Health & Food Trends: “Dirty soda” is hitting menus nationwide, and South Carolina readers should know the warning signs: one drink can pack 55–70 grams of sugar and 250–400 calories, turning a “mocktail” vibe into a dessert-like sugar bomb that can worsen blood sugar and chronic disease risk. Community Health Tech: Columbia’s new naloxone vending program aims to make overdose reversal easier to access, using QR training and data to guide placement and outreach. Local Culture & Dining: Greenville welcomes Green Lettuce, a new spot bringing authentic Persian cuisine and hospitality to the Upstate. Civic & Education Policy: South Carolina’s classroom conversation is getting louder as GOP lawmakers reshape general education requirements, narrowing what students can count toward graduation and pushing more Western civics themes. History & Heritage: The Liberty Trail continues expanding Revolutionary War storytelling across South Carolina, with interactive sites and markers tied to the 250th anniversary. Civil Rights Legacy: Rev. Simon P. Bouie, a Columbia lunch-counter sit-in leader whose case shaped Supreme Court rulings, has died. Outdoor Safety: Clemson is warning beachgoers about Portuguese man o’ wars washing ashore—watch from afar; their stings can be painful and dangerous. Local Events: Hampton County’s 84th Annual Watermelon Festival kicks off June 20–27 with a 250th-themed lineup.