AGP Executive Report

New Lakeside Dining: Hooked on the Water is gearing up to open on Lake Murray in late 2026 with five hospitality concepts—fine dining, casual bites, an outdoor bar, a live-music amphitheater, and event space—aimed at turning the waterfront into a full-on destination. Public Safety & Kids Online: The FBI’s Columbia office warns South Carolina parents about a sharp rise in online networks targeting children and teens, including violent extremist groups that recruit, coerce, and extort victims. Juvenile Justice Scrutiny: A new ACLU of South Carolina report says the state’s juvenile justice system is punishing and traumatizing youth, with major racial disparities and continued use of detention for “status offenses.” Daniel’s Law Update: South Carolina hit a record pace for baby surrenders under Daniel’s Law, with 10 babies turned in so far this year. Community & Culture: Clemson Ventures announced the 2026 Stacks Concert Series lineup—free shows at Fan Fest @ the Stacks before home games. Local Crime Watch: A 12-year-old from South Carolina was found safe in Arkansas after alleged online grooming and kidnapping; a 31-year-old man was arrested. Health & Environment: Residents remain skeptical as Perdue seeks to increase PFAS-related wastewater discharges amid ongoing pollution lawsuits.

Community & Culture: Aiken County’s NAACP is gearing up for its 45th Annual Freedom Fundraiser and 108th Branch Anniversary Celebration, with a “We The People” theme and keynote by Bishop Eric J. Freeman at the USC Aiken Convocation Center. Local Animals: IPAC is bringing adoptable dogs downtown for a special adoption event Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Steamboat Pavilion in New Iberia—an easier way to meet pets and find “furrever” matches. Health & Aging: New research is raising fresh concerns that some popular supplements may not protect the aging brain—and could even worsen cognitive decline for certain people. Politics & Money: President Trump doubled down on his “Trump dividend” pitch, promising $5,000 checks to every U.S. adult if Republicans keep control of Congress—an offer critics say raises big questions about cost and feasibility. Faith & Identity: Muslim women in the U.S. still report discrimination and suspicion shaped by 9/11, with Pew research highlighting how the impact lingers. Sports & Entertainment: Netflix is rolling out “Friday Night Lights” themed openers for its 2026 live sports slate, leaning hard into nostalgia for the Dillon Panthers.

Hunger Relief: A South Carolina farmer, Willie Capehart, is teaming up with Harvest Hope Food Bank to fight hunger across 20 counties, sharing how his agriculture roots and Clemson training feed the mission. Politics & Culture: In Dallas, Republicans opened their first-ever midterm convention with Trump front and center, including a bold $5,000 “Trump dividend” pitch—while early speakers leaned hard on culture-war attacks. Local Living: Columbia unveiled a Main Street lighting upgrade, adding lanterns in historic oak trees to brighten downtown and boost evening safety. Workforce & Education: Duke Energy Foundation awarded $180,000 to nine SC technical colleges for hands-on training and industry certifications tied to construction trades. Campus Tension: USC students are reportedly advertising a “Kirkiversary” Charlie Kirk lookalike contest, which the university says has no registered student organization behind it. Public Safety: A Woodruff, SC 12-year-old was rescued in Arkansas after a 23-hour search; authorities say she was groomed online before being abducted. Community Health: Measles cases keep climbing in Wisconsin, with South Carolina reporting the highest total in the U.S.

Nonprofit Giving: Foundation for the Carolinas’ fundholders topped $150M in Q2 2026 grants through 3,700+ awards, pushing year-to-date giving to about $350M. Public Health & Kids: A new look at school vaccination access highlights how measles outbreak risk can hinge on where families live, with officials noting gaps even in states’ data. Arts & Culture: The South Carolina Orchid Society Show returns with growers, vendors, and judging education—plus a spotlight on what makes orchids stand out. Sports Spotlight: Clover’s Ella Nighbor earned SEC Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Week after a strong debut at the Eye Opener. Justice & Youth: An ACLU report alleges “dangerous conditions” and widening racial inequality inside South Carolina’s juvenile justice system. Local Industry: USA Rare Earth broke ground on a major magnet manufacturing facility in Blacksburg, aiming to create about 490 jobs. Community Remembrance: Upstate events mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, including memorial walks and first-responder tributes. Lifestyle & Entertainment: Darius Rucker released new music, “I Believe,” and Josh Turner is set to headline Oaklawn in December.

