AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace’s GOP governor bid is over after a distant fifth-place finish in Tuesday’s primary; Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson advance to the June 23 runoff. U.S. Senate Watch: In Maine, progressive Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, setting up a high-stakes fall matchup. Local Courts & Safety: The S.C. Court of Appeals upheld Barry Wayne Jones’ murder conviction and 35-year sentence in the 2018 Edgefield County pool-room slaying. Health Care Costs: A MUSC Health–Cigna contract dispute could push about 30,000 South Carolinians out of network starting July 1, raising out-of-pocket costs. Public Health & Community: SCETV’s digital series “Our Town” returns June 11 with new episodes spotlighting communities across South Carolina. Crime & Justice: A Myrtle Beach man was sentenced to 10 years for a 2025 DUI crash that killed a Murrells Inlet man. Weather: Upstate South Carolina faces scattered afternoon storms with possible strong winds and localized flooding.

South Carolina Governor Runoff Set: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson will face off June 23 after neither reached 50% in the GOP primary. Evette, backed by President Donald Trump, led with 29.3% (with 84% reporting), while Wilson followed at 26.2%. Rep. Nancy Mace conceded quickly, blaming Trump’s endorsement snub after her push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Democratic Nominee Locked In: State Rep. Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic governor primary outright, taking about 58% and avoiding a runoff. Attorney General Runoff: Stephen Goldfinch and David Stumbo advanced to a June 23 GOP runoff for the top prosecutor job, with Goldfinch leading the primary and Pascoe finishing third. U.S. Senate Spotlight: Sen. Lindsey Graham won his GOP Senate primary outright and will face Charleston pediatrician Annie Andrews in November. Kids’ Well-Being: A new national report finds children’s well-being fell in 29 states from 2019 to 2024, with South Carolina showing one of the biggest improvements.

SC Primary Day: South Carolina voters head to the polls Tuesday, with election officials stressing what happens after polls close and why results aren’t official until certification. GOP Governor Race: The contest to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster is framed as a referendum on Trump’s endorsements, with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, AG Alan Wilson, and Rep. Nancy Mace all in the mix. Maine Senate Spotlight: Across the country, attention centers on Maine’s Democratic Senate primary, where oyster farmer Graham Platner faces scrutiny over past allegations and online controversy as he tries to challenge Susan Collins. Election Integrity & Parties: A local letter argues political parties are private associations, not government agencies, pushing back on calls for treating party officials like public bodies. Public Media in Sumter: SCETV and USC Sumter announced plans for a new shared-use facility in downtown Sumter to expand classrooms and media production. Crime & Courts: Separate reports include SC arrests tied to child sexual exploitation material and continued fallout from the Alex Murdaugh case as legal battles move forward. Sports: South Carolina baseball is reportedly hiring Coastal’s Kevin Schnall as head coach, while a College World Series preview breaks down the eight-team field.

South Carolina Primaries: Voters head to the polls Tuesday to narrow the field in governor and U.S. Senate races, with Republicans trying to keep a long statewide winning streak as Donald Trump’s endorsement boosts Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Sen. Lindsey Graham seeks a fifth term. Middle East & Oil: Oil steadied after Israel and Iran paused attacks, but the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked; Trump told a South Carolina GOP rally that a “total victory” declaration could come soon. Local Public Safety: Greenville authorities are investigating a kidnapping after masked gunmen took a man from a home on Paper Mill Road; the scene remains active. Health & Safety: Federal investigators warn South Carolina families about online predators targeting kids through gaming platforms, with concerns tied to extremist-linked groups. Weather: Hot, humid conditions are moving in, with heat index readings that could top 100° in the Lowcountry and Southeast Georgia. Community & Services: DSS will host a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk Friday in Columbia. Business & Growth: Greenville City Council heard updates on major projects, including a downtown conference center and a real-time crime center.

