AGP Executive Report

Storm Response: Isaias weakened after making landfall in Florida, but flood and severe-weather threats reached South Carolina. A flood watch was issued for the Aiken area, while Red Cross volunteers from the state deployed to help Gulf Coast communities. Gamecocks Football: South Carolina beat Florida 38-19 in Gainesville, earning its first SEC win in more than a year and snapping an eight-game conference losing streak. State Politics: SLED charged state Rep. Michael Rivers with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person during a campaign dispute. The closely watched Senate race between Lindsey Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews is also drawing fresh national attention. Local News: South Carolina high school football delivered major upsets, including Boiling Springs’ overtime win over Rock Hill and South Pointe’s comeback against Indian Land.

Storm Watch: Hurricane Isaias has moved inland, but South Carolina faces heavy rain, gusty winds and possible severe storms, including a tornado threat. Charleston could see flooding; officials urge residents to prepare. Public Safety: SLED charged State Rep. Michael Rivers with pointing or presenting a firearm at a person. Education: South Carolina’s new $10 million teacher-loan program offers refinancing of up to $27,500 at 2% and possible forgiveness for teachers in high-need districts. Helene Recovery: Some South Carolinians seeking housing help after Hurricane Helene are still waiting for a clear path to rebuild. Gamecocks: South Carolina visits Florida at 12:45 p.m. on SEC Network, looking to rebound after an overtime loss to Kentucky. Coastal Events: Georgetown’s Wooden Boat Show returns Oct. 17-18, with the 140-foot Spirit of South Carolina tall ship among its new attractions.

Hurricane Watch: Isaias strengthened to Category 3 and is closing on the Gulf Coast. South Carolina officials urged residents to prepare emergency kits, with rain and flooding possible around Charleston. Statehouse: Rep. Michael Rivers was charged with pointing a firearm at a person after an alleged argument over his campaign; he was released on bond. Road Safety: Dense fog sparked a 69-vehicle pileup over Lake Marion on I-95, injuring dozens and shutting the bridge for nearly 21 hours. Senate Race: Darline Graham, Annie Andrews and Kasie Whitener are set to debate Sunday as the closely watched race draws increased attention. Charleston Harbor: College of Charleston graduate students are studying blue crab reproduction and microplastics to help inform fisheries management and harbor health.

Public Safety: A West Columbia man has been charged with attempted murder after SLED investigated a September shooting involving Lexington County deputies; no officers were hurt. Privacy and Policing: Attorney General Alan Wilson is demanding answers from Flock Safety about how its license-plate cameras use AI, access data and retain records, as residents raise privacy concerns. Storm Preparations: South Carolina State moved Saturday’s football kickoff against Charleston Southern to noon because of possible heavy rain from Hurricane Isaias. Growth and Jobs: South Carolina added 80,000 residents in a year. New projects include a $10 million CurTec expansion in Oconee County, bringing 10 jobs, and a Charleston County biotech operation expected to add 46 jobs. Education: The state is putting $10 million toward recruiting and retaining teachers.

Hurricane Watch: Isaias is forecast to bring 2 to 4 inches of rain across South Carolina from late Friday through Sunday, with flooding, gusty winds and possible tornadoes among the risks. Schools: Charleston County’s superintendent says 57 schools may earn “Good” or “Excellent” state ratings, while the number rated “Unsatisfactory” or “Below Average” could be cut in half. Data Centers: A judge dismissed residents’ challenge to Spartanburg County’s $2.8 billion Valara project, finding the group lacked standing and had not exhausted administrative options. Jobs and Investment: CurTec plans a $10 million Oconee County expansion, adding 10 jobs; a Rock Hill manufacturer also plans a $20 million expansion and 150 new positions. Public Safety: South Carolina’s Earthquake Preparedness Week runs Oct. 11–17, with residents invited to join the ShakeOut drill on Oct. 15. Education: A new report says some schools are not complying with the state law guaranteeing teachers two days of planning time.

Storm Watch: Hurricane Isaias is strengthening in the Gulf, with landfall expected late Friday or early Saturday along the northern Gulf Coast. Heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds could spread inland across South Carolina. Public Health: South Carolina has reported 670 measles cases this year, the second-highest total in the nation, as outbreaks grow elsewhere. Campaign 2026: Republicans are putting $5 million into the South Carolina Senate race between Lindsey Graham and Annie Andrews, with President Donald Trump expected to visit. Lowcountry Preservation: Penn Center received a $750,000 federal grant to stabilize and rehabilitate its historic Butler Building; other South Carolina preservation sites also won funding. Beaufort County: Former Berkeley County finance chief D. Allen Milburn will take over the county CFO post, vacant since May amid a still-unreleased internal investigation. Road Safety: Richland County is seeking public input on dangerous roads, including Broad River, Two Notch and Garners Ferry; officials cite more than 71,000 crashes from 2020 to 2024.

