AGP Executive Report

Dolly Parton Tribute: The Clinch River Fall Antique Festival in Clinton will honor the late country icon with a “Coat of Many Colors” performance by local group WestWend on Oct. 3. Lowcountry Music Education: Daniel Island Music Academy keeps growing its after-school program, teaching everything from country and rock to classical piano and musical theater vocals. Pro Wrestling in Charleston: Tessa Blanchard is set to debut for Major League Wrestling at Fightland on Sept. 12 in Charleston. NASCAR Chase Starts in SC: The Cup Series playoffs kick off at Darlington Raceway, with the standings reset and Denny Hamlin leading the field into the 10-race run. Local Arts & History Grant: Daniel Island Historical Society received a $15,000 SC250 grant to dig into Revolutionary War-era history on the Cainhoy Peninsula. Food Safety Recall: Hodo Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu is recalled in 29 states due to possible ink contamination from packaging. Sports Spotlight: Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer earned an eighth-place Coaches Poll ranking ahead of a key matchup with Francis Marion.

SC Education & Arts: District Five music ensembles earned spots at the South Carolina Music Educators Association conference—Abner Creek Middle School Chorus, Beech Springs Middle School Percussion Ensemble (featured chamber group), and Byrnes High School Wind Ensemble. Archaeology & Local History: USC Honors College students dug near the “Horseshoe” and uncovered 19th-century campus relics, with artifacts headed for a spring exhibit at the South Caroliniana Library and Museum. College Sports (Women’s Soccer): Winthrop fell 1-0 to The Citadel in Charleston despite outshooting the Bulldogs 7-4 on goal. Nuclear Ambitions: USC plans a $100 million Nuclear Innovation Center, aiming to grow research, workforce training, and industry partnerships. Entertainment/Pop Culture: Bachelor in Paradise alum Joe Amabile says his speech is “90% back” after surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Media & Politics: Trump escalates his feud with NBC’s Kristen Welker, threatening FCC action over her “Meet the Press” comments. Sports (NASCAR): The Chase begins at Darlington as NASCAR resets the Cup standings for the 10-race playoff run.

NASCAR in SC: The Chase for the Cup kicks off at Darlington Raceway as standings reset, with Denny Hamlin starting as the top seed and the 16-driver field chasing a 10-race run to Homestead-Miami. Politics & health: Darline Graham’s GOP Senate primary win is being framed as a Trump comeback moment, while her opponent Annie Andrews—an MD—keeps pushing universal health care and science-forward messaging. Arts & healing: Piedmont Opera and Novant Health launch the company’s 50th anniversary season with Renée Fleming’s “Music and Mind” symposium and related events. USC sports on TV: South Carolina opens its season vs. Kent State at Williams-Brice Stadium (SEC Network; ESPN+ streaming). Media clash: Trump says NBC’s Kristen Welker will be reported to the FCC over “mixed results” comments about endorsements. Food safety: FDA expands a sprouts recall and also flags a tofu recall due to possible ink contamination, with distribution including South Carolina. Local jobs: SC’s latest WARN report lists 4,489 impending job losses, including Electrolux layoffs in Anderson.

G20 & Global Business: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met 3M CEO William Brown in Asheville, pitching India as a hub for advanced manufacturing, tech, and R&D while discussing data security and supply-chain ties. Local Sports & Music: South Carolina Gamecock singer-songwriter Mary English unveiled a new anthem, while Clemson’s Sept. 19 ACC matchup vs. UNC is already drawing ticket buzz. College Hoops Spotlight: Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks announced a Thanksgiving-week home tournament with three HBCUs (NC Central, Alabama A&M, Tennessee State) tied to the PowerHer Tournament. Pro Football Moves: The New Orleans Saints released/waived multiple players and set injured reserve moves ahead of the 53-man roster cut. Community & Culture: Jostens partnered with Coastal Carolina University to launch a new official ring program honoring CCU’s heritage. Sports Win: Evan Kung won his first Bassmaster Elite title at the St. Lawrence River, claiming record-setting weight. Everyday Life: A Graniteville lottery player marked a wedding anniversary with a $100,000 Palmetto Cash 5 win. Public Safety: Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal Clarendon County crash on Old Manning Road.

