AGP Executive Report

Lindsey Graham Memorial in Washington: Hundreds of lawmakers and world leaders gathered in the Capitol Rotunda and Washington National Cathedral to honor South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, with President Donald Trump and foreign leaders including Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending services. Joint Base Charleston Renaming: The Air Force plans to rename Joint Base Charleston as “Joint Base Lindsey Graham,” citing Graham’s decades of service and impact on the Charleston military and aerospace hub. Local Election Watch: South Carolina’s special GOP primary to replace Graham is set for Aug. 11, with 12 candidates filed and a likely Aug. 25 runoff if no one clears 50%. Public Safety & Privacy: State and federal officials are pushing stronger FCC “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Health Care Gap: A new report highlights that only five U.S. inpatient perinatal psychiatric programs exist, leaving most states without specialized care for severe pregnancy/postpartum mental illness. Upstate Accountability: Greenville County fired employees for misusing automated license plate reader tech, following similar terminations tied to Flock cameras. Road Closures: DC streets are seeing major traffic and parking restrictions Tuesday and Wednesday for Graham’s funeral.

U.S. Senate Special Primary: South Carolina Republicans are lining up for a special GOP primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with the filing period closing Tuesday and a runoff Aug. 25 if no one wins a majority; among the field, Graham’s sister Darline Graham is trying to turn name recognition into votes while other top contenders, including Rep. Ralph Norman and Rep. Russell Fry, pitch their own conservative agendas. Lindsey Graham Funeral: Graham’s memorial services begin Tuesday in Washington, with Trump expected to speak and world leaders including Netanyahu and Zelenskyy reportedly attending, followed by burial in South Carolina. Local Politics & Community: Residents in Central, S.C., have started visiting Zion Cemetery to pay respects ahead of Wednesday’s burial. State Watch: A Patriot Hydro plan to decommission the Ware Shoals Hydroelectric Project is drawing pushback from residents and Rep. John McCravy, who says the dam should be fully restored. Health & Jobs: South Carolina’s unemployment benefit claims are at historic lows, but some workers worry about access as rules tighten. Sports: Troup 8U won the Diamond Youth Tournament title, and HBCU preseason football polls put South Carolina State at No. 1. Lottery: South Carolina Lottery results for July 27 were published, including Powerball and Pick 3/4.

Democratic Primary Shakeup: The DNC Rules & Bylaws Committee voted to keep South Carolina first in the 2028 presidential primary calendar, beating Nevada 26-19—an outcome tied closely to the state’s large Black electorate. Public Health: CDC data shows cyclosporiasis cases keep climbing nationwide, with Georgia now reporting fewer than 80 confirmed cases as the outbreak linked to lettuce supplier Taylor Farms continues. South Carolina Politics & Voting: South Carolina’s special Republican U.S. Senate primary tied to Lindsey Graham’s seat has early voting Aug. 5-7 (photo ID required), with eligibility rules based on June primaries. Local Safety: A street takeover in Laurens County ended with 29 arrests after drag racing and burnouts blocked roads. Weather & Flood Risk: Bertha’s remnants are still driving flood threats across parts of the Southeast, including coastal and central South Carolina. Sports (SC ties): LSU’s 2026-27 schedule includes a Jan. 2 trip to South Carolina, and Georgia’s SEC slate features a March 6 regular-season finale at home vs. South Carolina.

UN/Israel Tensions: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is “fomenting hate” after Mamdani urged federal authorities to arrest him over ICC war-crimes charges, as Netanyahu insists he’ll still speak at the UN General Assembly in September. South Carolina Lottery: South Carolina Education Lottery released July 26 results, including Pick 3 (Evening 0-3-2), Pick 4 (Evening 9-5-6-2), Cash Pop (Evening 02), and Palmetto Cash 5 (03-04-22-30-34). Public Health: The CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 cases in 2026 and South Carolina listed among the states with the most active cases. Local Outdoors: Croft State Park in Spartanburg County opened a new TRACK Trail for kids and families, with free self-guided hikes and themed adventures. Wildlife: SCDNR says manatee sightings are rising along the South Carolina coast as Florida manatees migrate north. Elections/Politics: A federal appeals court kept restrictions in place on parts of a Trump mail-voting executive order, blocking changes in 23 states and D.C.