Public Health: A measles outbreak is spreading in Illinois’s Douglas County, with health officials urging exposure checks and immunizations as most cases this year involve people unvaccinated or with unknown status. Local Law Enforcement: Union County Sheriff’s Office deputies traveled to Irmo to honor fallen Columbia officer Chris DeLong Jr. at his funeral. Community Remembrance: Hundreds of Georgia officers gathered in Fayetteville for Warm Springs Sgt. Chris Fisher, killed in the line of duty; a fundraiser is set up for his wife and children. Crime & Safety: A South Carolina man is accused of catfishing a Georgia victim by impersonating a Florida deputy, using fake accounts and altered voice calls. Family & Justice: A year after a Taylors crash killed Greenville Water utility locator Cesar Peña Franco, his family says answers are still missing and is offering a $1,000 reward. Education & Reading: Charleston County Public Library launched a free decodable books collection to help struggling readers, aiming to remove cost barriers. Heritage & Culture: Mount Pleasant’s Long Point Schoolhouse restoration is nearing completion after a $250,000 state grant, preserving a Jim Crow-era Black school. Sports & Events: WWE’s IYO SKY and Chad Gable will appear at NXT house shows in Columbia on Sept. 26. Lifestyle & Travel: A new wave of African diaspora heritage tourism is turning travel into ancestral connection and preservation. Arts & Food: Euphoria Greenville returns Sept. 17–20 with ticketed events still available.

Community Arts: Aiken’s Cultural District is getting a new mural in The Alley, unveiled Thursday by USC Aiken professor Joseph Kameen, with a free exhibit reception at the Aiken Center for the Arts right after. Education & Access: Charleston County School District and Charleston Southern University launched a direct admission partnership for qualifying CCSD seniors, aiming to cut application barriers for the Class of 2027. Local History & Heritage: Lancaster County hosts a two-day symposium Sept. 25–26 on the Catawba and Cherokee roles in the American Revolution as part of Lancaster County 250. Health & Care: St. John’s Health added cardiology specialist Dr. Ross Butschek to its team, expanding heart failure and cardiomyopathy expertise. Lifestyle & Pets: Iberia Parish Animal Control featured “Moe,” a friendly 2.5-year-old pit bull available for adoption (heartworm positive, treatable). Sports: LSU’s Rocio Tejedo fired a career-best 65 at the Cougar Classic in Charleston. Culture & Media: Netflix’s “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” spotlights South Carolina church singer Mica Miller and the federal case tied to her husband.

Tariff Tension: Canada hit back at the U.S. with $20B in tariffs after Trump’s latest moves, a reminder that economic fights can ripple well beyond Washington. Local Justice: One year after Greenville Water worker Cesar Pena was killed on the job, his family says “there’s been no justice” and is offering a $1,000 reward for new leads. Health & Kids: A Massachusetts pediatric practice is keeping vaccine-hesitant families from being turned away, even as measles cases rise—an approach that’s fueling a national debate. Labor Day, SC Style: Union leaders and activists marked Labor Day by looking back at the 1969 Charleston Hospital Workers Strike and pushing for better pay and working conditions. Public Safety Tech: South Carolina’s ALPR cameras face fresh backlash after reports of vandalism, raising new questions about privacy and who gets tracked. Culture in the Classroom: SCETV is launching “Zoo Minutes,” immersive Riverbanks Zoo learning content for educators and families. Sports Spotlight: Christopher Bell snapped a winless streak at Darlington, while SC’s Labor Day weekend also brought major volleyball and golf season openers.

Meta Settlement: South Carolina is set to receive nearly $247 million from a massive multistate Meta deal over alleged Instagram/Facebook harms to kids, with new limits on daily use, overnight access, and school-hour restrictions plus stronger age checks and parental controls. Education & Community: Clover High, York Comprehensive, Northwestern, and Indian Land all landed in the latest U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, with the biggest differences tied to college-readiness scores based on AP/IB participation and results. Local Schools: Clover Superintendent Dr. Sheila Quinn announced her retirement after eight years, and the district board is starting the search for her successor. Construction Watch: Lancaster County will break ground on a $36.9 million Regional Athletic Complex next week, aiming to draw tournaments and add family-friendly features like a splash pad. Health & Care: MUSC topped out its $175 million College of Medicine building in Charleston, with the new facility planned to open in late 2027. Culture & Learning: SCETV and Riverbanks Zoo are launching “Zoo Minutes,” an interactive classroom series with 360-degree videos and animal-focused science and conservation content. Sports & Lifestyle: Christopher Bell won the Southern 500 at Darlington to kick off the Chase, while local high school football Week 4 matchups are set for Sept. 10-11. Faith & Family Events: Limitless Pediatric Solutions will host a free Fall Festival in Hardeeville on Sept. 26, and Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church’s fall meeting runs Sept. 11-12.

