AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham is in her final push in Beaufort ahead of Tuesday’s GOP Senate runoff, defending her lack of elected experience after a viral national security debate stumble and leaning on President Trump’s endorsement as early voting climbs across the Upstate. Voting Update: Early voting turnout is up in multiple Upstate counties for the runoff, with Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg all seeing more early ballots than in the August primary. Open Records Fight: Gov. Henry McMaster blasted a $2.4 million public-records price tag tied to pollution concerns at Black Creek Elementary, arguing it’s “ridiculous” and raising questions about further testing. Local Safety: Coastal Carolina University says it has added lights and pedestrian safety signs along Hwy. 544 after a fatal crash involving two students, and it’s working with SCDOT on a traffic safety plan. Sports: South Carolina women’s soccer rolled past Furman 4-0, while Clemson beat East Tennessee State 2-0. Health/Regulation: An FDA panel vote points toward increased demand for peptide fulfillment services as compounding pharmacies seek clearer guidance for certain products.

South Carolina Senate Runoff: Sen. Tim Scott defended Darline Graham after her viral debate stumble on national security, saying she’s “highly qualified” and “ready for prime time” ahead of Tuesday’s GOP runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman. Presidential Politics: Trump is set to rally for Graham in Myrtle Beach, betting his endorsement can boost turnout late in the race. Food Safety: A multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 55 people in 15 states, including South Carolina, with four hospitalizations reported. Local Health & Community: Dr. Annie Andrews will attend the Upstate Black Women’s Mental Health Forum in Greenville, focusing on access to care and lowering prescription costs. Sports (SC): Former Gamecocks safety DQ Smith has entered the transfer portal after receiving a fifth year of eligibility; South Carolina also signed defensive back Ethan Johnson. Weather/Disaster: A fast-moving wildfire near Reno, Nevada, has forced nearly 14,000 home evacuations.

U.S. Senate Runoff Politics: President Trump stumped in Myrtle Beach for Darline Graham, repeating claims the Strait of Hormuz is “American territory” and warning voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot as the GOP runoff nears. Public Safety & Accountability: An editorial argues police surveillance cameras need their own oversight, pointing to South Carolina debates over Flock-style license plate readers. Crash & Community Impact: Buckcherry’s tour bus was involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash on I-26 in Spartanburg County; the band says all members were unharmed, while authorities confirmed one death. Health: A multi-state alfalfa sprout recall linked to E. coli and Salmonella now includes South Carolina, with 55 reported illnesses across 15 states. Local Sports: Fountain Inn’s Sam Holliday powered a 24-20 upset win over Greenville. College Football: South Carolina added former Appalachian State cornerback Ethan Johnson after he was granted eligibility via a court order. Lowcountry Service: NAACP Charleston hosted a Veterans’ Resource Fair honoring Buffalo Soldiers, connecting veterans to housing, health care and benefits.

Charleston Housing Authority: A new editorial says the Charleston Housing Authority needs “house cleaning,” pointing to board accountability gaps and alleged violations of South Carolina open-meetings and open-records rules that left the public locked out of special meetings. USC Nuclear Push: USC is asking the state for $100 million to create a Nuclear Innovation Center in Columbia, aiming to grow research and train workers for South Carolina’s nuclear energy future. South Carolina Politics: President Trump urged voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot and back Sen. Darline Graham in Tuesday’s GOP runoff, while Rep. Nancy Mace used social media to raise education and government integrity concerns. Court-Eligibility Chaos: USC added a defensive back after a Louisiana court order temporarily blocked NCAA eligibility enforcement for some athletes, keeping the “five in five” fight in flux. Food Safety: CDC says an alfalfa-sprout outbreak tied to E. coli and Salmonella has sickened 55 people across 15 states, including South Carolina. Local Safety: A woman died after falling off a golf cart near Highway 17 in Surfside Beach; investigators with the Highway Patrol are looking into it.

