AGP Executive Report

SEC/ACC Schedule Shake-Up: South Carolina and North Carolina have mutually canceled their 2028 and 2029 home-and-home football series, with the Gamecocks adding Bowling Green to the 2028 slate as both conferences move to nine-game league schedules. Memorial Day Travel Costs: AAA says Memorial Day gas prices are at a four-year high—about $4.56 nationwide for regular—and demand is expected to hit record levels, with the Strait of Hormuz disruption keeping prices elevated. Palmetto Fuel Watch: In South Carolina’s week ending May 16, Greenville County’s cheapest premium hit $4.47, Chesterfield’s lowest regular was $3.73, and Richland County’s lowest midgrade was $4.09. Weather Check: Expect on-and-off showers and thunderstorms across the Carolinas through at least Monday, with the best chance of heavier totals inland. On the Road: A Mississippi roadside pick is The Frog Farm in Fayette, a one-acre sculpture garden of wooden frogs.

Beaches for the weekend: Dr. Beach just crowned Poipu Beach in Hawaii as the #1 U.S. beach for 2026, and Florida still dominates the top tier—St. Andrews State Park in Panama City is No. 2, with Caladesi Island State Park (No. 3) and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park (No. 6) also making the list. Road-trip reality check: Memorial Day travel is rolling out with higher fuel costs—AAA says Arizona gas hit a four-year high, and South Carolina is bracing for busy roads. Safety push: South Carolina’s “100 Deadly Days of Summer” kicks off with seat belt enforcement starting May 22–25, after preliminary 2025 data showed nearly half of summer crash deaths involved unbuckled drivers. Local note: The S.C. Senate’s congressional redistricting debate is still stuck—no vote yet, and lawmakers may keep meeting into the Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day kickoff pressure: South Carolina’s “100 Deadly Days of Summer” is rolling in with tougher seat belt enforcement May 22–25, after SCDPS says nearly half of 2025 Memorial Day-period crash deaths involved unbuckled drivers. Fuel watch: GasBuddy reports show patchy deals across the Palmetto State—regular hit a low of $3.87 in Georgetown County (week ending May 16) and $3.99 in Abbeville County, while midgrade lows in Saluda County landed at $4.49. Public safety + travel reality: AAA warns Memorial Day gas prices are the highest in four years, even as record travel demand keeps roads busy. Politics on the move: South Carolina Senate debate is set to begin on a new congressional map aimed at flipping the state’s lone Democratic seat, with updated cost estimates now running $5–$6 million for a second primary. Local governance: Tega Cay advanced its budget but faced neighborhood outcry over Lake Wylie silt and regional transit cuts. Elsewhere: A metro Atlanta murder suspect was arrested during an I-85 takedown in Anderson County.

NextEra–Dominion Power Play: NextEra Energy has agreed to buy Dominion Energy in a roughly $66.8B all-stock deal, aiming to build the “world’s largest regulated electric utility” for the AI/data-center boom—though Virginia regulators and consumer groups are already pushing back. Coastal Escape Radar: “Dr. Beach” crowned Kauai’s Poipu Beach the top U.S. beach for 2026, with Florida and Hawaii dominating the rest of the top 10. Airport Upgrade Buzz: South Carolina’s Charleston and Greenville-Spartanburg are among sites picked for new air-traffic control towers and radar upgrades. Travel-Season Reality Check: Memorial Day crowds are still coming—NC beach hotels are booked solid even as gas prices stay high. Lowcountry & Local Life: Spoleto Festival USA returns May 22–June 7, while Charleston’s King Street shooting victims include Maine cycling instructors, with GoFundMe support underway. Road-Trip Watch: SCDOT is posting detours for a bridge replacement project in Upstate Pickens County. Politics on the Move: SC’s congressional redistricting push is advancing, with House and Senate votes drawing fresh attention.

Festival Season in SC: Muzika! Festival returns for its fifth South Carolina season, running through June with opera, Broadway favorites, choral performances, and international artists across Columbia, Lexington, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach. Military & Community Milestone: At Fort Jackson, Irmo High seniors—including future Navy machinist mate Alex Desjarlais—were honored at a Military Honor Cord Ceremony ahead of basic training. Travel Safety & Health Watch: Measles research is raising alarms that official counts may miss many infections, while Ebola headlines continue to spread concern beyond the DRC. Coastal Politics: South Carolina’s House advanced a GOP-backed congressional redistricting plan that could reshape the Clyburn district, with legal challenges already in motion. On the Ground: Berkeley County opened part of a $10.5M waterfront park in Moncks Corner, adding boat ramps and trailer parking as the full June 12 opening nears. Summer Weather Reality Check: Memorial Day weekend in SC looks hot and dry in the Upstate, with rain chances later.

