AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Runoff Voting: South Carolinians head back to the polls Tuesday for Republican governor and House runoffs after no one won a majority in the June 9 primary; early voting already topped 72,500 ballots, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trump Endorsement Drama: In the governor runoff, President Trump’s late co-endorsement of both Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson adds another twist to a race that has been heavily shaped by his backing. I-85 Crash Disruption (Upstate): SCDOT reports two right lanes closed on I-85 northbound in Spartanburg County near Cowpens due to a crash, causing backups. Plastics Fight Reaches SC: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway joins a 15-state lawsuit challenging California’s single-use plastics law, with South Carolina listed among the plaintiffs. Carolina Day/America 250 Local Plans: SC250 is pushing “Carolina Days” events across 46 counties tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, with communities using local history to drive celebrations. Fertilizer Costs Hit Farmers: Strait of Hormuz uncertainty is still squeezing South Carolina farmers, with many unable to afford spring planting inputs.

Plastics Act Fight: A 17-state coalition led by Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers, with South Carolina AG Alan Wilson among them, sued to block California’s extended producer responsibility “Plastics Act,” arguing it unlawfully pushes costs and forces out-of-state businesses to comply with California’s packaging rules. Local Transportation: South Carolina’s new “stop as yield” bicycle law takes effect, letting cyclists roll through stop signs and red lights only when the way is clear. Public Safety: Red snapper fishing off South Carolina is paused for now after a federal judge halted the extended season permits, with officials shifting to a fall plan. Education Leadership: SCDE appointed Dr. Elizabeth McDonald as Marlboro County superintendent after blocking the school board’s earlier pick. Mysterious Death: Lexington County’s coroner says fitness trainer Elena Moore’s autopsy found no obvious trauma and the cause of death is still pending toxicology and other tests. Business & Growth: Kendra Scott will open its 4th South Carolina store in the Lowcountry at Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island.

South Carolina Politics: South Carolina voters head to runoff elections Tuesday, with the GOP governor nomination narrowed to Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson, plus a First District congressional fight on both sides of the aisle. State Government & Public Safety: A new report finds South Carolina overdose deaths dropped “very significantly,” but suicides rose—highlighting a mixed public health picture. Local Infrastructure: Columbia leaders are weighing fixes after a fatal drunk-driving crash on the Gervais Street Bridge, where data shows hundreds of collisions over recent years. Health: MUSC’s South Carolina Alzheimer’s Network emphasizes early diagnosis and treatment, noting medications work best when started sooner. Community & Culture: Charleston’s SC250 Revolutionary passport and GooseChase scavenger hunt are inviting locals and visitors to explore historic sites, with a $250 prize drawing for top scorers. Sports: Shane Beamer faced more “hot seat” talk after a 4-8 2025 season, while youth baseball teams advanced in Hanahan and Mt. Pleasant’s district tournaments. Business & Economy: Regulators are scrutinizing private credit exposure at life insurers, and Ohio activists say they won’t get a data-center ban on this year’s ballot.

Attorney General runoff update: South Carolina AG candidate David Stumbo was hospitalized after waking up “not feeling right,” saying doctors admitted him “to be safe” and that he expects to be at full strength for the Tuesday, June 23 runoff. Transportation: SCDOT received a $1 million federal grant to study faster ways to fund and deliver major projects, including private-sector and public-private partnership options. Healthcare workforce: Midlands healthcare leaders will meet June 25 at Lexington Medical Center to tackle staffing shortages and align training with employer needs. Politics and foreign policy: Sen. Lindsey Graham says he expects U.S.-Iran diplomacy to fail and warns the U.S. could take control of the Strait of Hormuz by force if talks collapse. Local community: Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew is launching new beach litter sweeps, including Monday evenings through Labor Day and Thursday nights in July. Sports: Pat Henry, the winningest coach in Division I track and field history, retired from Texas A&M after decades of NCAA titles.

