AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Senate: With the Aug. 11 special GOP primary set after Lindsey Graham’s death, the race is tightening: Darline Graham is pushing a pro-Trump, anti-filibuster message, while polling and final-campaign stops show a competitive field that could still head to a runoff. Judicial Selection: Four judges have filed to seek a vacant associate justice seat on the S.C. Supreme Court, with the application window closing Aug. 24. Transportation Safety: SCDOT and Lowcountry partners celebrated completion of the 700 Crosswalk project, adding safer crossings across six counties. Local Economy: South Carolina’s tax-free weekend is drawing shoppers, with North Augusta small businesses reporting big foot-traffic gains. Weather: A severe thunderstorm warning hit parts of the Upstate, with damaging wind and hail concerns. Public Safety & Health: Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Pickens County, and a separate Upstate report highlights a restaurant server honored for CPR that saved a customer’s life. Community & Education: Rock Hill Schools is partnering on online safety and sextortion prevention assemblies and a parent forum.

Foster Care Support: Lowcountry Orphan Relief says it’s on track to pack more “care kits” for kids headed into foster care, topping last year’s pace with 5,100 kits assembled in 2025 and 200–300 more expected this year, including clothing, toiletries, school supplies and a stuffed animal “just-in-case” touch. Gamecocks Basketball: USC confirms point guard Maddy McDaniel won’t return, leaving the team to regroup before the Nov. 2 deadline and plan for a roster reshuffle after her mental-health break became a permanent exit. Highway Safety: South Carolina State Transport Police named Lance Cpl. Preston R. Kirk its 2025 Officer of the Year, citing nearly 900 inspections and taking more than 150 drivers and 51 commercial vehicles out of service. Public Safety Tragedy: Anderson County coroner reports a 44-year-old man died in a head-on crash after crossing the center line on Highway 81; the other driver was taken to the hospital. Food Safety Watch: Health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican jalapeños, with illnesses reported across 27 states. National Policy: The U.S. Senate passed sweeping Russia sanctions legislation backed by late Sen. Lindsey Graham, setting up House action next.

South Carolina Senate primary: Early voting is underway for the special Republican U.S. Senate primary to replace the late Lindsey Graham, with polls open Aug. 11 and a possible runoff Aug. 25; only voters who backed the June 9 Republican primary (or didn’t vote) can participate, and election officials are urging people to double-check locations at SCVotes.gov. Local politics and schools: In Dorchester County School District Four, 19 families met to raise concerns after a fourth-grade teacher publicly transitioned, while in Greenville a rezoning proposal could threaten the site of the city’s only African American history museum. Public safety and health: SCDOT says it has installed 700-plus pedestrian safety upgrades across the Charleston tri-county area, and South Carolina is also watching foodborne illness fallout as outbreaks tied to lettuce and jalapeños continue to spread. Sports: South Carolina women’s basketball point guard Maddy McDaniel has withdrawn and will not return, reshaping the Gamecocks’ roster heading into the 2026-27 season. Conservation: SCDNR and SCETV launched “Into the Wild,” a new daily conservation storytelling segment.

Cybersecurity & Health Care: AnMed says it’s still running in limited capacity 10 days after a malware attack, with about 10 locations closed and imaging among the last services to return. Education Policy: South Carolina’s new law bans grade floors in public schools, and DPH updated vaccine requirements for the 2026-27 school year, including varicella for high school seniors and hepatitis A for sixth-graders. Public Safety: A three-vehicle crash in Carolina Forest left five people injured and prompted an investigation by South Carolina Highway Patrol. Food Safety: A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak has sickened 345 people across 27 states; Chipotle and Qdoba pulled the ingredient after FDA tracing to a common grower in Mexico. Politics: In the GOP Senate primary race to replace Lindsey Graham, candidates are sharpening attacks on issues like data centers and solar, with debates intensifying ahead of the final stretch. Local Business & Community: Armada Law Injury Attorneys donated 20 stocked backpacks to United Way of Greenville County’s School Tools campaign.

