Augusta, GA
Local students prep as Georgia standardized testing returns
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Board of Regents will require students to take the ACT or SAT to get into four universities in the fall of 2026.
Those schools include Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University and Augusta University.
Test requirements had already been restored for the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia College and State University — the system’s three most selective schools.
All of this means things are starting to return to how they were pre-COVID.
Both Richmond and Columbia county schools said just because the state put the requirement on hold, preparing students for the tests never stopped.
While the state pumped the brakes on SAT and ACT testing, Richmond County pressed the gas.
“We’ve always offered opportunities to help our students kind of hone in on those skills. We have prep classes at every high school, in addition to other resources that kids can engage in, just to kind of go ahead and maximize their potential on that SAT or ACT,” said Charlie Tudor, advanced studies program administrator for Richmond County schools.
Tudor says they start prepping students in eighth grade.
“All of our eighth graders take the PSAT in October of their eighth-grade year. We look at that data and go ahead and encourage our kids. Some of them are ready to take an AP class in ninth grade, we look at that AP potential there,” said Tudor.
Every year after, the curriculum is woven into their class schedule.
“Those skills and that knowledge are built into the curriculum already. A lot of our schools have SAT and ACT plans in there. There are also Saturday study sessions for certain targeted kids that need that extra support,” said Tudor.
Tudor says they never want cost to get in the way of academics.
“College Board and ACT, ‘ve always provided fee waivers based on your income. Here in Richmond County, if we know there’s a need for one of our students at the school level, we always make sure things happen to make sure there are no barriers or challenges as far as finances go with kids,” said Tudor.
Columbia County says they have been doing things just the same as before the pandemic as well.
All the requirements for ACT and SAT testing are set to start in the fall of 2026.
If you want to sign your child up for extra study classes, leaders say the best way is to contact the school counselor.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Volunteers came together Saturday to help clean up an Augusta neighborhood.
The cleanup took place on Wheeless Road and Dorn Road.
Jeremiah Atkinson started the event as a way to clean up trash dumped in the area and help the community.
He said they had at least 30 bags picked up as of Saturday morning.
“My message is if you see one piece of trash, pick it up and help Augusta clean it up because I feel like that would be more efficient, just pick up one piece of trash a day, just one to help out the community,” Atkinson said.
Organizers also provided snacks for volunteers.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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