South Carolina Politics: President Trump cranked up pressure in Myrtle Beach for Sen. Darline Graham ahead of the GOP Senate runoff, urging voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot and backing her after a national-security debate stumble. Public Health: The FDA and CDC are investigating a multi-state E. coli and Salmonella outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts sold by Everything Sprouts; 55 people are sick in 15 states, including South Carolina, with consumers urged to discard affected products. Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods after talks collapsed; Canada says it will retaliate. Middle East: Trump again called the Strait of Hormuz “American territory” while Iran and China rejected tougher U.S. sanctions, warning of destabilization. Education: Lexington-Richland School District Five and Midlands Technical College launched a free dual-enrollment associate degree pathway funded by the South Carolina Education Lottery.

Local Government & Budget: South Carolina lawmakers’ top budget negotiators have reached a deal on $350 million in local spending after talks blew up, cutting $100 million from House projects and changing how future earmarks are handled; the House and Senate will vote Tuesday on sending the pared-down list to Gov. Henry McMaster. Public Safety & Weather: The Charlotte region is bracing for thunderstorms Friday that could turn severe, with a severe thunderstorm warning for York County, S.C., and a watch across parts of both Carolinas, bringing damaging winds, lightning, and localized flooding. Food Safety: Health officials say an alfalfa sprout-linked outbreak involving multiple germs has sickened people in 15 states, including cases reported in South Carolina. State Culture: The South Carolina State Museum is marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a new lobby exhibition, “South Carolina Remembers 9/11: 25 Years Later,” featuring personal stories and artifacts, plus a Sept. 11 curator talk. Politics: In the GOP Senate runoff, candidates are making last-minute pitches ahead of election day, with coverage focused on Darline Graham’s campaign push and her opponent Ralph Norman. Sports & Courts: The NCAA won a Tenth Circuit stay in the eligibility fight for 2022 athletes, but more lawsuits are expected, keeping college sports in legal chaos. Community & Business: Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has opened its fall grant cycle for nonprofits serving its service areas, including South Carolina. Crime & Justice: A Georgia man faces federal charges after alleged online threats to kill a retired FBI official, and prosecutors say he also made threatening calls to a North Charleston police station.

South Carolina Politics: Early voting is surging for the GOP Senate runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman, with Beaufort County reporting more than 25,000 ballots statewide on day one and expecting turnout similar to the special primary. Local Government & Infrastructure: TSA is rolling out its TSA Gold+ airport security program at Charleston International, with public-private partnerships and TSA oversight aimed at speeding up screening. Education & Public Health: South Carolina schools are pushing AI literacy so students learn how chatbots can go wrong, while state health officials continue urging back-to-school vaccinations amid measles concerns. Environment & Growth: Charleston County backed a plan to protect the 206-acre “White Tract” near Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, and Spartanburg-area residents are asking a judge to pause the Valara data center permitting process. Sports: Gamecocks softball is set to return to the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational in 2027, and South Carolina’s SC READY results show statewide improvement.

Arts & Inclusion: The S.C. Arts Commission approved $3.7 million in grants but delayed scrutiny for two LGBTQ-focused groups, requiring them to return in October to defend “artistic merit.” Sports & Health: South Carolina’s season opener looms with injury trouble as wideouts Jayden Sellers and Jayden Gibson are out for the year, and offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak plus defensive end Dylan Stewart are doubtful. Food Assistance Changes: SNAP rules start tightening in South Carolina Aug. 31, blocking purchases of candy and sweetened drinks (diet/zero-sugar still allowed), with other states rolling out soon after. Public Safety & Courts: In the Alex Murdaugh case, a defense attorney apologized for statements about a polygraph, while prosecutors move to keep polygraph talk out of trial. Local Outdoors: Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission opened the Saluda Shoals Riverwalk Trail and trailhead at Dreher Shoals Landing, aiming to connect neighborhoods and boost recreation along the Lower Saluda River. Drought Watch: North Carolina’s drought map shows mixed relief—some areas improved, but much of Watauga remains abnormally dry and parts slipped back toward moderate drought. Consumer Alert: FDA upgraded a Publix frozen blueberry recall to its highest risk level after E. coli illnesses.

