AGP Executive Report

America 250 & SC history: The S.C. State Museum unveiled a new long-term exhibit built around a 250-year-old indigo flag tied to the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, using it to dig into the “big, messy” meaning of the Revolution—including the enslaved people who helped build the palmetto fort. Local heritage walks: A new Revolutionary War stroll and other “take a walk on the Revolutionary side” features are pushing residents to experience 18th-century Charleston and Midlands history firsthand, from colonial landmarks to deeper stories underfoot. Health care: A report says Trump-era Medicaid cuts are driving a health coverage crisis in South Carolina, with more than 70,000 losing Medicaid and about 45,000 leaving ACA-subsidized plans, raising fears of higher premiums and hospital closures. Local government: Greenwood County residents pressed for stronger protections in proposed data center rules, focusing on noise, setbacks, water, and enforcement as council heads toward a final vote. Holiday logistics: For the July 4 weekend, federal closures and mail delays are in play, with July 3 observed for many services since July 4 falls on a Saturday. Sports & recruiting: East Carolina softball added four Power Four transfers, while South Carolina football continues to land major commitments heading into 2026.

250th Anniversary, Civil Rights History: A new look back at the civil rights era highlights President Lyndon Johnson’s push for the Voting Rights Act after Selma-era violence and national outrage. Local Law Enforcement: SLED is investigating a Dorchester County deputy-involved shooting in Summerville; the suspect, Ismael Clark, was killed after a burglary call and an encounter where a bottle was treated as a pistol. Courts & Public Safety: A Charleston County magistrate, James Gosnell Jr., pleaded guilty in federal court to child sexual abuse material charges and must register as a convicted sex offender. Missing Person Effort: Authorities are still seeking help identifying skeletal remains found in Jasper County, believed to be an African American male missing for up to five years. Sports & State Pride: South Carolina’s women’s basketball is fully in its Nike era, with Dawn Staley posting A’ja Wilson shoes in Gamecock colors; separately, the Gamecocks landed 2027 CB Joshua Dobson. Weather & Holiday Planning: Forecasters warn of dangerous heat and possible severe storms around the Fourth of July weekend. Culture & Community: Charleston marked the USPS’s Revolutionary-era roots with a ceremony at 83 Broad St.

Healthcare Expansion: Prisma Health broke ground on a $180M Fountain Inn Medical Park, a 50-acre campus slated to open in Dec. 2027 with a 4-story 130,000-square-foot medical office, 200+ exam rooms, and more than a dozen specialties. Local Housing Pressure: Beaufort mobile home park tenants say new owners Hilanda MHP will double lot fees starting July 1, jumping from about $350 to $700 a month, with residents calling it unsustainable. Public Safety Reminder: Duke Energy and county officials will test outdoor warning sirens around the Brunswick Nuclear Plant July 1 (10–11 a.m.), with no action needed during the drill. Community Giving: Myrtle Beach Corvette Club presented $1,000 checks to Hope Harbor Home and Canine Angels during its Corvettes at the Beach show. Legal/Justice: A former Pickens County teacher, Nicole Ballew Callaham, was indicted for alleged grooming of a teen, including second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Business/Real Estate: UMH Properties reported strong Q2 results, including higher rental income and home sales, and Brunswick County real estate hit its best May in five years.

Budget & governance: South Carolina lawmakers missed the state budget deadline, leaving government operating under a continuing resolution as negotiations drag into mid-July. Elections & voting rules: Attorney General Alan Wilson and other state leaders are weighing in on voter ID and election rules after court fights, with advocates warning redistricting and voting changes could sideline millions before midterms. Public health: A rabid raccoon in Columbia exposed two people, prompting health officials to urge anyone with contact to seek medical guidance and report bites or scratches. Weather & safety: The state is bracing for a heat wave over the July 4 weekend, with heat index values near advisory levels; Highway Patrol and DNR are stepping up patrols and boat checks. Local impacts: Loris declared a severe drought emergency, tightening water-use thresholds for customers. Business & growth: Novant is planning a new hospital in Nexton near I-26, and Costco filed plans for a third Charleston-area store in North Charleston. Community & culture: America’s 250th celebrations continue statewide, including July 4 events and Revolutionary War programming.

