Daily editionFriday, October 30th, 2026
Good morning, Aiken.
The 5AM Aiken Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 30th of October.
Community
Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers were welcomed back to Augusta with a dinner on Oct. 29 as they continue cleanup of Hurricane Helene damage across the CSRA, working in neighborhoods to remove debris and repair homes.
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Education
Hammond Hill Elementary, Highland Springs Middle and Fox Creek High earned Excellent ratings in the 2026 South Carolina Report Cards, with Hammond Hill and Highland Springs in Aiken County Public School District and Fox Creek, a charter, posting its third straight Excellent and a 75 score.
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CNTA held the 35th Teller Lecture on Oct. 6 at the Amentum Center for Performing Arts, where NEI VP John Kotek gave the keynote, CNTA posthumously honored Michael L. Butler with a distinguished service award, and a $10,000 SRMC scholarship went to Clemson senior Andrew Nichols (nuclear studies).
The Aiken StandardRead more
Environment
A fire broke out in a single room at the Savannah River National Laboratory on Wednesday evening, prompting a Site Area Emergency (declared 5:07 p.m., ended 9:45 p.m.), officials say; on-site surveys found no detectable contamination offsite and one employee was treated for minor injuries.
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Government
Aiken County has approved three data centers (Meta, DC BLOX and Oppidan) totaling nearly $1 billion, and county, Aiken City and North Augusta councils have not proposed a moratorium.
Meta's Graniteville campus is under construction and is expected to be complete in 2027 (Meta says it will be water-positive by 2030).
The Aiken StandardRead more
Sports
South Aiken safety Bralyn Bodie had nine tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble + two recoveries to help the T‑Breds beat Midland Valley 35-21 on senior night on Oct. 23.
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Aiken pro angler Caleb Hudson spoke with News 12 on Oct. 29 about The Champions, the richest bass tournament, which carries a $1.25 million top prize and will draw top competitors later this season.
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