By Seanna Adcox | Editor-in-chief
It still seems surreal: I too woke up yesterday to news of Lindsey Graham’s death. My first word of the day after answering the phone was “WHAT?!” People from across the political spectrum submitted statements of mourning and condolences.
Under Gov. Henry McMaster’s order, the flags above the Statehouse will remain at half-staff in Graham’s honor through his funeral. He requested flags above state and local government buildings to also fly at half-staff.
The governor will appoint someone to serve the rest of Graham’s term, which expires in January. A special GOP primary to replace Graham on November’s ballot will be Aug. 11, with the runoff Aug. 25. Filing opens July 21, as per the timing outlined in state law. I am certain the list of people filing will be long.
"Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America —and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again." - Gov. Henry McMaster on the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks as S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster looks on during a press conference in the governor’s office in August 2022. (File photo by Travis Bell/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)
By Jane Norman, editor of States Newsroom’s D.C. bureau
The sudden death of South Carolina’s senior senator stunned the world yesterday. Lindsey Graham had just turned 71 last Thursday. I consider that young. According to preliminary findings released by his office, Graham died of an “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.” An aortic dissection is when there’s a tear in the inner lining of the aorta, the body’s main artery, and blood rushes through, causing the artery to split, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A new law will require restaurants disclose when shrimp is foreign versus local, such as the shrimp pictured at Mt. Pleasant Seafood market in Mount Pleasant. (Photo courtesy of SeaD Consulting)
By Skylar Laird
Beginning in October, restaurants will have to tell diners whether the shrimp they’re eating came from a different country. Outrage about restaurants passing off imported shrimp as locally caught, dubbed “shrimpgate,” led to finger-pointing among locals — sometimes literally.
South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources awarded a $110,000 contract to Milliken Advisors for a feasibility study on selling carbon credits. (Photo provided by The Conservation Fund)
By Jessica Holdman
South Carolina could generate money to manage the state’s protected forests by selling credits to polluting companies. Milliken Advisors has until Dec. 16 to create a plan on how it would work. (I published this article late Friday afternoon, so I’m guessing many readers missed it.)
MORE FROM SC AND OUR AFFILIATES...
Also posted Friday, ICYMI: ‘Better and better’: World Cup could grow SC’s soccer successes | By Pete Iacobelli. This is our first freelance article by my former co-worker, who covered sports for The Associated Press for four decades.
Mitch McConnell moves to a rehabilitation center after hospital stay, shares photo with wife | From the Kentucky Lantern
Ohio’s former governor, a descendent of President Taft, criticizes Trump plan to cut down DC cherry trees | From the Ohio Capital Journal
Data center frustrations cause upheaval in county primary elections | From Maryland Matters
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Housing bill becomes law without Trump's signature | By Jacob Fischler
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