South Carolina Lede

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 10, 2026: our special live Lede taping from this week featuring House Speaker Murrell Smith; we also hear from Statehouse reporter Maayan Schechter as we preview the 2026 legislative session; we discuss the key issues that are expected to shape South Carolina; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 6, 2026, we give you the Lede 2026 economic outlook for South Carolina, thanks to USC Darla Moore School of Business research economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 20, 2025: host Gavin Jackson is joined by guests A.T. Shire and Maayan Schechter to discuss what’s in and what’s out for 2026.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 16, 2025: a preview from House Speaker Murrell Smith and other members of House Republican leadership on their priorities for 2026; a South Carolinian is set to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate; the measles outbreak continues to rage in the Upstate; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 12, 2025: our live lead taping from Mount Pleasant and Hobka Brewing. Enjoy the conversation we had with the Post & Courier’s Caitlin Byrd!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 9, 2025: we continue our look at infrastructure with a reporter on what the SCDOT needs to keep up with the state’s record-breaking growth; we hear from Congressman Jim Clyburn on redistricting efforts happening in states around the country; Victoria Hansen has a deep-dive look on the state of South Carolina’s shrimping industry; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 6, 2025: the spread of measles continues to balloon in the Upstate so we talk with Dr. Linda Bell about efforts to limit the spread; we have a GOSMAR update and hear a bit more from Ports CEO Micah Mallace amid a dip in volumes; a major rift blew up on the gubernatorial campaign trail on Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s staff; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 2, 2025: we have an exclusive sit-down with South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Powell for our annual look at transportation infrastructure in our growing state--the challenges, accomplishments, and where the state heads next; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 22, 2025: we look at the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee that failed to advance that restrictive abortion bill this week; we delve into a damning investigation into former House Rep. RJ May and the Freedom Caucus; we also get an update on projected revenues lawmakers will have to appropriate with next year; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 18, 2025: we preview some of the legislative meetings happening this week, including the screening of judicial candidates and a hearing on what would be the most restrictive abortion law if passed; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham on the shutdown ending, the looming healthcare debate, and potential conflict in Venezuela; we also have a 1st congressional district update for you; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 15, 2025: we continue our look at Election 2026 and tackle the latest major news out of Washington with the end of the federal government shutdown; we welcome AP National Politics Reporter Meg Kinnard and South Carolina Public Radio Statehouse and political reporter Maayan Schechter to join the conversation; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 11, 2025: we take a hard pivot from news and politics to food and beverage as four South Carolina restaurants were awarded Michelin stars, and several more were given prominent designations in the Michelin Guide; we talk with Hannah Raskin, one of the South's most preeminent voices in the South's food, beverage, and dining culture scene; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 8, 2025: we continue our look at the ramifications of the federal government shutdown and hear from Congressman Russell Fry and Sen. Lindsey Graham; we continue to look at the ramifications of federal decisions, including a report from Maayan Schechter on the impacts to South Carolina farmers; Congresswoman Nancy Mace is suing the Charleston International Airport while she faces an ethics complaint filed against her; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 4, 2025: we look at the latest drama from the gubernatorial campaign trail, including Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s security meltdown; we have the latest on the government shutdown; Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell provides an economic update while cutting rates; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 1, 2025: we look at the federal government shutdown, the lapse in SNAP benefits, how the state is responding, and how it will affect 560,000 South Carolinians; Republican gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Alan Wilson rolled out his law and order platform; state Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson jumps into the race for governor; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 28, 2025: we have some breaking Democratic campaign trail news on the gubernatorial front and updates on several other state campaigns as well; we have the latest on the drama involving leadership at the State Election Commission; SNAP benefits are about to disappear for more than half a million South Carolinians as the government shutdown continues; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 25, 2025: A.T. Shire and Sean Birch take the wheel while host Gavin Jackson is under the weather. The two discuss Halloween decorations, costumes, candy, and another live Lede in the works!