State News
Monday, April 6, 2026 · Pickens
Myrtle Beach Resort OK'd Despite Wetland, Dune Worries
Horry County Council has approved a sprawling beachfront resort in Myrtle Beach, fueling a clash between tourism booms and coastal safeguards. Critics decry risks to fragile wetlands and dunes amid South Carolina's rapid growth. As development surges, locals question if economic gains justify environmental costs.
Columbia Track Championships Draw Record Crowds as SC Athletes Set Standards
South Carolina's high school track and field championships in Columbia attracted the largest attendance in state history, showcasing elite performances across multiple classifications. The meet highlighted the remarkable progress of the state's athletic infrastructure and the caliber of talent competing at the highest levels of South Carolina prep sports.
Monday, April 6, 2026
SC Universities Land $10M to Train Nursing Faculty Amid Shortages
South Carolina universities are receiving $10 million in state funding to bolster nursing educator programs, targeting the state's critical teacher and nurse shortages. The initiative offers tuition reimbursements and salary boosts to recruit faculty for public institutions. As vacancies decline and out-of-state teachers flock to SC, this could reshape healthcare education.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Charleston Port Sets Sail: Record Cruise Traffic Lifts SC Economy
The Port of Charleston is experiencing a surge in cruise ship traffic this spring, with Virgin Voyages' massive Valiant Lady becoming the largest vessel ever to dock at the historic terminal. The influx of thousands of passengers is expected to generate significant revenue for local hotels, restaurants, and attractions across the Holy City.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Gamecocks Blast Campbell 16-7, Punch Ticket to Columbia Regional Finals
The South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team unleashed a 16-run offensive barrage Sunday evening to defeat Campbell 16-7 and claim the Columbia Regional title. With hot bats firing on all cylinders at Founders Park in Columbia, USC advances to host the Regional Finals. Gamecock fans are buzzing as their squad eyes another deep NCAA tournament run.
Monday, April 6, 2026
South Carolina Sees Respiratory Illnesses Plummet After Winter Surge
South Carolina's flu and RSV cases have plunged dramatically since the peak winter surge, state health officials report, crediting robust vaccination rates and seasonal shifts. With hospitalizations down and activity levels returning to baseline, public health experts urge continued vigilance. The decline brings relief to strained hospitals from Columbia to Charleston.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Boeing Breaks Ground on $1B Expansion in North Charleston, Adding 1,000 Jobs
Boeing has broken ground on a transformative $1 billion expansion at its North Charleston campuses, poised to create over 1,000 high-paying jobs amid South Carolina's booming aerospace sector. The project ramps up 787 Dreamliner production to 10 planes monthly by 2026, signaling confidence in the Lowcountry's manufacturing prowess. Local leaders hailed the milestone as a win for the Palmetto State's economy.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Clemson's Hauser Drills 56-Yard FG to Steal ACC Title from SMU
In a heart-stopping finish at Bank of America Stadium, Clemson's Nolan Hauser nailed a record 56-yard field goal as time expired to clinch a 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU in the ACC Championship. The win vaults the No. 18 Tigers into the College Football Playoff with a potential first-round bye. South Carolina's football pride soars as Clemson adds another trophy to its Death Valley legacy.
