South Carolina Lede ("lede" is the old school term for the introductory section of a news story) is a podcast about the people and issues shaping South Carolina state politics. Join host Gavin Jackson each week as we break down state political news and go inside the legislative happenings that could…
The South Carolina Lede podcast is a fantastic source of news and information about the state of South Carolina. Hosted by Gavin and AT, this podcast offers in-depth coverage of local politics, current events, and interesting stories happening in the Palmetto State. The recent changes made to the podcast have been well-received, as they have resulted in a more refreshing and informative listening experience.
One of the best aspects of The South Carolina Lede podcast is its commitment to providing relevant news in a concise and unbiased manner. The episodes are typically around 20-25 minutes long, making them easily digestible for listeners who are short on time. The host does an excellent job of presenting the information in an informative yet engaging way, keeping listeners informed without feeling overwhelmed or preached to by one side or the other. The dedication to providing useful and insightful political coverage is greatly appreciated by listeners who value staying informed about their state.
Another standout feature of this podcast is its ability to make politics fun and accessible. The host's wit and humor add a lighthearted touch to what can often be a serious subject matter. This makes it easier for listeners to engage with the content and stay interested throughout each episode. Additionally, the segment on various topics such as candidate coverage and sensitive subjects like abortion demonstrates a humane and refreshing approach to discussing complex issues.
While it's difficult to find any significant flaws with The South Carolina Lede podcast, one possible improvement could be expanding on certain topics or including more diverse perspectives. Given that each episode covers a wide range of news and events from across the state, some listeners may desire more in-depth analysis or different viewpoints on certain subjects. However, given the limited timeframe of each episode, it's understandable that not every topic can receive extensive coverage.
In conclusion, The South Carolina Lede podcast is an outstanding resource for anyone looking to stay informed about what's happening in South Carolina. Its blend of relevant news, informative commentary, and entertaining delivery sets it apart from other news podcasts. The dedication of the host and producer to produce high-quality content that is accessible and enjoyable for listeners is evident, making this podcast a must-listen for anyone interested in South Carolina politics or current events in the state.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 21, 2025: we bring you part two of our 10-year commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting featuring stories from our Voices Collected initiative, focusing on the downing of the Confederate flag, legislative issues like hate crimes, and gun reforms that have stalled in the state; and more.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 17, 2025: the first of two episodes dedicated to the 10-year commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting where nine black parishioners, including the pastor of the church state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, were murdered in a racially fueled massacre; we'll share reflections from South Carolinians who participated in our Voices Collected initiative as well as from folks who participated in the Charleston Forum last week.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 14, 2025: our live event recorded Thursday, June 12 at Good Girl Brewing in Aiken featuring host Gavin Jackson, reporter Maayan Schechter, and special guest South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June10, 2025: we look at some action happening this week in the Statehouse; we hear about a new gas-fired energy plant that Duke Energy is proposing in the Upstate; we begin bringing you stories from our Voices Collected series commemorating the 10 year anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 7, 2025: state Democrats got a boost with a big special election House seat win; Lt. Gov. Pam Evette continues to test the waters; we look at some of the ramifications of the tariffs on businesses in our region; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 3, 2025: we recap the big state Democratic Party weekend which included big party names like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; also, a development in the 2026 gubernatorial race as Richland Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson announces the formation of an exploratory committee; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 31, 2025: details on our live taping event coming up June 12 at 6 p.m. at Good Girl Brewing (early registration recommended); take part in Voices Collected, honoring the legacy of the Emanuel Nine; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 27, 2025: lawmakers return to Columbia to take up the $14.7 billion state budget for the coming fiscal year; state Democrats have a big week with their convention and major events featuring two prominent voices in the party; we bring you one of the Voices Collected for our Mother Emanuel remembrance initiative; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 24, 2025: we have a budget agreement for the $14.7 billion spending plan; there was also agreement in Washington over the tax and spending Republican megabill this week; Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham gives his take on the megabill and his new bipartisan bill to sanction Russia further; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 20, 2025: a look at a state Supreme Court decision upholding the six-week abortion ban law; what is holding up the big, beautiful tax and spend bill in the House; the latest on a threat against Congresswoman Nancy Mace; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 13, 2025: we continue our legislative session debrief with two big House names to discuss big legislative accomplishments, the politics of the 2025 legislative session, and what they want to see move when lawmakers return next January.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 10, 2025: a wrap up of the first year of the 2 year legislative session!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 06, 2025: we preview the final week of the legislative session, including what major bills are where, and what will have to wait until the 2026 session; we have some state party news, including which rising star is headlining a Democratic fundraiser this month and who the Republicans chose as their state leader this weekend; we talk with a USC history professor who has been watching the papal developments from Rome; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for May 03, 2025: we look at what lawmakers accomplished this final week of the legislative session, including two major education bills; House Family Caucus Chairman Rep. John McCravy is in hot water for past antisemitic and homophobic comments; Vice President JD Vance visited Nucor Steel Berkeley to celebrate domestic manufacturing; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 29, 2025: we have six legislative days left in this year's session and with much to look at we talk with reporter Maayan Schechter about the Sine Die sprint—something you can follow along with by reading the State House Gavel I co-author with Maayan and THE Russ McKinney!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 26, 2025: we look at the Senate approved budget and what briefly stalled the school voucher bill in the chamber; we also follow up with Sen. Larry Grooms for more details on that historic hearing on Monday to remove state Treasurer Curtis Loftis as we await clarity from the House; we have our we have our monthly Gavin Open Seas Maritime Report; and more!
This episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 22, 2025, is dedicated to the historic and unprecedented removal from office hearing of Treasurer Curtis Loftis, a statewide constitutional officer, by the state Senate for “willfully neglecting his duties” over the handling of the $1.8 billion discrepancy in state funds. We take you through the machinations of the hearing that took place in the South Carolina Senate on Monday.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 15, 2025: we're on spring break this week, so we're giving you a special episode featuring host Gavin Jackson and guest Dr. Joey Von Nessen for an economic update amid global uncertainty and volatility.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 12, 2025: the Senate Finance Committee approves its version of the $14.5 billion state budget and eliminates earmarks; what's in the hands-free device driving bill that moved out of the House for the first time ever; Scott Morgan has a feature on electric busses; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 8, 2025: we catch you up on the budget action in Washington as Republicans get closer to implementing major Trump Administration priorities; in Columbia, we take you through the confirmation hearing of Dept. of Public Health nominee Dr. Ed Simmer; we also hear from DAODAS Director Sara Goldsby about what's fueling a decline in drug overdose deaths; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 5, 2025: we close out the Table Rock Complex fires with a final update; we take a look at the utility bill that moved through the Senate late Wednesday as well as the anti-DEI bill that went through the House; the major tax reform and reduction bill hits the skids as the financial impact is revealed; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for April 1, 2025: we're catching you up on the Republican push to reform and lower taxes in the state; we look at what is on tap this week at the Statehouse; Winthrop Poll director Dr. Scott Huffmon joins us to break down his latest poll findings and get our first look at the 2026 race; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 29, 2025: tort reform is done—in the Senate, for now; we catch up with Sen. Larry Grooms on his subcommittee's report over the 1.8 billion dollar boondoggle and the recommendation to impeach Treasurer Curtis Loftis; the Table Rock Complex fires continue to burn more than 10,000 acres in the Upstate; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 25, 2025: Gov. Henry McMaster declares a state of emergency for an ongoing forest fire in Pickens County; we preview the week at the Statehouse, including a major report on the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy; Russ McKinney reports on Dr. Ed Simmer's confirmation to lead the state Department of Health; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 22 2025: we look at week three of the tort reform debate, which resulted in some movement on the massive bill S. 244; state Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver talks anecdotally of the impact of the no cell phones in schools ban; an anti-DEI bill gets changed and moves to the House floor; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 18, 2025: we look at the state of the SCDOT and catch you up on some of the major things happening at the agency; we preview the week ahead with all eyes on what is set to happen with S. 244, the major tort reform bill; Sen. Lindsey Graham and Congressman Jim Clyburn hit the Sunday shows; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 15, 2025: week nine of the legislative session just wrapped up, which means we are more than half-way done with the legislative session; the House passed its $14.5B general fund budget; the Senate was a bit quiet on its tort reform debate this week; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 11, 2025: lawmakers in the South Carolina House are debating the $14 billion spending plan that will soon head to the Senate; Sen. Lindsey Graham was in Columbia on Monday where he spoke about a federal government shutdown and other priorities; former 1st District Republican candidate Katie Arrington has a major, new gig; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 08, 2025: we look at Senate bill S. 244 that's still being debated in the Senate, and House's H. 3497 liquor liability bill, which passed the chamber on Thursday with unanimous, bipartisan support; a deep dive on tort reform; a reminder to spring forward this weekend; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 04, 2025: the latest involving the $1.8 billion boondoggle accounting error involving the state treasurer; House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bruce Bannister shares his thoughts as the House is less than a week away from debating the massive spending bill; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 01, 2025: we're recapping major bills and action in the state Senate and House from this week including the school voucher bill; an interview with House Education Committee Chairwoman Shannon Erickson; what the House did to the Senate's plan and where it goes next; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 25, 2025: we look at a different version of the school voucher bill that's poised to move in the Statehouse; Sen. Stephen Goldfinch continues our conversation on the $1.8 billion boondoggle accounting discrepancy involving the state Treasurer's Office; Senate LCI Committee Chairman Tom Davis breaks down the energy generation needs our state faces; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 22, 2025: Maayan Schechter has two deep dives on legislation from the Statehouse as we focus on education funding and vouchers; we have a small tidbit for our 2026 WATCH and some action from Washington on the budget reconciliation process; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 18, 2025: we look at what's on tap this week at the Statehouse; we