Riley Hackett

Columbia

Reporter for News 19 @WLTX | @UofSC ‘23 grad 🤙🏼 | Formerly @SGTVatUSC, @ColaDaily, @USCCarolinaNews | Story ideas? Email me at [email protected]

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Articles

Some who work in Columbia's Vista district are concerned with speeding

Oct 20, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gervais Street in Columbia's Vista district has a speed limit of 35. But some people who own businesses or work in the Vista say drivers hit the Gervais street strip going much faster than that. “Just, you know, slow down, not be Nascar drivers,” said Alexandra Brailsford. “Be aware of your surroundings and people.” Brailsford works at a restaurant on Gervais Street in the Vista. She says drivers speeding down Gervais is a constant issue.
Lunch Bunch program brings fair-goers out on their lunch breaks

Oct 19, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina State Fair is only in Columbia for twelve days, so the time to enjoy the funnel cakes, turkey legs, donut dogs and more is limited. But, the fair does offer a way for South Carolinians to fit these foods into their schedule. “We're really interested in the donut burgers and the funnel cake,” Osborne said. “So we're excited to try those.” Courtney Osborne and her co-workers from Marriott Columbia are enjoying the fair on their lunch break.
Artist and entrepreneur brings passion for glassblowing to SC State Fair

Oct 19, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Devin Cole is the owner of Hot Glass Academy, which combines art, entertainment and education through glass-blowing. “We definitely blow their minds,” said Devan Cole. He's showing his love for the craft at the South Carolina State Fair, offering live glass-blowing shows in Heritage Village. “I love sharing glassblowing,” Cole said. “It builds an artist community, and sparks imagination amongst everybody that we show it to.
Vista Depot project brings hotels, high-rise living to Columbia

Oct 18, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Changes are planned for Columbia's Congaree Vista District. Richland County Council approved a plan Tuesday which will bring a $181 million development to an area in Columbia, adding housing to what has traditionally been known for shopping and entertainment.
Survivors, experts urge women to self-examine and get screened for breast cancer

Oct 17, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — 4,300 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in South Carolina, according to DHEC. During breast cancer awareness month in October, survivors, advocates and experts aim to raise awareness about the disease. “I wish I would have done a little more research growing up,” said Jennifer Kroening. “And really understanding, I think, what I know now.” Kroening was diagnosed with breast cancer after she found a lump. She says she wishes she’d known more about the disease.
Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, other fall agritourism attractions help SC farmers

Oct 16, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

LEXINGTON, S.C. — Clinton Sease owns Clinton Sease Farm in Lexington. “My farm used to be a full time vegetable farm with 25 full time employees,” Sease said. “But I had to make a decision about 19 years ago. I had to do something different, because I either had to get bigger or get smarter.” Now, during this time of year, the farm is home to fall agritourism attractions like a corn maze, pumpkin patch and hayrides.
Sunday is the deadline to register to vote this November in South Carolina

Oct 6, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia resident Aidan Peck says he’s never voted in a local election or registered to vote. “The reason I didn't isn't a great reason, but it's because, as a college student who's working all the time, it's just at the bottom of my list of things to do,” Peck said. “It's something I know I have to do.” For South Carolinians like Peck who have been putting off registering to vote, time is running out.
Midlands Technical College aims to fill growing need for cybersecurity workers

Oct 5, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Benjamin Bohnaker is a cybersecurity student at Midlands Technical College, taking his first class in the Beltline campus's new Center for Business and Information Technologies. "We learn different types of coding, different types of programming," Bohnaker said. "Lots of different programs.
South Carolina seeing effects of respiratory virus season, DHEC says

Oct 4, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Respiratory virus season has begun, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) says the state is seeing its effects already. “We have seen increases in COVID and flu, especially in children,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, the director of SC DHEC.
Silent witness ceremony raises awareness about domestic violence fatalities in South Carolina

Oct 3, 2023 | wltx.com | Riley Hackett

COLUMBIA, S.C. — “We saw the signs, but we never thought in a million years that our brother- that Reggie would lose his life,” said Cynthia Ford. Ford says her brother, Reginald Ford, was a sweet, humble man who loved his family. Ford died as a result of a domestic violence incident on December 2, 2022. “It’s the first time we’ve had to deal with something on this level and it’s just- it’s very heavy,” Ford said.

Journalists covering the same region

Christopher Buchanan

Digital Multimedia Journalist at TEGNA

Christopher Buchanan primarily covers news in the Midlands region of South Carolina, United States, including areas around Columbia and surrounding counties.