TCN AROUND TOWN

'CHURCH' SINGER SAYS EVEN DRIVE-INS CAN BE WORSHIPFULIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with Christian music singer/songwriter MICHAEL COCHREN, whose anthemic song "Church (Take Me Back)" has taken on a whole new meaning in the age of COVID-19 and social distancing. COCHREN is on tour with Christian superstar TobyMac, playing a series of concerts at drive-in theaters across the country. 

ODDSMAKERS TRYING TO REASON WITH HURRICANE SEASONIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with JAMES MURPHY, a professional oddsmaker for SportsInsider.com, which sets betting odds on sports, current events and other topics about which some people wager. Believe it or not, pro oddsmakers study hurricanes, and Mr. Murphy talks about "the line" on how busy the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season will be.

THE VALUE OF EXERCISING THE BRAIN - ESPECIALLY NOWIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with DR. HENRY MAHNCKE, who serves as CEO of BrainHQ. We discuss the benefits of exercising the human brain with simple (and often fun) activities to combat depression and improve overall cognitive health - especially during this time of COVID-19 social distancing. Check out his company's website at www.brainhq.com.

PRIMARY 2020 PREVIEW: U.S. REP. JOE WILSONIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we continue our preview of the June 9th primary election by talking with 2nd District CONGRESSMAN JOE WILSON. Rep. Wilson (R-Springdale) faces opposition in Tuesday's Republican Party primary from Springdale Mayor Michael Bishop. Here, he discusses the new House bill addressing police brutality, the economic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak, and addresses the question of why more Republicans seemingly are losing faith in and distancing themselves from President Donald Trump.

PRIMARY 2020 PREVIEW: SHERIFF JAY KOONIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we continue our preview of the June 9th primary election in a conversation with Lexington County SHERIFF JAY KOON. He faces opposition in the Republican Party primary and here discusses his re-election bid, the struggle to regain trust after a previous sheriff was indicted and removed from office, and the burning question of police brutality that has gripped the national headlines. Sheriff Koon's opponent in the June 9th primary has been invited to interview but has not yet responded to that request.

U.S. SENATE PRIMARY PREVIEW: "DUKE" BUCKNERIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from the The Twin-City News, we continue our series of interviews previewing the June 9th primary elections in South Carolina. Today, we talk with DWAYNE "DUKE" BUCKNER, one of three Republican challengers in the U.S. Senate primary against 17-year incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham. All candidates, including Sen. Graham, have been invited to be interviewed prior to the June 9th vote. 

U.S. SENATE PRIMARY PREVIEW: JOE REYNOLDSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from the The Twin-City News, we continue our series of interviews previewing the June 9th primary elections in South Carolina. Today, we talk with JOE REYNOLDS, one of three Republican challengers in the U.S. Senate primary against 17-year incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham. All candidates, including Sen. Graham, have been invited to be interviewed prior to the June 9th vote. 

U.S. SENATE PRIMARY PREVIEW: MICHAEL LaPIERREIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from the The Twin-City News, begins a series of interviews previewing the June 9th primary elections in South Carolina. Today, we talk with MICHAEL LaPIERRE, one of three Republican challengers in the U.S. Senate primary against incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham. All candidates, including Sen. Graham, have been invited to be interviewed prior to the June 9th vote. 

DARLINGTON: DRIVING 200 MPH TOWARD 'THE NEW NORMAL'In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with KERRY THARP, president of Darlington Raceway, the day after the return of organized sports in America and the return of motorsports to Darlington as we ease back toward the uncertain future of a world profoundly changed by COVID-19. The grandstands were empty, but NASCAR has returned to racing - and South Carolina is leading the pack. 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: MENTAL HEALTH IN THE AGE OF COVID-19In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast of The Twin-City News, we talk with DR. GARIANE GUNTER, M.D., to discuss the mental health impacts of the coronavirus outbreak and the social isolation. It's been a dark time for a lot of folks, and Dr. Gunter offers insight into how folks can cope with the psychological burden of COVID-19. 

REAL SCIENCE: COVID-19 TESTING IN RURAL SOUTH CAROLINAIn today's TCN AROUND TOWN podcast, a production of The Twin-City News, we visit a COVID-19 mobile testing site to talk with emergency management personnel who are administering nasal swab screenings to folks in rural Saluda County, which has the fourth-highest coronavirus infection rate in the Palmetto State. 

RURAL SOUTH CAROLINA: THE NEW COVID-19 BATTLEGROUNDIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with JOSHUA MORTON, the Emergency Management Director in rural Saluda County, home to only 20,000 residents but a place with the fourth highest per capita coronavirus infection rate in South Carolina. And over the next three days, up to 1,100 people will be tested for the virus to help health officials see just how deep and wide the outbreak is here.

