Augusta, GA
In Augusta, fans root for ‘anything SEC if it’s not Georgia’
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Many football fans started off 2024 by watching bowl games.
In Augusta, fans cheered on their favorite teams at many different restaurants and pubs on New Year’s Day.
Even fans of Alabama – which lost the Rose Bowl to Michigan in an overtime game.
Melissa Gasho says she never misses an Alabama game and treats every one like it’s her birthday.
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“Every day, every single Alabama game, every single one,” she said. “I actually don’t work on game day. And when I did work on the one SEC championship game. I worked to where I could see the TV.”
She says she knows being an Alabama fan in Georgia can be controversial, but she’s hoping people can cheer for the SEC.
“Well, you know, SEC over the North, we got to do it,” she said. “I mean, we’re in the South. It’s kind of our blood.”
Fans of the Bulldogs, who were shut out by Alabama, were watching the game but wishing it was their team.
Tim Powell was among those fans.
“I’ve always been a Georgia fan my whole life,” he said. “I mean, you know, my son went to Georgia. He’s been out of there for probably 20 years. But anything, anything SEC, if it’s not Georgia, then if it’s an SEC going into it, then that’s exactly who we root for.”
But the SEC will be shut out of the national championship game this year with Michigan’s win.
Should Georgia have been playing in that championship game?
“I would think so or hope so,” Powell said. “But I’m not exactly sure. But yeah, it was a letdown being that Alabama went in there.”
Regardless of the outcome, Gasho stands by her team, even though the game didn’t end how she was hoping.
“Roll Tide until the end, always,” said Gasho.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
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.
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.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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