Immigration & Education: Florida’s Board of Governors voted to bar undocumented students from enrolling in selective public universities that didn’t admit all academically qualified applicants in the last two years, joining Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina in tightening access. Policy & Public Life: FCC chair Brendan Carr says the agency is “looking at a lot of actions” to stop fake polls and partisan coverage ahead of midterms. Sports & Community: South Carolina high school football Week 3 delivered big moments, including South Pointe’s 16-game streak and Dutch Fork’s seven forced turnovers; meanwhile, college rosters keep filling with local athletes, from Chowan soccer to Charleston and The Citadel. Culture & Family Fun: A once-segregated botanical garden honors the Black workers who built it, and a fall guide spotlights nearby theme parks for families. Local Living: Columbia and Upstate religious gathering calendars run Sept. 6-12, plus Labor Day weather alerts and safety reminders are circulating. Health & Safety: Colleges are urging faculty and staff to gather measles immunity proof early to limit campus disruption from a single case.

Tech & Safety: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi rollout is hitting a regulatory speed bump as the U.S. NHTSA opens an audit of about 1,000 vehicles to check compliance with federal safety rules. Road-Trip Reality Check: South Carolina’s Sober or Slammer push ramps up for Labor Day, with extra enforcement and education tied to NASCAR fans. Boating Season Wrap: SCDNR will run courtesy boat inspections statewide over Labor Day weekend, focusing on safety gear and registration without ticketing during the check. Local Food Watch: York County saw nine B-grade and two C-grade retail food establishments in August, with follow-up issues keeping some grades downgraded. Education Snapshot: Beaufort County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for white students (2018 entrants) was 35.6% by 2024, while Florence County’s rate for Hispanic/Latino students was 48.3%. Sports & Community: Newberry College lists Madison Gutierrez for women’s soccer action, and Winthrop’s cross country teams posted results ahead of the Winthrop Invitational. NASCAR Culture: The Cup Series Chase begins today at Darlington with the Cook Out Southern 500, and fans get a clear TV/streaming path.

Democratic turnout push in SC: Jermaine Johnson, Dr. Annie Andrews, and Rep. Kambrell Garvin rallied voters at First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, urging early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. NASCAR at Darlington: Sheldon Creed won the Fleetio 200, while Tyler Reddick will start from pole for the Cook Out Southern 500 after qualifying was canceled by weather. MAGA money in Texas: Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC is set to spend $10 million in the Texas Senate race, including $5 million for ads backing Ken Paxton and $5 million attacking James Talarico. Local culture spotlight: Netflix’s “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” continues to swirl around John-Paul “JP” Miller, now preaching at small pop-up services in Myrtle Beach after Solid Rock Church closed. Community & safety: Charlotte-area severe storms and watches are in play for Labor Day weekend, with damaging wind and hail possible. Online scam warning: Police say a South Carolina man accused of catfishing used fake online identities to target victims across multiple states.

College Sports Roundup: Multiple South Carolina-area athletes landed on college rosters for the week ending Sept. 6, including former Plant High School volleyball players (Central Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, Sewanee, Coastal Carolina, Mercer, Charleston Southern) and former Dreher standout Annie Andrews on Wofford women’s soccer. Local Education & Outcomes: Horry County’s Coastal Carolina-linked six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Hispanic/Latino students (2018 cohort) reached 48.6% by 2024, below the statewide 66%. Public Safety & Community: Drivers say dark stretches of I-85 between Greenville and Anderson have been unsafe since at least 2017, with Anderson County reporting deadly nighttime crashes. Culture & Faith: A Columbia-area report highlights arts leaders’ concerns about funding rules affecting LGBTQ+ groups, while a separate piece spotlights a local church chaplain’s long-running work with youth and music. Sports (Winthrop): Winthrop women’s soccer fell 4-0 to Mercer, and Winthrop volleyball swept Virginia Tech 3-0 in front of a record 1,149 fans.

