AGP Executive Report

Gamecocks: South Carolina entered Saturday’s SEC matchup at Oklahoma on a two-game winning streak, seeking to improve its 4-3 record. The game was scheduled for 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network. Coastal Wildlife: A juvenile humpback whale found at North Litchfield Beach was too decomposed for investigators to determine its cause of death. Police Accountability: North Charleston faces a lawsuit alleging an officer hit a driver while going 87 mph without lights or siren; the city denies nearly all the claims. Election 2026: South Carolina’s early-voting total topped 800,000, a record for a gubernatorial election, as voting closed Saturday. Republican Sen. Darline Graham faces Democrat Annie Andrews in a closely watched race, with voters also choosing state and local leaders. Utility Bills: Santee Cooper approved two rounds of rate increases beginning in 2027; directly served residential customers are expected to pay an average of $6.60 more per month.

Election Watch: South Carolina’s early vote has topped 800,000 and is nearing one million, setting a midterm record as voting wraps up Saturday. The Senate race between Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews has tightened, drawing a late surge in campaign spending and visits from national figures. Rural Government: The College of Charleston is launching a training and research program to help rural towns tackle staffing shortages, weak oversight and basic service challenges. Household Needs: Census data show 10.5% of South Carolina households receive SNAP benefits; the share reaches 35.9% in Darlington, the highest among the state’s larger communities. Child Welfare: Charleston County DSS has opened six trauma-informed spaces where children entering foster care can wait in a calmer setting.

Election 2026: South Carolina’s Senate race has tightened, with President Trump backing Darline Graham as Democrat Annie Andrews gains ground. Early voting has already surpassed the state’s entire 2022 total; Saturday is the final day to vote early before Election Day on Nov. 3. Child Protection: A state law requires agencies to follow a child-abuse response protocol but sets no penalty for ignoring it. A review found several Lowcountry police agencies lack written policies for child-welfare calls. Environment: A former Saluda sewage plant manager pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act after allowing untreated wastewater into the Little Saluda River and falsifying test results. Utility Bills: Santee Cooper approved rate increases that will raise residential bills about 9% over two years, or roughly $13 a month for a typical customer. Education & Legacy: South Carolina’s Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is expanding statewide, offering eligible students up to $10,000 for college. Henrie Monteith Treadwell, USC’s first Black alumna and a civil rights trailblazer, has died at 80. Columbia Development: Plans call for two six-story student-housing buildings near Broadway and Fourth Street, prompting efforts to move the historic Katy Station depot.

South Carolina Senate Race: President Donald Trump returned to Rock Hill to campaign for Republican Sen. Darline Graham, whose race against Democrat Annie Andrews is a toss-up; early voting has topped 671,000 ballots statewide. Statehouse and Local Races: Democrats are mounting stronger challenges in districts that could threaten the GOP’s Statehouse supermajority. In Greenwood, mayoral candidates Brandon Smith and James Long clashed over public safety, city spending and economic development. Savannah River Site: A lab fire briefly triggered an emergency and halted nearby travel. Officials lifted the emergency after finding no contamination outside the facility. Jobs and Growth: Brose Sitech plans to open its first U.S. seat plant in Blythewood, bringing nearly 330 jobs. At a Florence conference, business leaders warned that rapid growth may leave low-income residents behind. Lowcountry Conservation: South Carolina’s newest state forest near Yemassee will protect 2,821 acres and provide public access for recreation.

Savannah River Site: A laboratory fire triggered an emergency and temporary air, rail and river restrictions; officials later said no contamination was found outside the facility. Nuclear watchdogs are calling for a fuller account of what happened. Senate Race: President Trump rallied in Rock Hill for Republican Darline Graham, attacking Democrat Annie Andrews as polls show the contest tightening to a toss-up. South Carolina has already recorded more than 671,000 early ballots, with Election Day approaching Tuesday. West Ashley Traffic: A proposed $100 million upgrade to the Magwood Drive–I-526 bottleneck depends on voters approving a transportation sales tax referendum. Jobs and Investment: A Scout Motors supplier plans 330 jobs in Richland County, while an auto-seat maker is investing $30 million in a Blythewood plant.

