AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The YMCA held a grocery drive-through giveaway Saturday at its Claussen Road location in Augusta.

The YMCA said it handed out groceries to around 150 families in the first hour of the event.

The organization also serves around 1,200 children in the area through its summer programs.

Cheryl Wirt, CFO of YMCA Augusta, said the need has increased this summer as the organization expands its reach into rural areas.

“During the summer, we will get food boxes from Golden Harvest for families with kids, and we take that out to the communities,” Wirt said. “We go as far as Washington-Wilkes and Warren and Thomson. We will get on our feeding vans and get those boxes out to the communities, get families to fill out a form, and they get a box of food.”

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Board of Elections has filed its official response to the complaint Lori Myles filed over the May 19 Augusta mayoral election.

As part of the legal process, the board has asked the court to dismiss the case and has filed its response to the claims.

The announcement came after the board met in executive session during a special called meeting Monday.

Myles is pushing for a recount. Her lawsuit claims 18,353 absentee votes are missing and alleges voter suppression.

Lawsuit details

Lori Myles filed the lawsuit in Richmond County Superior Court challenging the handling of the May 19 election, alleging missing absentee votes and errors tied to how results were reported, according to court records.

In the complaint filed on May 28, Myles alleges election officials mishandled voting information and election materials and claims the election returns were inaccurate.

Among the allegations, the filing claims that absentee-voter records were mishandled and that there were 18,353 missing absentee votes.

“I believe that ‘my votes, and your votes’ were stolen, erased, and strategically ‘voter suppressed,’” Myles said in lawsuit documents.

Defendants in the lawsuit include Richmond County Board of Elections Director Travis Doss, the Augusta Commission, members of Augusta’s elections board and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

Allegations and relief sought

Myles also points to what she describes as polling-place reporting issues, repeatedly questioning why Diamond Lakes is not listed among polling locations and results on Augusta’s election website.

The complaint requests a recount and recanvass and references the pursuit of open-records requests. It also calls for additional verification measures, including rescanning ballots and scrutiny of QR code tabulation, as part of the relief sought.

Myles wrote that she plans to submit a voter-signature petition in support of her challenge.

Results posted on Augusta’s election website for the May 19 contest show Johnson leading with 16,313 votes, or 42.8%, followed by Kendrick with 13,531, or 35.5%, Eric Gaines with 5,442, or 14.3%, and Myles with 2,838, or 7.5%.

What the elections board is now arguing in court

In a combined motion to dismiss and answer filed June 23, the Richmond County Board of Elections asked a judge to dismiss the case “with prejudice,” arguing Myles’ election contest was filed one day past Georgia’s five-day deadline after certification and is therefore time-barred and outside the court’s jurisdiction, according to the filing.

The board said the election results were certified May 22 and the statutory deadline to contest them was May 27, but Myles filed May 28, the motion states.

The board also argued Myles’ request to have 18,353 allegedly missing absentee votes added to her total is not a remedy available under Georgia law, saying courts can order recount-related relief but cannot assign unidentified votes to a candidate.

The filing argues Myles failed to meet election-contest requirements because she did not properly join and serve the other candidates in the race and did not follow the statute requiring expedited “special process” in election challenges, the motion states.

The motion also says Myles’ filing was not verified by affidavit, which the board argues is a mandatory requirement for an election contest petition under Georgia law.

The board asked the court to dismiss Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger as a defendant, arguing he is not a proper party in a local election contest and that official-capacity claims implicate sovereign immunity.

The board also asked for attorney’s fees and costs, arguing the lawsuit lacks substantial justification and noting Myles references filing five prior election-related cases in Richmond County that were dismissed, according to the motion.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta’s Pride celebration looked different this year, with the event moving to the Augusta Fairgrounds because of Broad Street construction, according to Beats on Broad organizers.

This year marks Augusta’s 16th year hosting Pride. Organizers said the goal remains to make people feel supported beyond the event itself.

Kourtnee Pope Kollins, identified on-screen as MX Augusta, said it was their first year attending Augusta Pride, though not their first Pride experience overall.

“This is actually my first year at Augusta Pride. I’m the current MX Augusta Pride. But Pride in general, I’ve been going since I was little, so I’m excited to be here,” Pope Kollins said.

Attendees and organizers speak on the event’s meaning

Attendee Nick Horvath said the celebration holds personal significance.

“My favorite moments of Pride are always seeing the little kids that are out getting to interact with performers like myself and just — there’s nothing wrong with loving who you are and getting to see them show appreciation for that,” Horvath said. “It’s just nice that we have one event throughout the month that can just really, you know, just like, show people Augusta is just not about hate. It’s also about love and spreading positivity.”

Resources available year-round, organizers say

James Mintz, identified as Pride treasurer, said the event is meant to reach people who may not feel represented.

“I think what’s always important is you may not always feel like you’re being represented in the community, but you would be surprised at who comes out. And even if you’re not ready to come out or feel comfortable coming, there are many resources that are available to you 365 days out of the year,” Mintz said. “We’re your neighbors, we’re your cousins, your family, coworkers, and, you know, we’re here, and we’re happy.”

A separate unidentified speaker described the event’s purpose.

“This is an opportunity and a safe space for people who are queer to come together and know that they’re supported, loved, and appreciated,” Pope Kollins said.

The celebration continues Saturday with the 16th Annual Augusta Pride Festival, a free event featuring live entertainment, speakers, vendors, community organizations and family-friendly activities.

This year’s celebration has moved to the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds because of ongoing construction in downtown Augusta.

Organizers also canceled the traditional Pride parade for 2026 because of safety concerns related to the construction, but say attendees can still expect a full weekend of events.

According to Augusta Pride, its mission is to promote visibility, unity and diversity education for LGBTQ+ communities across the Central Savannah River Area while supporting HIV awareness and community outreach.

For a complete schedule, entertainment lineup and additional event information, visit the Augusta Pride website.