State Law Update: South Carolina has tightened and expanded its Sexual Exploitation of a Minor law, raising mandatory prison terms and broadening what prosecutors can charge in cases involving digital child sexual abuse material. Public Safety & Courts: A judge is set to decide by June 12 whether Clemson WR Tristan Smith can get a temporary injunction for a fifth NCAA eligibility year after his waiver was denied. Local Enforcement: DSS announced charges against a Kershaw County man for allegedly making a false report of abuse or neglect, and a Dorchester County woman accused of food stamp fraud involving more than $76,000. Politics: South Carolina’s June 9 primary is framed as a key test of President Trump’s influence in governor and Senate races, with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette among GOP contenders. Community & Education: SCETV is launching a hands-on STEAM summer camp in Columbia for students, mixing building, prototyping, and video storytelling. Business & Jobs: Best Buy is rolling out “Meta Lab @ Best Buy” shop-in-shops, with the first South Carolina location in Greenville.

South Carolina Politics: South Carolina voters head to the polls Tuesday, June 9, to advance governor candidates from the 2026 primary, with WBTV tracking results live after polls close at 7 p.m. Nonprofit Transparency: New SC amendments to the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act boost donor transparency and tighten what fundraisers must disclose up front, while easing filing rules for charities and businesses. Wildfire Outlook: State wildfire activity is expected to stay near normal through at least September, helped by late-spring and early-summer rainfall, though some dry pockets remain. Public Safety & Health: The Highway Patrol reports a fatal Spartanburg County crash that killed 27-year-old teacher Anna Maureen LeCoq. Community & Animals: Jordan’s Way is stopping at Newberry County’s animal shelter Monday, June 8, aiming to raise $15,000 for medical care. Sports & Local Pride: The Lexington County Blowfish went “Cowfish” for a farm-support fundraiser, raising $4,000 for a young farmer and rancher program. College Football Recruiting: South Carolina’s recruiting spotlight stays hot as LSU lands 2027 EDGE K.J. Green, while Rutgers picks up SC DT Dennis Glenn Jr.

Elections Tuesday: South Carolina statewide primaries are set for June 9, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and early voting ending June 5; Aiken County election officials urge voters to check registration at scvotes.gov, and North Augusta voters must request a Republican ballot for City Council since no Democrats filed. Redistricting Fight: A national redistricting battle could spread into statehouses and even city councils, with Georgia Republicans planning a special session June 17 and the Supreme Court recently reviving an Alabama map NAACP says is intentionally discriminatory. Public Safety/Justice: A jury acquitted convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow in the 2023 killing of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, leaving the family “heartbroken” and disputing prosecutors’ account of a mistaken belief about stolen water. Coastal Costs: A new study links upstream wetland destruction since the 1980s to higher flood insurance payouts for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with Charleston County and Myrtle Beach among the hardest hit. Sports (SC): Gamecocks edge rusher Addison is ready for a bigger second-year step forward, while USC’s Dylan Stewart is progressing from a back injury that derailed his 2025 season. Business/Health: HCA is expanding urgent care in South Carolina by acquiring about a dozen MedCare clinics and rebranding them as HCA CareNow.

Hurricane Preparedness: Dorchester County hosted a major hurricane expo in Summerville, bringing emergency managers, first responders, and partners together to teach residents about storm hazards—especially inland flooding—and show off resources like swift-water rescue teams and a MUSC helicopter. Public Health: Charleston-area officials and partners held “One Dose, Many Lives,” a free Naloxone awareness event aimed at overdose prevention, with stories from people whose lives were saved and information on how to access naloxone. Lottery Results: South Carolina Education Lottery released June 6 results, including Powerball (16-32-55-59-64, Powerball 03, Power Play 3) and Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL midday (8-0-9, FB 3) and evening (8-6-0, FB 9). Local Sports & Schools: Gray Collegiate Academy standout Aspen Boulware earned repeat state Player of the Year honors ahead of enrolling at USC, while SCHSL named an interim commissioner and schools continued summer programming. Community Safety & Costs: GasBuddy reported the lowest midgrade price in Pickens County at $4.04/gallon for the week ending May 30, as fuel prices remain sensitive to refinery outages and global oil conditions.