CHIEF: HONORING 40 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICEIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with Batesburg-Leesville Police Chief WALLACE OSWALD on the occasion of his 40th anniversary as Chief here in his hometown. Family and colleagues honored the Chief with an "almost-surprise" party Tuesday, and Chief Oswald reflected on his career in law enforcement. 

A COMMUNITY FLOCKS TOGETHER AS VIRUS SIDELINES FESTIVALIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast by The Twin-City News, goes on location at a small parade pulled together by the South Carolina Poultry Festival committee, which had to cancel this year's event because of COVID-19. The spirit of an entire community is reflected in how people rallied around this ad hoc event and showed what Batesburg-Leesville is made of in times of adversity.

RESTAURANTS EASE BACK TOWARD 'NORMAL' WITH OUTSIDE DININGIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with DOUGLAS O' FLAHERTY, Vice-President of the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, to discuss the easing of COVID-19 restrictions that now allow restaurant patrons to sit and dine - OUTSIDE.

PETA RUFFLES FEATHERS WITH VEGAN FESTIVAL ALTERNATIVEIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with ASHLEY BYRNE of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). A month ago, as COVID-19 began to spread, the South Carolina Poultry Festival canceled this year's event, which reportedly attracts 100,000 people to Batesburg-Leesville every May. Shortly after, PETA, a global animal rights organization, asked the festival to drop its poultry theme and instead go vegan. Here, we find out what PETA was thinking.

'WHO'S DRIVING YOUR BUS' IN THIS UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY?On this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we reach out to Charleston and talk with author, "mindset coach," master gardener and entrepreneur KIM JOHNSON. Her book is Who's Driving Your Bus? and it's about managing our emotions - which is a particularly helpful talent in this age of fear and uncertainty. Check out her book here at Amazon.

BY THE NUMBERS: UNEMPLOYMENT, MAIN STREET AND THE VIRUSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, the coronavirus impact continues to be felt in jobless claims, the impact on Main Street small businesses and in the number of patients continuing to mount - even as Gov. HENRY McMASTER extends the state of emergency.

IN THE AIR: McENTIRE JET FIGHTERS HONOR HEALTHCARE WORKERSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with CAPT. STEPHEN HUDSON from McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Hopkins about next week's aerial tribute to South Carolina's healthcare workers by the pilots of the 169th Fighter Wing as they complete a training exercise. It's part of nationwide effort by airborne service personnel to honor those on the ground on the front lines of COVID-19.

CLASSROOMS WILL NOT RE-OPEN FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEARIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast produced by The Twin-City News, we hear from GOV. HENRY McMASTER and EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT MOLLY SPEARMAN about the decision to officially close schools for the remainder of the current academic year. 

DEMOCRATIC HOPEFUL: AGAINST THE ODDS IN 2nd CONGRESSIONALIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast of The Twin-City News, we talk with ADAIR FORD BOROUGHS, a native of Williston who is mounting a Democratic Party challenge to the historically conservative Second Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Is hers a futile effort, or has the 2nd Congressional changed enough to give a Democrat a reasonable chance?

CODY WEBB CONNECTS WITH FANS AT VIRTUAL CONCERTSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with rising country singer/songwriter CODY WEBB, who isn't able to tour like he had been but is finding ways to connect with his fans through internet-only concerts. And he uses those shows to help others in need. 

MIDLANDS MAYOR CHALLENGES VETERAN CONGRESSMANIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we have a conversation with MICHAEL BISHOP, Mayor of Springdale, who is challenging incumbent 2nd Congressional District Rep. Joe Wilson in the GOP primary this June. Mayor Bishop discusses why he is squaring off against the longtime Republican lawmaker perhaps most famous for his "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's address to Congress in 2009.

WASHINGTON UPDATE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH REP. JOE WILSONIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we have an exclusive conversation with 2nd Congressional District Congressman JOE WILSON (R-Springdale). We quiz Rep. Wilson on the government's response to COVID-19, the President's handling of the pandemic and the resulting economic downturn, and the post-coronavirus outlook. 

IT'S 7 P.M. DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR STIMULUS IS?In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we check on the latest from the federal government's approved stimulus payments to individuals - which many folks are awaiting impatiently. The IRS says the money is coming soon. Is it?

EASTER WEEKEND IN THE TIME OF COVID-19In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast from The Twin-City News, we visit with one pastor whose church has had to change dramatically how it will celebrate Easter Sunday, one of Christendom's most sacred observances. 

