State News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Pickens
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.
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]
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 2026