The Georgia Lottery Corporation announced several people across the state took home prizes to start the holiday season, including here in Augusta. https://www.wjbf.com/news/augusta-lottery-player-wins-on-thanksgiving-another-wins-large-prize/ 

#UPDATE | The suspect in custody has been identified as Brian Cole Jr.

More U.S. adults ages 45 and older are feeling lonely, according to a new AARP study.

“I reviewed the video, and it’s deeply, deeply troubling. The fact is that we killed two people who were in deep distress and had neither the means nor obviously the intent to continue their mission.”

An Army veteran who fell on hard times is set to receive a generous donation after his story went viral on social media.

The priest behind the setup said it's meant to draw attention to people in need, while critics call it inappropriate.

Navy Adm. Frank M. “Mitch” Bradley will head to the Capitol on Thursday to brief top lawmakers on the Trump administration’s strikes on boats in the Caribbean allegedly ferrying drugs to the U.S.

The FBI made an arrest on Thursday in its nearly 5-year-old investigation into who placed pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

A vomiting disorder linked to frequent marijuana use is on the rise, prompting global health officials to allow researchers to track the condition and study it.

To help Americans navigate the holiday hustle, mail carriers like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS and FedEx have released a series of shipping deadlines to have gifts delivered by Dec. 25.

Whether you prefer your cookies crispy or chewy, chocolatey or fruit-studded, bakeries across the nation are hoping you’ll celebrate the sweet treat Thursday, Dec. 4.

International students are taking a close look at their holiday travel plans amid increased concerns over Trump’s immigration crackdown, which has threatened the status of thousands since he took office.

Users of the payment app Venmo experienced trouble sending and receiving money on Wednesday amid widespread social media posts about service issues. https://www.wjbf.com/news/science-technology/ap-technology/ap-venmo-users-have-trouble-sending-and-receiving-money-amid-service-outage/ 

A proposal to build a new roundabout at the intersection of McDowell Street and Monte Sano Avenue is drawing concerns from neighbors who live and worship nearby. 

We will have wet weather from Thursday to Saturday with chilly temperatures sticking around! Here is your Wednesday evening forecast: https://www.wjbf.com/weather/wet-days-ahead-starting-on-thursday/ 

The longest government shutdown on record cost Delta Air Lines an estimated $200 million, CEO Ed Bastian said Wednesday. https://www.wjbf.com/business/ap-business/ap-longest-us-government-shutdown-cost-delta-air-lines-200-million/ 

Charles Shay, a decorated Native American veteran who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and helped save lives, died on Wednesday. He was 101. https://www.wjbf.com/news/u-s-world-news/d-day-veteran-charles-shay-who-saved-lives-on-omaha-beach-dies-at-101/ 

State leaders recently unveiled a major initiative to strengthen the South Carolina’s cyber defenses. https://www.wjbf.com/news/south-carolina-news/through-center-south-carolinas-cybersecurity-industry-could-grow/ 

Federal and local investigators stopped a major meth trafficking operation just before Thanksgiving, seizing nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine at two locations in Georgia. https://www.wjbf.com/news/georgia-news/drugs-found-hidden-in-blackberry-shipments-in-massive-meth-bust-in-georgia/ 

South Carolina’s first family will welcome guests into their home this weekend for an annual celebration ushering in the holiday season.https://www.wjbf.com/news/south-carolina-news/mcmasters-to-open-south-carolina-governors-mansion-for-holiday-celebration-this-weekend/

A Richmond County sergeant was recognized Wednesday as a a life preserver stand was dedicated in his honor for a water rescue earlier this year. https://www.wjbf.com/news/rcso-unveils-life-preserver-stand-at-lock-and-dam-park/ 

The hole in the city budget is now $7 million dollars, but how to plug it is a whole different story. https://www.wjbf.com/news/make-cuts-or-raise-taxes-to-keep-the-sheriffs-budget-increase-augusta-commissioners-cant-do-both/ 

A doctor who pleaded guilty to selling ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the “Friends” star’s overdose death was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison

The rain is sticking around, read more here:

We caught up with two local Christmas tree farms to see if they’ve been affected. DETAILS: https://www.wjbf.com/news/why-tariffs-could-be-a-deciding-factor-as-youre-buying-a-christmas-tree-this-year/ 

"This app will allow us to disseminate official information like safety alerts and road closures while allowing citizens to submit tips, access resources and stay informed."

