AGP Executive Report

FIBA 3×3 Glory: South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards won gold with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Poland, teaming with LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley and Mikaylah Williams to beat Australia 21-20 in the final. Lowcountry Youth Sports: District baseball and softball tournaments are underway across the Lowcountry, with Hanahan’s 8U and Moncks Corner’s 10U and 12U all-stars advancing to state events later this month. Gubernatorial Politics: Rep. Nancy Mace responded to President Trump’s decision not to endorse her, framing the race as still wide open. Gas Prices Watch: Diesel prices dipped in multiple counties in the week ending May 30, including a low of $4.59 in Pickens County and $4.79 in Edgefield County, according to GasBuddy. Road Safety Tragedy: A Spartanburg County crash killed teacher Anna Maureen LeCoq, and a separate Orangeburg County motorcycle crash also left one person dead. Primaries Ahead: South Carolina statewide primaries are set for Tuesday, June 9, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Healthcare Expansion: HCA Healthcare is buying about a dozen MedCare urgent-care clinics across South Carolina, including eight along the fast-growing coast between Charleston and the Grand Strand, plus sites in Columbia and Spartanburg; all locations are being rebranded as HCA CareNow. Opinion Leadership: Rick Nelson is retiring as The Post and Courier’s opinion editor, with Cindi Ross Scoppe set to take over June 22. Public Safety: The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal June 6 crash in Spartanburg County where an SUV hit curbs and a bridge and overturned; the coroner identified the driver as Dwight Rice, 54. Community & Care: CMS awarded 4 stars to Summit Hills Skilled Nursing in Spartanburg County and 5 stars to Willow Brooke Court at Park Pointe Village in York County for Q1. Lottery: South Carolina Education Lottery results for June 6 included Powerball numbers 16-32-55-59-64 (Powerball 3).

Clemson Transparency Fight: Clemson trustees are drawing backlash for a “secret search” that delays naming top presidential finalists until after the winner is picked, undercutting the spirit of South Carolina’s public-records law. State Politics & Elections: Rep. Nancy Mace’s governor bid is facing fresh headwinds after a Politico report highlights GOP concerns about her “baggage,” including a widely publicized airport meltdown. Public Safety: South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating two fatal crashes—one in Spartanburg County after a vehicle hit a median, tree, bridge and rolled, and another in Charleston County after a motorcycle pursuit ended in a crash. Opioid Response: Charleston-area partners are hosting “One Dose, Many Lives,” a free naloxone awareness event with first responders and recovery advocates. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy data show diesel and premium/midgrade prices easing in parts of the state, with several counties reporting single lowest stations for the week ending May 30. Local Sports Spotlight: Aspen Boulware, headed to USC, earned repeat national honors after winning back-to-back S.C. Player of the Year awards.

Revolutionary War Commemoration: Nearly 10,000 people are expected at Fort Moultrie for a free, fee-waived weekend marking the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, with living history, demonstrations, and a June 28 ceremony. Local History Spotlight: St. Matthews held a gravesite dedication for Revolutionary War leader Commodore Alexander Gillon, honoring his naval and statesman role in South Carolina’s fight for independence. ICE Enforcement in SC: A federal raid tied to fake identity documents led to 48 workers detained at an Abbeville metal casting business, with six people facing state charges, including two top managers. Community Pushback: In Bluffton, demonstrators protested the Beaufort County area’s ICE operation and questioned local cooperation under a 287(g) agreement. Public Safety: SLED says authorities arrested a man accused of stalking and threatening state Rep. Seth Rose and his family. Business/Industry: Boeing’s North Charleston 787 ramp-up is slowed by engine delivery delays and passenger-seat certification backlogs. Energy Costs: A new map shows South Carolina’s residential electricity prices up about 7.7% year over year, as grid and demand pressures mount.

