This week our we are bringing you another episode in our occasional series which explores “South Carolina from A to Z” in depth.South Carolina from A to Z is our sister podcast – also broadcast each weekday on South Carolina Public Radio – that brings you “bite-sized," one-minute topics from the South Carolina Encyclopedia.This episode we have selected five of those topics to explore.

This week we’ll be talking about the life and career of the man that many call the Father of American opera: Carlisle Floyd. Our guests are Floyd's neice, Jane Matheny, and his biographer, Thomas Holliday. A native of Latta, South Carolina, Carlisle Floyd became a professor of composition at Florida State University in 1947. His magnum opus, Susannah, was first performed in 1955 and became the most performed American opera, second to Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.Floyd was both composer and librettist of his operas, which typically portrayed themes common to rural America, especially the post-Civil War South. 2026 in the centennial of Carlisle Floyd’s birth and today we’ll talk with our guests about his long life and his career.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 14, 2026: the House has passed its $15.4 billion budget as well as an income tax reduction bill; the Senate continues to debate the hemp THC drink regulation bill; Congressman Jim Clyburn announced his bid for an 18th term; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 10, 2026: it’s budget week in the House and the Senate is taking up hemp regulations this week; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham about the latest on Iran; we also get a national/midterm/election vibe check with our good friend AP National Politics reporter Meg Kinnard; and more!

This week, Bobbi Conner talks with MUSC's Dr. Andrea Abbott about right-sizing, or tailoring breast cancer treatment to the individual patient.

This week, Bobbi Conner talks with MUSC's Dr. Charles Rittenberg about reducing risk of preterm birth.

Parents and teachers are all too familiar with the struggle of trying to spark meaningful conversations with kids.

This winter, Olympic athletes are showcasing feats of skill and strength. These moments on the world stage reflect years of resilience, fighting through injuries, and long training cycles, for the chance at a medal.

We're traveling back a century to the roaring 1920s this week. Join us for games about prohibition, flappers, jazz, and much more. We’ll also chat with a local educator about the lasting impact the decade had on popular literature.

As movie lovers tune in this week to see which films win big at the Academy Awards, this hour we’re diving into the history of the Oscars with some silver screen trivia.