Prison officials in Georgia have scheduled an execution later this month for a man convicted of fatally shooting two real estate agents in Atlanta's suburbs 2 decades ago. https://www.wjbf.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-sets-execution-date-for-man-convicted-of-killing-two-real-estate-agents-in-2003/ 

#RECALL | These peanut butter snacks, which come in individually wrapped packages, are being recalled because they may be incorrectly labeled as the cheese variety.

According to the Georgia Power outage map Wednesday, approximately 2,094 customers along a section of Peach Orchard Road stretching from Tobacco Road to Lumpkin Road are without power. https://www.wjbf.com/news/power-outage-along-peach-orchard-road-affects-over-2000-georgia-power-customers/ 

#WANTED | Richard Thomas Green is considered Armed & Dangerous, and if you see him you should NOT approach him. Call 911 immediately.

A doctor who pleaded guilty to selling ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the “Friends” star's overdose death is set to be the first of five people sentenced in the case on Wednesday.

In a statement, the New Orleans Police Department stated, "The National Guard has worked well with us in the past, and we anticipate that same level of strong collaboration as they join our ongoing efforts."

NEW THIS NOON | A Columbia County man has been arrested for Child Molestation.

A nearly four-decade-old cold homicide case has been resolved, linking the murder of a 30-year-old Colorado woman to a deceased serial killer, according to authorities.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Early Alert in response to “a potentially high-risk issue” concerning faulty glucose monitor sensors.

In a Truth Social post announcing the pardon, Trump asserted that Cuellar was unfairly targeted by the Biden administration because of the congressman’s willingness to criticize that White House’s immigration policies.

BREAKING | Per the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, inmate Timothy Shane was captured.

#RECALL | Check your fridge! The FDA is warning consumers to double-check their shredded cheese after a company recalled multiple products distributed to 31 states for potentially containing metal fragments.

#BREAKING | 55-year-old Larry Tesseo of Augusta was driving an electric scooter while crossing Peach Orchard Road at Harding Drive when he was hit by a pickup truck.

NEW THIS MORNING | "Regrettably, a person from the Lowcountry region has died from the flu, becoming our first confirmed influenza-associated death of the season that officially started September 28.”

While maternal mortality rates for white, Hispanic and Asian women fell in 2023, according to the CDC report, the rate for Black women barely budged.

“Ilhan Omar is garbage. She's garbage. Her friends are garbage. These aren’t people who work. These aren’t people who say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’”

Malaysia's transport ministry said Wednesday that the deep-sea hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will resume Dec. 30, renewing hopes of finally locating the jet that vanished without a trace more than a decade ago.

BREAKING NEWS | Crews are on the scene of a fire in Edgefield County.

WANTED | Officials are searching for a Georgia inmate who escaped from a hospital and is considered armed and dangerous, according to law enforcement.

Via Cognitive Health held its second annual Lights for Memories service on Tuesday night in Augusta. https://www.wjbf.com/news/via-cognitive-health-holds-2nd-annual-lights-for-memories-service/ 

The City of North Augusta kicked off its holiday season with a Christmas Tree Lighting Tuesday night. https://www.wjbf.com/news/north-augusta-hosts-its-christmas-tree-lighting-event/ 

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that National Guard troops will soon head to New Orleans. https://www.wjbf.com/news/national/ap-us-news/ap-trump-says-national-guard-will-be-sent-to-new-orleans/ 

A small, furry “suspect” reportedly broke into a Virginia liquor store and ransacked several shelves, after which he was found passed out on the bathroom floor. https://www.wjbf.com/news/u-s-world-news/intoxicated-raccoon-passes-out-in-bathroom-after-ransacking-virginia-liquor-store/ 

The interim head of the South Carolina State Election Commission has been chosen to take over the role permanently, the agency announced Tuesday. https://www.wjbf.com/news/south-carolina-news/interim-head-of-south-carolina-elections-agency-elevated-to-permanent-role/