By Skylar Laird | Reporter
Happy Saturday!
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors to Ramsey Grove State Park to experience the beauty and reverence of this special place.” - Duane Parrish, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, on the opening of a new state park.
Ramsey Grove State Park, which features groves of live oak trees, is open to the public. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism)
By Skylar Laird
The 51st state park opened with limited hours this month, marking the third new park in the past two years. Ramsey Grove State Park was one of three properties Dominion Energy donated to the state as part of a settlement to pay back taxes owed following the V.C. Summer nuclear debacle.
MORE IN STATE AGENCY NEWS…
U.S. Senate candidate Annie Andrews, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock and Rep. Jermaine Johnson, nominee for governor, rally in Columbia, S.C. (Photo by Katharine Wilson/SC Daily Gazette)
By Katharine Wilson
As Democrats attempt to bring a blue wave into South Carolina, Democratic candidates for governor and senator rallied with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia. The trio urged people to vote, particularly during the early voting window that starts next week.
MORE IN CAMPAIGN NEWS…
A look at who could be SC’s next agriculture chief | By Katharine Wilson
President Trump to rally in Clemson next week | By Katharine Wilson
China takes center stage in SC’s US Senate contest | By Katharine Wilson
State Superintendent Ellen Weaver announces school report card results at the Statehouse in Columbia, S.C., on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette)
By Skylar Laird
More schools than ever received the top rating on school report cards, which measure test scores, classroom environment and other factors, such as graduation rates. The improvement follows years of state initiatives aimed to help teachers and students. Still, the state must continue working to improve students’ math scores and kindergarten readiness, education leaders said.
MORE IN EDUCATION…
OTHER NEWS FROM THIS WEEK...
Upstate car parts manufacturers investing $82M to supply Scout Motors | By Jessica Holdman
In-home program helps 2,800 new SC moms and babies. Advocates want it to continue. | By Jessica Holdman
IN COMMENTARY THIS WEEK...
South Carolina’s growth is not the question. How we respond is. | By Kristen Austin Gunter, senior vice president of conservation for Sustain South Carolina
Take it from a Floridian: You don’t want NextEra in South Carolina | By Ennis Jacobs, president of the board for the nonprofit Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Humor: Grits, bugs and all the dirt on SC for newcomers | By columnist Paul Hyde
MORE FROM OUR AFFILIATES...
Social Security benefits increase will hit 3.6% in 2027 | By States Newsroom staff
Students to compete in civics bee championship in nation’s capital, carried on C-SPAN | By Shauneen Miranda
Data center backlash set to sway midterm elections | From Stateline
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