Independence Day & Heat Watch: South Carolina is bracing for a heat dome over the July 4 weekend, with forecasts pushing heat index values near advisory levels and raising concerns for outdoor plans. Public Health Access: Columbia unveiled South Carolina’s first data-driven naloxone vending machine, stocked through a local opioid relief partnership and designed to reduce stigma and speed up overdose response. State Budget Crunch: South Carolina lawmakers missed the budget deadline, starting the fiscal year under a continuing resolution while negotiators return July 14 to settle differences. Transportation Updates: SCDOT closed the 5th Avenue South bridge over Myrtle Swash in Horry County for emergency repairs, with detours posted. Business & Jobs: BMW completed its $1.7B South Carolina expansion, setting up local production of the next-generation X5 and new battery work in Woodruff. Local Safety & Crime: Federal prosecutors charged a former S.C. corrections officer and others in a bribery scheme tied to Lee Correctional Institution, involving more than $550,000.

State Budget Stalemate: South Carolina lawmakers ended the 2026 fiscal year without a state budget, pushing state government onto a continuing resolution for at least two more weeks while House and Senate negotiators try to bridge hundreds of millions in differences. Courts & Public Safety: Alex Murdaugh’s retrial fight is heating up as prosecutors push back on defense requests tied to Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails DNA and a bid to review case materials electronically. Sports & Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women competing in girls’ sports, leaving South Carolina’s 2022 law intact. Health & Community: South Carolina’s kidney transplant waitlist remains heavy, with 1,727 of 1,800 candidates waiting for kidneys as African Americans lag in securing placement. Economy & Jobs: BMW is rolling out the next-generation X5 at its Greer campus after a $1.7 billion South Carolina expansion, and Calhoun County approved an Amazon facility deal expected to bring about 100 full-time jobs. Holiday Risks: Extreme drought and triple-digit heat are raising wildfire risk for Fourth of July plans, and SCDNR is scheduling courtesy boat inspections statewide.

Politics & Voting: The SC GOP adopted a rule change pushing for “closed primaries,” requiring voters to register as Republicans—setting up a likely lawsuit over whether the state must enforce it. Courts & Corruption: Former North Charleston Councilman Jerome Heyward faces sentencing today in a federal corruption case tied to bribes and influence-peddling. NCAA Sports: The NCAA approved a new age-based eligibility model (“five years to play five seasons”), cutting most redshirts and limiting waivers. Health & Community: Prisma Health received $1.6M from the Duke Endowment to expand a maternal-and-infant screening and referral program across the Carolinas. Public Safety: SC Highway Patrol is investigating a Williamsburg County crash that killed a Jeep passenger after a turn collision with a semitruck. Weather: A dangerous heat wave is building across the eastern U.S., with record highs and extreme heat alerts reaching into the Carolinas. Holiday Military: “Salute from the Shore” will bring military flyovers along the SC coastline for July 4.

Court Watch: Alex Murdaugh’s murder retrial is tentatively set to begin April 5, 2027, after a Monday pretrial hearing in Lexington laid out a tight schedule and discovery deadlines. Transportation & Roads: A new South Carolina law reshapes SCDOT by eliminating its commission and placing the transportation secretary in the governor’s cabinet, while also setting up “choice lanes” and funding a $15 million pothole mitigation program. Heat & Travel: AAA expects a record 72.2 million Americans to travel for the July 4 holiday week, with most driving and extreme heat adding to congestion and safety concerns. Utilities & Water: Severe drought conditions in the Pee Dee River Basin have triggered water limits for Grand Strand and Pee Dee customers, with stricter excess-use charges starting July 1. Energy Costs: Gas prices continue to fall, with South Carolina averaging about $3.47 a gallon. Community Support: A new library “pantry fridge” in Mansfield is stocked with fresh produce and essentials for people in need. Public Safety Training: Marion County completed autism emergency response training to improve communication and de-escalation during crises.