Monday, April 6, 2026
SC House Panel Advances Bill Banning Foreign Adversaries from Buying State Land
South Carolina lawmakers are moving to shield farmland and real estate from foreign adversaries like China and Russia amid national security fears. A House panel approved the measure targeting owners linked to those nations, spotlighting concerns over 800 acres already held. The bill heads to the full House as 36 states enact similar protections.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Lexington Police Hunt for Kidnapped SC Teen at Gunpoint
A 17-year-old Lexington boy was dragged from his home at gunpoint by two armed men Sunday night, sparking a frantic search across the Midlands. Authorities describe Corvin Gardner as 5-foot-8 with a distinctive forearm tattoo and urge tips to 803-358-1557. No motive has surfaced as community fears mount.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Columbia Track Champs Shatter Attendance Records in SC
Record-breaking crowds packed Spring Valley High School in Columbia for the SCHSL state track and field championships, signaling a surge in South Carolina high school athletics. Emerging stars from Spring Valley, Boiling Springs and beyond dazzled spectators with blistering sprints and record pursuits. The event underscores the Palmetto State's growing passion for youth sports.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Charleston's $2B Boom: Magnolia Landing Reshapes Waterfront
A $2 billion mixed-use megaproject along Charleston's Ashley River is igniting a construction frenzy, promising 4,000 homes, offices and parks amid surging demand from remote workers.[1][2][3] Developers broke ground after decades of planning on a former Superfund site, signaling South Carolina's Lowcountry as a hotbed for growth.[5] With phase one underway, the first residents could arrive by 2027.[4]
Monday, April 6, 2026
McMaster's Bond Reform Law Targets Repeat Violent Offenders in South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster signed House Bill 3532 into law, fundamentally reshaping how South Carolina handles repeat offenders charged with violent crimes. The legislation imposes mandatory 100% bonds and up to five additional years in prison for suspects who commit crimes while already released on bond for violent offenses, closing what officials call the state's "revolving door" of repeat criminals.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Prisma Health Expands Rural SC Clinics to Address Care Gaps
Greenville-based Prisma Health, South Carolina's largest private healthcare system, is expanding primary care access across rural counties where residents have long faced barriers to medical services. The expansion aims to reduce emergency room overload and bring quality healthcare closer to underserved communities.
Monday, April 6, 2026
SC Ports Hits Record Cargo Volumes on Tourism Surge
The South Carolina Ports Authority reported its highest-ever cargo throughput in fiscal year 2025, propelled by booming tourism recovery and robust international trade. Container volumes reached 2.6 million TEUs, while inland rail moves shattered previous marks. This milestone underscores Charleston's pivotal role in the Southeast's economic engine.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Boeing Pours $1B into North Charleston Expansion, Adds 500 Jobs
Boeing is betting big on South Carolina's aerospace hub, investing $1 billion to upgrade its North Charleston campuses and hire 500 new workers amid surging 787 Dreamliner demand. The move, announced by Gov. Henry McMaster, signals recovery after recent layoffs and aims to ramp production to 10 planes monthly by 2026. Local leaders hail it as a boon for Charleston County's economy.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Gamecocks Sweep USC Upstate Rivalry Series at Founders Park
The South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team dominated rival USC Upstate with a three-game sweep at Founders Park in Columbia, capping off a decisive series victory. Key power surges and standout performances propelled the Garnet and Black to bolster their regional standing. Fans packed the stands as Columbia's hometown heroes solidified their supremacy.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Clemson Tigers Claim Ninth ACC Football Crown in Epic Walk-Off Thriller
In a nail-biting finish that had Clemson fans on the edge of their seats, the Tigers edged No. 8 SMU 34-31 on the final play to win their ninth ACC Championship. The victory in Charlotte solidifies South Carolina's football powerhouse status and vaults Clemson into the College Football Playoff. This marks their eighth title in the last 10 seasons, a dominant run for the Upstate program.
Monday, April 6, 2026
SC House OKs Expanded School Choice, Eyes Universal Access
The South Carolina House has passed a landmark bill restoring and supercharging school choice after a state Supreme Court ruling derailed the program last year. With scholarships jumping to $7,500 and paths to universal eligibility, families from Charleston to Greenville could soon control their children's education. The measure now awaits Senate action and Gov. Henry McMaster's signature.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Richland County Dodges Taxpayer Hit on $1M Scout Motors Fine
Richland County has sidestepped a multimillion-dollar environmental penalty at the massive Scout Motors site, with third parties footing the full $1 million bill. Taxpayers are off the hook thanks to state reimbursements and outside reimbursements. The saga highlights ongoing stormwater woes at the Blythewood project drawing national attention.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Horry County OKs $150M Myrtle Beach Resort Amid Dune Backlash
Horry County Council has approved a massive $150 million oceanfront resort in Myrtle Beach, promising 400 luxury units and economic boom. But environmentalists warn of irreversible damage to fragile coastal dunes and wildlife habitats. The vote splits the community between jobs and nature.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Columbia Hosts SCHSL 2026 Track Championships at Spring Valley
Hundreds of South Carolina's top high school track athletes are converging on Columbia this week for the SCHSL state championships. From sprint relays to distance marathons, divisions kick off Thursday at Spring Valley High School, promising record-breaking performances under the Midlands sun. Local stars eye glory as Class 5A Division 1 opens the action.
