Augusta News
The latest Augusta news: city council, schools, police and fire, development and business, each story linked to the record it came from.
Top story
Richmond County early votes pass 23,500 with 5 days left
23,553 people voted early in person in Richmond County through Saturday, and 1,573 mail ballots are back. Where and when to vote before Friday's cutoff.
More stories
Fire
Augusta firefighters get $305K for cancer screenings
A $305,405 federal grant will pay for cancer screenings and yearly mental health check-ins for Augusta firefighters. What the money covers and how it splits.
Zoning
Augusta zoning draft limits where short-term rentals can go
Augusta's draft zoning code allows short-term rentals only downtown, on farmland and in 2 mixed-use districts, with a permit. What it means for Masters week renters.
Zoning
Augusta zoning rewrite: what the new draft changes
Augusta's first full zoning rewrite since 1963: new districts, backyard cottages and short-term rental limits. The survey closes Nov. 1; the Augusta Commission votes last.
Housing
Augusta tiny home village for foster youth opens
Bridge Builder Communities opened its tiny home village on Merry Street on Oct. 14. Former foster youth ages 18 to 24 can apply. Here is who qualifies and what a home includes.
Development
3.34M-sq-ft data center campus proposed in south Augusta
A developer wants to build a 3.34 million-square-foot data center campus on 388 acres off Mike Padgett Highway. The site needs a rezoning first. Here is what was filed.
Weather
Isaias dropped up to 4.84 inches of rain on Augusta
Isaias left 2 to almost 5 inches of rain across Augusta, with 4.84 inches at Fort Gordon. An EF1 tornado hit near Waynesboro. The gauge totals are here.
Health
State breaks ground on $20.7M forensic center in Augusta
Georgia broke ground on a 40-bed, $20.7 million center in Augusta for people found incompetent to stand trial. Across the state, 834 people are on the waitlist.
Elections
Augusta's Nov. 3 ballot: school board races and 3 amendments
Five Richmond County school board seats are on Augusta's Nov. 3 ballot, one twice. Every candidate, the 3 amendments and the races set by your address.
City hall
Augusta's proposed 2027 budget would raise water rates 6.5%
Augusta's $1.26 billion 2027 budget plan raises water and sewer rates 6.5% and trades a 2-mill tax increase for the new FLOST. The commission votes Nov. 17.
Augusta Transit
Greyhound now boards at Augusta's Broad Street transit center
Greyhound buses now board at the Augusta Transit Center, 1546 Broad St., under a five-year lease. Where to buy tickets, what runs to Atlanta and how to connect.
Jobs
Richmond County unemployment falls to 4.6% in August
Richmond County's jobless rate was 4.6% in August, down from 4.9% a year earlier, with about 2,000 more people working. How Augusta compares with Columbia County.