US Senate Runoff: Early voting is underway in South Carolina as Republican Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman head into their final stretch after a debate that sharpened fights over national security and experience. Public Health & Workplaces: Gov. Henry McMaster signed Deon Tedder’s seizure first-aid law, requiring the state to create evidence-based materials and post them at workplaces. Local Government: Laurens City Council approved a mutual aid agreement expanding law enforcement cooperation with surrounding agencies. Environment & Utilities: Santee Cooper began stage one of its drought plan as Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie drop, saying no immediate impacts are expected. Sports & College Eligibility: A court order could let some athletes—including former Ole Miss players—return for a fifth college season after pursuing NFL opportunities. Crime & Courts: A Jasper County jury convicted Tayquan Lampkin in the 2023 shooting deaths of twin brothers. Health Risk Watch: Charleston researchers are tracking Vibrio vulnificus in harbor waters and warning it can spike in warm months. High-Profile Death Probe: Hayden Panettiere’s death investigation is expanding, with reports that federal narcotics authorities have joined Greenville police.

Education & Opportunity: South Carolina’s 2026 college application season kicked off Aug. 19 at Andrew Jackson High School in Kershaw, with the Commission on Higher Education bringing counselors and college reps to help seniors start applications with one-on-one support. Courts & Public Safety: A judge weighing where to hold the second Alex Murdaugh murder trial says the decision hinges on more than a courtroom—security, transportation, lodging, media overflow space, and even the clerk of court’s capacity. Local Crime: Richland County deputies say a 6-year-old was found with a loaded AR pistol on a school bus; the child’s mother, Destar Hall, was arrested for unlawful conduct toward a child. Health Watch: Georgia confirmed a seventh measles case this year in the Atlanta area; the patient is unvaccinated and has no travel history, as officials warn vaccination rates remain below herd-immunity targets. Politics: South Carolina’s Senate runoff debate drew backlash after Darline Graham said, “I’m not that informed on national security,” while the Trump endorsement record shows more losses than expected in recent primaries. State Government: Williamsburg County is listed as delinquent for missing required annual financial audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

USC Fundraising Boom: The University of South Carolina shattered its fundraising record, pulling in $357.6 million in private gifts for fiscal year 2026—nearly $100 million more than the year before—boosted by major donors including the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation. Greenville Death Investigation: Authorities are still questioning Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, as police review the timeline after she was found unresponsive in Greenville; her cause was ruled cardiac arrest, and a police report says Hickerson and his brother were on scene when 911 was called. State Politics Runoff: In the South Carolina Senate debate, Darline Graham drew sharp criticism after saying, “national security is not my thing,” while Ralph Norman attacked her lack of foreign-policy experience ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff. Public Safety: A school bus carrying 42 students crashed into a vacant mobile home in Orangeburg County; no serious injuries were reported, and the Highway Patrol is investigating. Community & Environment: Presbyterian College earned Level I arboretum accreditation for tree stewardship and campus conservation. Lottery: Mega Millions for Aug. 18: 5-19-30-38-59, Mega Ball 12.

Meta Trial Over Kids’ Mental Health: South Carolina Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a coalition’s case against Meta, arguing Facebook and Instagram were designed to drive compulsive use by children while misleading parents. SNAP Health Rules: South Carolina’s Healthy Food SC pilot starts Aug. 31, banning SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages (diet/zero-sugar drinks still allowed). GOP Senate Runoff Watch: Early voting runs Aug. 19-21 for the Aug. 25 special GOP Senate runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman, with Norman questioning Trump’s endorsement and Graham drawing outside ad support. SC Ports Leadership: SC Ports names Patrick McCrory COO as it pushes for reliability and faster freight movement. Local Crime: A Greenville-area woman was arrested on child sexual abuse material charges. Education Spotlight: Fort Mill, Nation Ford and Catawba Ridge all rank among South Carolina’s top high schools in U.S. News. Business & Growth: HomeTrust Bancshares plans to buy Blue Ridge Bankshares in a $448M all-stock deal. Public Safety: A bus crash in Orangeburg County sent 18 students and the driver to MUSC Health Orangeburg for evaluation.