Savannah River Site: A laboratory fire triggered an emergency and temporary air, rail and road restrictions near Aiken. The blaze was extinguished, the emergency lifted Wednesday night, and officials reported no contamination outside the facility. Senate Race: A New York Times poll puts Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews tied at 48% as South Carolina’s Nov. 3 election nears. Surveillance Debate: More Upstate counties are moving to restrict license-plate cameras, but Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office says local rules could face legal challenges because regulation may rest with the state Legislature. Midlands Jobs: Polish manufacturer Brose Sitech plans a $29.5 million factory at the Scout Motors campus in Blythewood, creating 330 jobs and marking its first U.S. production site. Abortion Law: South Carolina doctors described uncertainty and fear of criminal charges as a federal trial examines the state’s six-week abortion ban and its medical exceptions. Florence Park: An $18 million redesign of Levy Park aims to create safer, more accessible play areas, including by rerouting a road that currently cuts through the park.

Election Watch: South Carolina early voting has topped 671,000 ballots, a new midterm record, as a poll shows Senate candidates Annie Andrews and Darline Graham tied. Thirty-one sheriffs have endorsed Republican attorney general candidate David Stumbo. Public Safety: A rabid bat found in Rock Hill is York County’s eighth rabies case this year; health officials urge anyone who may have had contact to call the state’s rabies program. Households: South Carolina’s Healthy Food SC pilot starts Nov. 1, barring SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks and sweetened drinks. Jobs: Auto-seat maker Brose Sitech plans a $30 million Blythewood plant with about 330 jobs, while SteelFab’s planned Richland County expansion adds 100 jobs. Coastal Conditions: King tides have flooded streets and homes in Carolinas beach communities, with high water possible into the weekend. Campus Life: South Carolina State alumni packed Orangeburg for Homecoming, where the Bulldogs beat Norfolk State and the university crowned its newest student leaders.

Midterm Push: South Carolina’s early-voting turnout has set a new midterm record as Senate candidates Darline Graham and Annie Andrews make their final appeals. Andrews is calling for a two-year pause on data-center development; Graham says local communities should decide. In the governor’s race, Republican Alan Wilson pitches a new generation of conservative leadership, while Democrat Jermaine Johnson promises a “New South Carolina.” Local Infrastructure: Laurens County’s water commission approved nearly $2 million in upgrades to the Clinton-Joanna wastewater plant, with state funding expected to cover 97.5% of the cost. Ports & Jobs: SC Ports says its recovery is gaining momentum after cutting expenses by 20%, while SteelFab plans a $30 million Richland County investment expected to add 100 jobs. Education & Health: A new USC–state education report links student achievement to billions of dollars in potential economic activity. South Carolina also launched a federal-backed cybersecurity pilot to help protect rural hospitals. Gamecocks: South Carolina heads to Oklahoma after back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, seeking a third straight victory.

Elections: South Carolina early voting has set a new midterm record, as the Senate race tightens. Former governors Jim Hodges and Mark Sanford have endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews in her contest with Republican Darline Graham. Education and Economy: A USC Moore School and state Education Department report estimates meeting South Carolina’s “Drive to 75” student achievement goal could generate up to $207.9 billion in economic activity over 35 years. Healthcare: Gov. Henry McMaster and federal officials launched a pilot offering free cybersecurity upgrades to rural hospitals. Jobs and Trade: SteelFab plans to invest $30 million and add 100 jobs at a Richland County facility. South Carolina Ports says cost-cutting has helped secure nearly 160,000 containers of new business, with growth expected through 2027. Public Safety: Greenville County authorities say a man charged in four burglaries targeting women home alone may be linked to five other incidents and are seeking additional victims. College Football: South Carolina, riding back-to-back wins over ranked teams, visits Oklahoma on Saturday seeking its first three-game SEC winning streak under coach Shane Beamer.

Election 2026: South Carolina early voting has topped 500,000, setting a new midterm record. Former governors Mark Sanford and Jim Hodges endorsed Democrat Annie Andrews in the closely watched Senate race, while President Trump is set to return to Rock Hill to campaign for Republican Darline Graham. Rural Health: South Carolina is the first state to launch Project Lifeline 250, a six-month pilot offering rural hospitals cybersecurity help at no cost. Columbia Services: A ransomware attack disrupted some online city services, though the available report did not specify which systems were affected. Automotive Industry: Volvo says its South Carolina plant is central to its turnaround as the automaker faces steep losses, falling sales in China and plans to cut 2,500 jobs, mostly in Sweden. Gamecocks: The SEC fined South Carolina $500,000 after fans stormed the field following the Tennessee upset.

Senate Race: President Donald Trump will return to South Carolina Thursday, rallying in Rock Hill for Republican Sen. Darline Graham as Democrat Annie Andrews gains support from former Republican Gov. David Beasley and former Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges. Early Voting: More than 500,000 South Carolinians voted in person during the first six days of early voting, with Greenville, Charleston, Richland, Horry and York counties leading turnout. Columbia Services: A ransomware attack knocked some city online services offline. Data Centers: State lawmakers are preparing for a 2027 debate over data center rules, as residents and officials weigh development against local impacts. Higher Education: South Carolina State University broke ground on a $30.3 million library that will also house its Honors College. Gamecocks: The SEC fined South Carolina $500,000 after fans stormed the field following the upset win over Tennessee.

