AGP Executive Report

Tennis Spotlight: Gainesville’s Ben Shelton reached his first U.S. Open men’s final, beating Frances Tiafoe in four sets and setting up a Sunday title match vs. No. 1 Alexander Zverev. Family & Culture: Coverage also zooms in on Shelton’s support crew, including older sister Emma Shelton, a finance professional, and girlfriend Trinity Rodman. Local Sports (SC): South Carolina hosts Towson at Williams-Brice Stadium in the first-ever meeting, with a 7 p.m. kickoff on SEC Network+ and a sellout streak now at 18 straight games. Community & Weather: A severe thunderstorm warning hit Lancaster and Chesterfield counties, with gusts up to 60 mph and hail possible. Civic/Media: South Carolina TV debate access is in flux as a new stipulation tied to Gray Media’s primary coverage raises questions about how candidates get on-air. Remembering 9/11: Multiple pieces mark the 25th anniversary with local remembrance and classroom teaching debates.

Upstate 9/11 Remembrance: Communities across the Upstate marked the 25th anniversary with ceremonies, including a Boiling Springs Fire District memorial featuring a steel beam recovered from Ground Zero. Public Safety & Arts: Aiken unveiled a new public mural, “Art City,” by local artist Joseph Kameen, celebrating Aiken’s Cultural District status and the city’s creative scene. Music & Community Events: The Lowcountry Marching Band Invitational returns Sept. 26 in Wando, bringing 12 South Carolina and North Carolina bands to perform and compete. Local Sports Spotlight: Winthrop volleyball heads to Ohio for the Sports Import Classic, including a first-ever matchup with Ohio State. Food & Drink Buzz: Biscuit Belly and Natalie’s Juices team up for the Piña Picante spicy pineapple margarita, running Sept. 4–Nov. 8. Surveillance Debate: SC lawmakers approved state funding for Flock camera expansion despite growing privacy concerns. Media Industry Watch: McClatchy layoffs hit unionized local coverage, raising fears of news deserts.

New SC State Museum Exhibit: The SC State Museum is rolling out “South Carolina Remembers 9/11: Years Later,” with artifacts from Ground Zero and student-led stories from White Knoll Middle School; a curator talk with Laura Cothran runs Sept. 11. Clemson Football Buzz: Clemson’s 2027 opener is set for Aug. 28 at home vs. Georgia State—earlier than ever—plus a free Stacks Concert Series lineup at Fan Fest @ the Stacks starts Sept. 12 with ECHO. Sports Spotlight: South Carolina women’s soccer kept momentum rolling with a 1-0 win over Florida, while Norfolk State unveiled a tough 2026-27 women’s basketball schedule featuring Duke, Ole Miss, Iowa State, Florida, North Carolina and more. Community & Culture: Hooked on the Water plans a late-2026 Lake Murray dining and live-music destination in Lexington. Local Service Event: Secretary of State Mark Hammond hosts a free notary seminar Sept. 28 in Simpsonville. Offbeat Note: A viral clip shows an insurance adjuster falling through a SC ceiling during a roof inspection.

Local Arts & Community Theater: Fort Mill Community Playhouse is staging Sex, Lies and a Sycamore Tree as it charts a “new future,” keeping small-town theater energy front and center. Fall Events in the Lowcountry: Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch kicks off its 30th annual run with a Sept. 25 ribbon-cutting and a full lineup of family attractions, from mazes and tractor tours to live shows. Restaurant News: O’Charley’s has abruptly shut down all remaining South Carolina locations, including Underground Chuck’s in Charleston. Sports (SC Focus): South Carolina football hosts Towson Saturday as the Gamecocks fine-tune after a 57-0 Kent State rout, while Winthrop women’s soccer heads to Wofford in Spartanburg Thursday. Music/Entertainment: Netflix is rolling out Friday Night Lights themed openers for its 2026 slate, tapping Peter Berg and Coach Taylor for the hype. Public Safety & Crime: A Batesville man faces kidnapping charges across multiple states after a missing 12-year-old girl was found at his residence in Arkansas.

