Augusta, GA

Northern Lights could flare again across region with sunspot’s return

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

Northern Lights could flare again across region with sunspot’s return

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Mid-May brought a stunning display of the Northern Lights to much of the world with reports of the aurora visible in all of the lower 48 states in the U.S. – and across the CSRA.

The sunspot responsible for the impressive solar flares was at just the right location to send the energy toward the Earth, resulting in a G5 geomagnetic storm.

This storm was the biggest since 2003 and triggered a stunning and widespread view of the Northern Lights.

The sunspot turned away from the Earth for just over two weeks and is now reappearing on the eastern edge of the sun. The sun rotates on an average of 27 days so active sunspots are typically visible from Earth for around two weeks before facing away from Earth.

Right now, the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter is sitting on the opposite of the sun from Earth, giving solar scientists the ability to monitor the far side of the sun.

This gives us a special treat as the active sunspot was able to be tracked, even when hidden from Earth’s view. The sunspot has been less active recently but it’s too early to say if this trend will continue.

Now that the sunspot is back in view, over the next two weeks, any solar flares from this region may reach Earth.

However, it’s the coronal mass ejections or CMEs scientists are watching for to trigger the Northern Lights.

For one to have the best odds of reaching Earth, it would need to erupt around June 4-6, when the sunspot is the prime location. This 27 days, a full solar rotation since the mid-May solar flares. This is when we have the best odds of getting a geomagnetic storm and seeing the Northern Lights pushed further south again.

Keep in mind, the aurora event in May was a rare occurrence.

It was the first G5 geomagnetic storm in 21 years. So the likelihood of a repeat performance so close behind is not terribly high.

But even more common G3 to G4 storms could still allow for the Northern Lights to appear low on the horizon in parts of the Carolinas.

And we are in a solar maximum the rest of the year into 2025, so the possibility of more impressive aurora events remains for a while.

You can check out the latest Northern Lights forecast with our tracker right here: https://www.foxcarolina.com/page/northern-lights-tracker/

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Augusta, GA

Augusta man dies after shooting on 10th Street

Published

12 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Augusta man dies after shooting on 10th Street

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — A late-night shooting in Augusta has turned deadly.

Richmond County deputies were called to the 1300 block of 10th Street just before 11 p.m. Friday. Investigators say several men were sitting on a porch when someone opened fire.

The victim, identified as 24-year-old Heavaugh Leigene Brooks, was taken to the hospital by a private car before deputies arrived. He died from his injuries early Saturday morning.

Deputies found a firearm and shell casings at the scene. The investigation is now being treated as a homicide. No suspects have been released.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta mayor continues sweet potato giveaway as Thanksgiving approaches

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Mayor Garnett Johnson is in the mood for the Thanksgiving food giveaway, and we were with him in South Augusta.

At his headquarters in Hephzibah on Friday, he continued his sweet potato giveaway.

If you missed it, do not worry, Johnson has another giveaway on Saturday.

Johnson spoke about what inspired him to specifically give away sweet potatoes.

“There’s a lot of turkeys that are being given away, but I realize that, you know, oftentimes, people forget about the size. Every household is going to either have some yams or a sweet potato pie, or a sweet potato casserole,” said Johnson. “It’s more about bringing families together.”

Saturday’s giveaway is at Ever Faithful Missionary Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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Augusta, GA

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter calls for more ICE agents in Atlanta

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter calls for more ICE agents in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter wants more ICE agents in Atlanta.

Carter, a Republican who represents the 1st congressional district on the southeast Georgia coast, sent a letter to acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, asking them to “increase federal law enforcement resources” in Atlanta.

Carter claimed there’s an “urgent need for an enhanced ICE presence in Atlanta,” writing that the federal agents would “protect citizens against record levels of illegal immigrants” and “confront safety concerns.”

You can read the letter below:

“Residents are clamoring for additional federal support, which would greatly assist state and local partners in maintaining public safety and ensuring that immigration laws are properly upheld,” Carter wrote.

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He added, “Increasing enforcement presence would help deter unlawful entry, disrupt illegal networks, and uphold the rule of law. A stronger federal role would also help prevent the very real public safety risks that criminals pose and restore confidence in the system designed to keep us safe.”

Carter cited two recent metro Atlanta murder cases that allegedly involved undocumented immigrants, including the killing of a mother of five.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Undocumented immigrant accused in killing of Cobb County woman pleads not guilty

Carter, a self-described “MAGA warrior,” is one of several Republican candidates hoping to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in next year’s midterm elections.

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