Columbia Chronicles

Columbia Chronicles: Food for Thought – Episode 1 The coronavirus pandemic has put new financial strains on families across the region, with many wondering how to put food on the table. New initiatives are aiming to help families in need, but for many communities, food insecurity is not a new problem. Reporter Christal Harvin sits down with a local leader who has been tackling food insecurity for...

Economics & Citizens: Five Points — A Living History Book Depending on who you talk to, people can have very different ideas about Five Points. For some, it is the retail shops where they will be getting last-minute gifts. For others, it’s the growing bar scene, or maybe even parking. Though, as reporter Sarah Supan explains, for some Columbia natives, it is a walk down memory lane. Produced a...

Economics & Citizens: YMCA Youth Basketball After-school programs have been proven to help kids in many ways. Getting children involved and active can make an impact… but not all kids have the same opportunities. Reporter Steven Prebish tells us about a local organization that helps children across the community become more active. Produced and edited by Spencer Buckler and Steven Prebish Colu...

Economics & Citizens: Home-brewing You may have been to a craft beer brewery, but this newer craze has opened up to an even more specific field: home-brewing. From brew barrels in the barn to grain mashing in the garage, hobbyists have gravitated towards this rewarding craft. Columbia, South Carolina, is home to many brew shops and boasts an active home-brew club. Reporter Joseph King goes ins...

Education: Greg Stuart & Experimental Music The next time you’re registering for classes at UofSC, you might want to check out an elective that’s recently been getting some attention. The class takes what most people consider music to a new level. Reporter Ward Jolles has more on this crazy class that any student with an interest in funky sounds can take. Produced and edited by Spencer Buckler...

Gender & Inclusion: Facing Adversity at 18 More often than not, college students across America are stressed. They’re putting their social lives aside and many are losing sleep as they prepare for exams. On this episode, Monique Holland introduces us to one of those students who has a little extra struggle on her plate. Produced and edited by Spencer Buckler and Monique Holland Columbia Chroni...

Local Diversity: Believing at the Ballpark Would you be comfortable being vocal in your religious beliefs…even in the workplace? This is an idea that many Americans are struggling with today. Reporter Ansley Robertson introduces us to one local business owner who brings her Christian values to work every day… behind home plate. Produced and edited by Spencer Buckler and Ansley Robertson Columbia C...

Local Diversity: Just Zach Over the past 20 years, the LGBTQIA+ rights movement has come to the forefront of many social and political campaigns. In fact, for the first time in history, an openly gay man ran for president of the United States. That’s had a lot of people talking about sexual orientation and politics. Spencer Buckler will introduce you to a junior at USC trying to figure out what al...

International Relations: Coming to America You probably remember the impeachment trial and have heard talk about relations between Ukraine and Russia, but what you may not have heard about is the conflict that started it all. On this episode, reporter Brielle Oakley sits down with foreign exchange student Yehor Shtanko to share a story on the war in Ukraine and coming to America. Produced and edit...

Health & Safety: Mackenzie Johnson It’s 4 o’clock in the morning. You’ve set multiple alarms because you are not great at waking up that early and you don’t want to be late for practice. Then there’s school, work, and practice again. This is the life of an athlete. On this episode, reporter Dan Stein introduces us to an athlete with more than your typical story to tell. Produced and edited by...

Health & Safety: The Helpful Hands Young people often think that they’re invincible. Sure, life has its stressful moments, college isn’t easy, and life loves to throw curveballs at you, but 22-year-old Ali Bruning never expected life to take the turn it did about a year and a half ago when a persistent pain led her to the doctor's office. Produced and edited by Spencer Buckler and Alison Bruni...

Corona Chronicles: Combating Misinformation During the summer of 2020, the coronavirus has been the biggest topic of discussion. There's been a lot of information thrown around, some of it true and some of it false. Dr. Kelly Kenison created a Facebook group that serves as a hub of scientific information during this time. In today’s edition of Corona Chronicles, reporter Reid Van Cott introduces u...