Politics & Pop Culture: Trump kicked off the GOP midterm convention with a “Trump dividend” promise: $5,000 to every adult if Republicans keep Congress—details and legality still unclear, but the pitch is clearly built for TV and swing voters. SC Arts & Education: The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities opened applications for its 2027-28 residential high school and summer programs, with creative writing, dance, drama, film, music and visual arts options. Community & Safety: Greenville Sgt. Diana Munoz returned to duty after surviving a crash that killed her wife, parents and two others. Local Downtown Glow-Up: Columbia unveiled new Main Street lighting—tree-mounted lanterns meant to brighten the historic corridor and boost evening safety. Student Creativity Against Exploitation: SC AG Alan Wilson’s Human Trafficking Task Force launched a Youth Poster Contest for grades 8-12, with a “We Shine Better Together” theme. Campus Tensions: A “Kirkiversary” Charlie Kirk look-alike contest ad circulated online at USC; the university says no registered group is behind it. Sports (SC ties): USC President highlighted record growth and a tuition freeze at the State of the University event celebrating USC’s 225th anniversary. Legal/Entertainment: A federal order hit North Charleston clothing brand Born United, forcing it to stop using Buc-ee’s beaver trademark imagery.

Clemson Football Buzz: Dabo Swinney snapped at a reporter after Clemson’s 51-10 opener loss to LSU, and the Tigers now try to quiet the chatter with their first home game of the season vs. Georgia Southern on Sept. 12. Gamecock Season Watch: South Carolina followed up its 57-0 Kent State home opener by hosting Towson Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium. Music Spotlight: Darius Rucker returns with the hopeful new single “I Believe.” Local Arts & Community: A new butterfly sculpture at Kingstree’s Kellahan Park turns collected litter into public art, and a youth poster contest invites SC students to create anti–human trafficking artwork. Sports Beyond Football: South Carolina sprinter Jacory Patterson is set to race for $150,000 at the Ultimate Championships. Legal/True Crime: Alex Murdaugh’s retrial has been moved to Sumter County for a 2027 start.

WWE Spotlight: IYO SKY and Intercontinental Champion Chad Gable are headed to NXT for special house shows—Sept. 26 in Columbia and Sept. 27 in Greensboro—while both keep major storylines on Raw. Live Music & Food: Greenville’s Euphoria Greenville runs Sept. 17-20, and organizers say tickets still have spots for events like Songwriter’s Recipe and multiple guest-chef dinners. Local Arts Funding: Ten at the Top’s Elevate Upstate grants are open for applications through Sept. 11, supporting public murals, sculptures, and recurring community events across Upstate SC. Community Arts Revival: Jasper finished the recreated Sgt. William Jasper mural downtown, restoring a key piece of local public art after a 2025 fire. Sports Schedule News: South Carolina baseball released its 2027 SEC slate, starting March 19-21 at home vs. Vanderbilt. Heritage Preservation: Mount Pleasant’s Long Point Schoolhouse restoration got a $250,000 state grant to complete the Jim Crow-era project. Dining Watch: JINYA Ramen Bar is nearing its Woodruff Road opening in Greenville, with a liquor license filed and an official date still pending.

Charleston Hotel Update: Four Seasons Charleston is moving forward—Strategic Property Partners picked Hoar Construction as general contractor, with groundbreak expected by year-end and completion now targeted for 2030. Aiken Arts: Downtown Aiken’s Cultural District will unveil a new mural by USC Aiken professor Joseph Kameen in The Alley on Thursday, followed by a free reception for his exhibit “Everything I Have.” Local Sports Buzz: USC tight end Caden Ramsey was arrested in Moncks Corner days after his college debut; the school says it’s aware of the situation. Music/Film Spotlight: Netflix’s “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” returns attention to South Carolina church singer Mica Miller and the federal case involving her husband. Tech & Security: Altera announced post-quantum cryptography support for Agilex 3 and Agilex 5 FPGAs. Outdoors: South Carolina dove season opens with three segments for 2026-27, with permits required for public fields.