WNBA Spotlight: South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson and Kamilla Cardoso teamed up in the spotlight Sunday as the Aces beat the Chicago Sky 107-99; Wilson poured in 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Cardoso added 24 points and eight boards. Local Education: Aiken County Public School District named Dr. Charlene Heard assistant superintendent of elementary schools, citing strong gains at Warrenville Elementary. Public Safety & Weather: Dominion Energy met with South Carolina local governments to prep for hurricane season, stressing coordination and vegetation management. Health Policy: Medicare begins covering weight-loss drugs July 1 under a temporary pilot, a major shift for seniors who can’t afford current prices. Fishing Rules: New Red Drum regulations kick in July 1, including a lower daily harvest limit and a revised size slot. Community & Outdoors: Bluffton officials reminded residents that personal fireworks are banned in town limits, pointing families to the July 3 professional show. Sports Notes: Upstate high school girls soccer and football wide receiver rankings highlighted top performers ahead of the 2026 SCHSL season. Legal Watch: Alex Murdaugh is back in court Monday for a status and scheduling hearing tied to his retrial fight.

Carolina Day & Sullivan’s Island: Fort Moultrie marked the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island with cannon volleys and Revolutionary War reenactments, tying today’s celebration to the fight that helped spark American independence. Public Safety: A Surfside Beach-area five-vehicle crash sent three people to the hospital, while separate reports also described a Sumter-area shooting leaving one dead and two hurt. Weather Watch: The Upstate is bracing for near-record heat and storm chances through the week, with highs pushing toward 100 degrees and additional Independence Day heat and shower risk. Local Honors: Retired Fort Jackson command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian received South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto for decades of service. Education Leadership: Lexington County School District One named Dr. KaRon L. Webb as the next principal of White Knoll High School starting July 2026. Sports & Recruiting: South Carolina football picked up a commitment from Hammond linebacker Jackson Ross, a potential boost in what could be a big recruiting stretch.

Revolutionary Rewind (SC250): Charleston marked Carolina Day at the U.S. Customs House with live music, colonial dance lessons, reenactments, and a drone show—plus a focus on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island. Flag Mystery: A new look at the South Carolina state flag’s white emblem reopens the debate over whether it’s a crescent, moon, or gorget, tracing competing interpretations back to William Moultrie’s Revolutionary-era descriptions. Local Law & Safety: Lawmakers reached a compromise on a DUI bill aimed at closing loopholes that can get cases dismissed, tightening blood-draw standards, raising penalties for serious injuries, and expanding ignition interlock use. Data Privacy: South Carolina residents may be affected by an AssuranceAmerica breach reported to the state, with records indicating exposure of names, SSNs, and driver-license information for about 611,000 people. Weather Watch: The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Upstate South Carolina, including areas around Anderson. Sports & Community: USC safety competition heats up as the Gamecocks prepare for a multi-headed look at the position, while the South Carolina Stingrays’ assistant coach Scott Davidson is set to join the Atlanta Gladiators’ staff. Lottery: Powerball numbers for June 27 were 3-16-28-30-59 (Powerball 11).

Carolina Day in Charleston: The 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island kicked off with cannon salutes, reenactors, and a parade that drew visitors from across the country, including a 7-year-old who marched to honor an ancestor’s Revolutionary War service. Public safety weather: Severe thunderstorm warnings hit the Carolinas, including upstate South Carolina and the Charlotte metro, with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail possible. Food recall: Reser’s Fine Foods recalled “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad” after it was mislabeled and may actually be chicken salad with undeclared egg and milk allergens; affected tubs were sold in South Carolina and other states. Legal fight over books: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined a multi-state push backing local library control over removing materials, arguing taxpayer-funded libraries should decide what’s on shelves. Local crime: Dorchester County deputies investigated a dog attack on Chemistry Circle that left a child dead and an adult injured. Sports & campus: The Citadel named three athletes to Academic All-SoCon teams, while Clemson landed a commitment from cornerback Jayden Aparicio-Bailey.

