AGP Executive Report

South Carolina Baseball Hall of Fame: Voting is wrapping up for the Charleston Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2026, with fan ballots at Joe Riley Park and online through June 14; the top two vote-getters will be inducted July 26. New Gamecocks Baseball Era: USC named Kevin Schnall head coach, and the transfer portal keeps moving with Marshall outfielder Evan Bottone committing to South Carolina. SEC Baseball Spotlight: The College World Series field is once again SEC-heavy, with a record five conference teams in Omaha and first-timers Troy and West Virginia set for opening matchups. Local Sports Facilities: Greenville’s Caine Halter Family YMCA broke ground on new youth sports fields and parking. Music & Culture: The SC State Concert Choir is set to debut at Carnegie Hall, and Charleston’s arts scene continues to buzz with Spoleto Festival coverage and “Sweet Magnolias” filming-location chatter. Health & Safety: AARP’s “Café Voyage: Taste of the Carolinas” in Columbia focused on healthy aging and community resources. Community Watch: Lancaster schools reported hundreds of vapes and THC devices seized, prompting renewed calls for parent action.

Carnegie Hall Moment for SC State: The S.C. State Concert Choir (Orangeburg) is set to debut at Carnegie Hall in New York, performing Adolphus Hailstork’s “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes,” a major milestone for the 40-member ensemble. Baseball Coaching Shuffle: Coastal Carolina hired former Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis, a Myrtle Beach native, bringing a national-title pedigree back to Conway; the move follows South Carolina’s own baseball hire of Kevin Schnall. SEC Dominance at the College World Series: The CWS field is once again heavily SEC, with five conference teams in Omaha and first-timers Troy and West Virginia adding fresh storylines. Sweet Magnolias Buzz: Netflix’s “Sweet Magnolias” Season 5 is driving major fan talk—weddings, heartbreak, and cliffhangers—while renewal for Season 6 still isn’t confirmed. Local Arts & Culture: Carlisle Floyd’s 100th-anniversary spotlight continues with interviews and upcoming performances tied to the composer’s legacy. Public Safety: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson announced the arrest of a York man on three child sexual abuse material charges, including AI-generated content. Runoff Politics in Greenville: Two Greenville County Council races head to June 23 runoffs, setting up fresh matchups in District 17 and District 23.

Sweet Magnolias Buzz: Netflix’s Sweet Magnolias Season 5 is setting up exits and promotions, with a major mystery around Ty Townsend’s quiet absence after Season 4. Spoleto Spotlight: Charleston’s Arts & Culture Lab looks back at this year’s Spoleto Festival highlights, from opera and theater to dance and local drag talent. Local Food & Dining: A Korean BBQ spot closed in Columbia’s Harbison area, and KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is reportedly moving into the space after a permit for interior work. Charleston Tech (Horses + Software): Horse Spot, an equestrian-event management startup, is expanding in Charleston and adding 11 jobs after raising $850,000 in seed funding. Sports (Gamecocks): USC women’s basketball keeps leading the nation in attendance for a 12th straight season, averaging about 15,400 fans per game. Baseball Coaching: South Carolina baseball has locked in Kevin Schnall with a multi-year deal, with welcome events planned. Community Arts: Tickets are on sale for the “Last Chance for White Pants Gala,” benefiting Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. Health/Training: McLeod Health donates $25,000 to Williamsburg Technical College’s nursing program for simulation labs and classrooms. SC Football Schedule: The SEC set 2026 kickoff windows for South Carolina, including a night opener at Alabama and defined time ranges for key home games.

South Carolina Baseball: The Gamecocks officially hired Kevin Schnall as head coach, approving a five-year deal worth about $7M total, with a $1.3M base salary and postseason incentives; USC also plans a free Schnall welcome party at Founders Park June 12 with fireworks and giveaways. Sports & Community: Schnall’s arrival is already triggering local buzz, including Bishop England transfer Jackson Winer following him to Columbia. Politics & Culture: South Carolina’s Nancy Mace’s governor bid ended with a fifth-place finish, setting up a GOP runoff between Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson. Health & Food: A new report says nearly 20% of U.S. packaged foods still contain synthetic dyes despite a federal voluntary phase-out push, with major companies yet to fully commit. Arts & Media: SCETV will premiere “Palmetto Perspectives: The Lost Boys,” a live June 18 program on men’s mental health and identity. Space Spotlight: NASA named Santa Monica native Randy Bresnik commander of Artemis III, a major step toward returning humans to the Moon. Local Interest: Taxidermists showcased craftsmanship at the SC Association of Taxidermists’ annual show in Lake City.

