A’ja Wilson dribbles on her new court at Hyatt Park in Columbia. | Photo by COLAtoday
Columbia’s own A’ja Wilson just landed Time Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year — no surprise there. Since she was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, she’s stacked three WNBA championships, four WNBA MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals.
She finished the 2025 season by winning the WNBA Finals, the Finals and regular-season MVP, the league scoring title, and Defensive Player of the Year. Unprecedented.
The Time’s feature story goes deep into her upbringing in the Capital City, her college years, and her journey to international fame. The story also features a photo of her statue in front of Colonial Life Arena, taken by Sean Rayford, winner of COLAtoday’s Best photographer.
Enjoy a stroll next to a reconstruction-era landmark right in your backyard. | Photo provided by Brookland Commons
Nestled on the west side of the river, the Guignard Kilns are more than just a striking sight from the Blossom Street Bridge — they’re a cornerstone of Columbia’s history.
Built during the Reconstruction Era, these kilns were operated by the Guignard family, who used local clay from the three rivers to help rebuild the city after the Civil War. Today, they stand as a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and the role local industry played in shaping the city’s character.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a scenic stroll, the area around the kilns invites exploration. Walking nearby, you can imagine the bustling activity of the kilns in their heyday and appreciate the legacy left behind by the Guignards.
Explore the history that shaped Brookland Commons and discover a landmark that’s been part of Columbia’s story for generations.
This bus will get you moving without the gas. | Photo via COLAtoday
Photo via COLAtoday
Number
$15.75 million — that’s the amount of the federal grant awarded to The COMET through the Low- or No-Emission Program to replace diesel buses with diesel-electric hybrids. The project requires no new infrastructure and supports efforts to reduce emissions across Richland + Lexington Counties.
Eat
Well hot dog, Gamecock Athletics is bringing back free concessions at Colonial Life Arena. Fans using the Forever Garnet app can receive a hot dog, popcorn, and a drink per ticket at select men’s and women’s basketball games from Dec. 22-30.
Eastover Chips will establish a wood-chipping facility in Richland County, creating 27 jobs. The Eastover site will serve the Sylvamo mill, with operations expected in early 2026.
Trending
What does 67 mean? That’s what Columbians were looking up, according to Google Year in Search’s slang list. The term is widely tied online to Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball — whose jersey also appears on Columbia’s trending list — because he is 6 ft 7 inches tall.
Civic
Dominion Energy launched a new online hub to help customers find energy-saving tools and assistance options. The site features programs like Home Energy Check-up, Budget Billing, and EnergyShare.
Seasonal
Happy almost New Year’s. We’re celebrating the countdown to 2026 with 26% off all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads on our advertising portal. Use code COUNTDOWNTO2026 at checkout — no long-term contract required.
Beauty
Particle Face Cream was engineered for men to tackle skin issues in one simple step — reducing eye bags, diminishing wrinkles, brightening dark spots, hydrating, soothing after shaving, and nourishing deeply with Dead Sea minerals. Use code CITY20 for 20% off today.*
Health
Health
Hear more, live more: Cochlear implants now available in the Midlands
Presented by Lexington Health
For those struggling with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants represent a significant advancement. | Photo provided by Lexington Health
Lexington ENT & Allergy is expanding access to advanced hearing care in the Midlands by now offering cochlear implant surgery — making them the only hospital-associated practice in the region to do so.
A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that can be an option when traditional hearing aids no longer provide the clarity patients need. While hearing aids simply make sounds louder, cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear to help the brain interpret sound more clearly — even in noisy environments.
Candidates should:
Have strong support systems
Maintain realistic expectations
Be motivated to adjust to hearing in a new way
The procedure itself is routine and safe, typically performed as a same-day outpatient surgery at Lexington Medical Center, taking about two hours per ear.
Ready to o learn more or see if you’re a candidate? Call Lexington ENT & Allergy at (803) 936-7530.
There’s a new coffee shop coming to the Vista and this one’s unique. Amiriya Coffee House, the city’s first Yemeni coffee shop, will open in the former Aristocrat space on Washington Street. No opening date has been set yet, but for now, you can enjoy these local shops.
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