Augusta, GA

Study shows heat affects Augusta more than other places in Georgia

Published

9 months ago

June 19, 2025

Study shows heat affects Augusta more than other places in Georgia

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – This week is bringing us some of the hottest temperatures so far this year.

Like other cities, Augusta experiences the urban heat island effect, which is a phenomenon where urban areas absorb more heat then rural areas because of buildings, roads and other dark surfaces.

Augusta is known as one of the hottest spots in Georgia, and a study was done by UGA on the urban heat island effect in our area.

“Compared to other cities in Georgia, it’s bad. So it’s probably one of the worst in Georgia. So if you were thinking from a state perspective, where would you have the most impact in Georgia, Augusta would be a good place,” said Dr. Patricia Yager, director, Georgia Climate Project, UGA professor.

Many trees were lost in Helene, and recently, downtown Augusta saw the remaining trees cut down.

The loss of trees in our city will worsen the urban heat island effect.

“If you add trees in Augusta, the trees that were there before Helene one or two years ago, were contributing to all kinds of good things, not just the temperature, water storm runoff, air pollution, and other things,” said Yager.

Excess heat in our environment can also lead to more health concerns.

Heat is really bad for the human body, and there is all kinds of data on both chronic illness due to heat and infectious diseases getting worse in the heat, waterborne diseases, tick, mosquito bites,“ said Yager.

Yager is working with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition to create solutions to this growing problem.

Trees are obviously the number one solution, but not the solution for everywhere and everything, so they also talk about green roofs, cool roofs, cool pavements and smart growth,” said Yager.

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Augusta, GA

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

Published

8 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Local group holds 4th annual walk against autism

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – April is Autism Awareness Month, and one local group raised awareness with a walk in Augusta on Sunday.

The fourth annual autism walk was hosted by Moving Over Mountains Against autism at Lake Olmstead Park.

All proceeds from the walk support autism awareness initiatives.

We spoke with the CEO and founder of the group, Deidre Roberson, who said this year they are dedicating the walk to their photographer, who died recently.

Roberson told us what she looks forward to the most.

“I look most forward to seeing the different people every year. We always meet different people, new people, and they come from all over the CSRA, so Washington, Wilkes, Carolina,” she said.

There were also several vendors providing resources to families.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

20 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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