South Carolina Politics: Early voting is surging ahead of the June 9 primary, with the State Election Commission reporting a record 318,602 ballots cast statewide through June 5, including 10,328 in York County. Energy Prices: Diesel prices remain uneven across the Midlands and Upstate, with Orangeburg County’s low at $4.83 (week ending May 30) and Sumter County’s low at $4.79, while the statewide diesel average sits at $5.12. AI and Public Safety: South Carolina lawmakers and residents are still grappling with the fallout from fast-growing AI data centers, as editorial coverage argues the state must balance public needs—especially water and environmental impacts—against corporate demands. Public Health: A Virginia measles advisory highlights how travel through northern Virginia’s Dulles airport could matter for outbreaks tied to major events, including the World Cup. Local Health Spending: In Mauldin, Medicaid dental billing totaled $117,773 in 2024, up 1.6% from 2023. Tech in the Spotlight: A viral report on AI risks and “recursive self-improvement” keeps the debate on safeguards front and center.

South Carolina Politics: Henry McMaster Jr. says it’s “not the right time” to be Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s running mate, despite Trump’s earlier suggestion; Evette’s camp keeps pushing that she’s the GOP choice after record early voting. Elections: Early voting ended with a record 318,602 ballots cast statewide, nearly 200,000 more than 2024, with Charleston County reporting especially strong turnout. Public Safety: Richland County deputies say 23 guns were stolen from vehicles in May and link that pattern to youth gun violence after a deadly Summit Ridge Drive shootout. Transportation: SCDOT’s Highway 17 widening near Myrtle Beach is nearing completion, with lanes expanding from four to six and work on storm drains and medians already underway. Culture & History: The Angel Oak on Johns Island was added to the National Register of Historic Places, a first for a South Carolina tree. Sports: ESPN set the 2026 SEC/ACC Challenge matchups; South Carolina will play NC State in Raleigh on Dec. 1.

Public Safety: A truck-driving preacher in Aiken County says God put him in the right place after dash-cam video showed a handcuffed woman running into traffic during an alleged kidnapping attempt; authorities arrested a suspect on kidnapping and impersonation charges. Child Safety & Courts: A Greenville County coroner identified a 9-year-old skateboarder killed after being struck by a pickup truck; the death was ruled an accident and investigators are still working. Upstate Justice: Foster parents accused in the death of a 4-year-old in Travelers Rest had bond denied, with the state later disputing whether they were licensed foster parents. Immigration Crackdown: South Carolina’s “Operation Ghost Story” led to indictments tied to fake IDs and ICE detentions at an Abbeville casting plant. Politics: Early voting for the June 9 primaries is surging statewide, topping 250,000 ballots cast. Economy/Jobs: Red Metals announced a $70 million copper manufacturing operation in North Charleston County expected to create at least 45 jobs. Weather Prep: Officials are urging hurricane-season readiness as 2026 season begins.

Affordable Housing Leadership: Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties named Everett McElveen its next CEO, starting June 1, succeeding Becky Lucas after a thorough search. Lottery Results: South Carolina Education Lottery released June 4 Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL, Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL, Cash Pop, and Palmetto Cash 5 winning numbers. Immigration Crackdown: A South Carolina “Ghost Story” operation at an Abbeville precision casting plant led to 48 workers detained and six people indicted, including two managers, over alleged forged identity documents and unauthorized employment. Public Safety: A truck-driving preacher helped stop an alleged kidnapping in Aiken County after a handcuffed woman escaped and ran into his path, with video capturing the dashcam moment. Community Support: Aiken’s summer meals program fed hundreds of families through Golden Harvest Food Bank and the Salvation Army, as demand rises and funding tightens. Local Sports Watch: Coastal Carolina AD Chance Miller says he expects head baseball coach Kevin Schnall to stay, while SC’s coaching search continues. Health & Harm Reduction: Charleston-area Naloxone Awareness Day “One Dose, Many Lives” is set for June 6, offering free community overdose-prevention resources.