Gas Prices & Energy Watch: AAA says the national gas average keeps sliding, and South Carolina remains among the cheaper states; EIA data also shows gasoline demand down week over week while supply rose. Local Government: Clinton City Council approved its 2026-27 budget and rezoning/annexation moves, including a shift to R1/R2 zoning for a small residential area. Public Safety & Courts: SLED charged two Barnwell County women with cruelty to children tied to a daycare incident; in Greenville County, bond was denied for a couple accused in the death of a 4-year-old in Travelers Rest. Health: Measles cases in the U.S. topped 2,000, with South Carolina’s earlier outbreak noted as it continues to ripple elsewhere. Elections & Tensions: A video from an early voting site in Columbia’s Midlands is fueling questions about what’s allowed near polling places. Community & Recovery: Charleston County advanced a bid for a $1.17M federal opioid grant to expand Narcan, peer support, and overdose response tools. Historic Milestone: Angel Oak on Johns Island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

PFAS Accountability: Wisconsin announced a $10 million settlement with Tyco Fire Products/Johnson Controls over alleged PFAS spill reporting failures in Marinette, including long-term clean-water obligations for affected residents. FDA Rare-Disease Push: A column argues FDA’s next leader must speed up “common-sense” access to treatments for rare, fast-moving diseases where current timelines don’t fit patients’ reality. ICE Detention Transparency: Reporting says ICE is ending public updates on deaths that occur after detainees are released from custody, drawing fresh backlash as critics warn the agency is narrowing what it must disclose. Immigration Crackdown in SC: South Carolina authorities say an identity-fraud probe led to ICE detaining 48 workers and indicting six people tied to forged documents at an Abbeville manufacturing site. Public Safety & Weather: South Carolina’s drought improves inland to Level 1–2 after record-dry months, but coastal areas remain in severe Level 3; meanwhile, the forecast calls for sunny, warm conditions with rain returning later this weekend. Sports & Local Life: SCHSL named Amy Boozer interim commissioner; Myrtle Beach also announced a new complex general manager at The Ellie Beach Resort.

Federal Sentencing: A Columbia man and a second suspect were sentenced to federal prison after USC-area break-ins tied to a Colonial Life Arena concert; investigators say they used a window punch tool, stole firearms and personal items, and were barred from gun possession by prior convictions. Immigration Crackdown: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson announced a “Ghost Story” operation in Abbeville that led to 48 people detained by ICE and six indicted over alleged use of fraudulent IDs to obtain jobs. Public Safety—Police Misconduct: Myrtle Beach detective Michael Debiase was arrested and fired after allegedly pointing his gun at a fellow officer over a microwaved fish dispute. Cost-of-Living: A new report warns Social Security benefits could drop about $500 a month on average by 2032 without congressional action. Local Politics: Primary election coverage highlights contested South Carolina House and Greenville County Council races ahead of June 9. Health & Weather: South Carolina officials warn of measles risk in the Lowcountry and remind residents that hurricane season begins June 1.

Rare Earth Investment: USA Rare Earth says it has secured up to $1.6 billion in U.S. Commerce funding under the CHIPS Act, backing its push to build a domestic rare-earth supply chain; the company also plans a $1.2 billion magnet facility in South Carolina. Social Security Worry: A new federal-budget analysis warns Social Security checks could drop by about $500 a month on average if Congress doesn’t act before the program’s projected 2032 insolvency. Property Tax Anger: Across Republican-led states, lawmakers are advancing property-tax relief proposals aimed at primary homeowners as home values rise and bills strain budgets. Local Public Safety: Myrtle Beach officials say a detective was fired after allegedly pointing his gun at a fellow officer over a microwave fish incident; SLED is involved. Sports & Community: The Spanish Moss Trail marks National Trails Day and a full month of events in the Lowcountry, including ways to explore the route in June. Entertainment: Peabo Bryson, the South Carolina-born voice behind Disney hits like “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” died at 75.