SC Politics & Courts: The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Danny Ford II stays on the special U.S. Senate primary ballot, citing voter confusion concerns after early voting began. Elections & Voting Access: The ACLU of South Carolina asked to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the GOP’s push to close Republican primaries to registered Republicans only, arguing taxpayers fund open primaries run by election officials. Public Safety & Health: Horry County residents say an HOA won’t act after an alligator killed a dog, despite an SCDNR nuisance permit. Environment & Infrastructure: St. Helena Island neighbors are urging SCDOT to clear a clogged tidal ditch after a pond became a fish graveyard. Local Growth & Business: Columbia City Council approved the Vista Business Improvement District to boost cleanliness and safety starting in 2027. Economy & Jobs: Marlboro County is mourning the executive director of economic development, Tonny McNeil. Sports: Shane Beamer says South Carolina is in a holding pattern on a new NCAA eligibility change as preseason practice approaches; Clemson practice photos also rolled in. Consumer Watch: South Carolina’s tax-free weekend runs Aug. 7-9, with guidance on what’s eligible and how to avoid scams.

Citadel case update: South Carolina’s Citadel cadet Dustin Rose was killed in Florida alongside his childhood friend, and investigators say a 17-year-old suspect has been arrested as detectives look at the victims’ phones for a possible motive. Elections: The S.C. Supreme Court rejected the GOP’s late bid to remove Danny Ford II from the Republican Senate primary ballot, keeping him in the Aug. 11 race as early voting continues. Courts: A federal judge tossed Alex Murdaugh’s $600,000 lawsuit against former Colleton County clerk Becky Hill, saying Hill’s alleged misconduct wasn’t the cause of the legal fees sought. Public safety: A Richland County father was charged after a gun was found hidden in his baby’s crib during a search warrant. Health: A salmonella outbreak tied to recalled jalapeños has spread to 27 states; Qdoba and Chipotle removed jalapeños from menus as CDC investigations continue, with South Carolina among the affected states. Local life: Brunswick County planners will review two large housing developments and a revision Aug. 10. Lottery: Powerball jackpot climbed to about $856 million after no winner Aug. 5.

Food Safety: A salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations reported and no deaths so far. The CDC and FDA traced the peppers to jalapeños supplied by a common grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors; Chipotle and Qdoba removed jalapeños from menus, and the distributor is recalling the product. Local Politics: South Carolina voters are back at the polls for the special U.S. Senate Republican primary to replace Lindsey Graham, with early voting underway in places like York County and a tight schedule leading to the Aug. 11 election (runoff Aug. 25 if needed). Public Health: South Carolina’s drought conditions are easing in some areas, but the USDA has designated 10 counties as primary natural disaster areas, including Williamsburg County, making farmers eligible for emergency drought loans. Education/Schools: Clarendon County School District says employees will keep getting paid under 2025-26 salary schedules until lawmakers approve a state budget, with retroactive pay planned once funding is in place. Business/Industry: Smith Drug Company says it plans to transition operations, including its Paragould facility, as part of broader consolidation in pharmaceutical distribution. Sports/Community: South Carolina Gamecocks preseason coverage continues, including expectations that multiple freshman defensive backs could see real snaps this fall.

Public Health: Dorchester District officials say a tuberculosis case was identified at Summerville High School, with exposure tied to the end of the 2025–26 school year; DPH is recommending TB testing for students flagged through contact tracing, with forms due Aug. 11. Mosquito Watch: Richland County confirmed its first West Nile-positive mosquito samples of the 2026 season, and vector crews plan targeted spraying between midnight and dawn, asking residents to stay indoors when trucks are nearby. Elections: Early voting is underway for South Carolina’s Aug. 11 special GOP U.S. Senate primary to replace Lindsey Graham, with 10 candidates listed after a judge ordered Danny Ford II added to the ballot; voting runs through Aug. 7. Crime: DeLand, Florida police issued an arrest warrant for 17-year-old Keyan Rundell in the killing of Citadel cadet Dustin Rose and Samson Campbell, calling him armed and dangerous. Back-to-School Health: A national measles count hit a 35-year high as kids return to classrooms, with South Carolina among states carrying major case burden. Workforce & Training: Duke Energy Foundation is backing Greenville Tech’s new Center for Welding and Automation Excellence with welding kits for students.