Fashion & Pop Culture: Bravo’s Madison LeCroy is spotlighting her go-to Warby Parker frames, from vintage-inspired Tacha to classic cat-eye Lorena, as she balances mom life, beauty work, and influencer duties. Sports (SC ties): Winthrop women’s soccer heads to The Citadel in Charleston Sunday aiming to stay undefeated on the road. Local Public Safety: Columbia police say Officer Christopher DeLong was killed and another officer injured in a park “gunfight” after a domestic dispute call; the suspect also died. Politics & Media: President Trump escalated his feud with NBC’s Kristen Welker, threatening FCC action over her “mixed results” comment on his endorsements. Courts/Environment: Federal courts dealt more setbacks to Trump’s efforts to weaken environmental rules and cancel climate grant programs. College Football: ESPN updated its Week 1 top 25 after Week 0, with South Carolina listed at No. 23. Human Interest (SC region): A triathlete escaped an alligator attack in the Savannah River by targeting the animal’s eye.

NASCAR: The Chase is back. After Ryan Preece’s Daytona run, the postseason field is set for a 10-race stretch starting Sept. 6 at Darlington’s Southern 500. HBCU Football: South Carolina State opened 2026 with a record 87-0 rout of Savannah State, taking a 52-0 halftime lead and rolling to 627 total yards. Local Sports Spotlight: Dutch Fork kicked off its season with a 35-13 win over Ridge View in a weather-shortened game, with Jaxon Knotts scoring five total TDs. Local Arts & Culture: Summerville’s first-ever Japanese Festival drew big crowds, with traditional performances plus hands-on activities like origami and calligraphy. Public Safety (Columbia): A Columbia officer, Christopher DeLong, died and another was injured in a park shooting tied to a domestic dispute call; the suspect also died.

Arts & Exhibits: A watercolor show by Laura Remmel Powers opens Tuesday at the Little Rock Visitor Information Center, with free reception and gallery hours through Sept. 30. Local Tech for Mental Health: MUSC received a Duke Endowment grant to build an AI system that flags youth suicide risk earlier, using South Carolina school-district data while prioritizing student privacy. Streaming Picks: New on Apple TV/Netflix this week includes “Dark Matter” and “Let’s Marry Harry: The Reunion,” plus other Netflix releases. Music & Pop Culture: J. Cole canceled a Sacramento arena show hours before it began after a touring crew member died in a truck crash. Sports Spotlight: LSU opened its volleyball season with a 3-2 win over Wake Forest, led by South Carolina’s Jurnee Robinson’s 34 kills. Community Entertainment: The Dinner Detective returns as a high-energy, improv-style murder-mystery night in Little Rock. Food & Dining: Bahama Breeze is shutting its final locations and converting others to Darden brands, including a Charleston site.

High School Football: Highlands rolled past Cooper 45-6 as Bryce Armstrong threw for 161 yards and two scores, ran for 102 and two more, and a pick-six by Tayden Lorenzen capped the “wow” night. Men’s Soccer: South Carolina beat Clemson 3-2 in the Palmetto Series at Stone Stadium, drawing a record 7,671 fans for the program’s biggest crowd in 49 years. Music & Culture: A fresh wave of tributes is flowing after Dolly Parton’s death at 80, with writers spotlighting her South Carolina ties and her long-running philanthropy. Tech & Kids Online: Meta agreed to pay up to $17B and tighten Facebook/Instagram protections for children in a landmark child-safety settlement. Science & Environment: A new Paint Library of Plastic Particles (PLoPP) aims to help researchers identify paint microplastics using a spectral library and machine learning. Community Support: Delta Sigma Theta’s Orangeburg chapter donated 750 hygiene and laundry items to SC State’s Pack the Pantry. Sports Business/Entertainment: The Savannah Bananas bring Banana Ball to Gillette Stadium with a full roster and pre-party events. Food Assistance: Zakat Foundation plans to distribute 13,200 pounds of rice across North and South Carolina starting Aug. 29. Local Sports Facilities: North Charleston’s Madison Keys-dedicated tennis courts are deteriorating, leaving the school’s new girls’ team short on practice space and amenities.