Statehouse Watch: After two weeks of runoff campaigning, South Carolina lawmakers are expected to return to Columbia this week to finish the legislative session, with the state budget still the big unfinished item before the June 30 fiscal year deadline. Runoff Election: Early voting has ended for the June 23 statewide primary runoffs, where Republicans will decide governor (Pamela Evette vs. Alan Wilson), attorney general, and agriculture commissioner, and Democrats will pick a nominee for U.S. House District 2. Juneteenth in Columbia: Juneteenth Freedom Fest at Finlay Park was shut down early after multiple fights involving mostly juveniles, and the city announced a new unaccompanied-minors policy for the park after 5 p.m. Local Government & History: North Augusta opened a permanent America Revolution exhibit at its Arts and Heritage Center, while Charleston’s Mt. Zion AME Church avoided foreclosure after the state AME diocese bought the property for about $1.5 million. Public Safety: Lexington County confirmed the body found in the search for missing personal trainer Elena Moore matched her identity. Sports: Angel Reese became the fastest WNBA player to 1,000 career rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Indiana Fever 113-96, with South Carolina’s Dawn Staley in attendance.

Missing Person Update: Lexington County Coroner confirmed the body found June 17 near Old Cherokee Road is missing personal trainer Elena Moore, with an autopsy scheduled at MUSC and more details expected Monday. State Museum/250th: The South Carolina State Museum will go free for “Salute to 250 Day” on June 27, debuting “American Battleground: South Carolina’s Revolution,” including a Sullivan’s Island-related flag shown publicly for the first time in over a decade, plus a new planetarium show. Roads & Traffic: SCDOT plans lane closures on Pickens Street near USC for pavement repairs, with detours and work running June 22 and into June 23-24. Politics/Runoff: President Trump endorsed both Lt. Gov. Pam Evette and AG Alan Wilson for the June 23 GOP governor runoff, calling it a “wealth of riches.” Sports (SC ties): Angel Reese became the fastest WNBA player to 1,000 career rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Fever 113-96, with Dawn Staley in attendance. Local Health Spending: New Medicaid billing figures show rising costs in multiple SC communities, including Chesterfield’s medical/surgical supplies and Mount Pleasant’s ambulance/transport payments.

Gubernatorial Runoff Shake-Up: President Trump has endorsed both GOP candidates in South Carolina’s June 23 governor runoff—Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson—after previously backing Evette alone, a move that reshapes the race’s momentum. Lowcountry 250th Anniversary: Charleston is rolling out major Carolina Day plans for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, including parades, drone shows, reenactors, and cannon firings at Fort Moultrie. Tourism & Local Growth: Berkeley County is pushing a new Lake Moultrie Waterfront Park and beach as a broader outdoor tourism draw, with a major boat landing and trails leading into the summer season. Business & Jobs: Volvo’s top manufacturing executive for its Ridgeville plant has resigned after about nine months, as the automaker looks to ramp production at the South Carolina site. Public Safety & Health: A body found in South Carolina has been identified as missing fitness trainer Elena Moore, with investigators continuing to sort out what happened. Sports: Texas A&M added South Carolina transfer LHP Logan Prisco from the portal, while Clemson’s Zac Foster is progressing in rehab after an ACL injury.

South Carolina Politics: President Trump upended the June 23 governor runoff by co-endorsing both Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, saying he “can’t hurt” either campaign—an apparent blow to Evette’s “golden ticket” pitch after Trump previously backed her alone. Public Safety: SC Attorney General Alan Wilson announced arrests tied to child sexual exploitation—Christopher Lee Fagiole in Gaston and Davonte A’Landez Young-Menifee in Anderson—both charged after ICAC Task Force investigations. Healthcare Access: MUSC is rethinking patient access, focusing on how people search for care and get connected faster, as digital “front doors” don’t always match real-world bottlenecks. MUSC Health Budget: MUSC Health approved a $10.1B budget for the next fiscal year, driven by pharmacy costs and population growth. Local Crime & Community: Lexington County continues the search for missing trainer Elena Moore after a body was found near Old Cherokee Road, with the case now turned over to SLED. Sports & Local Interest: South Carolina’s baseball scene keeps moving—Kevin Schnall was introduced as the Gamecocks’ new head coach, while recruiting chatter continues around the 2027 class.

