AGP Executive Report

Politics & Elections: President Donald Trump says he’ll campaign in about 35 competitive races in the final stretch of the 2026 midterms, including more stops in states like South Carolina, as Republicans fight to hold narrow House and Senate majorities. Arts Education: South Carolina’s Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities is opening applications for tuition-free, residential arts training and immersive summer programs for students in Grades 6–11. State Budget & Local Projects: Gov. Henry McMaster signed a supplemental appropriations bill distributing roughly $350 million for community projects across South Carolina, including upstate funding tied to the Greenville Zoo and the Greenville Downtown Airport. Consumer Fraud Watch: Greenville ranks third statewide for BBB Scam Tracker reports in July, with 17 reported scams. Health & Safety: AAA is bringing back its free “Tow to Go” rides for impaired drivers over Labor Day weekend in select states. Federal Courts: The U.S. House rejected a GOP push to permanently limit the Supreme Court to nine justices.

Amazon Lawsuit: South Carolina’s attorney general isn’t named in the latest filing, but the FTC and 22 state AGs—including Illinois AG Raoul—are suing Amazon over alleged secret ad surcharges that allegedly inflated prices for more than a million brands and sellers over seven years. State Policy Watch: South Carolina is also in the mix of federal SNAP fights, as states seek waivers to restrict what people can buy with benefits; South Dakota is asking USDA to block soda purchases after a court vacated similar bans elsewhere. Port & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Carolina Ports Authority launched a feasibility study to improve navigation in the upper Charleston Harbor, aiming to deepen the Cooper River channel for larger container vessels. Local Business & Growth: Publix plans new stores in Duncan and Powdersville, and it’s removing the 10-item limit at express lanes in the Upstate. Health & Prevention: A Medical University of South Carolina study finds young women are increasingly skipping cervical cancer screenings, raising concern as rates climb. Community & Education: A Carolina Wildlife Garden opened at the South Carolina State Museum, adding a native habitat and hands-on learning for visitors and school groups. Sports: Peyton Sorrow won the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College Championship, and Fort Mill’s school board highlighted new courses and athletic honors.

State Budget & Infrastructure: Gov. Henry McMaster signed a standalone bill directing about $350 million in earmarks to projects statewide, including transportation, public safety, economic development, recreation and infrastructure, with lawmakers splitting roughly $220 million from the House and $130 million from the Senate. Public Health & Community: The SC State House marked Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with families and leaders highlighting pediatric cancer as a leading cause of death by disease for children and pledging continued support for patients and research. Energy & Regulation: The South Carolina Public Service Commission posted livestreamed utility meetings and an ex parte briefing on solar business benefits, including a Dec. 14 session tied to docket ND-2026-21-E. Local Environment: Daniel Island’s Beach, Marsh & River Sweep returns Sept. 19, aiming to build on last year’s 2,243 pounds of trash collected while also tracking findings as citizen science. Tech & Industry: 3D Systems announced a CRADA with Savannah River National Laboratory to advance additive manufacturing for energy and national security uses. Business & Growth: Spartanburg County data center construction at the former Kohler plant continues despite legal challenges, after the PSC dismissed claims that the project should face power-plant-style review. Politics & Accountability: A Community Note called out U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace’s claim that she works seven days a week, pointing to her absences from the House floor.

Amazon Lawsuit: Acting Attorney General Cori Mills joined a multi-state FTC-backed case accusing Amazon of secretly rigging ad auctions to overcharge advertisers, with claims that higher ad costs can flow to consumers. SC Elections: A federal appeals court ruled South Carolina’s age-based no-excuse absentee voting system unconstitutional, sending the case back for a remedy that could expand access. SC Politics: A debate is set for Oct. 6 in the governor’s race between Republican Alan Wilson and Democrat Jermaine Johnson, with FOX Carolina/WIS/Gray airing it statewide. Cybersecurity & Housing: HUD is tightening cyber-incident reporting as ransomware and data breaches hit housing authorities; one South Carolina regional housing authority was targeted by Orova ransomware. Public Safety & Crime: A pastor in North Carolina faces embezzlement charges tied to a Baptist church, while South Carolina continues to see high marijuana arrest rates in federal reporting. Health & Science: USC researchers report progress toward reversing Type 1 diabetes in mouse trials by reprogramming immune cells. Local Economy: I-77 Exit 26 in Blythewood will see overnight detours Sept. 8-9 for work tied to the Scout Motors interchange project.