Tariff Tussle: Canada hit back at the U.S. with tariffs on about $20B of American goods after new U.S. tariffs, a move that could ripple well beyond North America. Local Memorial: Kershaw County and the Elgin community held a packed candlelight vigil for slain Columbia Police Officer Chris DeLong, with live-streamed tributes and music from South Carolina Poet Laureate Patrick Davis. Wrestling Buzz: Tessa Blanchard’s Sept. 12 MLW debut in Charleston looks shaky as the promotion quietly removed her from its website and roster listings. NASCAR Spotlight: Christopher Bell ended a long winless streak by taking the Southern 500 at Darlington, vaulting into the Chase title hunt. Art & Community: Calabash’s Sunset River Gallery opened “Wild Places,” a coastal art show supporting conservation across the Carolinas. Sports Off the Field: USC freshman Caden Ramsey was arrested on a racing charge, adding fresh attention to the Gamecocks’ early season. Tech & Privacy: South Carolina residents continue pushing back on ALPR cameras after reports of vandalism and concerns about tracking.

SEC Week 1 Buzz: Georgia and Texas stayed atop early power rankings after dominant openers, while LSU, Ole Miss and others made small moves as the conference’s depth showed up fast. Local Sports & Gamecocks: USC’s season opener vs. Kent State is still driving headlines, and freshman tight end Caden Ramsey is now facing a “racing on a public road” charge after an early Monday arrest. FCS Spotlight: South Carolina State remains hot in the FCS Top 25 after another strong start, while an FCS voter ballot kept the conversation moving with minimal shakeups after Week 1. Meta Settlement: South Carolina is set to receive nearly $247M from a multistate Meta deal over alleged harms to kids and teens on Instagram and Facebook, with new safety requirements on usage limits and content protections. Arts & Education: SCETV launches “Zoo Minutes,” a Riverbanks Zoo-focused classroom series with 360-degree and interactive learning. Community Events: Limitless Pediatric Solutions will host a free Fall Festival in Hardeeville on Sept. 26. Pageantry: Regan Hutsell of Texas was crowned Miss America 2027 in West Palm Beach.

College Football Spotlight: South Carolina State shut down Florida A&M 28-13 in the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, with Mason Pickett Hicks running for 210 yards and two TDs while FAMU’s Isaiah Knowles left injured. Pageantry & Local Pride: Miss Texas Regan Hutsell won Miss America 2027 at the Kravis Center, and Oxford native Madalyn Sullivan earned first runner-up in Miss America’s Teen 2027. Media & Entertainment: Netflix is developing Richard Osman’s cozy-mystery series “We Solve Murders” into a new crime TV show. Sports Culture in SC: The Game & Geek Expo returned to the capital for its second year, bringing cosplay, e-sports, and family-friendly gaming. Weather Watch: Severe storms and thunderstorm alerts moved across the Carolinas, with damaging wind and hail risks noted for the Charlotte region and upstate SC. Tech/Regulation Buzz: FCC chair Brendan Carr said the agency is “looking at a lot of actions” to curb fake polls and partisan coverage ahead of midterms. NASCAR: The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington kicks off the Cup postseason, with free-stream options highlighted.

NASCAR Spotlight: The 2026 Cup Series Chase kicks off Sunday at Darlington with the Cook Out Southern 500, with USA Network carrying the race and HBO Max streaming coverage, plus a revamped points chase format. Clemson Football Fallout: Dabo Swinney’s Tigers took a brutal Week 1 hit on national TV vs. LSU, and the fallout includes talk of how much it would cost Clemson to buy out the rest of Swinney’s contract. Tech & Regulation: Tesla’s Cybercab robotaxi rollout in Austin is now under a federal audit after NHTSA opened a review of about 1,000 vehicles, testing how far self-driving tech can go under existing safety rules. Local Sports/Community: HYLO Fitness is set to open in Greenville’s former “Baby Bi-Lo” space, bringing HIIT and heated Pilates/barre-style classes to downtown. Public Safety: A motorcycle driver died after a two-car crash on U.S. 25 in Greenville County, while firefighters rescued a racehorse after a semi crash on I-95 in Colleton County. Remembering 9/11: Bluffton and Hardeeville are holding 25th-anniversary remembrance ceremonies this week, alongside Columbia’s annual observance.