Senate Race: South Carolina’s once-safe Republican seat has shifted to “Likely Republican” in a key forecast as Democrat Annie Andrews challenges Sen. Darline Graham. GOP leaders are putting $5 million into the race, and President Trump is expected to visit. Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to strengthen in the Gulf and track toward Florida, but could bring heavy rain and coastal flooding to South Carolina this weekend. Environment: A Colleton County settlement creates a data-center exclusion zone covering about 62% of the county, including the sensitive ACE Basin. Public Health: South Carolina has reported 670 measles cases this year, the nation’s second-highest total. Columbia Streets: Officials are discussing reducing Gervais Street Bridge from four lanes to two, with safety and traffic flow among the goals. Government Accountability: Former state Rep. Marvin Pendarvis pleaded guilty to nine federal charges in a scheme prosecutors say took at least $532,000 from clients.

State Politics & Elections: South Carolina’s gubernatorial debate between Jermaine Johnson and Alan Wilson found rare agreement on abortion limits going no further, while they sparred over data centers, Medicaid expansion, and Flock license plate reader cameras. Lowcountry U.S. House Race: Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Nancy Lacore will face off Oct. 7 in the 1st District’s first general-election debate, with Democrats eyeing a potential flip. Courts & Development: A judge dismissed a lawsuit trying to block Valara’s $2.8B data center permits, saying neighbors didn’t show specific harm and that the group went to court too soon. Public Safety: South Carolina reported 670 measles cases this year, the second-highest in the U.S., with officials stressing vaccination and noting no active cases. Federal/Local Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded $6.2M in design contracts for Charleston’s Battery Extension coastal resilience project. Culture & Preservation: Middleton Place received a $651K federal preservation grant for its nearly 300-year-old chapel and Spring House. Sports & Community: Tom Coughlin will headline the S.C. International Trade Conference keynote, blending sports and maritime business on Kiawah Island.

SC Politics & Elections: The Senate Leadership Fund is sending $5 million to South Carolina to help Sen. Darline Graham ahead of President Trump’s planned visit, framing it as insurance for Republicans in a tight race. Cybersecurity & Schools: South Carolina’s private school choice program was hit by a phishing scam aimed at stealing vendors’ banking details, prompting password resets for affected providers. Public Safety: SLED is investigating two officer-involved shootings in Aiken and Florence Counties, including a fatal Aiken incident and a Florence County shooting after a teen allegedly attacked deputies with a knife. Justice & Hate Crime: A Columbia man convicted in federal court for violating a Black neighbor’s housing rights has now pleaded guilty to state hate intimidation and assault charges, receiving an eight-year state sentence running alongside his federal term. Health: Pennsylvania has topped 1,000 measles cases, and New York declared a disaster emergency as the outbreak spreads in nearby rural areas. Business & Community: Mount Pleasant Waterworks earned major workplace culture awards, while an Institute for Child Success CEO received South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto.

Measles Surge: Pennsylvania has topped 1,000 measles cases this year, the largest outbreak in more than three decades, as the U.S. records nearly 3,900 cases overall; New York responded with a statewide disaster emergency to expand who can give MMR shots and order testing. South Carolina Accountability: S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson is demanding answers from Flock Safety about its AI use, data access, retention rules, and whether information is shared through a broader network of customers. Local Politics: Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews is touring rural South Carolina, pitching plans to lower health care costs and protect rural hospitals after hearing concerns from veterans and Medicaid recipients. National Justice Watch: President Trump approved execution by firing squad for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, a method not used by the U.S. military since the early 1960s. Remembering Jim Bakker: Televangelist Jim Bakker, whose PTL empire collapsed amid sex and fraud scandals, died at 86.

SLED Investigation: South Carolina State University police are still working with SLED after a 2025 Homecoming shooting that killed 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler; SLED says multiple people were charged for having firearms on campus, but the person responsible hasn’t been identified, and tips are being accepted at (866) 472-8477 or tips@sled.sc.gov. AG Privacy Scrutiny: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is demanding answers from Flock Safety about privacy and security rules, including whether the company uses AI, how data access works, and how long information is retained. Teacher Loan Relief: The South Carolina Student Loan Corp. launched new Workforce Pell-style options for public school teachers, offering a 2% fixed-rate refinance and, for some, loan forgiveness funded by a $10 million state proviso. Public Safety & Courts: A former Anderson County paramedic faces felony charges after investigators allege he touched a patient without consent and falsified a report. Arts Funding Fallout: The S.C. Arts Commission board chair is set to resign after the board denied grants to two LGBTQ+ groups. Health Watch: Pennsylvania measles cases topped 1,000, with hundreds hospitalized and multiple deaths reported.