SC GOP Senate ballot fight: A Richland County judge ordered Danny Ford II back on South Carolina’s special GOP primary ballot, saying the party’s eligibility rule was applied inconsistently and lacked clear definitions; the SCGOP has appealed and asked the state Supreme Court to keep him off. Public safety & health: South Carolina overdose deaths fell in 2024 (1,481, down 31.3%), but fentanyl remains central to fatalities; Mount Pleasant also proclaimed August Overdose Awareness Month with free local resources. Infrastructure: FAA awarded $870M nationwide for airport projects, including $3.7M for Charleston International Airport terminal expansion. Crime: Richland County reported 105 AT&T copper thefts in the past year, with three arrests tied to stolen telecom cable. Elections & voting access: Early voting rules and ballot-challenge timelines are under debate in other states, while SC’s own primary drama heats up. Environment & pests: Yellow-legged hornets have been detected in Georgia and South Carolina, with researchers warning pollinator risks.

Insurance Fraud: SLED charged Matthew Jo Von Coaxum, 45, with forging documents and presenting false insurance claims worth $10,000+ after a Department of Insurance request; SLED previously charged two other people in the same probe. Politics (SC Senate): Five GOP candidates faced off in the special primary debate for Lindsey Graham’s seat, with Darline Graham, Russell Fry, Ralph Norman, Mark Sanford and Mark Lynch all pitching support for Trump’s agenda ahead of Aug. 11 voting and possible Aug. 25 runoff. Public Safety: A 13-year-old was arrested in Georgetown County after investigators say he threatened to “shoot up” a school; officials say the student had no access to firearms. Weather: Forecasters flagged a localized damaging wind threat for parts of western Carolinas Tuesday, including the Asheville–Charlotte–Greenville–Rock Hill area. Food Safety: Lidl expanded a cookie recall in South Carolina and other states due to undeclared allergens. Lottery: Powerball climbed to an estimated $786 million for the next drawing Aug. 5.

SC Senate primary: Polling for the Aug. 11 GOP special election to replace the late Lindsey Graham suggests a runoff is likely, with Russell Fry, Darline Graham, Ralph Norman and Mark Sanford leading in recent surveys. Local roads: Bennettsville drivers are fed up with cracked, patched roads and decades of deferred maintenance, as city leaders say funding is the main bottleneck. Public safety: A Richland County crash early Sunday killed the driver after the car left the road, hit a tree and power pole, and overturned; S.C. Highway Patrol is still investigating. Education & health: Fort Mill students returned to class amid lingering concerns about the Silfab Solar facility after earlier chemical leak reports and a zoning fight. Tech & law: Red-state AGs, including S.C.’s, warned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to preserve records over an alleged AI containment failure and hacking probe. Back-to-school savings: South Carolina’s tax-free weekend runs Aug. 7-9 for eligible school supplies, tech, clothing/footwear and select bed/bath items. Sports: Sidney Rice is named No. 19 on the Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary all-time team.

York County Elections: Filing opens Monday for 14 nonpartisan school board seats across York County districts, with no filing fee and all qualified candidates advancing to the Nov. 3 general election. Public Health: South Carolina health officials are urging families to double-check immunization records for the 2026-27 school year as schedules get updated but no new vaccines are added. Weather: The National Weather Service warns waterspouts are possible along the SC coast after an EF0 tornado was rated near Folly Beach over the weekend. Safety & Crime: South Carolina State University begins new campus security with electronic ID verification and gate changes for freshmen move-in; in Sumter County, deputies are investigating a partially burned body found in a wooded area. Politics: A potential GOP Senate candidate, Danny Ford II, sues the South Carolina GOP after being disqualified from the ballot under a new party voting-rule; a hearing is set Monday. Economy/Business: SC’s Tax Free Weekend runs Aug. 7-9, and Carowinds will host a new Friday the 13th-themed Six Flags haunted maze this Halloween.

