Daily editionWednesday, September 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Aiken.
The 5AM Aiken Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 23rd of September.
Community
Dancing with the Aiken Stars returns Oct. 22 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center after a 10-year break.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and twelve nonprofit groups will showcase their dancing skills to raise funds and promote community services.
WGACRead more
Meta is accepting grant applications from local nonprofits, schools, and organizations in the Aiken Data Center area as part of its $1 billion Future is for Everyone Fund to boost community spaces, economic growth, education, and sustainability (applications run from Sept. 14 to Oct. 19 with winners announced early in the new year).
WGACRead more
Culture
Downtown Aiken’s festival area on Newberry Street will host Oktoberfest on Sept. 26 from 4 to 9 p.m.—featuring craft and German beers, food trucks and live music with a stein-hoisting challenge planned for the event.
The Aiken StandardRead more
Government
Gov. Henry McMaster visited North Augusta yesterday to help break ground on CordenPharma's campus expansion valued at over $200 million.
WRDW/WAGTRead more
Sports
Local high school football players earned game ball honors for their standout Week 5 performances.
North Augusta's Jayden Hatcher scored three touchdowns on Sept. 18, and key plays from Strom Thurmond, Aiken, and Wagener-Salley highlighted a competitive gridiron weekend.
Aiken StandardRead more