AGP Executive Report

Local Justice: A Georgetown County magistrate denied bond for Saylor Hayes’ parents, John Hayes III and Geordyn Hayes, after charges tied to the 5-year-old’s death; the judge said there was “no way on this earth” he’d grant a PR bond. Public Safety: Athens-Clarke police say a South Carolina man, Caleb Mills, allegedly ran a catfishing scheme using a fake identity tied to a Florida sheriff’s deputy, with investigators warning victims to be cautious about requests for money or gifts. Sports—USC Football: LaNorris Sellers threw for 270 yards and three TDs as South Carolina routed Kent State 57-0 in a season opener played in record heat at Williams-Brice. Politics: Trump made his first major midterm-era economic contribution, filing a $10 million ad spend aimed at Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton. NASCAR: Tyler Reddick will start on the pole for the Southern 500 after qualifying was canceled at Darlington due to weather. Community & Fitness: A new Laurens County rucking club, Foxtrot Company Ruck Club, is launching to bring people together through outdoor fitness and service.

Robotaxi Watch: NHTSA opened a safety audit of Tesla’s Cybercab just hours after the driverless service launched in Austin, raising questions about how the vehicle meets rules built for human controls. Local Education Data: Richland County’s University of South Carolina-Columbia reported a 74.6% six-year bachelor’s completion rate for students of two or more races (2018 cohort), while Florence County’s Francis Marion University came in at 32.1% for the same group. Courts & Public Safety: A Georgetown County judge denied bond for Saylor Hayes’ parents, John Hayes III and Geordyn Hayes, citing prior criminal history tied to charges in their daughter’s death. Holiday Travel: South Carolina Highway Patrol warned Labor Day traffic will surge on I-26 and I-95 to the Lowcountry, with troopers stepping up enforcement as gas prices stay high. Game Day: South Carolina kicks off 2026 hosting Kent State at 12:45 p.m. on SEC Network, with new offensive staff and QB LaNorris Sellers leading the opener. Tech & Media: A Clemson professor questioned X’s timing after the platform claimed it removed China-linked bot accounts, noting similar posts were already highlighted by OpenAI earlier.

USPS & Voting Rights Fight: A federal judge blocked key parts of Trump’s new mail-ballot restrictions for the 2026 midterms, warning disenfranchisement could be “practically inevitable” as the federal ballot portal remains unfinished. South Carolina Courts & Elections: The same broader dispute over absentee-by-mail rules continues to ripple through state election planning after appeals court rulings that found age-based discrimination. Local Legal Battle (Folly Beach STRs): A property owner filed a proposed class-action against Folly Beach to recoup short-term rental registration fees after a judge ruled the city’s STR ordinance illegal; the city has appealed. Public Safety & Community Loss: South Carolina’s legal community mourned the death of powerhouse attorney Joe Rice, while separate coverage highlights ongoing investigations and charges tied to alleged crimes involving law enforcement and local businesses. Health & Consumer Alerts: An E. coli recall tied to frozen berries expanded to more products and states, including South Carolina. Sports (Gamecocks Week 1): With South Carolina’s opener vs. Kent State approaching, coverage also keeps an eye on the wider 2026 college football slate and betting lines.

South Carolina Legal Loss: Joe Rice, the Mount Pleasant plaintiffs-law legend and Motley Rice co-founder, died Sept. 3 at 70, with the firm calling his work a “pioneer” force for justice. Public Safety: A toddler died after a shooting inside a South Carolina home, according to the coroner. Crime & Courts: Federal prosecutors say an incarcerated man ran a drug network from prison. Elections Watch: Some S.C. voters marked “inactive” can still vote, but advocates urge people to check registration and mail access ahead of the midterms. Food Safety: Walmart recalled Great Value frozen organic triple berry blend in 16 states, including South Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination—customers are told not to eat it and to return for a refund. Traffic & Travel: AAA says Labor Day travel is still busy and gas prices remain high, with South Carolina averaging about $3.77. Health & Community: The 2027 South Carolina Ride to End ALZ shifts from July to May 21-23, keeping the same 257-mile route. Sports (Local Flavor): South Carolina State opens big vs. Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic.