Gamecocks Kickoff Statement: LaNorris Sellers threw 3 TDs and 270 yards as South Carolina routed Kent State 57-0 in Columbia, piling up 645 total yards and a shutout with no turnovers. Heat Safety in the Spotlight: Record temperatures hit Williams-Brice Stadium, with heat index readings climbing near 110 during the Gamecocks’ opener. NASCAR at Darlington: Weather canceled Busch Light pole qualifying, setting the Southern 500 Chase lineup by rule; Tyler Reddick will start from pole. Local Fitness Scene: Foxtrot Company Ruck Club launched in Laurens County, bringing rucking to the community with group walks and outdoor events. Community & Culture: Fountain Inn was named South Carolina’s “Most Charming Small Town” by AFAR, spotlighting local spots like Bobby’s BBQ and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Online Scam Warning: Athens police say South Carolina man Caleb Mills used catfishing identities, including “Hailey Morello,” to target victims across multiple states.

Lowcountry Business Spotlight: Saltwater Moving is doubling down on local ownership as national moving chains push into Charleston, arguing that Lowcountry know-how matters for everything from historic-district streets to coastal humidity. Game Day Sports (SC): South Carolina opens its 133rd season at Williams-Brice Stadium vs. Kent State, with LaNorris Sellers back and a new-look staff debuting key roles. Primetime Rivalry Watch: Clemson starts the 2026 season at LSU in a nationally televised matchup at Tiger Stadium, with Christopher Vizzina set to lead the offense. Upstate Local Incident: A Walmart in Boiling Springs was reportedly evacuated by shoppers, but deputies say law enforcement never officially ordered an evacuation during a suspicious-person chase. Community & Culture: Paris Baguette plans a new Greenville cafe on Woodruff Road at Magnolia Park, bringing its self-serve pastry-and-coffee format to a major retail corridor. Arts for a Cause: Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary’s “Animals, Art & Automobiles” fundraiser returns Sept. 13 at Charles Towne Landing. College Sports Notes: Winthrop women’s soccer fell to Mercer 4-0, while local athlete roster updates keep rolling across the week.

College Football Kickoff (SC focus): Clemson named Christopher Vizzina its starting QB for the Week 1 showdown at LSU, with Dabo Swinney saying Tait Reynolds will still get chances—keeping pressure on Vizzina. SEC Season Buzz: Alabama opens its 2026 season at home vs. East Carolina (ABC, noon ET), while LSU-Clemson is the headline prime-time matchup in Lane Kiffin’s debut. Game Day Guide: Here’s where to watch Alabama, plus TV/streaming info for Kent State vs. South Carolina and other Week 1 slate details. High School Football (Week 3): Dutch Fork beat Spartanburg 56-14, Chapman topped Seneca 27-13, and Wren shut out Travelers Rest 61-0. Arts & Culture: At the Met, a boa constrictor named Princess won the audition for a role in “Così fan tutte.” Community Events: Columbia’s South Carolina Weinerfest returns Sept. 12 at Gather COLA. Public Safety/Local Life: SCDOT announced a temporary I-26 Exit 129 ramp closure (Sept. 11-14).

USC Sports Tribute: South Carolina Gamecocks will honor longtime attorney and benefactor Joe Rice with a moment of silence and scoreboard tribute before the Kent State season opener, with more tributes planned across USC channels. Local Sports & Community: The Gamecocks will also honor Columbia police officer Chris DeLong before kickoff. College Golf: Jacksonville men’s golf opens its season at the Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Intercollegiate hosted by Coastal Carolina at Grande Dunes Resort Club. Pro Football Weekend Guide: A full slate of college football TV listings highlights Kent State at South Carolina (SEC Network) and Coastal Carolina at West Virginia (TNT/HBO Max). Entertainment & Culture: Netflix’s true-crime hit “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” is topping global charts, leaving viewers “baffled” and “enraged.” Public Safety: Federal prosecutors say a Chesterfield County dogfighting case led to the largest single-property dog seizure in SC history, with more than 100 dogs seized. Food Recall: Walmart recalled Great Value frozen organic triple berry blend in 16 states, including South Carolina, due to possible E. coli contamination.