South Carolina Politics: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson will face off in a June 23 GOP governor runoff after the June 9 primary left no candidate over 50%, while U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham won his GOP Senate bid outright and Democrat Jermaine Johnson took the governor nomination. Local Spotlight: Food Network put North Charleston’s King BBQ on the map, ranking it No. 7 on “Top 10” for its “Chinatown Delight” platter. Sports & Culture: TIME named Dawn Staley to its inaugural TIME100 Sports list, and Charleston’s Juneteenth Family Fest gets a spotlight through DJ Rubin’s “5 Question With” interview. Community Services: C4 Ministries of Laurens County welcomed Amanda Anderson as its new executive director, aiming to expand help for families facing housing instability. Arts & History: Gordon S. Wood, the influential American Revolution historian, died at 92. Aviation/Industry: Riyadh Air took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 at Boeing South Carolina, marking a major step for the new Saudi carrier.

Baseball Shakeup: South Carolina is set to hire Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall to revive its battered program, pending USC Board of Trustees approval Wednesday. Golf & Tourism: Legends Golf Resort in Myrtle Beach is building a lighted nine-hole par-3 called “The Piper,” opening in late 2026 and designed for short-course fun day or night. Music Loss: Guitar trailblazer James “Blood” Ulmer, who fused avant-garde jazz, funk and blues, has died at 86. Sports Culture: USC women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley earned a spot on TIME100 Sports’ inaugural list, with A’ja Wilson also recognized. Arts for Young Performers: South Carolina Children’s Theatre stages “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” bringing the Tony-winning musical to an all-teen cast and band. Community Spotlight: Columbia hosts the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival for the first time, running June 9-14 with public events. NCAA Fight: A new antitrust lawsuit challenges the NCAA’s revenue-sharing cap for athletes in 17 states.

Local Arts & Culture: Greenville’s downtown is getting a “photo ops” spotlight, with Liberty Bridge at Falls Park, Unity Park, Fluor Field, Camperdown Plaza, and the Peace Center’s Graham Plaza all highlighted as must-visits. Music: South Carolina-born guitarist James Blood Ulmer, known for fearless jazz-blues-funk fusion, has died at 86. Community Events: Greer is rolling out a full summer lineup, including Stories & Adventures for kids and Arts in Action Camps, plus youth sports like its summer rugby program. Food & Nightlife: Mount Pleasant’s Goldbug is expanding with a second store in the area, while North Charleston welcomes Sabores Latin American Food with a music-and-sports vibe. Sports Spotlight: A’ja Wilson set a WNBA record by reaching 6,000 points fastest in league history, powering the Las Vegas Aces in a win over Seattle. Health & Access: The Human-Animal Alliance is funding equine summer programs, including Myrtle Beach Therapeutic Riding and Vaulting Club, to help underserved children get hands-on horse experiences.

Arts & Community: Beaufort’s beloved The Chocolate Tree is set to reopen this fall under Tim and Deanna Green, bringing back decades of Lowcountry candy traditions. Local Arts Education: The S.C. Philharmonic and Palmetto Citizens are offering educators 50% off tickets and subscriptions, including a “Video Games in Concert” summer event at the Koger Center. History & Books: Two new releases—“A Nation’s Heritage (The South)” and “A Nation’s Birth (The North)”—map the American Revolution through state-by-state sites ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Sports (SC spotlight): South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards helped Team USA win gold at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, with Edwards representing the Gamecocks on the world stage. Entertainment & TV: New streaming picks for June 8-11 include “Sweet Magnolias” Season 5 and other fresh releases. Crime/Legal (major SC headline): A new judge was assigned to oversee Alex Murdaugh’s murder case after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his convictions.

