Daily editionFriday, July 24th, 2026
Good morning, Aiken.
The 5AM Aiken Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 24th of July.
Community
After Javeayah’s death, support has surged for Aiken’s Child Advocacy Center as donations and volunteer efforts help keep essential services running for children; organizers hope this momentum leads to lasting improvements in care.
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Busby's Heating & Air Conditioning partners with Golden Harvest Food Bank to donate 25 meals for each HVAC checkup completed through 2026 in the CSRA.
Customers help fight hunger + support local relief when they schedule maintenance.
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The SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken saw a record intake of 340 cats in May and June and will host a free adoption event soon (details pending).
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Economy
Gas prices returned to $4 per gallon Monday as global market tensions pushed rates higher, and Aiken County motorists paid about $3.68 (up from $2.81 last year) with local families feeling travel costs rise (mirroring statewide trends).
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Education
Thousands of kids across Aiken County returned to class Monday as summer break ended and the 2026-2027 school year began for both new and returning pupils.
Officials urged parents to use the district app to track registration, schedule changes, and extra pickup-drop-off times - updates post quickly.
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Government
Aiken Regional Airport started its $7.7M rebuild of the 5,500 ft runway on June 8 using concrete and is ahead of schedule for a September finish.
The Federal Aviation Administration funds 95% of the work while the runway will be recertified before January to support increased Masters Tournament flights.
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Amentum has entered lease talks with the NNSA to build an AI data center at the Savannah River Site that will start with natural gas power and later switch to advanced nuclear energy.
The project is designed to boost U.S. leadership in AI while keeping utility costs stable.
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A North Augusta farmer says a 10-month green card delay for three longtime H2A workers needed to take over his 100 acre farm has stalled the succession plan and his attorney has filed a federal inquiry amid ongoing family and operational challenges.
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Health
CSRA hospitals face a critical blood shortage today after Shepeard Community Blood Center ran out of key blood types needed by transfusion patients—donor centers will be open every day this week including Saturday.
The center can fill only half of hospital requests, making urgent donations essential.
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