South Carolina Lede

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 13, 2026: our exclusive sit-down interview with Senate Republican leadership, including Senate President Thomas Alexander, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, and Labor, Commerce, and Industry Chairman Tom Davis; we have a wide-ranging interview for you previewing what Senate Republicans who hold a 32 to 14 supermajority in the Chamber plan t...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 10, 2026: our special live Lede taping from this week featuring House Speaker Murrell Smith; we also hear from Statehouse reporter Maayan Schechter as we preview the 2026 legislative session; we discuss the key issues that are expected to shape South Carolina; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 6, 2026, we give you the Lede 2026 economic outlook for South Carolina, thanks to USC Darla Moore School of Business research economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 20, 2025: host Gavin Jackson is joined by guests A.T. Shire and Maayan Schechter to discuss what’s in and what’s out for 2026.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 16, 2025: a preview from House Speaker Murrell Smith and other members of House Republican leadership on their priorities for 2026; a South Carolinian is set to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate; the measles outbreak continues to rage in the Upstate; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 12, 2025: our live lead taping from Mount Pleasant and Hobka Brewing. Enjoy the conversation we had with the Post & Courier’s Caitlin Byrd!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 9, 2025: we continue our look at infrastructure with a reporter on what the SCDOT needs to keep up with the state’s record-breaking growth; we hear from Congressman Jim Clyburn on redistricting efforts happening in states around the country; Victoria Hansen has a deep-dive look on the state of South Carolina’s shrimping industry; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 6, 2025: the spread of measles continues to balloon in the Upstate so we talk with Dr. Linda Bell about efforts to limit the spread; we have a GOSMAR update and hear a bit more from Ports CEO Micah Mallace amid a dip in volumes; a major rift blew up on the gubernatorial campaign trail on Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s staff; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 2, 2025: we have an exclusive sit-down with South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Powell for our annual look at transportation infrastructure in our growing state--the challenges, accomplishments, and where the state heads next; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 22, 2025: we look at the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee that failed to advance that restrictive abortion bill this week; we delve into a damning investigation into former House Rep. RJ May and the Freedom Caucus; we also get an update on projected revenues lawmakers will have to appropriate with next year; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 18, 2025: we preview some of the legislative meetings happening this week, including the screening of judicial candidates and a hearing on what would be the most restrictive abortion law if passed; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham on the shutdown ending, the looming healthcare debate, and potential conflict in Venezuela; we also have a 1st co...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 15, 2025: we continue our look at Election 2026 and tackle the latest major news out of Washington with the end of the federal government shutdown; we welcome AP National Politics Reporter Meg Kinnard and South Carolina Public Radio Statehouse and political reporter Maayan Schechter to join the conversation; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 11, 2025: we take a hard pivot from news and politics to food and beverage as four South Carolina restaurants were awarded Michelin stars, and several more were given prominent designations in the Michelin Guide; we talk with Hannah Raskin, one of the South's most preeminent voices in the South's food, beverage, and dining culture scene; and...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 8, 2025: we continue our look at the ramifications of the federal government shutdown and hear from Congressman Russell Fry and Sen. Lindsey Graham; we continue to look at the ramifications of federal decisions, including a report from Maayan Schechter on the impacts to South Carolina farmers; Congresswoman Nancy Mace is suing the Charleston...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 4, 2025: we look at the latest drama from the gubernatorial campaign trail, including Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s security meltdown; we have the latest on the government shutdown; Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell provides an economic update while cutting rates; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for November 1, 2025: we look at the federal government shutdown, the lapse in SNAP benefits, how the state is responding, and how it will affect 560,000 South Carolinians; Republican gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Alan Wilson rolled out his law and order platform; state Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson jumps into the race for governor; and more...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 28, 2025: we have some breaking Democratic campaign trail news on the gubernatorial front and updates on several other state campaigns as well; we have the latest on the drama involving leadership at the State Election Commission; SNAP benefits are about to disappear for more than half a million South Carolinians as the government shutdown con...

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 25, 2025: A.T. Shire and Sean Birch take the wheel while host Gavin Jackson is under the weather. The two discuss Halloween decorations, costumes, candy, and another live Lede in the works!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 21, 2025: we take you to the No Kings Day protest in Columbia, where thousands gathered on Saturday; we jump on the campaign trail with Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Newberry; we take a look at the redistricting efforts going on across the country, including in nearby North Carolina; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 18, 2025: we revisit the 1000-year flood that rocked the state, and specifically the Midlands, 10 years ago; we hear from some of the people closest to that tragedy including a well-known South Carolina Public Radio voice never heard on this podcast before; we have a little update on the shutdown—it’s still going on; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 14, 2025: we wrap up our Washington week coverage with interviews PBS News Hour’s congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins and WSJ’s Josh Dawsey; we get some good insight on Congress and the Trump administration from two reporters closest to the action; we also have new campaign trail fundraising numbers and polls; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 11, 2025: our exclusive sit-down interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham. We were fortunate to get some time with him during a tricky little week.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 7, 2025: The Lede is in Washington, DC this week! The U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term; we look at DOGE SC; we take a deep look at the latest on domestic violence in this state with Sara Barber at SCCADVASA as we begin Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for October 4, 2025: the federal government remains shutdown; we hear what Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Nancy Mace told hundreds at the Turning Point USA Clemson University chapter; the ACLU of SC is suing Clemson over their firing of a professor for exercising his first amendment right; and more!