Breast Cancer Awareness Gap: A new U.S. survey finds low recognition of inflammatory breast cancer warning signs, even though most people have heard of the disease—highlighting missed symptoms like skin thickening and nipple changes. Amazon Legal Fight: The FTC and 22 states, including South Carolina, sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” and deceptive ad pricing that plaintiffs say inflated costs for advertisers by tens of billions. Local Public Safety: Columbia mourns Officer Chris DeLong, killed in the line of duty during a shootout; the community is rallying as SLED investigates. State Higher Ed & Energy: USC plans a Nuclear Innovation Center and is seeking $100 million in state funding to grow nuclear research, workforce training, and industry partnerships. SC Politics & Media Clash: Trump escalated his feud with NBC’s Kristen Welker, threatening FCC action after she described his endorsement results as “mixed.” Consumer Scams Watch: Kingstree tied for 44th among SC cities for July scam reports, with government-impersonation scams topping the list. Elections & GOP Money: As midterms near, battleground Republicans are still waiting on Trump to open his campaign wallet.

Insurance Shake-Up: A Washington Post analysis says “surplus” homeowner insurance—often with fewer protections and less oversight—is surging in weather-hit states, including South Carolina, as insurers retreat from extreme-disaster areas. GOP Politics in SC: Darline Graham’s win in the South Carolina Senate primary is being framed as a major Trump victory, with critics warning it reflects how much the president can still bend outcomes. FCC Fight: Trump escalated his feud with NBC, saying Kristen Welker should be reported to the FCC for “rebuke or punishment” after she described his endorsement results as “mixed.” Supreme Court Fallout: Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., told Meet the Press he regrets supporting Clarence Thomas in 1991, calling it a “mistake,” and backed expanding the court to 13 justices. Courts & Foreclosures: The South Carolina Court of Appeals reversed a master-in-equity ruling in a long-running North Charleston mortgage foreclosure, sending it back for further action. Local Impact: Laurens County First Steps launched a “9 to 5” fundraising push for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, aiming to keep books flowing to young children. Public Safety: A fatal head-on crash on Horde Road in York County killed the driver of a Honda Accord; the Ram pickup driver was injured.

G20 in the Carolinas: India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in South Carolina and is heading to Asheville for the G20 Finance Ministers and central bank governors meeting, with growth, debt, supply chains, and Iran-related energy and trade pressures on the agenda. Business ties: Sitharaman met 3M CEO William Brown on the sidelines, urging deeper 3M investment in India’s R&D, advanced manufacturing, and local supply chains. Local culture and nature: The South Carolina State Museum opened the Carolina Wildlife Garden, a native-plant habitat meant to educate visitors and support pollinators and wildlife. Immigration enforcement: A report says ICE expanded deportation flights to “third countries” in Africa, sending people to nations they’ve never lived in. Medicaid spending watch: Myrtle Beach Medicaid claims for “drugs administered other than oral” jumped 304.5% in 2024, while other South Carolina communities saw sharp increases in specific Medicaid categories. Politics and media: Trump threatened to report NBC’s Kristen Welker to the FCC after she described his endorsement record as having “mixed results,” a dispute tied to South Carolina’s Senate race. Retiree migration: A new analysis finds South Carolina gained retirees in 2025 while Florida’s net retiree growth slowed amid insurance and cost-of-living pressures.

Federal Funding Crunch: The House is set to return from August recess and race to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government open through Dec. 11, with lawmakers also pushing other agenda items as the Nov. 3 midterms near. Medicaid Spending Watch: New federal data show sharp local swings in South Carolina Medicaid billing—Chesterfield reported $1,784 for non-oral drug administration in 2024 (+42.4%), Darlington saw surgery-related claims jump 87.1%, and Cheraw’s radiology payments rose 15%. Election Rules: A federal appeals court ruling says South Carolina’s mail-in voting rules illegally discriminate, adding pressure to how absentee ballots are handled for older voters. FCC Showdown: President Trump escalated his fight with NBC’s Kristen Welker, saying he’ll report her to the FCC over comments about his endorsement record. Local Fraud Alerts: BBB Scam Tracker data place Dillon among 64 South Carolina cities tied for 62nd for July scam reports. Public Safety: Columbia police officer Christopher Delong was killed in the line of duty after responding to a domestic call.

