Local crime, high school sports, county politics, events tonight, and business closings — the daily Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) report from HEREAiken.
Sports
A federal court issued a ruling against the NCAA on Wednesday, impacting the eligibility of college athletes. The decision specifically addresses the NCAA's five-for-five rule, which previously determined eligibility for athletes who were part of the incoming class of 2022. This ruling allows certain players from that class to receive…
Sports
The University of South Carolina women's soccer team secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Furman on Sunday evening, August 23, at Stone Stadium in Columbia. The Gamecocks, now with a 3-1-0 season record, saw four different players score goals, supported by three assists.The Gamecocks established early control, maintaining possession and…
Sports
NFL teams are actively reducing their rosters as of Monday, August 24, in preparation for the upcoming 2026 season. These player moves are occurring across the league, leading up to the final 53-man roster deadline set for August 30.Several players from various teams have been released or waived. In the…
Education
The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) marked the start of its new academic year and celebrated its 65-year connection with the community on August 22 with the Downtown Takeover event. Held at the Newberry Street Festival Center, the family-friendly gathering featured live music, food trucks, a beer tent, and…
Education
A fast-moving wildfire, dubbed the Hawk Fire, continues to threaten Reno, Nevada, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of residents and reaching the edge of the University of Nevada campus. As of Sunday, August 23, 2026, authorities urged approximately 90,000 people to evacuate or prepare to leave their homes due to…
Education
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon hosted a Back to School event at the White House on Monday, August 24, 2026, highlighting efforts to dissolve the Department of Education and advance school choice initiatives. The event took place as students across the country, including those in Washington,…
Events
The 79th annual Tony Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday evening, June 7, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, celebrating the best of Broadway's 2025-2026 season. The event serves as a national focal point for the performing arts, drawing attention to theater's cultural and economic significance. The ceremony, which…
Business
Downtown Aiken businesses are continuing to face significant challenges due to ongoing construction delays on Broad Street. Business leaders report that the extended project timeline is negatively impacting their operations, with no clear end in sight.Michael Weldon, a local business owner, noted that the project's completion date has been repeatedly…
Business
The United States Treasury Department announced on Monday, August 24, new threats of sanctions against countries that maintain economic ties with Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as a warning shot in what he has called an economic D-Day against Iran, though no major new penalties were immediately…
Business
Trade relations between the United States and Canada deteriorated over the weekend, with the US imposing 50% tariffs on certain Canadian imports on Saturday, August 22, 2026. This action followed the collapse of trade negotiations, with both nations attributing blame to the other for the failure to reach an agreement.…
Crime
In a somber announcement that resonates deeply within the Aiken community, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables confirmed that the remains discovered earlier this year belong to Krystal Anderson, a 30-year-old resident of Wagener who was reported missing in August 2022. The news comes as a relief to many who have…
Crime
As the vibrant summer days unfold in Aiken, a shadow looms over the community as residents grapple with the unsettling news of a missing local woman. Tracey Robinson West, a 56-year-old Aikenite, has not been seen since April 22, when she was last spotted in the 300 block of North…
Crime
Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity, not planning. Five low-cost habits that make your home a harder target than your neighbor's.
Politics
South Carolina Republicans are heading to the polls today, August 25, for a special U.S. Senate primary runoff election. This marks the fourth time since June that Republicans in the state have voted to select a candidate for the fall general election ballot. The runoff will determine who replaces the…
Politics
As the November 2026 general election approaches, a notable number of Republican candidates who have questioned or denied the legitimacy of the 2020 US presidential election are vying for significant statewide offices across the country. These candidates are running for governor and secretary of state positions in several swing states,…
Politics
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met privately with Jared Kushner, former senior West Wing adviser and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, in recent weeks. This meeting has drawn criticism from some Democrats as the November midterm elections approach.The discussion between Jeffries and Kushner reportedly focused on potential areas of common ground,…
Health
Thirteen people in Aiken County were exposed to rabies after a horse near Wire Road and Jaws Lane tested positive for the disease. South Carolina Department of Public Health officials confirmed the positive test for the horse, which was submitted for laboratory testing on August 18, 2026, and confirmed rabid…
Health
EyePoint, Inc. has released topline results from LUGANO, the first of two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials for DURAVYU (vorolanib intravitreal insert) in treating wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). The company, focused on developing therapeutics for retinal diseases, announced that DURAVYU demonstrated non-inferiority to on-label aflibercept in an ad…
Health
The rate of exemptions from routine childhood vaccines among US kindergartners reached a record high of 4.2% during the 2025-26 school year, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday. This marks an increase from 3.6% in the previous school year and…
Home and Garden
Aiken residents, particularly those in suburban areas, may find themselves sharing their yards with nine-banded armadillos, a species naturally migrating into South Carolina. While these animals are often secretive, their presence can lead to significant property damage, as evidenced by observations in West Ashley, where a resident documented armadillo activity…
Home and Garden
A creator behind Glass Root Garden, an online presence, suggests that a yard appearing spotless, without visible insect activity or other creatures, may not be supporting local wildlife. The creator stated that a pest-free environment often signifies a starving ecosystem rather than a healthy one.For many years, gardeners in urban…
Home and Garden
As August approaches and vacation plans solidify, ensuring your garden remains vibrant while you are away requires proactive steps. David Denyer, a florist and garden expert, offers four key strategies to maintain plant health, especially if a neighbor is not available to assist with watering and care.One crucial tip is…
Technology
A recent discussion on August 24, 2026, featuring Jungwon Byun, co-founder of Elicit, explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence in scientific research. Byun highlighted how AI tools are being developed specifically to assist scientists in identifying new hypotheses, mapping research fields, and making evidence-based decisions, moving beyond general question-answering…
Technology
Georgia State University is actively exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into its teaching and learning practices, with a recent pilot program concluding on August 14, 2026. This initiative aims to leverage AI to foster critical thinking and effective communication among students, while also providing faculty with resources and best…
Technology
A recent episode of Fareed Zakaria GPS, released on August 23, 2026, explored several pressing global issues, including the reduction of US-South Korea military drills, the rapid advancement of China's artificial intelligence industry, and the impact of climate change. The program also examined the V-Dem Institute's recent downgrade of US…
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