Monday, April 6, 2026
SC Public Health Warns of Dengue Threat as Mosquito Season Looms
South Carolina's Department of Public Health is urging vigilance against dengue fever amid rising risks from local mosquitoes and global outbreaks. A new state dashboard tracks cases of the mosquito-borne virus, which has surged dramatically in the Americas. With spring travel peaking, officials fear both imported and homegrown infections in the Palmetto State.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Charleston Rides Wave of Record Cruise Passengers in 2026
Charleston is capitalizing on a booming national cruise trend that has Americans setting sail in record numbers. The Port of Charleston is positioned to benefit from AAA's projection of 21.7 million American cruise passengers in 2026, the fourth consecutive year of record volume for the industry.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Gamecocks Reload: South Carolina Women's Basketball Navigates Portal Season
Less than a week after losing the national championship to UCLA, Dawn Staley's South Carolina women's basketball program is reshaping its roster through the transfer portal. The Gamecocks have already landed former Texas guard Jordan Lee, one of the portal's top available players, while pursuing five-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Boeing Breaks Ground on $1B Expansion, 1,000 Jobs for North Charleston
Boeing's North Charleston campus marked a milestone Friday with a groundbreaking for a $1 billion expansion aimed at ramping up 787 Dreamliner production to 10 planes monthly by 2026. The project promises over 1,000 new jobs in the Lowcountry and 2,500 construction positions, bolstering South Carolina's aerospace dominance. State leaders hailed the move as a win for advanced manufacturing in the Palmetto State.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Greenville Co. Deputies Seize 44+ lbs Meth in Twin Traffic Stops
Greenville County deputies shattered a methamphetamine trafficking operation with two traffic stops, seizing over 44 pounds of meth and 16 pounds of cocaine. Three suspects now face trafficking charges as authorities link the bust to broader Upstate drug networks. The haul underscores South Carolina's ongoing battle against surging meth inflows.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Clemson Tigers Claim ACC-Record 10th Baseball Regular Season Crown
The Clemson Tigers clinched their ACC-record 10th regular season baseball championship with an 18-13 thrashing of Florida State, igniting celebrations across the Upstate. Last year's ACC Tournament heartbreak against North Carolina fades into history as Erik Bakich's squad eyes a deep NCAA run from Doug Kingsmore Stadium. South Carolina baseball fans revel in the Tigers' dominance over conference rivals.
Monday, April 6, 2026
SC House Pushes Tax Credits to Boost School Choice Options
The South Carolina House has advanced legislation offering refundable tax credits up to $8,500 per child for private, parochial or home schooling, aiming to empower parents statewide. As bills like H.306 and H.50 gain traction in the 2025-2026 session, proponents tout expanded access while critics eye impacts on public school funding. With caps on credits and first-come claims, the push signals a transformative shift in Palmetto State education.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Fairfield's V.C. Summer Nuclear Plant's Safety Gear Failed for Years, Feds Warn
Federal inspectors uncovered years of neglect on critical backup generators at South Carolina's V.C. Summer nuclear plant, leaving it vulnerable during a January emergency. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has slapped Dominion Energy with heightened oversight after deeming the lapses a 'white' safety violation. Fairfield County residents now face questions about the plant's reliability amid its troubled history.
Monday, April 6, 2026