Labor Day DUI crackdown: SCDPS is launching “Sober or Slammer” enforcement from Sept. 4–7, warning drivers to slow down, put phones away, and plan a sober ride as travel and college football kick off. Pregnancy discrimination lawsuit: The EEOC says a Family Dollar manager fired a pregnant worker after she miscarried, alleging she was punished for not immediately producing a doctor’s note. Double homicide in Sumter County: A mother and daughter were found shot to death at a home on Pudding Swamp Road; investigators say there’s no sign of forced entry and they’re looking at people of interest. Court fight over absentee voting: A federal appeals court says South Carolina’s age-based absentee voting rule may discriminate by age, setting up further review. Utility merger move: Santee Cooper asked to intervene in the Dominion–NextEra megamerger case, with a final state decision expected by January 2027. Public safety and justice: A former Orangeburg officer faces SLED charges for assaulting a handcuffed suspect, and a Pickens man was sentenced to 34 years for trafficking fentanyl, heroin, meth, and crack. Food recall: Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend is recalled in 16 states, including South Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination. Local jobs: Columbia’s Capital City Career Expo at Dutch Square Center runs Sept. 9 with 80+ employers.

NCAA Eligibility Fight: A federal appeals court put a hold on Florida A&M’s “5-for-5” fifth-year eligibility change, leaving former linebacker Nay’Ron Jenkins unable to return to the field and instead resuming as a graduate defensive assistant. Public Safety: South Carolina troopers are ramping up DUI enforcement for Labor Day weekend as part of the Sober or Slammer campaign. Local Justice: Attorney General Alan Wilson announced charges against a Lexington County housekeeper accused of exploiting four assisted-living residents by using their debit cards for personal purchases. Remembering 9/11: SCETV will premiere “Remembering 9/11: South Carolina Reflects,” marking 25 years since the attacks with stories from South Carolinians. Crime Update: Parents of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes waived extradition and are headed to South Carolina to face charges tied to her death after her body was recovered from the Waccamaw River. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters confirmed a March 2026 breach of its C-Track court system that exposed court documents in South Carolina and 10 other states.

Supreme Court Fight: The U.S. House rejected a GOP-backed constitutional amendment to permanently cap the Supreme Court at nine justices, falling short of the two-thirds requirement. Public Safety Tech: Myrtle Beach police say an AI gunshot detection tool helped lead to the arrest of a man charged after a reported Aug. 10 shooting. Child Death Case: Authorities say the parents of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes, a nonverbal autistic girl found dead near a South Carolina vacation area, were arrested on South Carolina warrants in Tennessee. Local Education: Williamsburg County School District recognized students and teachers for performance on SC READY and end-of-course assessments. State Budget: Gov. Henry McMaster signed a supplemental spending bill distributing about $350 million for community projects across South Carolina. Politics in York County: Chad Williams won the Democratic primary for Senate District 15, setting up a November matchup. Sports (SC): Two Spartanburg golfers will face off in the U.S. Senior Amateur championship match.

Missing Child Case: Georgetown County says the parents of nonverbal 5-year-old Saylor Hayes have been arrested in Tennessee after her body was found in waters near a Pawleys Island rental home; John Herb Hayes III (70) and Geordyn Nichole Hayes (31) face charges tied to unlawfully placing a child at risk and willfully abandoning a child, with authorities also disputing claims about a Project Lifesaver tracking device. Port & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Carolina Ports Authority launched a feasibility study on navigation improvements for the upper Charleston Harbor, including the Cooper River channel serving the North Charleston Terminal. State Policy: Gov. Henry McMaster says South Carolina will stop the “orphan tax” practice of using foster children’s Social Security benefits to cover their care if the Department of Social Services can secure enough funding. Public Safety/Health: Attorney General Alan Wilson announced a 2026 Youth Poster Contest for the state Human Trafficking Task Force, and South Carolina Pediatric Alliance was named a 2026 Best of South Carolina winner. Business: Stanley Martin Homes expands into Myrtle Beach via acquisition of Great Southern Homes.

