call me school boy…when he would see me. Now I listened to all the things that he did about education and so I got a PhD later on. I told him when I first met him, I was going to keep soul alive and he just busted out laughing. And so now I argue for the existence of a soul. And so it’s kind of cool to see keep the soul alive and that sort of thing,” he said.

For more information on taking the James Brown tour in Augusta, click here.

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Augusta, GA

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

Published

11 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

What is the cheapest city in Georgia to live with a roomate?

As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.

According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.

Here’s what to know.

Where can you save the most in Georgia?

The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.

Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.

Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:

One-bedroom rent: $1,000
Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450

Why are roommate savings so high?

With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.

The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.

How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?

Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:

Cleveland, OH
Baton Rouge, LA
Jersey City, NJ
Memphis, TN
Boise, ID
Augusta, GA
New Haven, CT
Chattanooga, TN
Virginia Beach, VA
Shreveport, LA

Methodology

The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.

For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.

Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Augusta nonprofit hosts family financial literacy day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.

The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.

Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.

Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.

“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.

Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.

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Augusta, GA

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Lane Bryant to close Augusta Mall store this weekend

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.

Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.

After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.

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