Local Public Safety: Columbia police say an officer died and another was injured in a Saturday shooting at a park after responding to a domestic dispute; the suspect also died. Community Health & Charity: The ACCA Shrine Car Club raised money to transport sick children and their families between Philadelphia and Greenville hospitals at no cost, using volunteer drivers and vans. Water Quality: A new study ranks Columbia mid-tier among college towns for drinking-water quality, with a “C” grade for lead but no PFAS detections in the categories measured. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Simpsonville tied for eighth in South Carolina for scam reports in July, with online purchase scams and reported losses. State Politics & Elections: Trump told voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” as midterm campaigning ramps up, echoing messaging tied to South Carolina’s GOP Senate runoff. NASCAR: The Chase field is set after Ryan Preece’s Daytona win, with the postseason beginning Sept. 6 in Darlington. Sports & Inclusion: A USC alum in Florida is helping expand opportunities for athletes with disabilities through sitting volleyball and adaptive sports programs.

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham’s GOP Senate nomination is being framed as a Trump-driven win, with national coverage highlighting how candidates can’t fully escape the president’s shadow even as Republicans worry it may hurt them in November. Clean Energy & Business: A clean-energy super PAC backed by solar and venture capital spent $1 million to target Ralph Norman, aiming to shift how Republicans think about renewable power. Health & Safety: A Netflix docuseries renews allegations in the Mica Miller case, including claims her husband had her involuntarily hospitalized before her 2024 death. Economy & Costs: Gas prices are up sharply nationwide since the Iran war, with big percentage jumps reported across many states. Environment & Agriculture: South Carolina farm sludge is facing fresh scrutiny as a Yale scientist maps PFAS “forever chemical” hot spots. Local Watch: RNDC filed for Chapter 11 and is laying off 550 workers in South Carolina. Weather: Scattered storms are possible in the state this afternoon.

Energy & Jobs: Nth Cycle, a Burlington battery-recycling startup, won a U.S. Department of Energy grant worth up to $100 million to build a South Carolina refining facility (“Project SHIELD”) that could recycle up to 24,000 metric tons of lithium-battery “black mass” a year, aiming for operations by 2029 and creating hundreds of construction and permanent jobs. Food Assistance: South Carolina delayed its SNAP soda and candy restrictions until Nov. 1 after a court blocked similar rules in five other states, leaving more than 235,000 SNAP households with two extra months of unchanged eligibility. Ports & Trade: SC Ports and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to study deepening the North Charleston Terminal channel, a step meant to make the harbor more competitive for larger ships. Local Governance: Charleston County approved CARTA’s use of eminent domain to take 6 acres from Coastal Carolina Fair property for a park-and-ride lot tied to the Lowcountry Rapid Transit plan. Public Health: A new study warns Medicaid expansion adults may lose coverage under upcoming federal work-hour rules, with nearly 1 in 5 at risk. Community: Delta Sigma Theta’s Orangeburg chapter donated 750 hygiene and laundry items to South Carolina State University’s Pack the Pantry effort.

Local Governance: Hollywood, S.C., is moving ahead with a hate-crime deterrence ordinance after a first reading, with a second vote needed to make it official; the proposal would allow jail time and fines for convicted hate crimes. Public Safety: Three teens in Chester County were arrested for allegedly torching and sawing down Flock Safety license plate reader cameras, with investigators estimating about $5,150 in damage. Politics: South Carolina’s November U.S. Senate race is set: Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, will face Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who won the GOP nomination after defeating Ralph Norman in a runoff. Health & Community: Harvest Hope Food Bank named Sy Hughes its CEO, after he served as interim leader since January 2026. Sports: Clemson released its men’s basketball non-conference slate, including home games starting Nov. 2 vs. Stetson and a Maui Invitational matchup with Ole Miss plus a Palmetto Series game Dec. 15 vs. South Carolina.