EMS Recognition: Prisma Health Ambulance Service earned the 2026 Dick Ferneau Career EMS Service of the Year award from NAEMT, highlighting its large South Carolina call volume and transport operations. Education Rankings: Eight Greenville County high schools placed in U.S. News & World Report’s top 50 public schools statewide, with Riverside High leading the local pack. Public Safety & Justice: Parents of 5-year-old Saylor Hayes—found dead near Pawleys Island—were arrested in Tennessee on charges tied to child endangerment and abandonment, with warrants citing a missing tracking device. Food Safety: Hodo, Inc. recalled more than 10,000 cases of Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu across 29 states due to possible ink contamination from packaging. Sports & Local Life: Williams-Brice rolls out new game-day tech and entry procedures for the 2026 season, while South Carolina’s Daniel Island Historical Society received a $15,000 SC250 grant to dig into Cainhoy Revolutionary War history. Utilities Watch: The SC Public Service Commission posted upcoming livestreams and an allowable ex parte briefing on solar business benefits.

Election & Voting Rights: A federal appeals court ruled South Carolina’s age-based absentee-by-mail system unconstitutional, saying voters 65+ can vote without “excuse” while younger voters face requirements—sending the case back for a remedy. State Politics: WIS, FOX Carolina and Gray Media will host an exclusive Oct. 6 governor’s debate in Columbia featuring Republican Alan Wilson and Democrat Jermaine Johnson. Public Safety: A South Carolina deputy was fired after an internal audit found 62 unauthorized Flock camera searches on a spouse’s vehicle and others’ cars. Transportation: SCDOT will close the Windsor Street bridge in Orangeburg for about a month starting Sept. 8, and SCDOT will hold a Sept. 17 public meeting on a Pickens County bridge replacement. Health & Science: Researchers at MUSC reported mouse results using self-policing T cells to reverse newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes by reining in immune attacks. Business & Consumer: Foxquilt launched an errors-and-omissions insurance product in South Carolina as part of a broader rollout. Crime & Courts: A jury in the Lindsay Clancy case was sent back to deliberate after failing to reach a unanimous verdict.

Amazon Ad Lawsuit: The FTC and 22 states, including South Carolina, sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” pricing that they say inflated costs for advertisers by tens of billions. Courts & Voting: A federal court ruled South Carolina’s age-based absentee voting law unconstitutional, adding to the state’s ongoing legal fight over election rules. Public Safety: South Carolina mourns Officer Chris DeLong, killed in the line of duty in a park shooting; SLED is investigating. State Government: Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette released their public schedule for the week of Aug. 31, including events in Columbia and a Darlington stop tied to the NASCAR Southern 500. Economy & Jobs: A South Carolina WARN report lists 4,489 job losses. Energy & Industry: USC plans a $100 million Nuclear Innovation Center and will request state funding. Traffic Fatalities: SCDPS reported five deaths on South Carolina roadways over Aug. 28–30. Sports: USC soccer and other local match results kept fans busy, while NASCAR’s Chase begins at Darlington.

USC Construction Boom: The University of South Carolina is in a major building push—about $1.8 billion in projects—ranging from a new healthcare campus and neuro hospital to stadium upgrades and new student housing plans. Supreme Court Politics: Rep. James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, backs expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices, arguing for “significant actions” as public trust hits generational lows. G20 in Asheville: Finance chiefs are in Asheville for the G20, with Iran and trade tensions high on the agenda alongside a growth push tied to energy and manufacturing. Public Safety—Missing Child: Search efforts continue for 5-year-old Sailor Hayes near Pawleys Island after she wandered away Sunday; multiple agencies and air/underwater support are involved. Health Alert: South Carolina confirms two more West Nile virus outbreaks, bringing the state’s 2026 total to six cases, with officials urging mosquito precautions. Local Crime: A judge denied bond for a Greenville County woman accused of stabbing her Lyft driver 11 times and stealing his car. Sports Spotlight: South Carolina is set for a marquee women’s basketball matchup in the Players Era Showcase in Las Vegas, with Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks among the featured teams.