Local Music & Community: The inaugural Mojo Columbia Music Festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 10, 2–10 p.m. at Historic Columbia Speedway, with two stages, local acts like The Donovan Twins, Danny Anderson, Silk Road, and The Smoaks, plus regional headliners and live art, food trucks, vendors, and free shuttles. Education Policy: A Trump administration proposal could loosen Head Start rules that protect kids who show challenging behaviors, raising fears of more suspensions and expulsions—especially in states like South Carolina that don’t have the same safeguards. Health Care Funding: Georgia cut Medicaid reimbursement for foster children’s autism therapy by 30%, pushing some providers to stop accepting new patients at the lower rate. Politics & Voting Rights: A federal judge tossed a lawsuit claiming South Carolina violated disabled voters’ rights, dismissing it for lack of legal standing. Sports (College Football): Missouri’s 45–17 rout of Florida vaulted it to No. 14 in the AP Top 25, while Alabama’s 56–23 win over Mississippi State moved it to No. 6 and Texas stayed No. 1. Public Safety: South Carolina State Transport Police joined a multi-state crackdown, removing 78 unsafe commercial drivers from roadways during “Operation Saturday Night Fever.”

Voting Rights in Court: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging South Carolina violated disabled voters’ rights, saying the plaintiffs lacked legal standing and didn’t show a denied request for assistance. Child Safety Tragedy: A Ladson mother, Justine May, was charged with homicide by child abuse after deputies found her two daughters dead from starvation and dehydration following repeated prior welfare visits. Film Industry Jobs Push: Bipartisan legislation would expand federal incentives for movie and TV production, aiming to bring more filming—and jobs—back to communities nationwide, including rural and disaster-impacted areas. Severe Weather Watch: Forecasters warn of intensifying flood risk across the South, with heavy rain expected to spread into the Carolinas and bring 2–3 inches in parts of South Carolina. State Recognition: Gov. Henry McMaster awarded the Order of the Palmetto to Dr. Delores Dacosta for decades of public service and community work. College Football (SEC): Missouri surged to No. 14 after routing Florida 45-17, while Alabama moved to No. 6 after beating Mississippi State 56-23 ahead of a big Georgia matchup.

South Carolina Politics & Elections: President Donald Trump campaigned in Ohio, backing Sen. Jon Husted and urging voters to “pretend” he’s running—while the daylight saving fight continues as Trump publicly shares Sen. Tom Cotton’s cell number to pressure the stalled “Sunshine Protection Act.” Gamecocks Football: South Carolina blew a 17-point lead and fell to Kentucky 35-34 in overtime, dropping to 0-3 in SEC play and reigniting calls for Shane Beamer’s future. College Sports: Miami routed Clemson 41-13; The Citadel edged South Carolina State 34-31; LSU crushed McNeese 63-14; Missouri beat Florida 45-17. Public Health: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall over possible E. coli contamination, including Walmart’s Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in South Carolina. Consumer/Local Watch: States are tightening rules on “we buy houses” cash wholesaling, after concerns that vulnerable sellers may be misled and lose equity. Community & Culture: Greenwood’s The Q Station will open as a barbecue teaching hub, and breast cancer survivor Dee Dee Setzler is turning treatment into humor with her “Ruby” wig.

Daylight Saving Fight: President Trump posted Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton’s personal cellphone number on Truth Social, urging Arkansans to pressure him to advance the Sunshine Protection Act and make daylight saving time permanent—while Cotton pushed back that Congress has tried this before and repealed it. Coastal Planning: South Carolina’s Department of Environmental Services will hold an Oct. 13 public information session on proposed changes to coastal dock regulations, with a formal hearing set for Oct. 27 in Columbia. Public Safety: A massive fog-caused I-95 pileup over Lake Marion shut down southbound lanes for more than 17 hours, with one airlifted and others treated for injuries. Local Crime: A Ladson mother, Justine May, was charged with homicide by child abuse after investigators found two young children dead from starvation and dehydration. Wildlife: Four South Carolina residents captured the “Snaggletooth” alligator—an 844-pound, nearly 14-foot gator—after a four-year search near Lake Moultrie. Sports (SC ties): Alabama routed Mississippi State 56-23 in Starkville, while South Carolina prepares for a key SEC matchup at home against Kentucky.

Traffic & Safety: A massive 69-vehicle pileup shut down an I-95 bridge over Lake Marion after thick fog reduced visibility, injuring at least a dozen people and involving 15 tractor-trailers. State Politics: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stumped for South Carolina Democrats and teased a possible 2028 presidential run, telling voters liberal candidates can fight on tough issues. Housing & Insurance: Louisiana’s shift in its fortified roof program could cost homeowners insurance discounts after 15 years unless they re-certify, raising concerns for long-term savings. Arts & Civil Rights: The South Carolina Arts Commission denied grants to the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and Proud Mary Theatre Company, with leaders calling it discriminatory and unconstitutional. Local Crime: A Ladson mother was charged after two toddlers were found dead from starvation and dehydration; deputies said they’d responded to the home multiple times before the deaths. Sports (SC focus): Alabama and Mississippi State headline the weekend’s top-25 college football slate, with the Tide traveling to Starkville.