THE MASTERS IS DELAYED, BUT GOLF IS "ESSENTIAL" IN CAROLINAIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast from The Twin-City News, we are joined by BIFF LATHROP of the South Carolina Golf Association who discusses the SCGA's campaign for "Keeping Golf Essential" during the widespread COVID-19 lockdowns. 

JOBLESS CLAIMS SPIKE AGAIN FOR SOUTH CAROLINAIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we hear again from JAMIE SUBER, Chief Administrative Officer of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, on the stunning number of unemployment claims filed last week. 

SOUTH CAROLINA IN LOCKDOWN: The 'Go Home, Stay Home' MandateIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast presented by The Twin-City News, the governor of South Carolina makes his controversial decision to join 42 other states in finally issuing a stay-at-home mandate with criminal penalties for violators. But will South Carolinians take the lockdown - and the effort to contain deadly COVID-19 - seriously?

UP ON HOLLOW CREEK: FROM MOONSHINE TO ANTISEPTICIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast from The Twin-City News, we visit HOLLOW CREEK DISTIILERY, a boutique moonshine operation that was called into service by the State of South Carolina to make hand sanitizer in effort to serve those on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus. 

HOSPITAL SEEKS DONATIONS OF CRITICAL PROTECTIVE GEARIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast for The Twin-City News, we go inside Lexington Medical Center in South Carolina, one of the hospitals that could face a critical shortage of personal protective equipment for hospital staff. They've taken the step of asking the community to help. 

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS: A RAY OF HOPE IN COVID-19 VOID?In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, our daily podcast from The Twin-City News, we talk with FRANK KNAPP JR., president and CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce. He discusses the opening of the filing period for coronavirus relief loans under the CARES Act and how they might impact Palmetto State entrepreneurs. 

THE WORST OF OUR NATURE: CORONAVIRUS SCAMS In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast from The Twin-City News, we dig deeper into the warning from State officials about coronavirus-related scams and what you can do to protect yourself from those who would exploit tragedy.

NEW SUPERINTENDENT HIRED; VIRUS COUNT GROWS AGAINIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the Twin-City News, we announce the selection of a new Superintendent of Schools in Lexington Three Schools. We also process the gravity of the fourth straight day of more than 100 new cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina. 

OF BEARS & BIRTHDAYS: TWO LIGHTS IN THE DARKNESSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the podcast from The Twin-City News, we discover two "good news" stories in Batesburg-Leesville in the midst of all the uncertainty. IVEY HATFIELD discusses how the "bear hunt," a diversion for local families, has taken off, while ALIYAH SHEALY talks about a very special birthday observance while missing most of her senior year in high school. 

LOCAL CENSUS RESPONSE STEADY EVEN IN CRISISIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast produced by The Twin-City News, we return to Batesburg-Leesville Town Hall for a look at how households across the area are responding to the 2020 Census - even as coronavirus grips the nation. Town Manager TED LUCKADOO speaks to the importance of Census data to the community. 

JOBLESS CLAIMS SPIKE AS VIRUS SPREADSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast of The Twin-City News, we here from State of South Carolina officials about a record-breaking jump in unemployment compensation claims. We also hear Gov. Henry McMaster's latest update on how shutdowns are affecting everyday life around the Palmetto State.

A TOWN RESPONDS TO COVID-19In this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the daily podcast produced by THE TWIN-CITY NEWS, we step behind the locked doors of Batesburg-Leesville Town Hall to talk with Town Manager TED LUCKADOO about the Town's response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and how the public health crisis and economic downturn might affect the Town. 

THE LOCAL CHURCH & CORONAVIRUSIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, we talk with Pastor Tony Lopez of the Twin-City Church of Christ. He preached a powerful sermon last Sunday to an empty church building, connecting with his congregation - and even observing the Lord's Supper - through an internet livestream as South Carolina and the world adjust to the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

BUILDING HOPE AT RS-M HIGHIn this edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, we get an overview of the new Ridge Spring-Monetta High School and RS-M Elementary in a conversation with KING LAURENCE, the newly-appointed Superintendent of the Aiken County Public Schools, at the high school ribbon-cutting and the elementary school groundbreaking.

COUNTING BATESBURG-LEESVILLEIn this premiere edition of TCN AROUND TOWN, the weekly podcast of The Twin-City News, we visit with JAY HENDRIX, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Batesburg-Leesville. Mr. Hendrix discusses the formation of the Town's Complete Count Committee, an effort to encourage participation in the upcoming 2020 Census.