Memorial Day Momentum: South Carolina is heading into the holiday with early-summer heat and drought, while forecasters still flag a chance of showers and thunderstorms—so beach and lake plans may hinge on last-minute updates. Courtroom Redistricting Fight: In Columbia, South Carolina House Republicans moved toward a new congressional map, but voters’ rights groups sued to halt a mid-debate rules change, setting up a Wednesday hearing. Coastal Construction Clash: North Carolina lawmakers are weighing a bill that could overturn decades-old limits on hardened erosion-control structures—supporters say it’s about protecting infrastructure, opponents warn it could worsen erosion nearby. Utility Mega-Merger Watch: NextEra’s proposed $66.8B all-stock deal for Dominion is back in focus, with regulators likely to scrutinize what it means for power bills as data centers drive demand. Travel Notes: Phoenix Sky Harbor is urging travelers to book parking early and arrive ahead of time for a busy summer kickoff. Local Good News: Greenville Women Giving awarded $525,799 to seven nonprofits.

Utility Mega-Merger: NextEra Energy has agreed to buy Dominion Energy in a roughly $67B all-stock deal, creating a massive regulated power company serving about 10 million customers across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with Dominion shareholders taking 25.5% and NextEra 74.5%; the companies say bill credits totaling $2.25B are planned for Dominion customers after closing, which could take up to 18 months. Travel & Retail Momentum: Allegiant is adding new nonstop Florida routes from Philadelphia and Trenton (starting Oct. 2), while Royal Farms opens in Harwood, Maryland on June 15, and Target plans a Louisiana store among dozens of new openings nationwide. Coast & Community: S.C. DNR removed a 60-foot abandoned barge from the Lowcountry waterway near James Island, and Phoenix Sky Harbor is urging travelers to book ahead for a busy summer kickoff. Local Life: A Pocahontas County tourism summit highlighted $232M in annual visitor spending, and South Carolina’s law enforcement awards ceremony named finalists statewide.

Utility Mega-Merger: NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy just announced a $67B all-stock deal to create the world’s largest regulated electric utility, with NextEra owning about 74.5% and Dominion 25.5%, dual HQs in Juno Beach and Richmond, and $2.25B in bill credits proposed for customers across VA/NC/SC. Memorial Day Travel Costs: AAA says Memorial Day gas prices are set to hit the highest level since 2022, with the national average around $4.51—so road trips may cost more than the plans. Local Safety on the Coast: Myrtle Beach kicks off its annual Memorial Day weekend safety order, including restricting golf carts along Ocean Boulevard and giving police extra authority during the peak stretch. Workforce & Education: South Carolina approved four-year culinary bachelor’s degrees at technical colleges, with Trident Technical College launching a Bachelor of Applied Science in Culinary Arts Management. Wildlife Watch: Washington officials now think a yellow-legged hornet likely arrived as a stowaway on a cargo ship—while researchers warn it could be a bigger pollinator threat than “murder hornets.”

Memorial Day Readiness: The Old Farmer’s Almanac is pointing to a warmer-than-average May for most of the U.S., with drier trends in many regions and only isolated storm chances—useful context as South Carolinians gear up for the May 25 weekend. Road-Trip Reality Check: AAA says gas prices are still higher than last year, so plan routes and stops with that in mind. Big Energy Shake-Up: NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy just announced a roughly $67B all-stock merger to create the world’s largest regulated utility, serving about 10 million customers across Florida, Virginia, the Carolinas, with proposed bill credits for Dominion customers. Local Safety & Health: South Carolina shared water-safety guidance ahead of summer, while Novant Health added a full-time electrophysiologist in Hilton Head to expand AFib care. Travel-Adjacent Oddity: Customs at Detroit Metro seized a tall dreamcatcher made with protected animal parts. South Carolina Headlines: A child died after a bath-related burn at a SC hotel, and a Greenville officer was among the victims in a deadly Upstate head-on crash.

Middle East Flashpoint: A drone strike hit the UAE’s sole nuclear power plant, with no major damage reported—while the U.S. and Iran trade warnings that war could resume. Public Health: WHO declared an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency, citing hundreds of suspected cases and deaths amid conflict and slow detection. South Carolina Safety: In Moncks Corner, police say a suspect assaulted a woman, forced her into a car trunk, then led officers on a high-speed chase before crashing and being arrested; in Richland County, an I-77 tractor-trailer crash tied up traffic for hours. Sports (Big Local Feel): UCF stunned Florida State 4-2 to reach the softball Super Regionals; UCLA crushed South Carolina 15-1; Alabama advanced after beating USC Upstate 9-0. Travel & Lifestyle: A Buc-ee’s brand-infringement lawsuit and a “happiest cities” roundup put Charleston and other favorites in the spotlight.

Upstate Tragedy: A head-on crash in Spartanburg County on Highway 101 killed five people early Friday, including Greenville Police Sgt. Ashley Munoz; troopers say two SUVs collided and one passenger survived with injuries. Pursuit Turns Deadly: In Moncks Corner, police say a domestic-violence call led to a pursuit on Highway 52, speeds over 100 mph, a crash, and an arrest after the driver fled on foot. Road Deaths Continue: South Carolina Highway Patrol also reports a fatal motorcycle crash on Mud Creek Road and a separate I-26 crash in Calhoun County that killed a front-seat passenger. Travel & Stops: Buc-ee’s is suing a Georgia convenience store over branding and says its new pay-at-the-pump policy is rolling out as it expands. Sports Buzz: UCF and Florida State are battling in the Tallahassee Regional finals, with FSU forcing a winner-take-all game. Local Life: Clio’s free Ribs and Rods Fest returns May 29–30.