Democratic Primary Shakeup: South Carolina was picked to lead off the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar again, a move that keeps Iowa out of the early lineup and boosts more racially diverse states; the DNC’s rules panel vote now heads to the full organization. Politics in the Spotlight: A new poll shows South Carolina’s compressed GOP Senate race after Lindsey Graham’s death tightening between Darline Graham (20.8%) and Ralph Norman (16.9%), with an August 11 special primary likely followed by a runoff. Public Safety & Health: Measles cases in the U.S. hit a new high for 2026, surpassing all of 2025, with South Carolina reporting the most cases this year. Local Community: We Are Sharing Hope SC held its first “Pickleball for Hope” fundraiser in Mt. Pleasant to support organ, eye and tissue donation outreach. Sports (Gamecocks): SEC Media Days preseason voting has South Carolina projected to finish 11th, with Nyck Harbor and Dylan Stewart earning preseason All-SEC spots. Infrastructure: South Carolina DOT received a federal grant to help replace 18 bridges across nine counties, including Berkeley and Dorchester.

Democratic Primary Shakeup: South Carolina was picked to lead off the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar, beating out Iowa and setting up a new early-state lineup that includes Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, Virginia and New Mexico. Measles Surge: The U.S. logged 2,318 measles cases in 2026—already surpassing all of 2025—with South Carolina among states hit hard as vaccination rates fall. WNBA Spotlight for SC: Former Gamecocks A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston and Allisha Gray shined at WNBA All-Star weekend; Team Spoon won and Jonquel Jones took MVP. Boston’s limited minutes were tied to resting for the post-break stretch. State Politics & Public Safety: A Chester community gathered to demand answers after a teen was stabbed and drowned while in state custody. Wildlife Policy Input: SCDNR is seeking public feedback on deer hunting with dogs, with forums set for Orangeburg and Walterboro. Local Business/Insurance: South Carolina bar and restaurant owners may soon get another liquor liability insurance option through a new partnership. Sports/Community: We Are Sharing Hope SC held a “Pickleball for Hope” fundraiser to boost organ donation awareness.

Democratic Primary Shuffle: The DNC Rules Committee voted to make South Carolina the first Democratic presidential primary state in 2028, ahead of Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia—an early boost aimed at amplifying Black voters. Public Health: The CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with 2,318 cases in 2026 so far, driven by declining vaccination rates; South Carolina is among states seeing child-heavy outbreaks. Food Safety: Amy’s Lentil Soup is recalled in 27 states, including South Carolina, over a pull-tab manufacturing issue; the FDA also flagged a broader wave of recalls tied to spoilage and contamination this week. Local Culture & Community: Oliver Gospel Roastery in downtown Columbia was named a 2026 Best of South Carolina coffeehouse for its mission supporting people experiencing homelessness across the Midlands. State Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace publicly questioned whether Sen. Darline Graham meets South Carolina GOP ballot eligibility rules for a full term.

Democratic Primary Shake-Up: The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee picked South Carolina to host the first 2028 Democratic presidential nominating contest, pushing Iowa and New Hampshire down the calendar and setting a Jan. 22, 2028 start date (with Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia following). Measles Surge: The CDC says the U.S. has logged 2,318 confirmed measles cases in 2026—more than all of 2025—amid falling vaccination rates and ongoing outbreaks, including in South Carolina. Public Safety Tech Debate: Greer police fired two officers after misuse of Flock license plate reader cameras, reigniting concerns about automated surveillance and oversight. Health Watch (Cyclospora): CDC and FDA report a broader Cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, with cases approaching 7,000 across multiple states. Local Crime: A Charleston man, Dejuan Ravenel, faces a federal felon-in-possession ammunition charge after police say he took a taser and loaded magazines during a July 4 disturbance in North Charleston. Sports & Culture: Dawn Staley celebrated LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers, while South Carolina’s SEC football preseason buzz continues as Georgia tops the league in media voting.

