WUGA FM

06/18/2026

Georgia’s labor force and total employment have both reached record-breaking numbers.

According to the Georgia Department of Labor, there are over 5 million Georgia jobs for the first time in history. Jobs increased by nearly 7,000 in May.

According to the Georgia Department of Labor, there are over 5 million Georgia jobs for the first time in history. Jobs increased by nearly 7,000 in May.

06/17/2026

There will be two Juneteenth events held over the weekend.

On Friday, June 19th, Historic Athens, in partnership with the city, will host their "Athens Juneteenth Celebration" in downtown Athens from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The following day, Saturday, June 20th, Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement will host their "Classic City Juneteenth Music and Arts Festival" at the Georgia Square Mall from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

On Friday, June 19th, Historic Athens, in partnership with the city, will host their "Athens Juneteenth Celebration" in downtown Athens from 10:30am to 3:00pm.

06/17/2026

A 4-gallon ceramic jar made by a celebrated, highly collected and enslaved artist was returned to the artist’s descendants in a ceremony yesterday at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens.

David Drake was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1800. Experts think he produced around 170 ceramic jars over his life.

A 4-gallon ceramic jar made by a celebrated, highly collected and enslaved artist was returned to the artist’s descendants in a ceremony yesterday at the Georgia Museum of art in Athens.

06/15/2026

Athens-Clarke County’s Mayoral election began in May, with five candidates initially on the campaign trail. After the primary election on May 19th, the race came down to two finalists: Dexter Fisher with 27% of the vote, and Tim Denson with 37%. Early voting has just wrapped up for the runoff election between Fisher and Denson. Each candidate has only two days left to convince voters they are best qualified to lead Athens for the next four years.

Voters have seen Denson and Fisher on several debate stages over the course of this election. This week, WUGA’s Emma Auer sat down with the candidates in a more casual, intimate setting, for one final discussion before Election Day on June 16th.

Today on Athens News Matters, Tim Denson and Dexter Fisher are in a roundtable discussion on their visions for the future of Athens.

06/12/2026

Athens is a place of innovation in art, food, music, and more. For creative Athenians, the world around them shows up in their work, a vital celebration of living in Northeast Georgia.

In the latest installment of Inspired by Athens, WUGA’s Emma Auer heads to the studio of local cartoonist to find out the sides of Athens that spark her ability to create.

Listen at WUGA.org.

06/12/2026

Athens-Clarke County will celebrate Independence Day with the Star Spangled Classic Saturday, June 27.

The Star Spangled Classic festival will start at 6 p.m. at Southeast Clarke Park. The free event will have carnival rides, face painting, food trucks and more. The Original Splitz Band will perform at 7 p.m. Fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m.

Athens-Clarke County will celebrate Independence Day with the Star Spangled Classic Saturday, June 27. The Star Spangled Classic festival will start at 6 p.m. at Southeast Clarke Park.

06/12/2026

The Clarke County Board of Education appointed Johnelle Simpson II to fill the remainder of the District 8 seat vacated by Nicole Hull, whose resignation takes effect June 30.

06/11/2026

Georgia officials announced that eligible foster children will automatically receive federally funded investment accounts under a new initiative aimed at providing financial support when they reach adulthood.

06/11/2026

Athens mayoral candidates Dexter Fisher and Tim Denson sat down with WUGA’s Emma Auer for one last conversation before Election Day, June 16.

Listen to Athens News Matters, Saturday, June 11 at 10am on WUGA or at WUGA.org.

06/10/2026

The Couch Crashers program is a short-term foster initiative that gives dogs living in animal shelters the opportunity to experience a home environment. It takes place over many holiday weekends during the year.

The Couch Crashers program is a short-term foster initiative that gives dogs living in animal shelters the opportunity to experience a home environment.