Fatal Crash: A single-vehicle crash in Taylors killed one person Tuesday night after a 2013 Chrysler 300 struck a curb, left the road, hit a ditch and a tree, and overturned; three passengers were injured and taken to EMS. College Sports Eligibility: Kansas transfer linebacker Landyn Watson’s appeal for a sixth year was denied, ending his eligibility for the upcoming season. Scholarships: The Waldhart Family Foundation named its 2026 Yes You KAN Scholarship recipients. Public Health Alert: South Carolina confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated adult in Hampton County who recently traveled internationally; eight potentially exposed people were told to quarantine through June 21. Elections Coverage: News19 WLTX says it will provide live results and analysis for the June 9 South Carolina primary, starting at 7:30 p.m. Local Safety: Authorities are investigating an armed robbery at a Jimmy John’s in Independence Township, Michigan, where a masked suspect stole employees’ purses. Environment & Recreation: SCDNR opened applications for the 2026 public alligator hunting lottery, running through July 15.

Obituaries: South Carolina-born R&B legend Peabo Bryson, the Grammy winner behind Disney duets “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” died at 75 after a stroke, with tributes pouring in from across the music world. Local Events: A free Milepost Music concert featuring acoustic blues guitarist Scott Ainslie is set for June 7 at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Roads & Construction: SCDOT will close the Berry Shoals and Duncan Reidville Roads intersection in Spartanburg County starting June 5 for roundabout work, with reopening expected within three months. Health Care Watch: CMS Q1 2026 nursing home ratings show a mixed picture statewide—Cheraw Healthcare (2 stars), Fleetwood Post-Acute (2), and Hallmark Healthcare Center (1) contrasted with higher performers like NHC Healthcare–Clinton (5) and White Oak Manor–Newberry (4). Business & Industry: USA Rare Earth says it will invest $1.2 billion in a Cherokee County facility to expand domestic rare-earth and magnet production, targeting commissioning in 2028.

Education & Youth: Five South Carolina high school students were honored at the state Department of Education for winning essays in the Strong Men & Women in South Carolina History contest, tied to the 2026 African American History Calendar. Aviation Safety: A Florence-area pilot was arrested after alleged repeated extremely low passes over Pawleys Island, triggering an FAA investigation and charges. Public Safety & Courts: A former Myrtle Beach detective was arrested after SLED says he pointed a department handgun at a coworker during a dispute over microwaved fish; separately, a Columbia jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty in the 2023 shooting death of a Black 14-year-old. Politics & Voting: South Carolina’s June 9 primaries are one week away, with early voting ending Friday. Upstate Spotlight: BMW Charity Pro-Am revealed celebrity course rotations and added more stars for the June 4-7 event. Local Life: Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is bringing back “Toucan Tuesdays” with food donations benefiting Harvest Hope Food Bank.

South Carolina Hurricane Prep: With the 2026 hurricane season underway, SC Emergency Management is urging residents to stock kits, make a plan, and remember inland hazards can mean outages, blocked roads, and tornadoes—not just coastal storm surge. Courtroom Verdict: A Richland County jury found convenience store owner Chikei “Rick” Chow not guilty in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, after prosecutors argued the chase was unprovoked and the defense said it was self-defense. Public Safety Tragedy: An Anderson County worker died after a pallet tipped while he was unloading a truck with a forklift, trapping him between the pallet and a wall; investigators are looking into the accidental death. Local Government & Schools: Greenville County Schools approved a nearly $981 million FY2027 budget with teacher step increases and no millage increase. Sports & Community: Greenville Triumph SC sold out its home opener at GE Vernova Park for June 3, while St. Charles East’s Hayden Sujack hit a 60th career homer in a supersectional loss. Health Care Recognition: Agape Care Group was named a Top Workplace for Nursing by Nurse.com.