Officer-involved shooting in Columbia: A Columbia police officer, Chris DeLong Jr., was killed and another officer was wounded after a shooting erupted at a park while police responded to a reported domestic violence dispute. Politics & media: President Trump escalated his fight with NBC’s Kristen Welker, demanding FCC “rebuke or punishment” after she said his endorsement results were “mixed,” tying the dispute to South Carolina’s Senate politics. G20 in the Carolinas: India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in South Carolina for G20 finance talks in Asheville focused on global growth, debt, and the Iran conflict. Local development debate: In Clinton, residents and officials are still wrestling with the proposed Cambridge Farms project, a 490-home plan that’s now being reshaped amid community opposition. Health costs snapshot: New Medicaid billing figures show Kingstree providers billed $66,704 for medical and surgical supplies in 2024, while Greenville County’s midgrade gas hit a low of $3.44 for the week ending Aug. 22. Sports (SC ties): South Carolina State opened volleyball with a win and a loss at the Alabama A&M Invitational, and Gamecocks women’s basketball added a Thanksgiving-week home tournament featuring HBCU teams.

Public Safety: Columbia police say Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, was killed and a second officer was injured in a Saturday “gunfight” at a park after responding to a domestic dispute call; the 33-year-old suspect also died, and SLED is investigating. Local Planning: Mount Pleasant is weighing a temporary moratorium on new data center projects after residents raised concerns about environmental impacts, noise, and water use. Elections & Courts: A federal appeals court ruling says South Carolina’s mail-in voting rules for seniors illegally discriminate, setting up more legal fights over how ballots are handled. Health Care Spending: New HHS Medicaid billing figures show sharp local increases in multiple categories, including surgery-related claims in Piedmont and radiology growth in Cheraw, alongside smaller community-by-community snapshots across the state. Sports: South Carolina State routed Savannah State 87-0 in the season opener, while Winthrop women’s soccer heads to The Citadel for a Sunday road match.

Public Safety: Columbia police say Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, died and another officer was injured in a gunfight at Southeast Park after officers responded to a domestic dispute involving a man with a restraining order; the suspect, Adam Tyler Dowdy, 33, also died. Local Tragedy: In Surry County, a woman died after a tree limb struck her at the I-77 Welcome Center; officials say storms were present but wind wasn’t believed to be a factor. Sports (SC): South Carolina State routed Savannah State 87-0 in an HBCU season opener, with Keely Watson throwing three TDs and Josh Shaw rushing for three. College Football (SC interest): Week 0 kicks off the 2026 season with FCS matchups and major SEC storylines, including South Carolina’s upcoming SEC slate. Community & Culture: Summerville hosted the Lowcountry’s first Japanese Festival, drawing hundreds for music, dance, and hands-on activities. Everyday Life: A new study ranks Columbia mid-tier for college-town water quality, with a “C” grade for lead but no PFAS detections reported in the measured categories.

Rare Earth Push: Cyclic Materials raised $75 million to speed rare earth recycling and refining, with South Carolina construction slated for a Q4 2026 groundbreaking. Public Safety on I-85: A flipped 18-wheeler shut down all northbound lanes of I-85 near mile marker 7 in Anderson County, backing traffic up miles. Crash Updates: South Carolina Highway Patrol also reported a deadly three-vehicle crash in Horry County, with one driver dying and others taken to hospital. Local Crime: Deputies said a woman was shot at a Waffle House in Piedmont, with her condition not yet released and no suspect named. Politics: Darline Graham won South Carolina’s GOP Senate nomination after the Aug. 25 runoff, setting up a Nov. 3 general election against Annie Andrews. SNAP Change: South Carolina delayed SNAP restrictions on soda and candy until November after a court blocked similar bans elsewhere. Education/Justice: A former South Carolina teacher charged with child sex crimes and HIV exposure was released on bond.