AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Politics & Community: Sen. Lindsey Graham’s home-state farewell continues Wednesday in Columbia, with a State House stop and a F-16 flyover before services at First Baptist Church and burial in Pickens County. Local Governance: Greenville is moving toward a November vote on a 1% “penny tax” to fund infrastructure and property tax relief for owner-occupied homes. Health & Family Life: Measles cases are surging nationwide to the highest levels since 1991, with South Carolina reporting its biggest 2026 outbreak. Arts & Culture: Dr. Ursula O. Robinson (South Carolina State University) earns a $10,000 South Carolina Arts Commission fellowship in media arts: performance, with her work added to the state’s digital art collection. Sports & Lifestyle: Charlotte Crown’s pro women’s basketball home opener spotlights the city’s deep women’s hoops history. Everyday Access: A new survey finds millions of Americans struggle to access hormone care, with “hormone deserts” especially affecting parts of the South. Tech & Healthcare: MUSC Health expands its AI phone agent “Emily,” adding retail and specialty pharmacy support after 2.2 million patient calls.

South Carolina Politics & Culture: South Carolina is set to keep its “first in the nation” status for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, a move expected to bring major campaign spending and attention to the state. Local Governance & Community: The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs reports 4,309 complaints from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026, and recovered about $853,364 for consumers—top categories include vehicles, real estate, and contractors. Public Safety: Laurens County officials updated residents after a multi-car CSX derailment near Cross Hill; 17 cars derailed and one spilled sodium borate, with cleanup and bridge repairs continuing. Sports & Wellness: Fever center Aliyah Boston exited after a hard fall injured her right knee, raising concerns for the WNBA star’s status. Entertainment & Arts: Billy Bob Thornton was inducted into the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame after a sold-out Boxmasters show in Pickens. Health & Daily Life: New cholesterol rules expand statin eligibility by 21.5 million Americans, adding urgency to heart-health conversations for many adults. Tech & Ethics: Elon Musk’s xAI is fighting a Minnesota law banning AI “nudification” apps, arguing it’s an overbroad free-speech restriction.

Upstate Public Safety & Privacy: Greenville County fired two employees for misusing Flock automated license plate reader tech, following similar terminations in Greer—privacy advocates warn the cameras can drift from crime-fighting into constant surveillance. Whole-Person Health: Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates says its Prescribe FIT lifestyle coaching is already cutting pain and boosting mobility for enrolled patients. Mortgage Education: 24hourEDU won NMLS approval to deliver self-paced MLO continuing education in all 50 states. Local Education Support: The GSSM Foundation received a $1,000 grant from SPC Cares Foundation to help cover student meal plan fees across several SC counties. HBCU Recruitment: Siembra Mobile partnered with Claflin University as the first HBCU in its College Connect network, aiming to reach families earlier. Health Watch: With measles cases at a 35-year high, biotech groups are starting work on treatments and short-term protection as vaccination rates slip. SC Politics & Community: Candidate filing closes Tuesday for South Carolina’s special GOP Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham; early voting runs Aug. 5–7. Lifestyle & Retail: Charleston’s Beachmate Shovel expands into 100 Walmart stores nationwide, bringing its reusable beach-to-garden shovel to peak summer shoppers.

Lindsey Graham Memorial & Senate Shakeup: South Carolina’s political spotlight stays on Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral week in Washington and Columbia, while Republicans race to replace him in a special Aug. 11 primary—filings are nearly set and the field could force a runoff Aug. 25. Local Politics: U.S. Rep. Russell Fry kicked off his Senate bid with a Horry County meet-and-greet, pitching affordability and “fighters” over “furniture” in D.C. Campaign Watch: Rep. Russell Fry and others are lining up fast as the state compresses campaigning into days. Health & Care Access: A Greenville pediatric clinic, Unity on Main, is closing after a major federal funding loss—an opinion piece argues the move will strain care for uninsured and underinsured families. Back-to-School Support: The SC Department of Veterans’ Affairs launched a statewide school-supplies drive for military children through Aug. 14. Education & Environment: SC teachers can apply for SCDES grants and classroom resources tied to K-12 recycling and food-waste reduction. Community & Sports: Upstate students are learning financial literacy through a student-run credit union, and Goose Creek won a state award for therapeutic recreation for adults with disabilities. Lottery: South Carolina Lottery results for July 27 include Powerball (06-26-46-58-65, PB 25, PP 2) plus Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop, Palmetto Cash 5, and Powerball Double Play.

