South Carolina Lede

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 continues; and more!

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!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 30, 2025: we look at a hearing on a controversial and restrictive abortion ban bill before a Senate subcommittee; a look at a possible government shutdown and who could be affected in our state; Scott Morgan continues our look back on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 27, 2025: we look at some governor’s race bickering over an ad; separately Sen. Lindsey Graham drops a new tv ad; we drill down on the economy with our go-to research economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen with the USC Darla Moore School of Business; the state has another confirmed case of the measles; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 23, 2025: we look at the abrupt removal of the state election commission director Howard Knapp; we get an update on illicit drug trends in the state from the DEA; we also have some new polling on the governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 20, 2025: we continue to look at the political and constitutional fall out of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk; we hear from a leading constitutional law professor discuss the First Amendment; we recently spoke with strategic communications consultant and former campaign hand Rob Godfrey who gives his initial read on the 2026 governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 16, 2025: we continue our look at the fallout of the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham who was on NBC’s Meet the Press, as well as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox; gubernatorial candidate Rep. Nancy Mace yells at a colleague on the House floor over gender affirming care; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 13, 2025: a special back-to-school edition of the Lede recorded live at Rock Hill Brewing in Rock Hill, S.C., featuring Associated Press national politics reporter Meg Kinnard and Winthrop University political science professor Dr. Scott Huffmon.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 9, 2025: updates on statehouse activity, including the latest with former state Rep. RJ May who is set to go on trial in a month; a new CBS News poll on how Americans feel about National Guard troops in Washington and potentially other cities; a look at some economic data ahead of the Fed’s meeting next week on interest rates; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 6, 2025: we look at the new hands-free cellphone driving law; the Epstein files were the talk of the first week back in Washington, including among several of our lawmakers in the delegation; we have some spicy campaign trail activity as gubernatorial candidates continue to vie for President Donald Trump’s endorsement; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 2, 2025: we’re looking at the ad wars that are heating up and we’re on the campaign trail with Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Walhalla; Rep. Joe Wilson was recently in Syria; we find out what Gov. McMaster thinks about Taylor Swift’s engagement; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 26, 2025: we have a small, dedicated pod on infrastructure; we welcome special guest SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell; we catch you up on all things roads and bridges; and more!