AGP Executive Report

Community Education & Access: The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is expanding to reach all 46 South Carolina counties, giving more high school seniors a path to a more affordable college education. Health & Partnerships: HopeHealth marked National Health Center Week with a community-focused Partners in Impact Luncheon, highlighting how local collaborations strengthen care. Sports & Local Culture: Carowinds topped off the 100-foot Rip Roarin’ Falls tower, aiming for a major 2027 water-ride milestone and world-record-style bragging rights. Politics & Identity: Rep. Nancy Mace launched her new YouTube show “Get Maced,” debuting nine arm tattoos in a sleeveless intro—sparking plenty of online mockery. Local Environment: Beaufort County’s composting push is diverting tens of thousands of pounds of food scraps into soil, with officials eyeing more than $1 million in long-term taxpayer savings. Medical Transport: Brown Health’s LifePACT critical care transport earned national accreditation, recognizing its 24/7 transport care standards. Civic Life: Early voting opens Monday for South Carolina Senate District 15’s special primary, with limited York County locations.

Democratic Politics: The DNC approved its 2028 presidential primary calendar, with South Carolina kicking things off Jan. 22 (replacing Iowa/New Hampshire), followed by Nevada Feb. 1, New Hampshire Feb. 8, New Mexico Feb. 15, Michigan Feb. 22, and Virginia Feb. 29—aimed at testing candidates with a more diverse electorate early. Extreme Heat & Community Care: The Red Cross is assisting a Summerville family after a house fire during an extreme heat warning, urging residents to stay cool, hydrate, and avoid strenuous activity. Public Safety & Privacy: North Charleston is moving toward a “vision zero” approach to cut deadly crashes, while local police review changes after Flock camera policy tweaks following privacy backlash. Local Culture & History: A new sign now guides visitors to Thomas Heyward Jr.’s final resting place at Old House Plantation in Jasper County. Education & Families: A new school choice tax credit could leave many homeschooled students out, depending on income rules and state opt-in. Health & Care Costs: A report highlights how long-term care costs keep climbing, straining families across ages. Environment & Conservation: Kiawah Island is seeing a standout sea turtle nesting season, with nearly 500 nests reported. Crime & Justice: A serial-killer survivor is sharing her escape story to help push unsolved cases forward.

Democratic Primary Shuffle: The DNC approved its 2028 presidential calendar, with South Carolina first on Jan. 22, 2028 (then Nevada Feb. 1, New Hampshire Feb. 8, New Mexico Feb. 15, Michigan Feb. 22, Virginia Feb. 29), a move aimed at spotlighting Black and Latino voters and giving candidates early “battle-tested” experience. WNBA Culture Clash: South Carolina’s Dawn Staley weighed in on the league’s growing controversy, calling it “badges of honor” as the WNBA faces heated debates over officiating and trans athletes. Coastal Conservation Win: Kiawah Island logged a standout sea turtle season, with wildlife officials counting nearly 500 nests—a hopeful bump for loggerheads, even as survival odds remain steep. Local Justice Watch: SLED charged two Dorchester County support workers with neglect of a vulnerable adult after an alleged incident involving a leaking feeding tube left strapped to a toilet. Columbia Food & Coffee Scene: A new Cola Cafe Fest 2026 is set for Sept. 27, spotlighting specialty coffee, tea, and café entrepreneurship.

Extreme Heat & Cooling Plans: Heat advisories and weekend safety tips are in full swing across the Carolinas, with Charlotte-area resources and shelters listed as heat indexes push toward triple digits. Local Campus Life: USCB move-in day is expected to bring traffic congestion near Bluffton and Beaufort campuses, with specific road closures and heavy-traffic windows. Community Inclusion: North Charleston officially becomes an autism-friendly city, adding autism-trained counselors, first-responders, and business support through Just Bee. South Carolina Politics: Endorsements are rolling in for the Aug. 25 GOP U.S. Senate runoff, with Darline Graham backed by Trump, Tim Scott, and others, while Ralph Norman has support from Nikki Haley and Nancy Mace. Health & Family Safety: A Myrtle Beach rip-current rescue turned tragic as a father of four died after saving a 10-year-old girl. Culture & Arts: Columbia poet laureate Ed Madden reflects on how public poetry can shape community voice and youth access to the arts. Sports (Local): Greenville’s Andy’s Race sprint triathlon saw Scott Brooks win the men’s 55-59 division and Ben Wade take the men’s 35-39 title.