Historic Preservation: Charleston County extended a moratorium for four historic Lowcountry communities, giving residents more time to protect neighborhood character as growth threatens affordability and identity. Local Governance: Calhoun Falls town council training was canceled after improper public notice, with officials calling meetings a “circus” amid water and financial turmoil. Public Health: South Carolina confirmed rabies in a skunk and multiple bats across several counties, with one person and multiple pets exposed—officials urge vaccination and avoiding wildlife. State Finances: Treasurer Curtis Loftis announced South Carolina returned more than $52 million in unclaimed property, urging residents to search the state program. Healthcare Growth: McLeod Health cut the ribbon on a new $90 million inpatient hospital in Carolina Forest, adding 48 overnight beds for a fast-growing area. Education & Community History: USC and the Central Carolina Community Foundation launched a statewide network to preserve South Carolina’s historic Black schools and connect local groups. Tech & National Security: SRNL partnered with 3D Systems to advance 3D printing for advanced energy and national security uses. Politics: GOP candidates are tweaking how prominently they feature Trump as midterms near, while insisting it’s just normal campaign strategy.

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham won the GOP Senate runoff in South Carolina, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman 52% to 48%, a result widely framed as a fresh test of President Trump’s influence in the Palmetto State. Public Health: The S.C. Department of Public Health confirmed rabies in a Fountain Inn skunk and in bats across Beaufort, Greenwood and Pickens counties, with multiple pets and one person exposed and told to quarantine or seek care. Local Conservation: Kings Mountain State Park could expand by about 588 acres after the Open Space Institute acquired a nearby parcel to protect a natural corridor and support future park growth. Tech & Education: USC is rolling out an AI curriculum expansion with Vurvey, giving students hands-on experience using human-simulated AI tools used by major brands. Business & Jobs: Healthcare SC says it will keep supporting more than 250 laid-off workers after a Winnsboro plant fire destroyed the facility, while the state’s infrastructure investment report projects major job and economic gains statewide. National Tech Accountability: Meta agreed to pay states up to $17.1 billion in a child-safety settlement over claims its platforms were addictive to kids, with required changes aimed at reducing teen use.

South Carolina Senate Race: Sen. Darline Graham won the GOP runoff to replace the late Lindsey Graham, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews; the contest underscored how much Trump’s endorsement and outside spending can sway South Carolina Republicans, even as some conservatives booed Trump’s involvement after Ralph Norman’s loss. Healthcare & Politics: Andrews is framing the race around affordability and access, while Graham is leaning on national GOP talking points and attacking Andrews as too liberal. Housing Pressure: New data shows foreclosures rising again, with Nevada, South Carolina, and Florida leading the nation by foreclosure filing rates—an affordability and cash-flow stress signal for homeowners. Tech & Child Safety: Meta agreed to pay states up to $17.1 billion in a landmark child-safety settlement tied to claims of addictive social media practices, with South Carolina expected to receive a share. Science Update: USC researchers reported nanoparticle therapy that appears to regenerate neurons and improve cognition in Alzheimer’s mice, pointing to possible future treatments.

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham won the GOP special Senate primary runoff Tuesday, defeating Rep. Ralph Norman and locking in the Republican nomination to replace her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. The political newcomer’s win is widely tied to President Donald Trump’s late push, including a rally and heavy MAGA Inc. spending, and sets up a November matchup with Democrat Annie Andrews. Big Tech & Kids Online: A multistate settlement reached with Meta over Instagram and Facebook child-safety claims totals up to $17.1 billion, with South Carolina among the states seeking court-ordered reforms and payments aimed at reducing addictive design features. Cost of Living: Early projections suggest a 2027 Social Security COLA of about 3.2% to 3.6%, which could mean roughly $70 to $75 more per month for many retirees, including more than a million South Carolinians on benefits. Local Government & Growth: Greenville County Schools approved right-of-way deals tied to a new middle school road project and a natural gas pipeline easement at Bryson Elementary. Consumer Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Travelers Rest tied for 62nd among SC cities for scam reports in July, with fraud losses continuing to climb nationwide.