By Seanna Adcox | Editor-in-chief
Happy 250th! Have a fun and safe time celebrating America’s founding! Hopefully, you have today off. Consider visiting one of South Carolina’s many Revolutionary War sites before the weekend’s barbeques and fireworks. Whatever you do, stay cool!
“I think everyone hopes that we’ll be able to get through all of them one day. It’s just going to be a matter of finding the budget to make that happen.” - Allison Peacock of FHD Forensics on identifying soldiers’ remains from the Battle of Camden.
University of South Carolina archaeologists work in the fall 2022 to recover the remains of 14 unidentified Revolutionary War soldiers who fell at the Battle of Camden. (Photo courtesy of USC)
By Jessica Holdman
Three years after 14 unknown soldiers who died at the Battle of Camden were reburied with military honors, genetic genealogy has identified one as a teenager from Maryland. The team of archaeologists, preservationists, genealogy and DNA experts working on the project have a lead on identifying another soldier, known for now as 11A, who’s linked to a man named Robert Fleming in colonial York County.
Staff sits in South Carolina’s booth at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., which runs through July 10. (Photo courtesy of SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism)
By Skylar Laird
Visitors can play putt-putt, mail themselves a postcard or relax in a rocking chair in South Carolina’s booth at the Great American State Fair. The free event in Washington, D.C., ends July 10. Some states declined to send official delegations, though in some cases, as in North Carolina, businesses organized to decorate their booths. South Carolina’s participation was never in question.
Stars glow above a cabin in Catron County, New Mexico. The county has one of the largest ratios of older adults to children in the country. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service by Belinda Mollard)
By Tim Henderson with Stateline
South Carolina is newly among states with more people over 65 than children under 18. That's as of mid-2025, according to new census estimates released last week. South Carolina wasn’t on the list last year.
I can’t help but think of Glenn McConnell’s warnings in 2014, when the then-lieutenant governor told legislators they needed to prepare for a “gray tsunami.” As seniors’ chief advocate at the time, McConnell told legislators they must make a long-term plan to help the growing number of seniors live independently. It was the first (and, if my memory is correct, the only) joint assembly for a speech on the aging population. (That was when the lieutenant governor’s office oversaw the Office on Aging. It hasn’t since 2018.)
ICYMI: MORE ON SC250...
State Museum debuts exhibit highlighting SC’s role in Revolutionary War | By Skylar Laird
Founding Mothers’ Day recognizes SC women’s contributions to The Revolution | By Skylar Laird (This is an article from last year, but the story of Rebecca Brewton Motte and Fort Motte is among those that should be more known.)
COMMENTARY: No offense, but the Upstate won the Revolutionary War — and you’re welcome | By Paul Hyde
MORE FROM OUR AFFILIATES...
SC among states where older people outnumber children | From Stateline
Conservation leaders reflect on Roosevelt’s legacy, share vision for future | From the North Dakota Monitor
Dozens become US citizens in Indianapolis as ‘birthday gift’ for America’s 250th | From the Indiana Capital Chronicle
Heat, explosives and alcohol are a dangerous mix on July 4th. The pros offer some safety tips. | From Maryland Matters
Summer cookouts cost nearly $3 more this holiday than last year | From the Iowa Capital Dispatch
MORE FROM STATES NEWSROOM’S D.C. DESK…
America’s 250th birthday is on sale. Where’s all that merch money going? | By Ashley Murray
Tick bites are surging in the US this year. Here’s what to know. | By Amelia Twyman
Thanks for reading Gazette to Go. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.