Augusta, GA
‘We need help’: Ga. airport underfunding could hinder expansions
ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Municipal airports across South Georgia could see improvements paused or canceled because of a lack of funding from federal and state officials.
Regional Airports need $83.5 million per year for improvement projects, but Albany, Valdosta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Brunswick, and Columbus only receive $16 million from the FAA and $2.8 million from the state.
Airports outside of Atlanta are receiving the shorter end of the stick when it comes to federal and state funding. Airport officials say that they hope that with more grant funding and the expansion of a few projects, it will increase more revenue right here in the Good Life City.
“If we don’t improve our infrastructure and our facilities, we will continue to lose our business aviation to other states. Some of the other states are receiving anywhere from 30 to 80 million dollars worth of funds, where we’re getting around 19 to support 7 airports outside of Atlanta and that’s a challenge,” officials say.

In Albany, the airport has upcoming projects to bring bigger planes, more commercial flights, and Cargo airplanes to the city. But with the lack of funding, the completion of that project is at risk.
“We’re looking at a runway extension which will be a huge project over 100 million dollars and funding has not been identified for that project. So where would we get that money? Well, we need the Federal Administration and the State of Georgia to give us more support,” officials say.
While officials say the airport needs some improvements, passengers say they love the convenience of being able to travel right outside their backyard.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Steven Kendrick held a town hall on Wednesday at the Henry Brigham Community Center as he prepares to challenge Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Kendrick, who serves as chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, previously ran against Johnson in 2022. The town hall was part of Kendrick’s campaign tour as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.
“Some of the people felt as though we really needed to dig a little deeper and we dug a little deeper,” Kendrick said after the meeting. “But that’s how you gain understanding, where everybody’s not going to agree about everything. Some of them we didn’t agree on. I certainly enjoyed the interaction. I learned some things, and I hope they learned some things as well.”
Multiple Commission seats up for election
The mayoral race is not the only contest facing Richmond County voters. Several Augusta Commission seats are up for election across multiple districts.
District 8 will have a new commissioner because Commissioner Brandon Garrett is term-limited and cannot run again. Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams have filed to run for the District 8 seat.
Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10 are also up for election. Stacy Pulliam currently serves in District 2.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
2026 is off to a deadly start, but what’s ahead for Augusta?
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are investigating their first homicide of 2026, which occurred early Monday morning on Hines Street just off Laney Walker Boulevard.
The victim was 21-year-old Thaddeus Kirkland. He was found bleeding on scene around 2 a.m. and died a short time later.
Suspect wanted for questioning
Deputies are seeking 24-year-old Bruce Wesby for questioning in connection to the incident. Wesby is known to frequent the Waynesboro area. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff’s office.
Crime data shows progress in 2025
The first homicide of 2026 happened five days into the new year, two days sooner than the first homicide of 2025.
According to the sheriff’s office data, violent crime decreased significantly in 2025 under Sheriff Eugene Brantley’s leadership. Homicides dropped 35% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025 to their lowest level since 2021.
Aggravated assaults also dropped 35% to their lowest mark since 2018. Armed robberies fell 36% year-over-year to their lowest mark since crime data for Richmond County was first recorded in 2011.
Law enforcement focused on high-risk areas, including downtown Augusta, to lower response times and keep people safe.
“What they really want is for their families that they’re raising in this area to have safe lives, just like the citizens of Augusta that vote them in,” said M. Steven Fishman, president of Sidney’s Department Store & Uniforms. “They want to be able to go to work, come home, and enjoy their lives with their children, knowing that they’re safe.”
As 2026 gets underway, the sheriff’s office is continuing upgrades for technology and equipment to continue its goal of reducing violent crime. The office sent a statement saying the progress is in large part due to the community and deputies working together.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta organizations win $200K award for community outreach
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two Augusta organizations have been awarded $200,000 for their community outreach initiatives.
The Hub for Community Innovation Augusta and the Medical College of Georgia were named winners of the National Institutes of Health Build UP Trust Challenge, according to a post on Augusta University’s Facebook page.
The organizations were recognized for their efforts in expanding access to care and elevating community voices in research and healthcare through their Community Outreach through Athletics in Colleges and High Schools (COACHS) program.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Detroit, MI5 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Dallas, TX3 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Technology2 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Health4 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska1 day agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska
-
Politics4 days agoDan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
-
Nebraska2 days agoNebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek
-
Louisiana3 days agoInternet company started with an antenna in a tree. Now it’s leading Louisiana’s broadband push.