Russ McKinney

2 weeks ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney

Duke Energy has announced a proposal to build a new natural gas plant in the Upstate. The Charlotte-based company said Monday it plans to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to build a 1,400-megawatt plant in Anderson County that Gov. Henry McMaster said will help meet the state's growing energy demands.

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Thursday. You're reading The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinneyandMaayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse while lawmakers are in session. We said we'd be back briefly, and we meant it. The Legislature returned Wednesday for one day only to pass a $14.5 billion state general fund spending plan that goes into effect on July 1. It wasn't the only issue lawmakers dealt with in their return.

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Wednesday. And welcome back, briefly, to a special edition of The State House Gavel, a daily reporter notebook by reporters Gavin Jackson, Russ McKinneyandMaayan Schechter that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse while lawmakers are in session. Lawmakers have returned to Columbia for one day only to pass the $14.5 billion state general fund budget. It then will be sent to Gov. Henry McMaster, whohas line-item veto power.

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

Happy Friday. The 2025 regular South Carolina legislative session has ended. But it's not technically over just yet. First, we want to say thank you to all of our State House Gavel readers over the past five months who have followed our reporting since its inception. We are taking a short break, but plan to return later this month with more Statehouse coverage.

1 month ago | southcarolinapublicradio.org | Maayan Schechter |Russ McKinney |Gavin Jackson

A very happy Thursday. It's the final day of the South Carolina legislative session. The House returns at 10 a.m. and the Senate is in at 10:01 a.m.Sine die strikes at 5 p.m. A Friday preview: Don't miss Friday's edition of The State House Gavel that will include interviews with House and Senate leaders about what lawmakers accomplished in 2025, and what they hope to get done next year.