Greenville Death Investigation: Hayden Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive in cardiac arrest at a Greenville apartment on Aug. 16; police say the preliminary probe found no signs of foul play, while dispatch audio and reports point to “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” as investigators continue autopsy testing. State Budget & Governance: Gov. Henry McMaster announced line-item vetoes to South Carolina’s $15B FY 2027 budget, including striking outdated provisos and vetoing a delay tied to Scout Motors cost overruns. Public Safety & Work Injuries: A 32-year-old sanitation worker died after falling from a garbage truck on his first day in Cherokee County. Local Disasters: Highway 321 reopened in Winnsboro after the MLILY mattress plant fire, though officials warn the blaze is still active and visibility may be affected. Education & Workforce: A House education panel visit to Guam focused on school infrastructure, teacher shortages, and flexibility in federal education funding. Health Policy: U.S. kindergarten immunization rates fell again for 2025-26, with exemptions hitting a record 4.2%.

Celebrity & Public Safety: Greenville County coroner says Hayden Panettiere’s autopsy found “no signs of trauma,” with EMS responding to a 911 call for cardiac arrest; cause and manner remain pending as the investigation continues. State Budget & Governance: Gov. Henry McMaster announced line-item vetoes for the FY 2026-27 budget, keeping most of his priorities, including an income tax cut, pay raises, a tuition freeze, and investments in education, workforce, infrastructure, and conservation. Food Policy (SNAP): South Carolina’s Healthy Food SC pilot will bar SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and other sweetened beverages starting Aug. 31, while diet/zero-sugar drinks stay allowed. Weather: A heat advisory is in effect for multiple Upstate counties with heat index values near 106 degrees. Politics: Trump is expected to campaign in Myrtle Beach Aug. 21 ahead of the Aug. 25 Senate runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman. Sports (College Football): The AP preseason Top 25 puts Ohio State No. 1 and Oregon No. 2; South Carolina received votes but is unranked.

US Politics: South Carolina’s place at the front of the 2028 Democratic presidential primary calendar is locked in after the DNC approved a new schedule that puts the Palmetto State first, followed by Nevada and New Hampshire, while Iowa is pushed out of the early lineup—sparking backlash from Iowa Democrats. Local Sports: USC’s football injury list grows: wide receivers Jayden Gibson and Jayden Sellers are out for the season with lower-body injuries, and Jackson Repp was also ruled out earlier. State & Community: Meeting Street Scholarship Fund expands statewide, now available in all 46 South Carolina counties, aiming to make college more affordable for high school seniors. Public Safety & Disaster Response: Gov. Henry McMaster says South Carolina State Fire’s Palmetto Incident Support Team has deployed to Hawaii to help emergency officials as Hurricane Lala threatens. Health & Environment: Beaufort County’s composting push is diverting food scraps into soil and officials say it could save taxpayers more than $1 million over time.

Democratic Politics: The DNC has officially approved South Carolina as the first state in the 2028 presidential primary, set for Jan. 22, with Nevada Feb. 1 and New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia following before Super Tuesday. The party says the shift is meant to better reflect Black, Latino and union voters and move beyond Iowa/New Hampshire’s old lead. Local Housing: USC students and families say an off-campus apartment complex, The Radley, had “unlivable” move-in conditions—cockroaches, feces, broken locks and mold—blaming incomplete vendor work. Public Safety Tech: Charleston-area police are reviewing Flock camera policy after the company tightened rules following misuse concerns, with local agencies weighing how to protect privacy and public trust. Crime & Courts: A judge ordered Alex Murdaugh’s murder retrial moved out of Colleton County, while the defense continues to argue for broader dismissal. Business & Jobs: Trison Wells plans a $3.37 million expansion in Walterboro, creating 30 jobs. Community: National Night Out events drew big crowds in Marlboro County, with deputies and residents celebrating together.