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 21, 2025: we take you to the No Kings Day protest in Columbia, where thousands gathered on Saturday; we jump on the campaign trail with Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Newberry; we take a look at the redistricting efforts going on across the country, including in nearby North Carolina; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 18, 2025: we revisit the 1000-year flood that rocked the state, and specifically the Midlands, 10 years ago; we hear from some of the people closest to that tragedy including a well-known South Carolina Public Radio voice never heard on this podcast before; we have a little update on the shutdown—it’s still going on; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 14, 2025: we wrap up our Washington week coverage with interviews PBS News Hour’s congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and WSJ’s Josh Dawsey; we get some good insight on Congress and the Trump administration from two reporters closest to the action; we also have new campaign trail fundraising numbers and polls; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 11, 2025: our exclusive sit-down interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham. We were fortunate to get some time with him during a tricky little week.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 7, 2025: The Lede is in Washington, DC this week! The U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term; we look at DOGE SC; we take a deep look at the latest on domestic violence in this state with Sara Barber at SCCADVASA as we begin Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 4, 2025: the federal government remains shutdown; we hear what Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Nancy Mace told hundreds at the Turning Point USA Clemson University chapter; the ACLU of SC is suing Clemson over their firing of a professor for exercising his first amendment right; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 30, 2025: we look at a hearing on a controversial and restrictive abortion ban bill before a Senate subcommittee; a look at a possible government shutdown and who could be affected in our state; Scott Morgan continues our look back on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 27, 2025: we look at some governor’s race bickering over an ad; separately Sen. Lindsey Graham drops a new tv ad; we drill down on the economy with our go-to research economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen with the USC Darla Moore School of Business; the state has another confirmed case of the measles; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 23, 2025: we look at the abrupt removal of the state election commission director Howard Knapp; we get an update on illicit drug trends in the state from the DEA; we also have some new polling on the governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 20, 2025: we continue to look at the political and constitutional fall out of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk; we hear from a leading constitutional law professor discuss the First Amendment; we recently spoke with strategic communications consultant and former campaign hand Rob Godfrey who gives his initial read on the 2026 governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 16, 2025: we continue our look at the fallout of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham who was on NBC’s Meet the Press, as well as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox; gubernatorial candidate Rep. Nancy Mace yells at a colleague on the House floor over gender affirming care; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 13, 2025: a special back-to-school edition of the Lede recorded live at Rock Hill Brewing in Rock Hill, S.C., featuring Associated Press national politics reporter Meg Kinnard and Winthrop University political science professor Dr. Scott Huffmon.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 9, 2025: updates on statehouse activity, including the latest with former state Rep. RJ May who is set to go on trial in a month; a new CBS News poll on how Americans feel about National Guard troops in Washington and potentially other cities; a look at some economic data ahead of the Fed’s meeting next week on interest rates; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 6, 2025: we look at the new hands-free cellphone driving law; the Epstein files were the talk of the first week back in Washington, including among several of our lawmakers in the delegation; we have some spicy campaign trail activity as gubernatorial candidates continue to vie for President Donald Trump’s endorsement; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 2, 2025: we’re looking at the ad wars that are heating up and we’re on the campaign trail with Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Walhalla; Rep. Joe Wilson was recently in Syria; we find out what Gov. McMaster thinks about Taylor Swift’s engagement; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 26, 2025: we have a small, dedicated pod on infrastructure; we welcome special guest SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell; we catch you up on all things roads and bridges; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 23, 2025: we brief you on what four of the five Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed at a recent Republican gathering in Myrtle Beach; we caught up with Sen. Lindsey Graham on the campaign trail in the Pee Dee; two big endorsements also dropped this week—who got a the political equivalent of a Bachelor rose from whom; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 19, 2025: we have several major campaign announcements to bring you, including two new Republican candidates and the first Democratic candidate; we also have another Republican candidate who has jumped into the attorney general’s race; updates from two congressional races; and more!