Sports & Local Pride: South Carolina women’s basketball freshman Agot Makeer reflects on a breakthrough March Madness run after the Gamecocks fell to UCLA in the national championship, with Makeer averaging 14 points and leading a postseason surge. College Football Recruiting: LSU lands 2027 edge rusher K.J. Green, a Stone Mountain standout, adding another top-tier commitment after Jaiden Bryant’s flip to Miami. Pro Sports/Entertainment: Game 3 of the NBA Finals is tonight in New York, with President Trump expected to attend at Madison Square Garden. Community & History: Beaufort’s Fort Fremont Preserve unveils a new mine planter model tied to coastal defense during the Spanish-American War era, with public viewing hours and a newly acquired ammunition cart. Health & Aging (SC angle): CMS ratings update for Spartanburg’s Valley Falls Tearrace (overall 3) and Greenville’s Patewood Post Acute (overall 4), both for-profit nursing homes with no fines/penalties reported in early 2026. Politics That Hits SC: A USA TODAY report revisits the Nancy Mace vs. Trump endorsement drama in the SC GOP governor primary.

College Football Recruiting: LSU coach Lane Kiffin landed four-star EDGE K.J. Green (Stone Mountain, GA) for the 2027 class, adding to a fast-moving haul after Jaiden Bryant flipped from LSU to Miami. Basketball Spotlight: South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards won gold with the USA Women’s 3x3 team at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, with Edwards leading the scoring. Local Tragedy: Spartanburg County school community mourns teacher Anna Maureen LeCoq, 27, who died after a crash on Aiken Road. Entertainment & Streaming: Netflix’s June 8–14 lineup includes Sweet Magnolias Season 5 (June 11) and the Hulu comedy Shrill (Seasons 1–3). TV Picks: A roundup of one-season thrillers highlights HBO’s Chernobyl as a must-watch. Pop Culture Gossip: Kyle Cooke is reportedly “hooking up” with Southern Charm’s Salley Carson after his split from Amanda Batula. Sports Betting Promotions (21+): Kalshi and Polymarket are pushing NYPMAX sign-up bonuses tied to the NBA and Stanley Cup finals.

Local Politics & Entertainment Crossover: Rep. Nancy Mace says President Trump’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette didn’t deliver a real “Trump bump” with grassroots voters ahead of the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary, calling it a tight “dog fight.” Media & Community: The Post and Courier is reshuffling its opinion leadership as Rick Nelson prepares to retire and Cindi Ross Scoppe takes over as editorial page editor. Arts & Culture: “Carolina Caroline” hits U.S. theaters this week, with Samara Weaving shifting from scream-queen vibes into a crime-thriller that turns a romance setup into a bank-robbery ride. Pride & Local Events: PridefestGreenville returns for its sixth year with vendors, a silent disco, and drag performances at Hampton Station. Sports Spotlight: Aspen Boulware (Gray Collegiate Academy) earns repeat South Carolina Player of the Year honors as she heads to USC. Health & Aging Watch: CMS ratings highlight strong Q1 results for Spartanburg’s Summit Hills Skilled Nursing (4 stars) and York’s Willow Brooke Court at Park Pointe Village (5 stars).

PridefestGreenville: Greenville’s Sixth annual PridefestGreenville at Hampton Station drew LGBTQ families and visitors for a vendor-filled celebration with a silent disco and drag performances—plus plenty of photo moments. College Sports (SEC/ACC): CBS Sports released its full 2026 ACC/SEC Challenge slate, ranking all 16 matchups and predicting winners, with Duke vs. Florida headlining the marquee. Gamecocks Softball: Gray Collegiate Academy’s Aspen Boulware, a Gamecock-bound standout, earned repeat South Carolina Player of the Year honors from MaxPreps and Gatorade. Local Arts & Culture: A new book review spotlights Grady Hendrix’s “How to Sell a Haunted House,” while a feature looks at how the South cultivated its tea tradition. Celebrity Golf: Bill and Joel Murray are in town for the BMW Charity Pro-Am, talking up the event and their South Carolina stop. Community Safety: A Florence County pedestrian was killed in a crash on TV Road near Joan Road, according to Highway Patrol. Everyday Costs: GasBuddy reports show scattered lowest-price deals across South Carolina counties for regular, midgrade, premium, E85, and diesel.