Gamecocks: South Carolina stunned No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 on a last-second field goal, then was fined $500,000 after fans stormed the field; the penalty could be reduced if the school shows it took reasonable steps to prevent it. Next up: USC visits Oklahoma Saturday, Oct. 31, at 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network. Elections: Early voting is underway, and South Carolina’s statewide races include contests for agriculture commissioner, treasurer, secretary of state and comptroller general. State business: Westinghouse is expanding its Richland County nuclear-fuel operations with a $1 billion investment. A new state law also requires restaurants to disclose imported shrimp. Public safety: A woman was sentenced to life in prison for beating 11-year-old A’Kyri Bell to death in a Myrtle Beach-area home. Around Columbia: The State Fair drew visitors from England, who made the trip to experience the rides, games and fair food.

Gamecocks: South Carolina stunned No. 11 Tennessee 26-20 on LaNorris Sellers’ late heroics and a fumble recovery. Fans stormed the field, putting the program at risk of a major SEC fine; the win also helped bring Charlotte defensive tackle Nate Kamba, who flipped his commitment from Auburn. Election 2026: More than 280,000 South Carolinians had voted early as the tight Senate race between Darline Graham and Annie Andrews drew fresh attention. Voters cite health care and affordability among their top concerns. State Watch: SLED confirmed a ransomware attack behind a cyber incident in Columbia. State lawmakers are weighing new rules for data centers, and a new law requires restaurants to disclose imported shrimp. Jobs & Education: Westinghouse is investing $1 billion to expand its Richland County nuclear-fuel operations. SC State has broken ground on a $30 million library.

Gamecock Upset: South Carolina stunned No. 11 Tennessee 27-24 on a last-second 48-yard field goal in Columbia. Fans stormed the field, risking a $500,000 SEC fine, and players clashed after the game. Charleston History: Faith leaders honored ancestors at a site where radar surveys suggest thousands of graves may lie beneath a planned College of Charleston dorm, including graves of enslaved people. Senate Race: Darline Graham and Annie Andrews remain sharply divided on national security, federal spending and data centers as early voting tops 363,000 ballots statewide. Local Government: Hollywood is behind on its audit, and years of poor record-keeping have led the state to withhold $304,000 in funds. Public Safety: SLED says a cyberattack on Columbia was ransomware. In Orangeburg County, a woman has been charged after a 12-year-old girl was found severely malnourished; authorities say they found no school records for her after kindergarten. Consumer Rules: A new state law requires restaurants to disclose imported shrimp.

Industry: Volkswagen plans to expand its Scout Motors plant under construction in Blythewood, adding capacity for 25,000 vehicles a year. Elections: South Carolina early voting has topped 363,000 ballots, more than double the pace at this point in the last midterm cycle. Cybersecurity: SLED says a ransomware attack caused a Columbia cybersecurity incident; Gov. Henry McMaster is set to launch a pilot to strengthen protections at rural hospitals. Public Safety: An Orangeburg County mother faces a child-conduct charge after deputies say they found her 12-year-old daughter severely malnourished at 47 pounds, with no education records after kindergarten. College Sports: South Carolina State volleyball snapped its MEAC losing streak with a 3-0 sweep of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Citadel fell 28-13 to No. 17 Tennessee Tech at home.

Election 2026: More than 363,000 South Carolinians had voted early by Friday, roughly double the total at this point in the last midterm cycle, as candidates make their final push before Nov. 3. Growth and Regulation: State lawmakers are drafting data-center rules that could require water-recycling cooling systems, encourage facilities to provide their own power and limit where they can be built. A new law taking effect Oct. 28 will require restaurants to disclose imported shrimp. Charleston Preservation: City leaders are weighing new safeguards and funding options to prevent neglected historic buildings from deteriorating until demolition is unavoidable, following a church’s controversial teardown. Education: USC says its construction debt has climbed to $1.7 billion, while South Carolina State broke ground on a $30.3 million library in Orangeburg. Public Safety: Columbia police ruled the Oct. 20 Costco shooting a suicide; a Lexington worship singer faces nine federal charges related to child sexual abuse material. Gamecocks: Five-star recruit Jordyn Palmer, ranked No. 7 nationally in the 2027 class, committed to Dawn Staley’s South Carolina women’s basketball program.