A.T. and producer Sean say they're sorry, take listener calls, argue about the merits of DOTs as a candy, but mostly are very sorry and hope you understand.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 26, 2025: a new contender enters the governor’s race—Congressman Ralph Norman; we also pivot to some big statewide news this week dealing with infrastructure issues and a death from a brain-eating amoeba earlier this month; Scott Morgan has a report on how the so-called Big Beautiful bill, now law, will affect SNAP benefits in our state; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 22, 2025: we hear from both of our U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott on a variety of issues from international conflicts to the Epstein files and Medicaid cuts; we have a gubernatorial campaign trail update with announcements from two of the three candidates and a potential fourth candidate who is gearing up for a run; we also have some statewide economic data, including new unemployment numbers and a GOSMAR update; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 19, 2025, we converge 2026 coverage with 2028 coverage: in the 2026 column, we look at Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s campaign launch for her gubernatorial bid; in the shadow 2028 campaign column, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear made a multi-day swing through South Carolina, we caught up with him in Greenville; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 15, 2025: more Republican gubernatorial candidates enter the race, with one facing legal issues over allegedly diverting $2 million from his business partner; Sen. Lindsey Graham’s campaign is also out with its first TV ad; Russ McKinney brings us the latest on energy in the state; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 12, 2025: state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch becomes the first Republican to jump into the attorney general’s race; California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s two-day swing through S.C.; where the Confederate battle flag is 10 years after it was removed from the statehouse grounds; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 8, 2025: we catch you up on the latest campaign trail moves from the U.S. Senate and S.C. governor’s race; several big-name Democrats and one Republican are heading to the state over the coming weeks; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 5, 2025: Gavin Jackson’s interview with PBS legend, award-winning documentarian Ken Burns. The two discuss Burns' latest project The American Revolution that he co-directed with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 1, 2025: we catch up on some big news, including the latest on suspended Lexington Republican Rep. RJ May; we OFFICIALLY have 2026 gubernatorial candidates with Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson and Republican Spartanburg Sen. Josh Kimbrell; Maayan Schechter brings us up to speed on all this news; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 21, 2025: we bring you part two of our 10-year commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting featuring stories from our Voices Collected initiative, focusing on the downing of the Confederate flag, legislative issues like hate crimes, and gun reforms that have stalled in the state; and more.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 17, 2025: the first of two episodes dedicated to the 10-year commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting where nine black parishioners, including the pastor of the church state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, were murdered in a racially fueled massacre; we’ll share reflections from South Carolinians who participated in our Voices Collected initiative as well as from folks who participated in the Charleston Forum last week.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 14, 2025: our live event recorded Thursday, June 12 at Good Girl Brewing in Aiken featuring host Gavin Jackson, reporter Maayan Schechter, and special guest South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June10, 2025: we look at some action happening this week in the Statehouse; we hear about a new gas-fired energy plant that Duke Energy is proposing in the Upstate; we begin bringing you stories from our Voices Collected series commemorating the 10 year anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 7, 2025: state Democrats got a boost with a big special election House seat win; Lt. Gov. Pam Evette continues to test the waters; we look at some of the ramifications of the tariffs on businesses in our region; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 3, 2025: we recap the big state Democratic Party weekend which included big party names like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; also, a development in the 2026 gubernatorial race as Richland Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson announces the formation of an exploratory committee; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 31, 2025: details on our live taping event coming up June 12 at 6 p.m. at Good Girl Brewing (early registration recommended); take part in Voices Collected, honoring the legacy of the Emanuel Nine; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 27, 2025: lawmakers return to Columbia to take up the $14.7 billion state budget for the coming fiscal year; state Democrats have a big week with their convention and major events featuring two prominent voices in the party; we bring you one of the Voices Collected for our Mother Emanuel remembrance initiative; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 24, 2025: we have a budget agreement for the $14.7 billion spending plan; there was also agreement in Washington over the tax and spending Republican megabill this week; Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham gives his take on the megabill and his new bipartisan bill to sanction Russia further; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 20, 2025: a look at a state Supreme Court decision upholding the six-week abortion ban law; what is holding up the big, beautiful tax and spend bill in the House; the latest on a threat against Congresswoman Nancy Mace; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 13, 2025: we continue our legislative session debrief with two big House names to discuss big legislative accomplishments, the politics of the 2025 legislative session, and what they want to see move when lawmakers return next January.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 10, 2025: a wrap up of the first year of the 2 year legislative session!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 06, 2025: we preview the final week of the legislative session, including what major bills are where, and what will have to wait until the 2026 session; we have some state party news, including which rising star is headlining a Democratic fundraiser this month and who the Republicans chose as their state leader this weekend; we talk with a USC history professor who has been watching the papal developments from Rome; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 03, 2025: we look at what lawmakers accomplished this final week of the legislative session, including two major education bills; House Family Caucus Chairman Rep. John McCravy is in hot water for past antisemitic and homophobic comments; Vice President JD Vance visited Nucor Steel Berkeley to celebrate domestic manufacturing; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 29, 2025: we have six legislative days left in this year’s session and with much to look at we talk with reporter Maayan Schechter about the Sine Die sprint—something you can follow along with by reading the State House Gavel I co-author with Maayan and THE Russ McKinney!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 26, 2025: we look at the Senate approved budget and what briefly stalled the school voucher bill in the chamber; we also follow up with Sen. Larry Grooms for more details on that historic hearing on Monday to remove state Treasurer Curtis Loftis as we await clarity from the House; we have our we have our monthly Gavin Open Seas Maritime Report; and more!

This episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 22, 2025, is dedicated to the historic and unprecedented removal from office hearing of Treasurer Curtis Loftis, a statewide constitutional officer, by the state Senate for “willfully neglecting his duties” over the handling of the $1.8 billion discrepancy in state funds. We take you through the machinations of the hearing that took place in the South Carolina Senate on Monday.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 15, 2025: we’re on spring break this week, so we’re giving you a special episode featuring host Gavin Jackson and guest Dr. Joey Von Nessen for an economic update amid global uncertainty and volatility.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 12, 2025: the Senate Finance Committee approves its version of the $14.5 billion state budget and eliminates earmarks; what’s in the hands-free device driving bill that moved out of the House for the first time ever; Scott Morgan has a feature on electric busses; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 8, 2025: we catch you up on the budget action in Washington as Republicans get closer to implementing major Trump Administration priorities; in Columbia, we take you through the confirmation hearing of Dept. of Public Health nominee Dr. Ed Simmer; we also hear from DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby about what’s fueling a decline in drug overdose deaths; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 5, 2025: we close out the Table Rock Complex fires with a final update; we take a look at the utility bill that moved through the Senate late Wednesday as well as the anti-DEI bill that went through the House; the major tax reform and reduction bill hits the skids as the financial impact is revealed; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 1, 2025: we’re catching you up on the Republican push to reform and lower taxes in the state; we look at what is on tap this week at the Statehouse; Winthrop Poll director Dr. Scott Huffmon joins us to break down his latest poll findings and get our first look at the 2026 race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 29, 2025: tort reform is done—in the Senate, for now; we catch up with Sen. Larry Grooms on his subcommittee’s report over the 1.8 billion dollar boondoggle and the recommendation to impeach Treasurer Curtis Loftis; the Table Rock Complex fires continue to burn more than 10,000 acres in the Upstate; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 25, 2025: Gov. Henry McMaster declares a state of emergency for an ongoing forest fire in Pickens County; we preview the week at the Statehouse, including a major report on the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy; Russ McKinney reports on Dr. Ed Simmer’s confirmation to lead the state Department of Health; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 22 2025: we look at week three of the tort reform debate, which resulted in some movement on the massive bill S. 244; state Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver talks anecdotally of the impact of the no cell phones in schools ban; an anti-DEI bill gets changed and moves to the House floor; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 18, 2025: we look at the state of the SCDOT and catch you up on some of the major things happening at the agency; we preview the week ahead with all eyes on what is set to happen with S. 244, the major tort reform bill; Sen. Lindsey Graham and Congressman Jim Clyburn hit the Sunday shows; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 15, 2025: week nine of the legislative session just wrapped up, which means we are more than half-way done with the legislative session; the House passed its $14.5B general fund budget; the Senate was a bit quiet on its tort reform debate this week; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 11, 2025: lawmakers in the South Carolina House are debating the $14 billion spending plan that will soon head to the Senate; Sen. Lindsey Graham was in Columbia on Monday where he spoke about a federal government shutdown and other priorities; former 1st District Republican candidate Katie Arrington has a major, new gig; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 08, 2025: we look at Senate bill S. 244 that’s still being debated in the Senate, and House’s H. 3497 liquor liability bill, which passed the chamber on Thursday with unanimous, bipartisan support; a deep dive on tort reform; a reminder to spring forward this weekend; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 04, 2025: the latest involving the $1.8 billion boondoggle accounting error involving the state treasurer; House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bruce Bannister shares his thoughts as the House is less than a week away from debating the massive spending bill; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 01, 2025: we’re recapping major bills and action in the state Senate and House from this week including the school voucher bill; an interview with House Education Committee Chairwoman Shannon Erickson; what the House did to the Senate’s plan and where it goes next; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 25, 2025: we look at a different version of the school voucher bill that’s poised to move in the Statehouse; Sen. Stephen Goldfinch continues our conversation on the $1.8 billion boondoggle accounting discrepancy involving the state Treasurer’s Office; Senate LCI Committee Chairman Tom Davis breaks down the energy generation needs our state faces; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 22, 2025: Maayan Schechter has two deep dives on legislation from the Statehouse as we focus on education funding and vouchers; we have a small tidbit for our 2026 WATCH and some action from Washington on the budget reconciliation process; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 18, 2025: we look at what’s on tap this week at the Statehouse; we catch up with USC Law Professor Derek Black to discuss his new book on Black literacy traced over the centuries in the South; comments from Sen. Lindsey Graham who was in Europe and the Middle East; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 15, 2025: we look at the abortion debate that played out in state Supreme Court this week; in Washington Congresswoman Nancy Mace made serious allegations from the House floor; Sen. Lindsey Graham continued his work on budget reconciliation to advance the Trump administration agenda; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 11, 2025: