Gov. Henry McMaster

Memorials for Lindsey Graham were held in Washington, D.C., and in South Carolina. The late senator was buried in his hometown of Central in Pickens County.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 25, 2026: we continue our look at the life and legacy of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham; we also look at the next steps for this senate seat, including the upcoming special primary election on August 11 where several people have already filed to run, with others expected; and more!

The seat's fate begins with Gov. Henry McMaster. He appointed Darline Graham, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's sister, to the seat in a Monday afternoon press conference. She will serve until Jan. 3, 2027.

State officials met Friday for the 2026 Hurricane Tabletop Exercise in which hurricane emergency operation plans were tested and practiced. 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 16, 2026: we are post-sine die, but are in a rare extra session that has been called by the governor for lawmakers to continue the effort to change the state’s seven congressional districts at the behest of President Donald Trump. We, again, dedicate the pod to exactly what is happening because, unlike past redistricting efforts, the public has been shut out from this process as military and absentee ballots continue to be cast ahead of the June 9 primaries.

Gov. Henry McMaster named Dr. Brannon Traxler as DPH's acting director Friday morning. Traxler has 18 years of experience in medicine and public health. She previously served as the public health agency's chief medical officer and as the deputy director of health and services.

Federal and state political and transportation leaders on April 6 broke ground on the Interstate 95 Lake Marion bridge replacement project in Santee in Orangeburg County.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 28, 2026: we recap week seven of the legislative session, including action on bills dealing with personal income tax reductions, the Ten Commandments, hemp-derived consumables, redistricting, and NIL deals; Lt. Gov. Pam Evette dropped a new campaign ad touting the endorsement of Gov. Henry McMaster; we hear from Winthrop University Political Science Professor Scott Huffmon; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 31, 2026: we look at Gov. Henry McMaster’s ninth and final State of the State address; we also hear from Hopkins Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson with the Democratic message and reaction from House Speaker Murrell Smith; we take a look at some House and Senate floor activity over a bathroom bill and DUI bill, respectively; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 24, 2026: we recap some of the biggest legislative moves this week in the Senate and the House; we recently heard from the governor and Statehouse leadership on what’s needed in the next governor to continue the major growth our state has seen; and is Congressman Jim Clyburn running again? We have some answers; and more!