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Wellstar defends AU Health merger amid pending IRS lawsuits

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Wellstar defends AU Health merger amid pending IRS lawsuits


A proposed merger between Marietta, Ga.-based Wellstar Health System and Augusta (Ga.) University Health has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and civil rights advocates alike — but the health systems defended their vision in a June 27 public hearing. 

The hearing, hosted by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, explored possible implications of the merger agreement finalized in late April. Some lawmakers and members of the public have raised questions about Wellstar’s commitment, considering the health system shuttered two hospitals in primarily Black neighborhoods last year — Atlanta Medical Center and Atlanta Medical Center South — citing financial hardship. If the deal with AU Health comes to pass, Wellstar will invest $797 million in the university health system over the next decade This includes construction of a new hospital in the primarily white Columbia County, Ga. 

The NAACP and Georgia Democrats have filed two lawsuits with the IRS and HHS’ civil rights office against the health system, alleging the decision to close some hospitals and invest in others was racially motivated — and questioning its nonprofit status. Sen. Nan Orrock and Rep. Kim Schofield of Atlanta wrote a joint letter with the NAACP ahead of the June 27 public hearing, alerting Mr. Carr to their concerns, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“Wellstar’s actions raise questions of its trustworthiness to control a major state asset like AUHS,” the letter said. “We believe extreme caution is warranted concerning the disposition of this major state asset.” 

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Ms. Orrock expanded on this in an interview with Augusta-based news station WRDW. A reporter asked Ms. Orrock what would happen to the deal if the IRS pulled Wellstar’s 501(c)(3) status; Ms. Orrock agreed the deal would “crumble.” 

“It’s why the Attorney General should be applying a very, very sharp eye and scrutinizing this deal,” Ms. Orrock said. “Because there are these liabilities out there.”

At the June 27 hearing, Wellstar CEO Candice Saunders and AU Health CEO Brooks Keel, PhD, gave their reasoning for the merger. Dr. Keel said AU Health’s financial situation is “not good,” and pointed to Wellstar’s hefty investment as a life raft. Ms. Saunders promised Wellstar would not close any core services at the Augusta University Medical Center, including its 24/7 emergency room; the current contract guarantees the hospital will remain open through the next decade, she assured. 

AU Health brought forward a PYA accountant hired to examine the transaction, The Augusta Chronicle reported June 28. PYA evaluated Wellstar’s investment into AU Health — accounting for inflation and some likely contingent payments — at $584 million, $208 million above the value of AU Health. An Ernst & Young partner hired by the attorney general’s office to review PYA’s evaluation agreed that Wellstar would be investing more in AU Health than it would receive in assets. 

Sen. Harold Jones of Augusta said he favored the deal, telling a Journal-Constitution reporter after the hearing that he was confident Wellstar would keep its commitments. 

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U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock also penned a letter to the attorney general offering “conditional support” for the merger, writing that although it could help the fragile AU Health, Wellstar’s decision to close AMC raises questions about its “reliability.” He asked for more safeguards in the deal, including a commitment from Wellstar to maintain current services at the Augusta hospital for at least 20 years and allow staff to remain in Augusta rather than forcing relocation. 



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Augusta, GA

Lucy C. Laney Museum teaching MLK’s ties to Augusta

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Lucy C. Laney Museum teaching MLK’s ties to Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are once again being celebrated across the nation today.

The civil rights icon is the only non-president with a federal holiday named in his honor.

On Monday, we learned the Lucy Craft Laney Museum is working to teach that history.

King was assassinated in April of 1968 when he was just 39 years old. He would be turning 96 this month.

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King’s home congregation was in Atlanta – and just a few hours away, Augusta is full of history and ties to MLK as well.

History – we’re surrounded by it.

“One of the great things about Augusta is that we have a long legacy of civil rights here,” said Corey Rogers, a historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.

Names like reverend C.S. Hamilton and Lucy Craft Laney. Then there’s one name connected to Augusta in more ways than one.