we look at statehouse activity for this week, including a bill that would allow Scout Motors and Teslas to be sold in South Carolina, which is currently illegal; a state Supreme Court hearing this week on the six-week abortion bill; Rock Hill Rep. Brandon Guffey discusses his efforts to keep children safe online; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 8, 2025: a look at some big bills from the state version of DOGE to anti-DEI and the K-12 voucher bills that moved this week; Sen. Lindsey Graham gets the green light for his budget reconciliation process; a 2026 watch update and break down the tariff turmoil; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 4, 2025: Sen. Lindsey Graham talks about recent moves and cabinet confirmations out of Washington; Statehouse reporters Maayan Schechter and Jeffrey Collins give us some insight on the first month of the legislative session and the governors annual address; we also have an economic update that includes interest rates, U.S. GDP and our state’s unemployment rate; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 1, 2025: we take a deep dive into the latest surrounding the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy boondoggle error involving the state’s books; the Senate passed its school voucher bill; Gov. Henry McMaster gave his annual state of the state address; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 28, 2025: Sen. Lindsey Graham gives his take on budget reconciliation, immigration, infrastructure funding, and presidential pardons; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina has detained a man who allegedly sextorted Rep. Brandon Guffey’s son who took his own life as a result; we share an excerpt of our interview with U.S. Attorney Adair Ford; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 25, 2025: we talk with Sen. Larry Grooms as we continue our look at the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy that has claimed another state financial official; we also look at some moves up in Washington this past week involving our delegation; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 21, 2025: we take you through part of now former President Joe Biden’s final, full day in office that he spent in South Carolina; we get reaction from Sen. Lindsey Graham on inauguration day and hear his thoughts about how much it will cost to implement border security; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 18, 2025: the first week of the legislative session brought some surprises along the way, including the new bombshell forensic audit on the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy on the states’ books; in the Senate, members kicked off debate on their new school voucher bill; the House took enlightening testimony on a utility reform bill; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 14, 2025: we continue to talk with top leaders about the priorities for the two year legislative session; we hear from Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, whose Republicans make up a supermajority of the chamber; we also hear from House Democratic Leader Todd Rutherford; Sen. Lindsey Graham staffs up for 2026; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 11, 2025: our exclusive interview with S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith where he outlines his priorities for the 2025 legislative session, gives his take on school vouchers, taxes, and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 7, 2025: we catch you up on some of the Congressional drama kicking off the 119th congress; there’s early voting for a special election primary in one Lowcountry House district; reporter Scott Morgan speaks with Faith Fuller, whose parents created Habitat for Humanity, which became inextricably linked to the late 39th President Jimmy Carter; and more!

On this special holiday episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 24, 2024: our “Hot or Not” 2025 list episode, a cultivated list of the hottest trends you need to be ready for in 2025, and the ones you can leave behind!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 21, 2024: our full interview with USC Research Economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen, recapping the economic year of 2024 and previewing 2025.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 17, 2024: we look at what’s going on this week from the statehouse to Congress; Sen. Lindsey Graham shares his thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump’s Defense Secretary; a look back on the lives of Congressman John Spratt and former state Sen. Kay Patterson; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 14, 2024: we look at why the federal government is suing South Carolina; reporter Maayan Schechter tells us of two South Carolinians among the 39 folks Biden pardoned along with nearly 1,500 people prison sentence commutations; Senate Republicans are going all-gas-no-brakes on a third attempt at a school voucher bill; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 10, 2024: we hear more from Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey on the upcoming session; two prominent South Carolinians weigh in on transgender issues in Washington; we hear about how President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs may affect South Carolina; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 7, 2024: a look at what lawmakers did when they returned to Columbia, briefly, this week, ahead of the start of the legislative session on Jan. 14.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 3, 2024: look at what lawmakers will be doing when they return to Columbia this week; we hear from two professors about more ramifications from Election 2024, including the role of social media, as well as how the geopolitical economy could shift; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 23, 2024: we look at the first estimate of how much money lawmakers will have to budget with next year; we look at the material and the process involved with a state education panel’s evaluation of four books to be removed from classrooms across the S.C.; we follow up on Nancy Mace and her part in a Congressional UAP hearing, as well as an update on U.S. House bathroom policy; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 19, 2024: we hear from state House Republican leaders on their priorities for next session; we get the final recount numbers in for one of the four Senate Democratic seats Republicans flipped; we take a look at leadership changes in the U.S. Senate; and more!