Democratic Primary Shake-Up: The DNC’s rules panel has selected South Carolina to hold the first Democratic presidential nominating contest in 2028, keeping the state at the front of the calendar after a tense fight with Nevada and others; the full DNC is set to approve the plan in August. Public Safety—Child Exploitation Arrest: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Charleston’s Gary Michael Brown, 56, on a charge tied to sexual exploitation of minors after an ICAC investigation. Cold Case Returns Home: Dan Hiers Jr., a former Charleston police officer wanted for his wife’s 2005 murder and related charges, has been extradited from China to face U.S. prosecution. Health Alert—Measles Surge: The U.S. has logged 2,318 measles cases in 2026, already surpassing all of 2025, with major outbreaks including South Carolina. Local Schools & Zoning: Fort Mill School District asked state and county leaders to move quickly on enforcement at the Silfab Solar site after a judge upheld that the manufacturing use isn’t permitted under local zoning. Sports—SEC Preseason Poll: Georgia was picked to win the SEC in 2026, while South Carolina was slotted 11th in the preseason media vote.

Liquor Liability Fix: South Carolina bar and restaurant owners are turning to a new captive insurance model, Ragnar Hospitality Insurance, to meet the state’s $1 million liquor liability requirement after many couldn’t afford premiums and closed. Public Health: Prisma Health is urging residents to watch for cyclospora symptoms as SC reports 23 cases statewide this year, stressing it’s usually tied to contaminated produce and isn’t spread person-to-person. Law Enforcement: Federal marshals returned former Charleston cop Daniel Hiers Jr. from China to face charges tied to the 2005 killing of his wife and alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Politics: Mark Sanford launched a bid for Lindsey Graham’s U.S. Senate seat in the Aug. 11 special primary, joining Darline Graham and other Republicans. Local Safety: Highway 41 crash investigations continue after a fatal pedestrian collision in Orangeburg County, while residents also renew calls for safety changes at the Highway 41/Reflectance Road area. Culture & Community: The South Carolina State Museum announced a free Aug. 7 celebration in Columbia for “Big Percy,” a Guinness-record sweetgrass basket.

TSA Privatization in SC: TSA Gold+ is set to expand private airport security screening, with Charleston International Airport named among the first three airports to opt in next year—while TSA officers’ union warns it could hurt public safety and job security. State Budget Update: South Carolina lawmakers advanced a roughly $15 billion budget after weeks of stalled talks, including mental health funding, tax relief, school safety, and teacher pay raises, with final approval still needed. Local Government Watch: Fairfield County Council approved first reading of a 12-month moratorium on new data center approvals, aiming to build rules before more projects move forward. Public Records Fight: Blythewood officials face scrutiny over a proposed FOI policy that would add fees and limit access beyond what state law allows, tied to controversy over a missing $20,000 hospitality tax check. Health Alert: Measles cases in the U.S. hit a 35-year high, and South Carolina is listed among the hardest-hit states, renewing calls for MMR vaccination. Community & Safety: A Richland County woman reported a sexual assault at a beauty supply store; deputies arrested Nicholas Lopez on indecent exposure and criminal sexual conduct charges. Sports & Culture: Seneca’s new Target opens this weekend in the Upstate, and a Columbia-area spotlight highlights Stephen Colbert’s favorite Charleston spots.

Child Care Crisis in the Upstate: With the state’s Working Families Child Care Scholarship Program paused, Upstate centers are cutting staff and closing classrooms as vouchers expire, leaving families scrambling for care. State Budget Progress: South Carolina lawmakers reached a budget agreement after weeks of debate, moving the state closer to funding for 2027, though it still needs final approvals. Public Safety and Privacy: A council remains split over whether to end a Flock Safety camera contract, as residents worry about license-plate tracking and possible federal use. Health Coverage Red Tape: Patients say they’re stuck in a maze of paperwork and delays when trying to keep consistent health coverage, with serious consequences for ongoing treatment. South Carolina Politics After Lindsey Graham: Interim Sen. Darline Graham Nordone is making history as the first sibling appointed to replace a senator, and attention is turning to the next steps for the seat. Weather Watch: Charlotte-area storms and heavy rain could bring power outages and localized flooding across the Carolinas. Education and Community: A new charter school in Blythewood cut the ribbon, while other local STEM and youth programs continue to expand. Lottery Results: South Carolina Lottery Powerball and Pick 3 results for July 22 were released.