South Carolina Spotlight: The SC Philharmonic shared the reach of its 61st season, saying its subsidized outreach programs connected with thousands across schools, hospitals, libraries, and even correctional facilities. Local Culture & Community: Bridged will host a free Disability Resource Expo Aug. 23 in Greenville, bringing together 115+ organizations to help families and educators find trusted support. Arts: The South Carolina Arts Commission named eight Individual Artist Fellows for fiscal year 2027, including Charleston poet laureate Asiah Thomas. Sports & Lifestyle: Greenville earned a spot on Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” list, while the Gamecocks released their 2026-27 swimming and diving schedule. Civic Life: South Carolina’s Democratic Party is set to keep the state first in the 2028 presidential primary calendar, a move tied to key voting blocs. Politics Close to Home: A special GOP primary is set for Aug. 11 to fill Lindsey Graham’s seat, with early voting Aug. 5-7.

Public Health: The CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 cases in 2026—more than all of 2025—with South Carolina listed among the hardest-hit states (670). Local Politics & Community: Democrats held an Irmo forum at St. Paul AME Church, spotlighting U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews and state superintendent hopeful Sylvia Wright ahead of November. Education & Youth Support: Conway Elementary in Horry County hosted a free K-12 school supplies event, with local partners including the sheriff’s office and CAP helping families get ready for the new year. Sports & Culture: LSU women’s track signed former South Carolina star JaMeesia Ford, adding a decorated Gamecock to Baton Rouge’s roster. Lifestyle & Wellness: VA Augusta is offering a new noninvasive overactive bladder therapy for veterans, aiming to cut late-night bathroom trips and leakage. Lottery: South Carolina Education Lottery released July 26 Pick 3 and Pick 4 results, plus Cash Pop and Palmetto Cash 5.

LGBTQ+ Nightlife & Community: SC Pride’s Revelry Gala returns Aug. 1 at the State Museum with drag performer Kenya Pleaser, red-carpet glam, open bar, live shows, and the Flame Awards. Public Safety & Tech Misuse: A new look at Flock license-plate readers shows how automated cameras are increasingly used—and misused—by officers, including cases tied to South Carolina. Food Safety: Check your fridge—nearly 20 million eggs were pulled in a Salmonella Enteritidis recall linked to Texas farms, with FDA reporting 98 illnesses in 17 states. Health Watch: The CDC says measles cases in the U.S. hit 2,318 in 2026, the highest since 1991, with South Carolina among the hardest hit. Sports & Local Pride: Greenville runners logged two June first-place wins tied to hometown results, and former Gamecocks A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Allisha Gray shined at the WNBA All-Star Game. Civic Life: Memorial plans for late Sen. Lindsey Graham include SCETV livestream coverage and a Columbia service at First Baptist Church. Culture & Place: A Lowcountry column spotlights Hunting Island’s “Boneyard” beach as development pressures grow in the ACE Basin.

WNBA & USC Pride: Team Spoon beat Team Coop 129-122 in the WNBA All-Star Game, with South Carolina standouts A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Allisha Gray starring—Boston sat more than usual to stay fresh for the post–All-Star stretch. Public Health: Measles cases hit a 35-year high in the U.S. (2,318 so far in 2026), with South Carolina reporting the most cases and outbreaks tied to declining vaccination rates. Food Safety: A massive salmonella egg recall topped 19 million eggs after at least 98 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across 17 states, including South Carolina—check cartons and don’t eat recalled eggs. Local Community & Care: A Chester community gathered to remember 13-year-old Daryl Lowry, stabbed and drowned while in state custody, pressing for transparency and accountability. Politics & Civic Life: The DNC panel recommended South Carolina host the first Democratic presidential primary in 2028, spotlighting Black voters’ role. Faith & Community: Four nuns will take vows in 2026, sharing how prayer and community shaped their call to religious life. Sports & Fun for Families: We Are Sharing Hope SC held a “Pickleball for Hope” fundraiser in Mt. Pleasant to boost organ, eye, and tissue donation awareness.