Revolutionary War Weekend: Fort Moultrie is set to welcome 10,000+ visitors for a free 250th anniversary celebration June 27-28, with living history, ranger talks, and a June 28 ceremony. Local History (Revolution): A new installment revisits the Battle of Sullivan’s Island and how British plans for the South shaped the fight near Charleston. Upstate Celebrity Spotlight: Bill Murray brought big laughs and big charity energy to the BMW Charity Pro-Am in Greer, where the tournament supports multiple South Carolina nonprofits. Arts & Literature: South Carolina author Julia Elliott won the 2026 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction for her collection Hellions. Entertainment & Community Buzz: The Sand Dollar bar in Folly Beach has officially sold, ending months of uncertainty around a longtime live-music stop. Sports & Culture: USC men’s soccer wrapped up its Junior Gamecocks camp, focused on player development and getting kids excited about the sport. Health Care Watch: CMS ratings updates highlight a mix of top and low nursing home scores across several South Carolina facilities.

Spoleto Spotlight: Ayodele Casel’s “The Remix” lit up Charleston’s Sottile Theatre with a high-voltage mix of tap, club music, rap, R&B, and spoken-word energy. NASCAR Legacy: Hall of Famer and two-time Cup champ Ned Jarrett has died at 93, remembered for 50 wins and a legendary 1965 Darlington Southern 500 run. Gamecocks Basketball: ESPN set South Carolina’s women’s matchup at Duke for the 2026 SEC-ACC Challenge on Dec. 3, with the Gamecocks riding a perfect start in the event. High School Sports Leadership: The SCHSL named Amy Boozer interim commissioner, stepping in for retiring Jerome Singleton. Local Sports/Community: Greer Diner owners say an arsonist was arrested after a fire damaged the restaurant. Human-Interest Bravery: A Conway mother walked through fire to save her 3-year-old during an apartment blaze, while a Chester County deputy’s rescue helped another driver survive a burning crash. Safety Watch: Richland County deputies say 23 guns were stolen from vehicles in May, tied to a deadly Summit shootout.

AI & Work Habits: Microsoft data says 33.4% of working-age Massachusetts residents use generative AI tools, with Hampshire County leading at 45.1%—a reminder that tech adoption is uneven and tied to local industries. Legal Tech Rules: Florida’s Supreme Court tightened court-filing rules after “AI hallucinations,” requiring attorneys to verify cited legal authorities. Entertainment Labor: SAG-AFTRA members overwhelmingly ratified a four-year deal with studios and streamers, adding protections around AI performers and digital identity. Film Spotlight (SC connection): Director Adam Rehmeier talks about “Carolina Caroline,” a road-movie he’s bringing to U.S. theaters Friday. Music Loss: R&B and Disney duet star Peabo Bryson died at 75 after a stroke. Sports (SC-adjacent): Kiki Rice’s WNBA season hit a snag with a grade 2 ankle sprain, sidelining her as Toronto begins its Commissioner’s Cup stretch. Community & Travel: Contour Airlines added seasonal nonstop flights to Myrtle Beach from Altoona, starting July 1. Civic/Arts: Columbia’s City Lights initiative keeps drawing attention as a downtown lighting push.

Coastal Carolina Baseball: Coastal AD Chance Miller says he’s not planning for coach Kevin Schnall to leave amid USC rumors, adding Schnall is still doing exit interviews and planning next season. Upstate Politics: Rep. William Timmons faces GOP primary pressure from David Atchley and Robert E. Lee ahead of the June 9 vote. Pentagon Controversy: The Trump administration hired convicted Jan. 6 rioter Elias Irizarry into a sensitive Special Operations counterterrorism role, sparking trust concerns. SC Sports & Entertainment Venue: GE Vernova Park in Mauldin opened with a record crowd as Greenville Pro Soccer celebrated its permanent home for Greenville Triumph. Music News: Greenville native Peabo Bryson, the voice behind Disney classics, died at 75. Community Safety: A pediatrician says kids should be at least 9 before being left home alone in South Carolina, where no statewide minimum age exists. Local Economy: GasBuddy reports show diesel and regular gas lows across multiple counties in the week ending May 30.