Health & Safety: South Carolina’s lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak remains separate from the national surge, but the CDC says cases are climbing across 34 states, with Michigan reporting thousands; health officials urge people to watch for symptoms and stick to recall guidance. Local Government: Georgetown County is putting a Local Option Sales Tax on the November ballot, proposing a 1% sales tax to ease property taxes and fund roads/bridges and other services. Healthcare Partnerships: Erlanger has signed a letter of intent to partner with Prisma Health, setting up major capital investment talks while saying patient care continues as usual. Politics & Public Life: Memorial services for late Sen. Lindsey Graham are set for Washington and South Carolina next week, with details on Capitol and cathedral events. Community & Culture: Summerville won a statewide communications award for its “Good Morning, Summerville” short video series, and Spartanburg’s Bethlehem Center is hosting a fundraiser featuring Dawn Staley.

South Carolina Senate succession: Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, has officially announced she will run for the full six-year term after being sworn in only through January, setting up a crowded GOP special primary field as filing opens and closes this week. Fort Mill solar fight: A court upheld a York County zoning decision blocking Silfab Solar’s panel manufacturing in light industrial districts, a legal setback that opponents say should lead to stronger enforcement. Public health watch: CDC reports cyclosporiasis cases have surged to 4,173 in 41 states; South Carolina is among the states not currently reporting cases in the latest CDC update. Lottery: Mega Millions climbed to a $707 million jackpot for the July 21 drawing, with no winner claiming it Tuesday night. Local safety and health: West Nile virus has been detected in South Carolina mosquitoes, and Clarendon County is preparing residents for the 2026 property reassessment. Church scandal: The South Carolina Baptist Convention says it’s working with the Pawleys Island-area church after a sex offender was found working near children at a church-run academy.

Digital Infrastructure: Google’s new transatlantic subsea cable, Nuvem, has landed in Sines, Portugal, linking Myrtle Beach, S.C., to Europe via Bermuda and the Azores—aimed at boosting cloud and AI capacity and strengthening transatlantic resilience. Commemoration: Plans for late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s services include a Capitol Rotunda honor and an invitation-only National Cathedral funeral in Washington on July 28, followed by a public procession and First Baptist Church service in Columbia on July 29 with an F-16 flyover. Public Health: South Carolina health officials confirmed rabid animals in multiple counties—raccoons in Charleston and Saluda and a bat in York—exposing six people and one pet. Safety & Justice: A Ladson man’s homicide charge tied to a 2022 road-rage shooting was dismissed after a stand-your-ground immunity motion. Human Services: South Carolina trafficking survivors face a long-term housing shortage, with fewer than half the needed beds for recovery. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the Gulf, with forecasts suggesting South Carolina won’t see direct impacts, though storm chances may rise from other systems.

South Carolina Politics: Sen. Darline Graham Nordone says she’s running for a full six-year term to replace her late brother, Lindsey Graham, after Trump urged her to do so; she’s also lining up support from top GOP leaders as the Aug. 11 special primary approaches. Election Process: Federal officials approved a condensed overseas ballot timeline for South Carolina’s special Republican primary, while DOJ agreements address military ballot eligibility questions. Public Safety: A South Carolina church in Pawleys Island was rocked by charges after leaders let a convicted sex offender volunteer around children; police say he was working at a school run by the church. Health & Food Safety: The national cyclospora scare tied to iceberg lettuce continues to confuse shoppers as FDA says a Taylor Farms sample was a “false positive,” even as the company’s 27-state recall remains in focus. Crash & Crime: An Anderson County man died after a pickup tailgate collision with a logging truck in Townville; separately, deputies reported no injuries after a tractor-trailer was hit by a train. Community & Culture: SCETV is hosting a free family event in Columbia with hands-on learning and a teacher-supply drive.