Heat & Health: A “heat dome” is set to bring dangerous heat and humidity across much of the Southeast, with nighttime lows staying high—officials urge people to stay cool and watch for heat illness. Caribbean Roots in Charleston: A new look at South Carolina’s founding traces how English settlers traveled via Barbados, shaping Charleston’s early plantation economy and culture. Nuclear Policy Watch: A once-hidden JASON report summary is now public, fueling debate over whether plutonium pit factories in South Carolina and New Mexico are truly necessary. SNAP Changes: Starting Aug. 31, South Carolina SNAP will restrict items deemed to have little nutritional value, including sugary drinks—while some “zero-sugar” and staples are exempt. Education Updates: SC READY results show more students meeting reading and math expectations, and local districts highlight gains. Community & Faith: Bethel A.M.E. Church in Columbia plans a historic mortgage-burning service after retiring a $500,000 debt in 16 months. Sports & Campus: Winthrop women’s soccer opens with a 4-2 loss; Winthrop baseball announces coaching promotions. Food Safety: Lidl recalls a wok spice mix sold in SC and other states due to possible salmonella contamination. Politics (SC Senate Runoff): Darline Graham and Ralph Norman head to the Aug. 25 runoff after the special GOP primary.

Health & Safety: Upstate South Carolina is under a heat advisory starting at noon, with “dangerous heat” pushing heat indexes above 100 and pop-up storms possible. Food & Family: Whole Foods and other retailers expanded a jalapeño-linked salmonella recall, pulling salsas, dips, and prepared foods sold across multiple states. Public Health: The CDC reports 2,566 confirmed measles cases nationwide in 2026 so far, with most cases tied to unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status; South Carolina is noted for a major outbreak last year. Local Education: Meeting Street Scholarship is expanding statewide with an $18.7M investment, aiming to cover remaining college costs for students in all 46 counties. Community & Culture: St. Philip’s will explore its church history Aug. 29-30, adding to the week’s lineup of faith and heritage events. Politics & Media: SCETV is partnering with the South Carolina Republican Party to broadcast and stream the U.S. Senate special primary runoff debate Aug. 18. Lifestyle & Dining: South Carolina Restaurant Week kicks off with deals and special menus, including Greenville’s HeyDay Sandwiches and Cocktails. Sports & Youth: Lexington-Richland School District Five students outperformed statewide averages on 2026 SC READY results, with math gains highlighted.

State Politics & Runoff: Rep. Sheri Biggs is pushing defense and healthcare priorities as South Carolina’s Senate race heads to a runoff, highlighting the “Made in America Defense Act” and support for military families’ travel. Local Justice & Advocacy: The South Carolina Association for Justice elected Kevin R. Dean as president, vowing to fight insurance and corporate efforts to make it harder for families to pursue accountability. Food Safety: Lidl US recalled Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix in nine states plus D.C. after Salmonella showed up in company testing; no illnesses reported. Public Health Access: A March of Dimes report flags maternity care deserts hitting more than 180,000 women across Georgia and South Carolina, with longer travel and pressure on NICUs. Education & Opportunity: Meeting Street Scholarship expands statewide with an $18.7M recurring investment, aiming to help under-resourced seniors across all 46 counties. Community & Culture: Historic Brattonsville received the 2026 Governor’s Award in the Humanities, spotlighting South Carolina history and preservation. Sports & Youth: Gentry Academy lacrosse standout Samantha Hohn signed with Clemson, while STEM summer camp projects—from soda rockets to ice cream—show how hands-on learning is taking over classrooms. Business & Jobs: Prysmian announced an $80M Lexington County expansion expected to add about 135 jobs.

Education & Opportunity: The Meeting Street Scholarship is going statewide with an $18.7M investment, expanding college gap coverage to eligible seniors across all 46 South Carolina counties. Youth & Safety: A Gaffney bus stop shooting left a 17-year-old student dead; one teen is arrested and another suspect is considered “armed and dangerous” and still at large. Environment in the Classroom: Eight SC educators completed the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification, a statewide program rooted in South Carolina’s natural landscapes. Sports Culture: Nielsen reports women’s sports viewership and interest are surging, with big jumps in minutes watched and advertising spending. Housing: A $100M tri-county affordable housing initiative launches for Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties, aiming to protect affordability for decades. Tech & Kids Online: NetChoice is asking the Supreme Court to block an Ohio parental consent rule for minors on social platforms. Community & Media: SCETV will host its local news outreach tour stop in Aiken and North Augusta, inviting residents to shape coverage. Food Safety: A major salmonella recall expands to jalapeños sold at major retailers, urging people not to eat affected products. Arts & Books: Palmetto Publishing released a new Lowcountry-themed children’s picture book about unlikely animal friends.