Health Watch: The CDC says U.S. measles cases hit 2,318 in 2026—worst in 35 years and already past all of 2025—driven by declining vaccination rates and outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities. Community & Culture: Columbia’s Oliver Gospel Roastery was named one of South Carolina’s best coffeehouses, spotlighting a “coffee with purpose” model that funds meals, shelter, recovery, and job training. Local Politics: The DNC is set to keep South Carolina first in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, a move that’s already sparking debate inside the party about who benefits and whether it complicates the path for progressives. Sports & Lifestyle: WNBA All-Star weekend delivered big moments, including Azzi Fudd winning the 3-point contest, plus Lowcountry librarians sharing porch-and-pool summer reads. Public Safety: Pawleys Island Community Church faces backlash after a registered sex offender was arrested for volunteering near children, with resignations and lawsuits following.

Public Health Alert: The CDC reports the U.S. has logged 2,318 confirmed measles cases in 2026—already topping all of 2025—with South Carolina among the hardest hit (670 cases), as vaccine hesitancy keeps outbreaks spreading. Local Animal Welfare: Lowcountry advocates are pushing for stronger animal welfare laws after recent cruelty cases, arguing counties shouldn’t wait for state action. Tech & Privacy in Policing: Greer’s Flock license plate reader controversy is back in the spotlight after officers were fired for misuse, renewing calls for tighter oversight. Community Health Response: Anderson’s new PORT (Post Overdose Response Team) aims to follow overdose patients from 911 calls through hospital and long-term support. Everyday Life: A Johnsonville woman says her family’s water was shut off without notice, sparking concerns about reconnection fees and fairness. Politics & Culture: Dawn Staley celebrated LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers with a warm “welcome to Philly” message. Democratic Primary Shuffle: The DNC selected South Carolina to host the first Democratic 2028 primary on Jan. 22, ahead of Nevada and New Hampshire. Sports & Local Media: SCETV will livestream memorial services for Sen. Lindsey Graham in Washington and Columbia. Lottery Buzz: Mega Millions climbed to a $743 million jackpot for tonight’s drawing.

Public Health Watch: The U.S. has logged 2,318 measles cases—already surpassing all of 2025—with South Carolina named among the hardest-hit states, and officials warning counts may still be incomplete. Back-to-School Health: South Carolina families are reminded that required vaccinations (including MMR, polio, varicella, and DTaP/Tdap) help keep schools open and protect kids who can’t be immunized. Community & Culture: Myrtle Beach’s Myrtle Duck Festival has been postponed to Aug. 8 due to heavy-rain and lightning concerns. Local Lifestyle & Learning: A Coastal Science Research Symposium drew 150+ participants to share coastal resilience and marine-debris work, with proceedings now available. South Carolina Spotlight: SCRA is a founding partner in the NSF Grid Modernization Engine for the Carolinas, aiming to modernize the electric grid and support thousands of jobs. Politics & Identity: GOP operatives are questioning whether Trump’s endorsement can carry Darline Graham Nordone in South Carolina’s Senate race.

Politics & Power Shift: Former Gov. Mark Sanford jumped into South Carolina’s crowded GOP U.S. Senate race after Lindsey Graham’s death, pitching the national debt as his main issue while Sen. Darline Graham Nordone—Trump-endorsed—pushes for a full term. Local Safety & Community Pressure: Drivers are again demanding changes at the Highway 41 and Halfway Creek Road intersection after another deadly crash, citing speed, visibility, and truck traffic. Culture & Heritage: The South Carolina State Museum will host a free Aug. 7 celebration for “Big Percy,” a Mount Pleasant sweetgrass basket that just earned Guinness World Record status. Education & Civic Life: South Carolina’s first-ever National Civics Bee state finals crowned a winner who’ll head to Washington, highlighting a growing push for hands-on civic learning. Health & Back-to-School: South Carolina officials remind families which vaccines are required before school starts, framing immunizations as a way to keep classrooms open. Environment & Outdoor Access: Waties Island in Horry County could become the state’s newest protected area after a $4 million federal grant to acquire land and plan public access. Housing & Student Life: In Columbia, demand for USC student housing is driving the transformation of a historic neighborhood into multiple rental homes and duplexes.

