Local crime, high school sports, county politics, events tonight, and business closings — the daily Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) report from HEREAiken.
Sports
The National Football League is discontinuing its annual Pro Bowl game, a decision announced on August 27, 2026. This move follows years of declining interest and concerns over player safety, particularly after the game transitioned from a full-contact contest to a flag football competition in 2022.Despite the game's elimination, the…
HERE's the Angle
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten Conference have both moved to prohibit former professional athletes from returning to play college sports, a development that could impact collegiate athletics across the nation, including for teams with local ties like the Pacers. On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the Big Ten became…
Sports
Aiken area football fans following the Carolina Panthers 2026 season opener countdown, which begins in 18 days, are seeing former cornerback Chris Gamble highlighted as the 18th greatest player in team history. This ranking is part of a new Top 100 Panthers of all time list, a departure from previous…
Education
New data released by the Department of State indicates a 23 percent decrease in student visas issued in 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline, which became pronounced in May 2025 following a pause in student visa interviews for new social media screenings, has implications for institutions across the…
Education
The push to shorten the American undergraduate degree reached a federal milestone this month. The US Department of Education published a proposed rule on August 20, 2026 that would bar accrediting agencies from categorically blocking degree programs that take less time than tradition requires, and on August 24, 2026 the…
Education
A new public opinion poll released this week indicates a strong bipartisan desire among Americans for stricter regulations regarding artificial intelligence (AI) use in K-12 classrooms. The research, conducted by The Century Foundation (TCF), found that a significant majority of voters believe the federal government has been too slow to…
Events
Aiken residents can look forward to a busy September, with numerous community events scheduled throughout the month. Among the highlights is the 41st annual SEED STEM Festival, set to take place on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. At the Ruth Patrick Science and Education Center on…
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
US stock markets saw minimal movement on Thursday, August 27, after new data indicated that inflation last month was slightly higher than economists had predicted. Yields in the bond market, a recent area of concern for investors, edged upward following the inflation report. This national economic trend has implications for…
Business
US equity futures showed an upward trend pre-bell on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, driven by a rebound in technology-related stocks following a previous session's selloff. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures increased by 0.5%, S&P 500 futures were up 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures saw a 1% rise.This market movement occurred as…
Business
The stock market experienced varied movements this week as investors reacted to new economic data and corporate announcements. On Tuesday, August 25, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both saw slight gains, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced more significantly, driven by a rally in semiconductor stocks.The S&P 500…
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 resolved a statewide fight over their United States Senate nomination on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, when a special primary runoff gave Senator Darline Graham a narrow lead over Representative Ralph Norman in unofficial returns posted by the State Election Commission, and the State Board of Canvassers is…
Politics
Senator Darline Graham secured a victory in South Carolina's Republican Senate primary runoff on August 25, 2026, defeating Representative Ralph Norman. This outcome marks a significant endorsement win for President Donald Trump, who actively supported Graham's campaign.Graham's win follows a concerted effort by Trump, who recruited, endorsed, and campaigned for…
Politics
Darline Graham, a political newcomer, secured a victory in the special Republican primary runoff on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to replace her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, on the South Carolina ballot. The Associated Press projected her win, which followed a special Senate primary earlier this month.Graham, who received an…
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 new, free artificial intelligence model named Ox Alpha has emerged, capturing the attention of developers and tech leaders in Silicon Valley since its appearance on OpenRouter on Thursday. The model, described as a stealth offering from an anonymous third-party provider, is designed for coding, sustained agentic work, and production…
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