U.S.-Belize Diplomacy: Newly sworn-in Ambassador André Bauer arrived in Belize and immediately faced questions about controversial “stray animals” remarks from his South Carolina political past, while also stressing Washington’s continued ties with Taiwan. Tech & Regulation: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi rollout in Austin is now under scrutiny after federal regulators opened an audit of about 1,000 vehicles, testing how far “gray areas” can stretch safety rules. Lottery Buzz (SC): South Carolina Education Lottery Mega Millions and Pick 3 results for Sept. 4 are out, with Mega Millions at 61-6-59-34-26 (Mega Ball 24) and Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL midday 9-7-8 (FB 1) / evening 1-5-7 (FB 7). Public Health: A frozen berry recall tied to E. coli risk expanded to Walmart stores in 16 states, including South Carolina—check freezer labels. Local Faith & Community: Waxhaw’s Catholic community is set to gain a new parish effort as Father Benjamin Roberts teams up with Father Patrick Cahill. Sports & Culture: Tunnel to Towers 5K returned to Columbia, honoring first responders and raising support for families of fallen heroes.

Public Safety & Community: A pregnant Sumter County woman died after her hair was caught in a go-kart sprocket, according to the coroner, and funeral details were announced. Local Justice: South Carolina legal legend Joe Rice, cofounder of Motley Rice, died at 70, remembered for major plaintiffs work including big tobacco and opioid cases. Food & Health Alerts: Walmart expanded a frozen-berry recall to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in 16 states, including South Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination. Education Watch: New data show Beaufort County’s six-year bachelor’s completion rate for Black students (30.5% for the 2018 cohort) and Florence County’s for white students (48.9%) lag statewide benchmarks. Culture & Entertainment: Netflix’s “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” hit #1 globally, keeping Myrtle Beach’s Mica Miller case in the spotlight. Tech & Lifestyle: Cities are using AI on garbage-truck cameras to flag property issues, raising privacy questions. Sports & Hype: Week 1 college football is here, with early buzz on the 2027 NFL draft class and South Carolina matchups.

Arts & Education Spotlight: Harrisburg’s 2026 Harrisburg Arts Scholarship went to Hickory Ridge High School grad Marley Brown, a competitive dancer who’ll head to USC’s Darla Moore School of Business this fall. Public Safety: South Carolina’s Sober or Slammer DUI crackdown kicks off Sept. 4–7, with officials urging sober rides and no phone use behind the wheel. Road Safety Data: One year after SC’s hands-free driving law began, enforcement tallied 13,814 citations and 11,557 warnings since tickets started in February. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in 16 states, including South Carolina, are urged to avoid a recalled Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend due to possible E. coli contamination. Higher Ed & Culture Wars: The Trump administration proposes stripping tax-exempt status from private schools that offer race-targeted aid, escalating pressure on DEI programs. Community & Sports: South Carolina State’s women’s soccer fell 4-0 to Charleston at Patriots Point, while USC women’s basketball honored Dawn Staley at Colonial Life Arena. Remembering 9/11: SC groups are planning 25th anniversary events, including Tunnel 2 Towers’ 5K in Columbia.

Workforce & Community: SC Works Midlands hosted a Dislocated Workers Job Fair in Winnsboro after the MLILY Mattress Company fire, bringing 41 employers to help displaced workers and other job seekers find roles across manufacturing, healthcare, law enforcement, and more. Public Safety: Gov. Henry McMaster ordered South Carolina flags at half-staff to honor Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong Jr., killed responding to a domestic disturbance; another officer was wounded and released from the hospital. Local History: The Blythewood Historical Society’s American Revolution series wrapped with a talk on how the flintlock musket shaped battlefield tactics. Education & Culture Wars: The Trump administration proposed a rule that could strip tax-exempt status from private schools and colleges that provide race-targeted help via admissions, scholarships, or facilities. Family & Tragedy: A 911 call captured the frantic moments after 5-year-old autistic Saylor Hayes vanished from a Pawleys Island rental; her parents were later arrested and agreed to extradition to South Carolina. Boating Safety: SCDNR will run courtesy boat inspections statewide over Labor Day weekend to check safety gear and registrations without ticketing during the complimentary stops. Sports & Entertainment: NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup kicks off Sept. 6 at Darlington, while A’ja Wilson added another WNBA Player of the Month award for August.