South Carolina Politics: Attorney General Alan Wilson cruised to the GOP nomination for governor in Tuesday’s runoff, beating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette by more than 2-to-1, while the same low turnout drew sharp criticism from editorial voices. State Arts Funding: The S.C. Arts Commission delayed a vote on $3.7 million in grants after board members raised concerns about whether some awards could conflict with a Trump executive order on gender identity. Local Governance & Growth: Spartanburg County’s data-center moratorium debate is being framed as a public-trust issue—critics say incentives and decisions weren’t handled transparently enough. Revolutionary War Commemoration: Charleston and Sullivan’s Island are gearing up for Carolina Day and the 250th anniversary events, including a “Countdown to Victory” wrap-up on the Battle of Sullivan’s Island and museum displays tied to the Revolution. Public Safety & Services: Berkeley County approved a $377.4 million budget that keeps its property tax rate steady while adding EMS, sheriff/detention, 911 staffing, and pay raises.

SEC Basketball Schedule: The SEC set 2026-27 men’s basketball home-and-away opponents in a single round-robin, with LSU facing Arkansas and Texas A&M as permanent opponents and South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and others on the Tigers’ slate. Local Government Transparency: Greenville County must change how it adopts budgets after a lawsuit over a closed-door poll and lobbying ahead of a 2023 budget vote; the county also agreed to pay $40,000 in attorney fees. SC Politics & Courts: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson’s office opposed Alex Murdaugh’s bid to appear unshackled and in civilian clothes for his retrial, calling him “not special,” and the motion was withdrawn. State Law & Food: South Carolina passed a shrimp labeling bill requiring restaurants to say whether shrimp is domestically caught or imported; it heads to the governor. Energy & Tech: Counties across South Carolina are pausing data center development as residents push back over power demands, with Spartanburg holding a public meeting on a major proposed project. Sports Hall of Fame: Clemson legend Barbara Kennedy-Dixon is set for posthumous induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

State Worker Family Policy: South Carolina lawmakers have approved an expansion of paid parental leave for state employees, adding four weeks for co-parents, foster parents, and adoptive parents; it now heads to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk. Public Health & Heat: With extreme heat and humidity expected, South Carolina counties are seeing the highest heat-related hospitalizations, and officials are urging residents—especially outdoor workers—to watch for heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke. Cybersecurity: A new report says two-thirds of South Carolina’s largest businesses are still vulnerable to common email scams, with low adoption of DMARC leaving organizations exposed to phishing and fraud. Energy & Industry: A US Geological Survey assessment suggests the Carolinas may sit on major untapped lithium resources, a potential boost as battery storage demand rises alongside growth in AI data centers. Arts & Culture: Julianna Margulies is set to executive produce the documentary “Sister Senators,” focused on South Carolina lawmakers who formed a pro-choice coalition to block a near-total abortion ban. Local History: Darlington broke ground on the Darlington African American Museum at 131 Pearl Street, aiming to preserve the legacy of Black-owned businesses on the historic strip.

US-CHINA AUTO POLICY: Polestar says the Trump administration is forcing it to stop selling in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year after the Commerce Department denied authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, a move tied to national-security concerns over connected-vehicle tech linked to China; the company says its Polestar 3 is built in South Carolina, but Geely ownership still blocks sales. PORTS & ECONOMY: SC Ports will pause operations at the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston starting Aug. 1 and consolidate container work to Wando and North Charleston as volumes soften and costs rise. FAMILY & WORKPLACE: South Carolina lawmakers approved an expansion of paid parental leave for state employees, including doubling leave for non-birthing parents and adding stillbirth as a qualifying event, sending the bill to Gov. Henry McMaster. HEALTH & SAFETY: A heat dome is expected to push Upstate temperatures toward the 100s with heat indexes near 113. COURTS: In the Alex Murdaugh retrial fight, his lawyers seek a new venue and independent DNA testing of material reportedly found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails. LOCAL: Water service will be interrupted for several SC State University buildings for 4–6 hours on June 26.