Augusta, GA
Rare rescue: 6-foot sturgeon released to Savannah River
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a rare rescue in south Augusta after a 6-foot sturgeon got stuck in Spirit Creek.
Sturgeons are an ancient group of fish that date back to the age of the dinosaurs and they can live to be 150 years old.
On Friday, the Department of Natural Resources set the sturgeon free.
“I had to drop everything I was doing. I called some contacts from UGA with their sturgeon lab for them to come up and assist us,” said Aaron Gray, a fisheries biologist for DNR.
The Atlantic Sturgeon finished laying her eggs in the Savannah River, but while she was leaving, she got stuck in Spirit Creek.
“The fish came in when we had some heavy rain in the area, and once the way was receded the sturgeon was stuck over the bridge,” said Gray.
Once Gray got the tip about the sturgeon being stuck, he jumped into gear. Saving her was a seven-man job.
“It took for nets to corral and finally capture the sturgeon. Once we had it in hand, the University of Georgia group got measurement and data from the fish,” said Gray.
It was a delicate process to get her out of the creek and took about an hour. It took another 30 minutes to get her back to the Savannah River.
“Had to temper the water in the tank for about half an hour to make the river condition,” he said.
Matching the river conditions kept the sturgeon from going into shock and to be safe in her home again.
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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