NFL & Local Sports: Jadeveon Clowney is reuniting with the Houston Texans on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, bringing the former No. 1 pick back after a 2025 season with the Cowboys. College Football: CBS Sports spotlights South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers as one of the SEC’s most elusive quarterbacks ahead of the Gamecocks’ Sept. 26 matchup with Alabama. State & Local Government: The S.C. Department of Commerce is distributing more than $7.7 million in Spring 2026 community development grants to eight communities for sewer and drainage upgrades. Courts & Industry: York County Council took no action after an executive session tied to a “final order” affirming zoning limits on Silfab Solar’s Fort Mill manufacturing site, with a reconsideration hearing set for Aug. 26. Public Safety: Greenville police are asking for help finding 83-year-old Eleanor “Merrill” Pritham, last seen driving a red Kia Soul with Florida plates. Community: South Paw Rescue in Surfside Beach secured its first permanent building, aiming to open an adoption center and community hub by September.

Politics & Voting: Democrats’ DNC rules panel is set South Carolina as the first stop in the 2028 presidential primary, with Iowa left out again—an early test of the party’s shifting coalition. State Government & Elections: In Greenwood County, polling sites for the Aug. 11 GOP special Senate primary were moved because schools are in session, and voters may need to double-check locations. Public Safety: DeLand, Florida police executed a search warrant tied to a July 29 double homicide, with two men found shot multiple times. Health: The U.S. is seeing a record measles resurgence, with clusters including South Carolina, raising pressure on local health departments to act fast. Environment & Planning: South Carolina preservation groups warn proposed federal changes to the Section 106 historic review process could weaken local input and protections. Weather: Storms continue across South Carolina on Aug. 2, with radar and alerts emphasized for Sunday afternoon. Local Tech & Fraud: Surfside Beach leaders are investigating a cyber scam that diverted about $549,000 meant for utility work.

Racial Reckoning in Greenwood: The GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site unveiled new markers for two lynching victims in Greenwood County—Robert Davis (1906) and Bennie Thompson (1933)—highlighting how mobs denied due process and left no one held responsible. Public Safety Tragedy: Lexington County’s dive team suffered a loss when Master Deputy Jillian Olson, 29, died during underwater training on Lake Murray; the coroner is investigating. GOP Senate Primary Spotlight: Nine Republican candidates drew a big crowd at River Bluff High School in Lexington, pitching voters ahead of the Aug. 11 special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Food Safety Alert: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries in eight states, including South Carolina, due to possible E. coli contamination. Education Funding: The SC Education Lottery transferred $606.8 million to schools in FY2026, the second-largest education payout on record. Health Care Dollars: Charleston Medicaid providers reported $6,106 in 2024 DME billing, up sharply year over year. Weather Watch: Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move into the Carolinas this weekend, with heavy rain and gusty winds possible.

School Choice Watch: Thirty-one states have opted into the federal Education Freedom Scholarship Program, while 19 haven’t, ahead of a January 2027 deadline—Democratic-led states like Pennsylvania and Illinois warn about oversight and control. Health Policy: In 49 states, Obamacare enrollment is down after enhanced federal subsidies expired; New Mexico is the lone exception that replaced the aid with state money. Food Safety in SC: Lancaster County saw two convenience stores drop to C grades and five restaurants earn B grades during July, based on South Carolina Department of Agriculture inspections. Local Arts: MOJA Arts Festival is seeking a poster artist for its 2026 run in Charleston, with a $5,000 commission and an Aug. 5 application deadline. Public Safety Tech: Bluffton reported Flock Safety license plate cameras being unplugged or damaged, with police treating it as a public-safety concern. Politics: South Carolina Republicans are reacting to Trump’s push around Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, with some calling it a “coronation” and questioning the process.