South Carolina Senate Runoff: Darline Graham has advanced to an Aug. 25 GOP runoff to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, setting up a face-off with Rep. Ralph Norman after the special primary produced no outright winner. Local Politics & Community: The SCGOP is lining up a runoff debate (Aug. 18) as early voting begins Aug. 19, with both candidates trying to win over the large share of voters who didn’t pick either finalist. Public Safety: A 17-year-old student was shot and killed near a Gaffney school bus stop, with investigators still working to identify the suspect and vehicle. School Safety: State leaders also issued a fresh school-year warning focused on online threats, including AI-generated child exploitation material and counterfeit pills. Weather Watch: An extreme heat warning is in effect for Beaufort County, with heat index values expected to hit 113 degrees or higher. Lifestyle & Travel: NASCAR and state officials previewed the Cook Out Southern 500 aboard the USS Yorktown, highlighting the race’s tourism boost for Darlington and the region. Food Safety: Lidl US recalled a lot of Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix due to potential Salmonella contamination.

STEM & Youth Wins: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics’ Golden Dragons robotics team captured the Canadian Rockies FIRST Tech Challenge Premier title in Calgary, rallying after early losses and finishing with a Control Award for software and sensor work. Women’s Health Access: Tidelands Health OB/GYN in Georgetown added Dr. Brent Baroody, now accepting new patients in Azalea Lakes and Murrells Inlet for full-spectrum OB/GYN care. SC Politics Runoff Watch: Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman advanced to an Aug. 25 GOP runoff to replace late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with low turnout and a split by county—Norman strong in York, Graham in Lancaster. Public Safety: A student was killed in a bus stop shooting in Gaffney; police say extra patrols will be added and investigators are working leads. Immigration Enforcement Tech: DHS plans to equip ICE officers with electric shock gloves, drawing fresh criticism from civil rights groups over how the devices could be used. Culture & Streaming: Blink-182’s Travis Barker documentary “Louder Than Fear” lands Aug. 13 on Disney+ and Hulu, revisiting his 2008 South Carolina plane crash and recovery.

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman are headed to a GOP runoff for Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat after Tuesday’s special primary failed to produce a winner with 50%+1; Graham led the 10-candidate field with about 32.6% and Norman took second with about 24%, setting the Aug. 25 showdown that will decide who faces Democrat Annie Andrews in November. National Security & Transparency: In a separate AP report, Trump says Secret Service and the military wanted him off Air Force One during a Turkey trip due to an Iran threat, describing a secretive “different plane” maneuver. Local Life & Privacy: Myrtle Beach-area authorities say license plates are on camera via an automatic surveillance network, while watchdog groups push back that it’s broader tracking than police admit. Community Health: Virginia measles cases are declining, but outbreaks remain active in Buckingham and Cumberland counties, with officials warning about possible resurgence. Food Safety: Taylor Farms’ jalapeño-linked salmonella recall continues to expand downstream, with more products pulled from shelves. Culture & Fun: Star 99.7 is running a ticket giveaway for a Sept. 5 Charleston concert featuring Columbia’s The Movement and Hawaii’s Pepper.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms’ jalapeño recall is widening fast after a Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños imported from Sinaloa, Mexico; FDA/USDA alerts now cover jalapeño products like salsa and guacamole sold nationwide, including in South Carolina, with illnesses reported across 27 states. Politics & Community: South Carolina voters head to the special GOP Senate primary to replace the late Lindsey Graham, with appointed Sen. Darline Graham holding a slim lead in the final Trafalgar poll and a runoff looking likely if no one clears 50%. Local Culture & Education: Greenville County Schools students posted gains on SC READY tests, and an Upstate band from Ware Shoals is headed to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Parade after a community fundraising push. Sports (Women’s Basketball): The SEC released the 2026-27 schedule, setting big Gamecocks matchups and key dates for South Carolina’s conference opener. Faith & Lifestyle: SC Attorney General Alan Wilson and Superintendent Ellen Weaver warned districts about online threats to student safety as the new school year begins.