Road Safety Watch: South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating two separate deadly crashes in the Upstate—one motorcycle crash in Spartanburg County on Mud Creek Road near Hickory Nut Road, and an I-26 single-vehicle crash near St. Matthews where a 35-year-old man died after a Honda CR-V hit a concrete barrier. Lottery Luck (and a lesson): A South Carolina man returned a $500 winning Pick 3 ticket in February, then hit a $586,000 Palmetto Cash 5 jackpot two months later. Sports Spotlight: Tennessee baseball kept fighting in its series vs. Oklahoma, winning the series 2 of 3 despite a 12-9 Game 3 loss; and Fort Mill swept the 5A Division 2 track and field state titles. Local Events: Clio’s annual Ribs and Rods Fest kicks off Friday, with free admission and events at Clio Elementary. Workplace Rights: The EEOC is seeking to end employer requirements to report annual workforce racial and sex data—an issue that could ripple into media and beyond.

Child-Safety Conviction: A former USC researcher, Mohammad Ebrahim Torki Harchegani, was convicted by a federal jury for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor after undercover chats and a planned meeting. He faces 10 years to life, with sentencing pending. Road Tragedy: In Spartanburg County, a head-on crash on Highway 101 killed five people, including Greenville Sgt. Ashley Munoz; her wife, Sgt. Diana Munoz, was airlifted and remains in critical condition. Crash Updates: Elsewhere, a passenger died after a vehicle hit a barrier on I-26 near St. Matthews, and Calhoun County officials continue investigating. Travel & Safety: With Myrtle Beach Bike Rally crowds in town, local vendors are pushing extra visibility gear like LED brake lights as bikers face ongoing road risks. Local Culture: South Carolina State Library marks the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War with a new photography exhibit running through June 30.

Fatal crash response: A head-on wreck on SC-101 in Spartanburg County killed five people early Friday, including Greenville Police Sgt. Ashley Munoz; her wife, Sgt. Diana Munoz, was airlifted and remains in critical condition. Roads & travel: Southbound I-85 lanes reopened after a tractor-trailer fire shut down traffic, easing a major morning backup. Health update: New expanded results from the POTOMAC bladder-cancer trial say durvalumab plus BCG cut the risk of high-risk recurrence or death by 32% versus BCG alone, with data now extending out to five years. Local politics: Virginia’s Supreme Court map fight hit another wall after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked Democrats’ push to restore new congressional maps. Tech in motion: Japan Airlines began a three-year trial of humanoid robots at Haneda for baggage and cabin work—another sign airports are turning to automation as labor tightens. Safety spotlight: Myrtle Beach Bike Rally vendors are promoting extra LED visibility after this year’s South Carolina motorcycle fatality count climbed.

Supreme Court Watch: In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for families to sue truck brokers in state court over deadly crash claims, a major shift for anyone trying to hold middlemen accountable. Air Travel Upgrades: The Trump administration says eight airports—including Charleston and Greer in South Carolina—are getting major air-traffic control upgrades worth $835M+ to boost safety and efficiency. Local Safety & Travel Reality: Charleston police “took an alligator into custody” after it wandered near Meeting Street, while South Carolina saw multiple deadly road incidents, including a five-fatal head-on crash in Spartanburg County and a fatal bicyclist crash in Orangeburg. Tourism & Planning: New KAYAK data shows World Cup host cities drawing early flight searches, with Kansas City surging (+136%)—and AAA warns Memorial Day gas prices are set to be the highest in four years. Tech & Trust: Florida’s “South Florida Standard” shut down after being exposed for fake AI reporters and stolen content. Community Notes: The Snook Family YMCA in Foley named Demonya Womack as branch director.

Redistricting Reality Check: Democrats are regrouping after fresh court setbacks—Supreme Court action weakening the Voting Rights Act and a Virginia map ruling that undercut expected gains—leaving them to bet on costs, gas prices, and Trump’s unpopularity to flip the House. South Carolina Politics: McMaster has lawmakers back for a special session tied to congressional maps, even as the fight keeps shifting district lines. Local Legal Drama: Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions were overturned, setting up a new trial and renewed attention on jury-tampering claims. Travel & Weather Watch: Coastal drought is worsening in the Carolinas, with very low river levels raising hazards for boaters and paddlers. Tourism & Community: Piedmont Riverfront Park in Anderson County is expanding ADA-accessible paddling along the Saluda River, while Beaufort County GOP hosts a “Get Out The Vote” rally this weekend. Business & Labor: Spirit Airlines ex-workers are suing over an abrupt shutdown, seeking back pay and benefits.