By Seanna Adcox | Editor-in-chief
Happy Friday!
Early voting starts Monday. Check out our Voter Guide for information on the candidates and voting. Don’t forget to read about the down-ballot races. The role of state agriculture commissioner, for example, is probably bigger than you realize. Your vote is important. And, obviously, it’s your choice. We want to help you make an informed choice.
“The wins from this could be very very big ones. This should lower electricity costs measurably for Americans. This should increase clean power significantly for Americans. This should significantly add construction and jobs across the country.” - Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat, on a bipartisan bill to overhaul the approval process for energy projects.
Democrat DeShawn Blanding (left) and Republican Cody Simpson (right) are running to be the next South Carolina agriculture commissioner. (Photos courtesy of the Blanding and Simpson campaigns)
By Katharine Wilson
The race to be South Carolina’s next agriculture commissioner features a Republican with a background in state government who’s backed by President Donald Trump and a Democrat with federal government experience who touts a willingness to buck the administration. It’s been 40 years since voters elected a Democrat to the job.
The South Carolina Arts Commission meets Thursday, after two board members resigned and the interim director stepped down. (Screenshot of Arts Commission livestream)
By Skylar Laird
The interim director of the state Arts Commission stepped down yesterday. The resignations of two board members take effect today. The departures follow a controversial decision not to fund two LGBTQ+ organizations, though none of the three mentioned that. The board seats are all appointed by the governor. They’ll stay vacant for at least a few months.
Health problems and medical bills contribute to hundreds of thousands of bankruptcies in the United States yearly. (Stock photo by Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
By Jessica Kaneft
In the latest commentary in her Jericho Road series, nonprofit director Jessica Kaneft writes about her father’s healthcare decision to illustrate a need for changes. “My father’s story is deeply personal to me, but hardly unique. Most Americans have a healthcare story,” she writes.
MORE FROM SC AND OUR AFFILIATES...
President Trump to rally in Clemson next week | By Katharine Wilson
Cornell case highlights the patchwork of state laws governing intoxication, sexual consent | By Amanda Watford with Stateline (The article includes a map of the differing laws nationwide.)
Trump announces ‘super range’ military installment on stump for Montana GOP candidates | From the Daily Montanan
Citizen panel rejects pay hike for WA governor | From the Washington State Standard (I found this process for setting salaries interesting. And note how much their governor makes. Our next governor will see the first salary hike for the office in more than 30 years.)
MORE FROM STATES NEWSROOM’S D.C. DESK…
Colorado student wins top prize at National Civics Bee Championship | By Shauneen Miranda
Trump: Execution of Fort Hood shooter will not be livestreamed | By Ariana Figueroa
California sued by Trump administration over demand to purge 20,000 voters from rolls | By Jacob Fischler
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