catch up with USC Law Professor Derek Black to discuss his new book on Black literacy traced over the centuries in the South; comments from Sen. Lindsey Graham who was in Europe and the Middle East; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 15, 2025: we look at the abortion debate that played out in state Supreme Court this week; in Washington Congresswoman Nancy Mace made serious allegations from the House floor; Sen. Lindsey Graham continued his work on budget reconciliation to advance the Trump administration agenda; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 11, 2025: we look at statehouse activity for this week, including a bill that would allow Scout Motors and Teslas to be sold in South Carolina, which is currently illegal; a state Supreme Court hearing this week on the six-week abortion bill; Rock Hill Rep. Brandon Guffey discusses his efforts to keep children safe online; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 8, 2025: a look at some big bills from the state version of DOGE to anti-DEI and the K-12 voucher bills that moved this week; Sen. Lindsey Graham gets the green light for his budget reconciliation process; a 2026 watch update and break down the tariff turmoil; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 4, 2025: Sen. Lindsey Graham talks about recent moves and cabinet confirmations out of Washington; Statehouse reporters Maayan Schechter and Jeffrey Collins give us some insight on the first month of the legislative session and the governors annual address; we also have an economic update that includes interest rates, U.S. GDP and our state's unemployment rate; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 1, 2025: we take a deep dive into the latest surrounding the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy boondoggle error involving the state's books; the Senate passed its school voucher bill; Gov. Henry McMaster gave his annual state of the state address; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 28, 2025: Sen. Lindsey Graham gives his take on budget reconciliation, immigration, infrastructure funding, and presidential pardons; the U.S. Attorney's Office for South Carolina has detained a man who allegedly sextorted Rep. Brandon Guffey's son who took his own life as a result; we share an excerpt of our interview with U.S. Attorney Adair Ford; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 25, 2025: we talk with Sen. Larry Grooms as we continue our look at the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy that has claimed another state financial official; we also look at some moves up in Washington this past week involving our delegation; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 21, 2025: we take you through part of now former President Joe Biden's final, full day in office that he spent in South Carolina; we get reaction from Sen. Lindsey Graham on inauguration day and hear his thoughts about how much it will cost to implement border security; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 18, 2025: the first week of the legislative session brought some surprises along the way, including the new bombshell forensic audit on the $1.8 billion accounting discrepancy on the states' books; in the Senate, members kicked off debate on their new school voucher bill; the House took enlightening testimony on a utility reform bill; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 14, 2025: we continue to talk with top leaders about the priorities for the two year legislative session; we hear from Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, whose Republicans make up a supermajority of the chamber; we also hear from House Democratic Leader Todd Rutherford; Sen. Lindsey Graham staffs up for 2026; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 11, 2025: our exclusive interview with S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith where he outlines his priorities for the 2025 legislative session, gives his take on school vouchers, taxes, and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for January 7, 2025: we catch you up on some of the Congressional drama kicking off the 119th congress; there's early voting for a special election primary in one Lowcountry House district; reporter Scott Morgan speaks with Faith Fuller, whose parents created Habitat for Humanity, which became inextricably linked to the late 39th President Jimmy Carter; and more!
On this special holiday episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 24, 2024: our “Hot or Not” 2025 list episode, a cultivated list of the hottest trends you need to be ready for in 2025, and the ones you can leave behind!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 21, 2024: our full interview with USC Research Economist Dr. Joey Von Nessen, recapping the economic year of 2024 and previewing 2025.
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 17, 2024: we look at what's going on this week from the statehouse to Congress; Sen. Lindsey Graham shares his thoughts on President-elect Donald Trump's Defense Secretary; a look back on the lives of Congressman John Spratt and former state Sen. Kay Patterson; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 14, 2024: we look at why the federal government is suing South Carolina; reporter Maayan Schechter tells us of two South Carolinians among the 39 folks Biden pardoned along with nearly 1,500 people prison sentence commutations; Senate Republicans are going all-gas-no-brakes on a third attempt at a school voucher bill; and more!
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for December 10, 2024: we hear more from Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey on the upcoming session; two prominent South Carolinians weigh in on transgender issues in Washington; we hear about how President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs may affect South Carolina; and more!
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