Public Health: South Carolina DPH confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated adult in Hampton County, with eight potentially exposed people advised to quarantine through June 21; officials say the exposure source is unknown and stress vaccination as the best protection. Immigration Enforcement: Attorney General Alan Wilson announced “Operation Ghost Story,” with six indictments tied to alleged illegal immigration and identity theft after a raid at Burnstein Von Seelen Precision Casting in Abbeville; 48 workers were detained by ICE and two managers were arrested. Local Safety: SLED is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Fort Mill that killed a 74-year-old man, Yves Joseph Venne, during a warrant service; officials say he was holding a metal tire iron when officers opened fire. Healthcare Expansion: HCA Healthcare bought 17 urgent care clinics across the Carolinas, rebranding South Carolina sites as HCA CareNow to expand access. Sports Injury Update: WNBA rookie Kiki Rice left Toronto’s loss to New York after an apparent left ankle injury and was later reported using crutches.

South Carolina Politics: Sen. Josh Kimbrell suspended his GOP campaign for governor, saying the race has turned into “some of the nastiest politics” he’s seen, and he’ll return to the state Senate while deciding who to back next. Democratic Primary: Three Democrats—Jermaine Johnson, Billy Webster and Mullins McLeod—sparred in an SCETV debate as the June 9 primary nears, with Democrats trying to build momentum after record early voting. Public Safety: SLED is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Fort Mill, where an armed suspect was killed during an Internet Crimes Against Children warrant. Greenville County: A child was struck and killed by a car in Mauldin while crossing on a skateboard; an autopsy is scheduled. Local Government: Greer city officials are considering stricter rules for tobacco and vape shops after concerns about zoning loopholes and overconcentration. Economy & Health: A new analysis warns Social Security could cut benefits by about $500 a month on average if the trust fund runs out by 2032. Sports & Community: Irmo’s five-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant flipped from LSU to Miami, and the Spanish Moss Trail marks June with National Trails Day events. Arts & Culture: Greenville native Peabo Bryson, known for Disney duets, died at 75.

Local Justice: Aiken County officials identified human remains found in Barnwell County as missing Wagener woman Krystal C. Anderson, with SLED DNA confirmation and a finding of homicidal violence; her boyfriend Tony Lee Berry and his son face charges tied to her 2022 disappearance. Upstate Economy: Columbia-based Integer Technologies will expand operations at LSU, creating 23 jobs and building on a Navy research contract tied to maritime decision-making tech. Business & Jobs: USA Rare Earth selected Cherokee County for a $1.2B magnet and rare-earth manufacturing facility expected to add about 490 jobs, with operations targeted for 2028. Public Safety: ICE and South Carolina agencies arrested 114 people in a two-part highway enforcement effort along I-26 and I-85, citing drug and cash seizures. Arts & Culture: Columbia writer Julia Elliott won the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction for her short-story collection “Hellions.” Sports: South Carolina baseball coaching search remains active, with the program still talking to multiple candidates. Entertainment: Greenville native Peabo Bryson, the voice behind Disney duets “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” died at 75 after a stroke.

Obituaries: Greenville-born R&B legend Peabo Bryson, the voice behind Disney hits “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” died at 75 after a stroke, with family saying his music and “generous spirit” will live on. State & Local Politics: South Carolina’s primary is days away as early voting surges and voters prepare for the June 9 contests. Public Safety: A Greer crash killed one person Tuesday night; the Greenville County Coroner and Highway Patrol are investigating. Health & Community: South Carolina saw its biggest overdose-death drop in years, with experts pointing to naloxone access, faster EMS, and pressure on fentanyl networks. Economy & Housing: A new analysis warns Social Security benefits could fall sharply if the trust fund is depleted by 2032. Environment & Wildlife: Researchers report rising deadly infections in wild snakes across the Southeast, raising extinction concerns for vulnerable species. Water & Workforce: The Board of Public Works is joining a South Carolina rural water pre-apprenticeship program to build the next generation of water and wastewater workers.