Women’s Basketball & HBCU Spotlight: South Carolina’s Dawn Staley will host the PowHER Player Classic over Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 28-29) at Colonial Life Arena, bringing in NC Central, Alabama A&M, and Tennessee State, with community and NIL events built around the games. Gamecocks Football Schedule News: USC finalized a tougher 2026-27 slate, including a PowHER Culture Night kickoff dinner (Nov. 27) and a nonconference mix featuring Maryland, North Carolina, Southern Cal, Oklahoma State, and more. Music Tragedy in the Palmetto State: Buckcherry’s tour bus was involved in a multi-vehicle crash in Spartanburg County; a 22-year-old Sumter man, John Russell Kolb, died, while the band and crew were reported safe. Fashion Nostalgia: Delia’s is back at South Carolina Target stores via a new partnership line, reviving 90s looks like plaids, florals, and baby-blue/brown palettes. Local Arts Growth: Greenville Center for Creative Arts named its 2026-27 Brandon Fellows, awarding studio space, stipends, and mentorship to four emerging artists. Tech & Youth Safety: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a landmark child-safety settlement, pledging changes to Instagram and Facebook. Public Media Recognition: SCETV and South Carolina Public Radio earned 11 nominations for the Public Media Awards.

Appalachian Arts: Photographer Tim Barnwell’s exhibit “The Face of Appalachia” opens Sept. 4 at Mars Hill University, spotlighting five decades of Southern Appalachian culture with a permanent collection planned. Gamecock Sports: Shane Beamer says offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak and edge Dylan Stewart are “doubtful” for South Carolina’s Sept. 5 opener vs. Kent State, while other injury updates point to Brady Hunt being ready. Local Tech & Community: Truvista Fiber rolls out Managed Wi‑Fi Plus Outdoor with eero Outdoor 7, aiming to boost reliable outdoor connectivity for SC homes and small businesses. Youth Sports & Culture: South Carolina women’s basketball and Rae Rose Media team up for the PowHER Player Classic at Colonial Life Arena over Thanksgiving weekend, featuring three HBCU teams plus community service and an NIL marketplace. Big Media Moment: Netflix’s “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” continues to draw attention with new details about alleged abuse in the Mica Miller case. Public Safety/Privacy: SLED reports a Richland County man charged after a vehicle incident pinned a victim between cars, while separate coverage highlights ongoing debate over Flock Safety cameras.

Women’s Basketball: South Carolina is launching the first-ever PowHER Player Classic, an HBCU tournament at Colonial Life Arena featuring Tennessee State, Alabama A&M, and NC Central, with community service and an NIL Marketplace built in. College Sports/Media: Virginia QB Beau Pribula lands in Sling TV’s “Sling the Rock” NIL campaign, joining other top quarterbacks in a skills challenge promoted across social media. Local Community Fundraiser: A Sept. 12 barbecue benefit in Tuxedo will support premature twins Marvel Mae and Weller William, with gospel music, raffles, and a cornhole tournament. Arts & History Online: “Picturing Lincoln” adds a more diverse batch of Civil War-era posters, broadsides, poems, and illustrated letters to its digital collection, including a Charleston Mercury secession broadside. Tech/Entertainment Business: Utopai Studios completes the integration of Utopai East into its Asia-Pacific operation, naming Hyun Park president for the region. Public Health/Student Creativity: SCDES invites ages 9–14 to enter its annual Radon Poster Contest, promoting home testing for the odorless, invisible gas. Pop Culture: Dolly Parton’s death at 80 sparks tributes nationwide, including a longer U.S. mourning period ordered by President Trump.