South Carolina Politics: Former Gov. Mark Sanford is jumping into the crowded GOP special Senate primary to replace the late Lindsey Graham, pitching “stewardship” and the national debt as his core issue. Local Transportation: SCDOT is holding a public open house Aug. 6 on two Aiken County intersection projects (Bettis Academy/Whaley Pond and Whiskey/Powderhouse) and will take feedback on preliminary plans. Sports & Community: Wingate University is welcoming Bahraini women’s basketball star Aya Kamali, calling it the “first chapter” of her U.S. college story. Public Safety: Greenville Zoo temporarily closed after a leopard escaped its exhibit; officials tranquilized and returned the animal with no danger to the public. Crime Watch: North Charleston police arrested an Illinois man tied to a credit union robbery, found living in a tent near a Baptist church. Health & Food: A lettuce recall tied to cyclospora has expanded across many states, including South Carolina—check what products are affected before eating. Culture & Lifestyle: A new satellite office and regenerative spine-care options are opening in Hardeeville as Nivens Spine Medicine expands across the Lowcountry.

Local Culture & Memory: A new memorial in Marlin honors 435 freed people who traveled from South Carolina in 1867, with descendants calling it overdue recognition of a shared American story. Community Health & Youth: HopeHealth and the Florence YMCA host a free back-to-school event featuring USC quarterback LaNorris Sellers and his brother Jayden, with activities, healthy snacks, and school supplies. STEM Spotlight: Kingstree Middle Magnet School of the Arts student Conner Burroughs completes the GoSciTech Residential Summer Program, earning a certificate after hands-on STEM learning. Weather & Safety: Charlotte-area residents brace for heavy rains and storms that could bring localized flooding and power outages, with officials urging caution around downed lines. Lowcountry Preservation: Charleston-area communities push to list Sol Legare School and Scanlonville Cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places, supported by Gullah Geechee Heritage Preservation efforts. Public Life & Privacy: A council debate over expanding Flock Safety license-plate cameras raises fresh concerns about surveillance and potential ICE access. Sports & Lifestyle: A South Carolina beach-town travel piece makes the case for swapping the Hamptons for a local favorite. Education & Leadership: The Diocese of Charlotte hires a development leader to chart future stewardship as longtime fundraising chief Jim Kelley transitions roles.

WNBA & City Culture: Chicago is gearing up for the WNBA’s 2026 All-Star Weekend July 24-25, with big games at Wintrust Arena and the United Center plus WNBA Live at McCormick Place (July 23-25) blending sports, music, tech, and fan activations. Revolutionary War Reads & Local History: Two new books for America’s 250th anniversary spotlight the Revolution through regional historic sites—“A Nation’s Heritage” includes South Carolina. South Carolina Courts & Free Speech: A federal lawsuit challenges South Carolina’s tattoo rules, including limits on where tattoo shops can operate near churches/schools/playgrounds and bans on head/neck/face tattoos. Upstate Community & Everyday Life: Greenville County voters will decide in November on a proposed penny roads sales tax after a contentious council vote. Health & Care Access: A new DPI screen guidance for schools urges “purposeful” device use without strict time limits for school-issued devices. Local Sports & Coaching: South Carolina State hires LeAndrea Gillis as an assistant coach for the Lady Bulldogs. Arts in the Upstate: Greenville’s arts scene gets a spotlight, from the Peace Center to symphony and touring shows.

Pawleys Island Church Scandal: The South Carolina Baptist Convention says it’s working with the Pawleys Island Community Church after a sex offender was found working near children at the church-run academy, urging other Baptist congregations to tighten hiring, training, and campus safety. Sen. Lindsey Graham Memorial: Memorial and funeral plans for late Sen. Lindsey Graham are set across Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, with a Capitol Rotunda honor and services at Washington National Cathedral and First Baptist Church in Columbia. GOP Senate Race Filing: Candidate filing is open for South Carolina’s special Republican U.S. Senate primary to replace Graham, with an expected crowded field as Darline Graham, Russell Fry, and Ralph Norman weigh in. Child Safety Lawsuit: Parents of a 14-year-old who died in 2024 filed a wrongful death suit against Edgefield County School District, alleging the school failed to stop ongoing bullying. Public Health: U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with South Carolina cited among early drivers of the resurgence. Food Recall: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled spicy breakfast burritos due to undeclared soy, distributed across multiple states including South Carolina. Community & Youth Sports: Bishop England’s Beyond the Baseline tennis camp is giving kids a free first taste of the sport, while local teams keep rolling toward the 2026 season.