South Carolina Attorney General race: The GOP attorney general runoff is down to two Republicans—state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch and 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo—each pitching courtroom experience for the state’s top law enforcement job. Local courts and growth: Richland County is weighing a new courthouse on state-owned land in Columbia, with documents pointing to a potential site and a project cap of up to $200 million. Environment: Congaree Riverkeeper sued a plant after alleging it discharged 10,000+ plastic pellets and other pollutants into the Congaree River near the national park. Politics and loyalty fights: Ted Cruz’s endorsement of Alan Wilson for governor is still sparking backlash from Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who is pushing back on Cruz and Wilson’s Iran-deal stance. Public safety law: A new South Carolina rule lets cyclists treat red lights like stop signs and stop signs like yields, aiming to reduce sensor-trigger delays and improve traffic flow. Culture and tourism: Charleston is rolling out America 250-themed menus and experiences tied to Revolutionary War history. Sports/college: Erskine baseball’s Due West roots and a local baseball journey highlight how small-town ties keep players coming back.

Road Work in Five Points: SCDOT will start daily lane closures on Harden Street beginning June 22, with northbound work June 22-24 and southbound June 25-26 (weather permitting), plus daily single-lane closures June 29–July 10. Public Safety Reminder: Officials are urging drivers and caregivers to prevent hot-car tragedies by making back-seat checks a routine. Fire Tragedy Remembered: Mount Pleasant marked the Sofa Super Store fire anniversary, honoring the nine firefighters who died when a small trash fire turned deadly. Major Fire in Oconee County: Crews responded to an explosion and blaze at Fall Creek Boat Storage near Lake Keowee; four storage buildings were damaged and two were total losses, with gasoline from boats complicating firefighting. Education Leadership: Charleston County School District launched a Principal-In-Residence program to build a leadership pipeline. Legal News: Former court clerk Becky Hill asked a federal judge to dismiss Alex Murdaugh’s jury-tampering lawsuit; a status hearing is set later this month. Immigration Proposal: SC Rep. Ralph Norman introduced a bill to create a public ICE database of criminal illegal aliens released from federal custody. Community Health: Columbia rolled out South Carolina’s first data-driven Naloxone vending program. Summer Meals: USDA maps now help families find free summer meals in South Carolina and Georgia.

Missing Person Update: Lexington police say a body found in the search for personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore, 39, matches the clothing description from when she vanished after leaving Planet Fitness on June 11; officials are awaiting coroner identification and SLED has been asked to investigate. Public Safety: Investigators are also probing the disappearance’s lead-up, including surveillance footage and a public tip that helped narrow the search area. Local Transit: Greenville County’s Greenlink bus system is underfunded and riders say trips can take hours due to limited routes; officials are weighing new routes and a possible transportation penny sales tax. Education Growth: Berkeley County School District has completed Midtown Middle School and Bee Tree Elementary, adding capacity for more than 2,400 students in the 2026-27 school year. Economic Development: Cheney Brothers opened a $108.5M Florence distribution facility creating about 365 jobs, while Greenville Area Development Corp. reports $94.2B in cumulative impact over 25 years. Politics & Debate: In the SC GOP governor runoff, coverage highlights clashes over free speech and campus funding, with candidates trading attacks ahead of early voting.

Gun Rights Clash in Horry County: Forest Pines Condominiums told residents firearms won’t be allowed in “shared property” areas like the pool, clubhouse, sidewalks and parking—sparking backlash over whether the HOA can do it without proper state-required signage. Education Policy: South Carolina ETV and Public Radio launched “The Education Beat: Evidence to Excellence,” a new weekly podcast turning Education Oversight Committee research into stories for families and educators. Health & Safety Law: South Carolina’s nitrous oxide “laughing gas” rules are moving forward, with enforcement tied to SLED. Public Safety Prep: Duke Energy and local officials will test outdoor nuclear warning sirens around Catawba and McGuire on July 1. Local Community & History: SC State 1890 Extension is partnering with the St. George Rosenwald School to expand youth leadership, STEM, nutrition, and small-business training. Sports Spotlight: LSU’s 2027 class keeps surging with 5-star edge Chris Whitehead, who picked LSU over South Carolina, Virginia Tech and others.

