$1.8 Billion Boondoggle: Loftis Translation

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!