Augusta, GA
Laura Warren says goodbye to News 12
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – After 13 years working at News 12, we could not let Laura Warren go without saying a great job and taking a quick look back.
As a broadcast news major at the University of Georgia, there was no question about Laura’s career.
She’s a storyteller. The only question was where.
And once she decided to work as an intern here, she set her sights on Augusta and never looked back.
Laura’s hard work, determination, and skills as an intern stood out, and she had a job here before she graduated.
Since she was still in college, she drove from Athens to Augusta every weekend.
After about a year, she joined in the evenings, anchoring the 5 o’clock newscast. Turning stories every day, then hustling back to the set.
Things happened fast in her personal life, too. We were already part of the family when she got married, and it wasn’t very long until Laura was sitting next to Richard at 6 and 11 and turning stories for our brand-new I-TEAM.
We were there as her family grew — first a son, then a daughter.
Balancing all with a demanding career and making it all look easy.
Along with the daily newscasts, there were the parades, tree lightings, telethons for the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and of course, the Masters.
Laura is one of those journalists who is always looking for solutions. If there’s something she can do to make things better, she will. That’s how The Great Augusta Duck Dash was born, raising money to ensure kids have a safe place to sleep.
It’s been quite a ride, from storm coverage to snow coverage.
She’s reported from the highest highs to the lowest lows.
We’ve seen Laura lending her time and talents to all kinds of causes through the years, from the Special Olympics to the Heart Ball.
But she’s never been afraid to hop in a ditch if the story calls for it.
And through it all, Laura likes to remind us she’s a Bulldog. Traveling across the country to bring us the excitement of a national championship or two.
And the good news is we really don’t have to say goodbye. Laura and her husband Austin, have decided to raise their kids right here.
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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