South Carolina Senate Primary: With Lindsey Graham’s seat now open, Tuesday’s special GOP primary is a crowded, high-stakes race to replace him—Darline Graham faces a field that includes Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, Mark Sanford and others, and a runoff is possible if no one clears 50% (Local Politics & Civic Life: Polling locations in Lancaster County have shifted due to school schedules, and voters are watching turnout and late momentum). Public Health & Food Safety: Across the U.S., Taylor Fresh Foods recalled jalapeño dips, salsas and prepared foods sold at major retailers after a Salmonella outbreak tied to imported peppers; families are urged to check “best if used by” dates and not eat affected products (Health & Wellness: A new federal vaccine executive order would reduce and potentially split childhood shots, drawing sharp pushback from medical groups). Community & Care: South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the City of Columbia honored Purple Heart recipients at Finlay Park for Purple Heart Viola Week (Education & Youth: SC READY results show statewide gains in math and reading, with more students meeting grade-level expectations). Safety at the Beach: A DeKalb County educator died in Myrtle Beach after rescuing a girl from a rip current, underscoring the risks when lifeguards are off duty.

Counterfeit Consumer Safety: South Carolina officials seized more than $214,000 in fake NeeDoh Nice Cube squishy toys and luxury-logo knockoffs from Greenville’s Haywood Mall, warning unknown materials could create safety risks. State Politics & Community Impact: SCETV and Public Radio will broadcast live coverage of the Aug. 11 South Carolina special U.S. Senate Republican primary to replace Lindsey Graham, with results and analysis across TV, radio, and streaming. Food & Health Alerts: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño-containing prepared foods (salsa, guacamole, dips, and more) tied to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak, with products sold in SC and other states; shoppers are urged to check “Best If Used By” dates. Local Culture & Faith: A Pawleys Island-area church faced fallout after allegations that a registered sex offender was allowed to volunteer around children, triggering parent outrage and criminal charges. Public Debate: Rep. Nancy Mace is under fire after saying every Muslim holding public office is a “Trojan horse,” including a tense CNN exchange. Arts & Entertainment: A new documentary, “Travis Barker: Louder Than Fear,” revisits the Blink-182 drummer’s South Carolina plane crash and his comeback. Education Watch: S.C. Ready assessment scores for grades 3–8 are set to be released, showing how students performed in ELA and math for 2025–26.

Men’s Day & fatherhood push: South Carolina Democratic governor nominee Jermaine Johnson spoke at Mt. Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, urging men to “step up” for young people and warning that absent fathers can fuel crime and gun carrying. Back-to-school support: Thousands of Charleston students and families grabbed free backpacks, school supplies, and books at the First Day Festival at the Gaillard Center, with health screenings, food trucks, and aquarium admission. Daylight saving drama: With the Senate in recess, the clock-change debate is back in focus as lawmakers question whether the Sunshine Protection Act can pass before Nov. 1. Local politics on the campaign trail: Interim Sen. Darline Graham held a rare reporter call, tackling national security, data centers, Medicaid fraud, and attacks from challenger Russell Fry. Public health & vaccines: NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya told “Face the Nation” he trusts childhood vaccines, urging parents to vaccinate and send kids to school amid rising measles concern. Community safety: Preliminary autopsy results say Lexington County master deputy Jillian Olson died from freshwater drowning during a Lake Murray dive training exercise. Sports culture: ESPN highlighted five must-watch SEC games for 2026, while South Carolina men’s basketball looks to Kory Mincy’s leadership as the roster turns over. Arts & learning: A pediatrician-author in the region is using children’s books to make health topics feel less scary for kids.

Patriot Games & youth culture: A Trump-backed “Patriot Games” youth competition is drawing attention for its patriotic branding and controversy, with winners earning college scholarships—while participants say the backlash can cost them friendships. South Carolina politics: With Lindsey Graham’s seat up for grabs, coverage highlights how the special GOP Senate primary is tightening and how early voting turnout is shaping expectations for Tuesday’s vote and a possible runoff. Public health & families: A Greenville Medicaid spending snapshot shows Hearing Services payments rising to $3,561 in 2024, up about 11%, underscoring how local health resources shift. New moms, THC tests, and child abuse registries: Reporting shows how THC test results after childbirth can trigger investigations and land some mothers on child abuse registries, even without criminal records. Schools & vaping: SC schools confront teen vaping and a legal gray area around hemp-derived products. Community life: North Augusta’s National Night Out spotlights local partnerships with law enforcement. Arts & education: Westview Middle School music teacher Ronnie Ward receives a $10,000 Manilow Music Teacher Award. Sports: Carolina Crown places third at DCI’s World Championships; NASCAR debut notes Carson Brown’s 15th-place finish.