Federal sentencing (Lexington): A Lexington woman, Brittany Nicole Miles, 37, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for selling meth and a firearm after a controlled buy involving the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and ATF. Court update (Murdaugh): South Carolina’s Supreme Court ordered a retrial for Alex Murdaugh after overturning his 2023 convictions tied to improper jury communication by a court clerk, sending the case back to circuit court. Public safety (Upstate): A former Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department chief and deputy coroner was arrested on charges including voyeurism and embezzlement tied to more than $10,000, according to SLED. Health & families (State agency): SCDSS marked June as Family Reunification Month, reporting 521 children and youth have been safely returned to families so far in 2026. Weather prep (Statewide): South Carolina kicked off hurricane season planning, with the state’s 2026 hurricane guide urging residents to prepare before, during, and after major storms. Lottery win (Lowcountry): A Bluffton woman bought cat food on sale at Publix and, with minutes to spare, scratched a Millionaire Bonus ticket worth $1 million. Business & jobs (SC economy): CordenPharma agreed to buy AmbioPharm, adding peptide manufacturing capacity at its North Augusta site. Sports (regional): Tennessee softball will play a second WCWS semifinal game after losing to Texas, setting up another matchup to reach the finals.

Local Elections Watch: Marion County absentee ballot practices are still under scrutiny after a SLED review tied to 2024 Democratic primary protests, with questions lingering about oversight and whether recommended reviews were carried out. SC National Guard Deployment: Hundreds of South Carolina National Guard members from the 122nd Engineer Battalion held a sendoff at McCrady Training Center before deploying to Washington, D.C., for a “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission.” Weather: Forecasters warn severe storms could hit parts of the central U.S., with heavy rain, hail, damaging winds and flash flooding concerns, while some areas recover from recent flooding. SC Sports: The NCAA baseball tournament continues with regional results, including South Carolina Upstate’s run ending after a loss to Oklahoma State, and West Virginia staying alive behind Dawson Montesa’s strong start. Community & Business: Chapin is set to break ground on a $75.3 million Columbia Avenue corridor project to ease congestion. Arts & Culture: A South Carolina resident, Nicholas “Nick” Palmer, steps away after more than 30 years as Altoona Symphony director. Entertainment: Greenville-born R&B star Peabo Bryson is reported to be under medical care after a stroke.

Organ Donation in Focus: A new two-part look at organ donation highlights South Carolina’s kidney shortage, with about 1,800 residents on transplant lists in early 2026 and nearly 90% waiting for kidneys, while Black South Carolinians make up 56% of the waitlist—plus a Church perspective stressing consent and proper brain-death determination. Local Business & Community: Culp Dental in Rock Hill adds Dr. Kimberely Helton, expanding pediatric-focused care. Obituaries: Spencer Leak Jr. of Leak & Sons Funeral Homes dies at 56; Leonard Lloyd Graham, 82, also passed away. Health Update: Peabo Bryson is under medical care after a stroke, with family requesting privacy. Sports: Coastal Carolina’s Kevin Schnall says he’s focused on his five-year contract after USC rumors; Richland County’s sheriff’s team wins a USO softball matchup. Politics & Voting: Supreme Court rulings are boosting odds of new congressional maps for 2026 midterms, with South Carolina mentioned among states affected. Public Safety: Crews respond to a warehouse fire near I-26 in Spartanburg.

SC Governor’s Race: President Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for South Carolina governor, boosting her in the June 9 GOP primary as early voting ramps up; Evette wouldn’t confirm whether she’ll name Gov. Henry McMaster’s son as running mate, saying she’s focused on winning first. Food Safety: Lancaster County’s Subway on Highway 9 Bypass took a rare C grade in May, while two other York County sites and a few Lancaster spots earned B’s before correcting issues and returning to A’s. Politics & Redistricting Fallout: U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn urged Democrats to “get back to some basics,” arguing the party leans too much on consultants and not enough on constituents. Local Public Safety: Traffic returned to normal after a crash on I-85 South in Spartanburg County closed lanes briefly. Community & Accountability: Upstate groups held a downtown Greenville protest against child sex trafficking and exploitation, citing the Epstein files and calling for action.