Corona Chronicles: Cocky's Reading Express During the Coronavirus Pandemic, many organizations here at UofSC have been forced to stop what they’re doing. The goal is to keep students, faculty and staff safe. But one organization has found some creative solutions so they can keep helping kids across the Palmetto State. We’re talking about Cocky’s Reading Express – a program that usually involves Uo...

Corona Chronicles: Teachers and Education With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across America closed their doors to face-to-face learning. Teachers and students were asked to continue their education through online platforms for the rest of the school year. Many students, especially high-school seniors, were distraught over the loss of major milestones, like prom and graduation. Chance...

Corona Chronicles: Meals on Wheels Greenville Although millions of Americans are impacted by COVID-19, the virus has proven to strike senior citizens harder than most demographic groups. Not only are the elderly more at risk of dying from the disease they are sometimes food insecure and often isolated. In today’s edition of Corona Chronicles, reporter Abby Druckenmiller takes us to the Meals on Wh...

Corona Chronicles: Mutual Aid Midlands The novel coronavirus pandemic has illuminated a new way to meet community needs – mutual aid. According to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, these projects are a “model of community resilience and collective empowerment” that is working. Columbia, S.C., has its own mutual aid project – Mutual Aid Midlands. In March, a group of Carolina residents noticed...

Corona Chronicles: Greer Relief During the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people have fallen on hard times and had to rely on food pantries and government support to be able to keep their homes and stay safe. As the US faces record unemployment, TIME Magazine reports that food banks across the country are facing even more financial challenges, or even shutting down. In today’s edition of Columbi...

Local Government & Elections: Bike-Friendly Columbia Columbia celebrates National Bike Month every May with fun events to encourage cycling in the city, but some cyclists feel that city government and its leaders are not putting in enough effort to make Columbia totally bike-friendly. In this edition of Columbia Chronicles, reporter Hayden Blakeney sits down with a major figure in the Columbia...

Local Diversity: Adversity Score In this episode of Columbia Chronicles, Reporter Drew Hill sits down with Dr. Jason Cummings, a USC professor and researcher of diverse populations, to learn more about the adversity scores — a new addition to the SAT that takes into account extenuating circumstances in a student's life — and why they’re needed. Visit garnetmedia.org/columbiachronicles for more epi...

International Relations: USC Exchange Program In this episode of Columbia Chronicles, reporter Lexi Waites sits down with the exchange student advisor at the University of South Carolina. Amidst the rumblings of construction nearby, Taylor Armstrong talks about what USC is doing to build its study abroad programs. Visit garnetmedia.org/columbiachronicles for more episodes of Columbia Chronicles!

Health & Safety: Planned Parenthood In the summer of 2019, several states passed reproductive rights legislation that places significant restrictions on abortion providers. And this past spring, South Carolina lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban women from having abortions as early as six weeks. In this edition of Columbia Chronicles, reporter Briana Tharp sits down with a representativ...

Health & Safety: Five Points In today’s edition of Columbia Chronicles, reporter Reynolds Robinson takes us inside the Five Points Association office to meet the new Association executive, Kelsey Desender, and talk with two-year Executive Assistant Hope Roberts about the often-overlooked positive and healthy atmosphere found in Five Points. Produced and edited by Spencer Buckler Columbia Chron...

Gender & Inclusion: Diversity in Teaching According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 6 percent of teachers in America are male, and even fewer are African American men. In this edition of Columbia Chronicles, reporter Leland Williams sits down with Derrick Hearn, an elementary school teacher here in Columbia who wants to add his voice to the mix and talk about how it feels to be a...

Gender & Inclusion: Columbia City of Women In this edition of Columbia Chronicles, Megan Roe takes to the streets to talk with Rachel Hodges about the new Columbia City of Women Map highlighting significant women in the area. Visit garnetmedia.org/columbiachronicles for more episodes of Columbia Chronicles!

Economics & Citizens: Carolina Panthers In this edition of Columbia Chronicles, reporter Mary Kate Mackie sits down with Jeff Griffith, an attorney who specializes in corporate moves and incentives, to get his take on the decision to give the Carolina Panthers $115 million in tax breaks and its potential benefits to the Palmetto State.