College Football on TV: ESPN is ditching its BottomLine ticker for 2026 broadcasts, including SEC Network and ABC, aiming for a cleaner look during live action. SEC Offense Watch: In Bill Connelly’s latest SP+ model, Tennessee leads SEC offenses (No. 1), with South Carolina at No. 14 and Alabama at No. 11. Gamecocks Uniform Buzz: South Carolina unveiled new all-black Nike uniforms with shinier/glossier helmets for the Sept. 5 opener vs. Kent State. Local Arts & Community: Richland Library Main hosts Small Mart (tiny art market + Pocket Places tiny-art exhibit) on Aug. 29. Dolly Parton’s SC Impact: Imagination Library has delivered books to 60,000 South Carolina children. Food, Wellness, Culture: Allen University’s Rebirth of Soul event (Sept. 26) blends music, dance, and plant-based empowerment to fund a production kitchen and training center. Sports Spotlight: Royals prospect Um Hyungchan becomes the first South Korean catcher to reach Double-A in the U.S. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: South Carolina is set to receive $245M+ from Meta’s $17.1B multistate deal, with new protections for teens on Facebook and Instagram.

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham won the GOP Senate primary runoff Tuesday, beating Rep. Ralph Norman and securing the nomination to replace her late brother Lindsey Graham on the November ballot—an outcome widely credited to President Trump’s heavy push, including campaign appearances and major super PAC spending. Clemson Football: Vic Burley received a conditional discharge after an Aug. 22 arrest for public disorderly conduct, with requirements to avoid trouble for six months and complete education and community service. Tech & Kids Online: South Carolina is set to receive $247 million from Meta’s up-to-$17.1 billion multistate settlement over alleged child-safety failures on Instagram and Facebook, alongside sweeping safety reforms. Local Sports: The Columbia Fireflies announced a fall scrimmage at Segra Park Oct. 16, with Gamecocks vs. College of Charleston, benefiting Camp Cole. Arts & Culture: Tributes and coverage continue around Dolly Parton’s legacy and her deep South Carolina ties, including memories of her influence on local audiences.

South Carolina Politics: Darline Graham won the GOP Senate runoff Tuesday, defeating Ralph Norman and setting up a November matchup with Democrat Annie Andrews—an outcome widely tied to heavy Trump backing and a late surge in support. Dolly Parton Legacy (SC): Tributes rolled in across the Lowcountry and Upstate as the country icon died at 80, with renewed focus on her Imagination Library impact in South Carolina communities. Local Tech & Privacy: Asheville voted to terminate its Flock Safety contract after residents raised privacy and surveillance concerns, adding to the growing debate over license-plate camera use. Sports (SC): Augusta University’s Sara Adams powered a final-round comeback to win the Tiger Classic in Clemson, while the Jaguars shared the team title. Entertainment Buzz: Tina Arena criticized Hayden Panettiere’s mother in a radio interview, reigniting public debate around the actress’s death and the family’s role in the narrative. Business/Community: A South Carolina-related homebuilding deal was announced as Holiday Builders was acquired by Stanley Martin Homes.

Theater & History: Surflight Theatre’s “1776” is drawing audiences with a lively look at the fight for independence—Adams, Franklin and Jefferson pushing for a Declaration that could mean treason if it fails. Sports (SC): Dawn Staley says she doesn’t feel pressure to win another title after back-to-back losses, pointing to a deep 2026-27 Gamecocks roster and a tough schedule ahead. Local Dining: Hickory Tavern in Birkdale Crossing has closed as Artistry Restaurants trims its footprint across the Carolinas. Public Safety & Crime: SLED filed misconduct and embezzlement charges against a former Darlington County deputy sheriff, and separately charged a former Kingstree public works employee with embezzlement and conspiracy. Community & Culture: Ranky Tanky returns with its Gullah-rooted sound, and a new portrait project spotlights Voorhees University GEAR UP students. SC Politics (Runoff): South Carolina’s GOP Senate primary runoff pits Darline Graham against Ralph Norman, with Trump backing Graham.