“His entire family would often come here to Augusta for different Baptist conventions and different conferences that were being held here,” said Rogers.

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Growing up, Dr. King and his family would stay at the Bohler House on Phillips Steet.

Far from his last stay here.

“Dr. King came here in 1962 with other civil rights leaders like Wyatt Walker, and they came here to talk about voter registration and voter education,” said Rogers.

Fast forward six years later.

“His return trip was geared around the second march on Washington, which was being framed as the poor people’s march,” said Rogers. “So he was crisscrossing Georgia, rallying people. Rallying the grassroots, getting them ready for this second march on Washington. Unfortunately, about a week and a half after leaving Augusta, he would be assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.”

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Jimmy Carter

Times have changed since – but one thing remains constant.

“Connecting people with their civil rights roots, telling them about the richness of Augusta and how the students at Paine College, the preachers in Augusta, the students from Augusta, came together and affected change in our city,” said Rogers.

Ensuring generations to come remember those who came before.

“It’s incumbent upon us to dig a little bit deeper,” said Corey Rogers, a historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. “Find out those connections between Dr. King and other civil rights leaders in those respective towns and share those stories because everybody, every town, every city has a very unique story to tell as it relates to civil rights and Dr. King.



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Winter Storm Watch across Georgia beginning Tuesday. How much snow is in the forecast?

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Winter Storm Watch across Georgia beginning Tuesday. How much snow is in the forecast?


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Ever since earlier this month, Georgians have been worried about another winter storm coming in. The forecasts are not looking favorable in this respect.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch on Monday for most of the central and southern Georgia areas. It will go into effect Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.

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How much snow will Georgia get?

Snowfall projections are varied depending on where you live. In the Atlanta and Athens area, there’s a 40% chance of snow Tuesday after 1 p.m. with less than half an inch accumulation.

In Macon, there’s a chance of flurries before 11 a.m. Tuesday then snow is likely after 4 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 60% with less than half an inch of snow accumulation.

Savannah is looking at snow and sleet Tuesday, becoming all snow after 1 a.m. The chance of precipitation is 90% with 1-2 inches of snow accumulation. There’s also a 30% chance of snow showers on Wednesday before 10 a.m.

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Will Georgia get ice?

Current ice accumulation maps by NWS indicate the major concern is in the south with less than one-tenth inch in the Albany area, up to 0.25 inches in the Valdosta and Savannah areas.

Will it freeze in Georgia?

While areas like Augusta have not been issued a winter storm watch, whether snow or ice is expected, freezing or near-freezing conditions are practically everywhere. Here’s a look at some of the incoming temperatures:

  • Athens: Tuesday high of 37 degrees, low of 17 degrees. Wednesday high of 38, low of 18.
  • Atlanta: Tuesday high of 34 degrees, low of 16 degrees. Wednesday high of 36, low of 21.
  • Augusta: Tuesday high of 40 degrees, low of 22 degrees. Wednesday high of 38, low of 20.
  • Macon: Tuesday high of 40 degrees, low of 19 degrees. Wednesday high of 41, low of 19.
  • Savannah: Tuesday high of 40 degrees, low of 27 degrees. Wednesday high of 37, low of 25.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.



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Augusta, GA

Local group holds supply giveaway after kids return to school

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Local group holds supply giveaway after kids return to school


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Now that kids are back in school after the holiday break, many organizations are giving supplies away for free.

On Saturday, Purvis Huggins Realty partnered with Greater Young Zion Brotherhood to give students the opportunity to restock.

They say by the time January rolls around, students are likely out of supplies.

“I spoke with someone about it a year ago. It was one of the teachers I know, and she was telling me that by the time the school season starts, they have a lot of materials. But by the time they get to the middle of the year, they’re out,” said Purvis Huggins, owner of Purvis Huggins Realty.

In each bag, students got paper, pencils, notebooks and other items based on their grade.

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Students were also able to get a haircut and snack while at the event.

Huggins says they plan to do a supply giveaway twice a year.



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