SC Governor Runoff: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson traded sharp attacks in a Coastal Carolina University debate ahead of the June 23 runoff, with both sides clashing on endorsements, abortion, taxes, and how to handle speech and attack ads on college campuses. Energy & Industry: The S.C. Public Service Commission cleared Dominion and Santee Cooper’s $5 billion Lowcountry power plant near the Edisto River, a major step toward a 2033 target as the project faces remaining state and federal permitting. Local Governance & Growth: York and Chester counties are moving to manage the fast-growing data center boom—York considering a 9-month application pause while Chester adopted zoning and building standards. Housing & Economy: A new federal housing deal in Congress includes a ban on a central bank digital currency until 2030, while a national report shows foreclosure filings rising year over year, with South Carolina among the higher-rate states. Public Safety & Health: SLED will enforce a new S.C. law restricting nitrous oxide sales to minors. Weather: Tropical moisture is expected to bring widespread rain and storm chances across South Carolina midweek into the holiday period. Sports: South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer says the RB room has depth to rebound after 2025 rushing struggles.

South Carolina Courts & Public Safety: The S.C. Supreme Court heard arguments over how much information can stay secret about executions under the state’s expanded secrecy law, a fight tied to a federal ACLU challenge. Health & Consumer Watch: Aldi pulled about 500,000 packs of mac and cheese after an undeclared allergen recall, while federal officials also flagged other food safety concerns affecting shoppers in the Palmetto State. Local Crime: The state AG announced new arrests tied to child sexual exploitation cases in Lancaster and Lexington counties. Public Health & Environment: Two separate developments are raising alarms—state officials confirmed a rabid fox exposure in Greenwood County, and a coalition of attorneys general urged the EPA to study whether the abortion drug mifepristone contaminates drinking water. Business & Jobs: AmbioPharm plans a nearly $120M Aiken County expansion, adding 200 jobs. Sports & Community: The South Carolina Stingrays named Jesse Kallechy as head coach, and early voting for upcoming SC primary runoffs begins Wednesday.

GOP Runoff Watch: U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman became the third major endorser for AG Alan Wilson ahead of the June 23 runoff, underscoring how tight South Carolina’s governor race remains as Evette and Wilson trade closing attacks. Civil Rights Legacy: Rev. Simon P. Bouie, who led a 1960 Columbia lunch-counter sit-in and later saw his case cleared, has died, leaving a lasting mark on the state’s civil-rights history. Local Government: Spartanburg County Council voted unanimously to pursue a moratorium on new data centers while state lawmakers consider rules, responding to residents’ concerns about power and water demands. Healthcare Growth: Novant Health hit a construction milestone for its first Greenville medical campus, with a hospital and related facilities planned to open in phases starting late 2026/2027. Community & Culture: Charleston’s Two Blokes Brewing is expanding with a second downtown location, while the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund celebrated 600+ recipients statewide. Public Safety: Lexington police continue searching for missing 39-year-old Elena Katherine Moore after a multi-agency sweep found no trace.

Local Public Health: Columbia launched South Carolina’s first naloxone vending program, placing the overdose-reversal drug in high-need public spaces via smart machines with step-by-step instructions and QR-linked training. Courts & Environment: A federal judge ruled the Trump administration illegally cut environmental justice grants, a decision that could affect $20 million in funding rescinded from the Walker River Paiute Tribe. State Politics & Health Policy: Republican attorneys general, including South Carolina’s, urged the EPA to classify the abortion medication mifepristone as a water contaminant, arguing it threatens waterways despite experts saying there’s no proof of harm. Crime & Safety: SLED charged a fifth person in a Chester County drive-by killing of a 16-year-old boy; four of the five face murder charges. Sports (SC): USC running back Sam Williams-Dixon was suspended indefinitely after an arrest tied to alleged vehicle break-ins and thefts. Infrastructure: Greenville reopened the Church Street bridge after a $30 million rehabilitation project. Business & Retail: West Marine filed for bankruptcy and plans to close 59 stores nationwide, including four in South Carolina.