AGP Executive Report

Coastal Carolina Hiring: Coastal Carolina named former Mississippi State coach Chris Lemonis as its next baseball coach, bringing a Myrtle Beach connection and a College World Series title to Conway. Food & Travel TV: “Top Chef: Carolinas” wrapped June 8, and viewers can now follow a restaurant trail across Charlotte and Greenville tied to the show’s challenges. Measles Watch in the Lowcountry: South Carolina DPH confirmed a Beaufort County adult measles case and listed potential exposure spots including a Lady’s Island Publix, Beaufort High graduation, and a Dataw Island pool/gym during specific dates and times. Local Real Estate Spotlight: Charleston broker Bryan Crabtree announced a rare marsh-adjacent, equestrian-friendly estate listing at 5010 Timber Race Course in the Plantation at Stono Ferry. Cybersecurity & Tourism Impact: Surfside Beach said it’s at a standstill in a $545,000 cyberattack recovery while waiting on forensic and law enforcement reports. Resort Legal Ruling: South Carolina’s Supreme Court upheld a decision blocking arbitration in a Palmetto Bluff short-term rental dispute, keeping the fight in court. Family Fun in Myrtle Beach: A roundup highlights summer vacation planning and deals for Myrtle Beach visitors. IAAM Funding Pressure: Charleston’s International African American Museum will stay open but plans staggered 20-day furloughs as it works to stabilize finances. Theme Park Buzz: Carowinds announced “Rip Roarin’ Falls” for 2027, featuring a record-style 100-foot drop. Outdoor Nature Plan: A guide points travelers to America’s best firefly viewing spots, including South Carolina’s eastern forests.

Sea Turtle Season in the Lowcountry: Charleston Harbor’s sea turtles are back in the spotlight, with nesting season underway—locals are urging visitors to watch their steps and support conservation efforts. Court Watch (Conway): A judge is set to decide whether a lawsuit filed by Weldon Boyd against an attorney for the Spivey family can continue, after arguments over alleged mishandling of confidential phone information and media fallout. Myrtle Beach Summer Travel Deals: Myrtle Beach is pushing a stay-longer promotion and touting affordable lodging options across the Grand Strand as summer travel ramps up. SC Politics & Runoffs: Two South Carolina legislators were ousted in primaries, and the GOP governor race heads to a runoff between Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson. Horry County Public Safety Review: The Horry County Police Department is bringing in an outside team for a full management review amid recent controversies. Buc-ee’s Expansion: The Florence Buc-ee’s continues drawing North Carolina travelers, as the chain breaks ground on a new North Carolina location and prepares more openings nationwide. World Cup Health Alert: Experts warn measles could spread during major events like the FIFA World Cup, especially with declining vaccination rates.

New Hotel Openings: Hilton is rolling out Undergraduate by Hilton, a new campus-focused brand aiming for 400–500 hotels, with the first opening in 2027; meanwhile, Columbia just welcomed LivSmart Studios by Hilton (113 rooms) on June 4, built for long-stay travelers with in-suite kitchens. Tourism & Travel Planning: A guide highlights South Carolina’s “Most Treasured Views” for America’s 250th, including historic stops like the Burt-Stark Mansion in Abbeville. Public Safety & Local Trust: Horry County Police Department is bringing in an outside team for a full management review amid controversies and merger questions. Roads & Summer Costs: Gas prices keep easing in parts of the state, with AAA noting summer travel season relief as averages drop. Health Care for Travelers & Families: MUSC Health and Cigna contract talks could push 30,000 South Carolinians out of network starting July 1. Community Spotlight: North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club honoree Connie Lawson received Volunteer of the Year for food-insecurity and elder-abuse efforts.

Coastal Safety: South Carolina beachgoers are being reminded that rip currents are the deadliest water hazard, with Isle of Palms urging swimmers to follow flags and check forecasts before heading in. Myrtle Beach Golf Buzz: Legends Golf Resort is building a lighted nine-hole par-3, “The Piper,” opening in late 2026—aimed at extending the golf day into the evening. Travel Planning for Families: A roundup highlights five standout gardens worth a family visit, from Longwood Gardens to Cheekwood. Beach Risk Watch: A national look at shark hotspots notes that while attacks are rare, some U.S. coastlines see more encounters due to warm water, baitfish, and heavy surf crowds. Local Growth & Lodging Demand: HCA and Galen College of Nursing will open a new Daniel Island campus in July to expand nursing training—another sign of ongoing Charleston-area development. South Carolina Politics (Runoff Set): GOP governor primary results set up a June 23 runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and AG Alan Wilson, while Lindsey Graham won his Senate primary outright.

Golf Tourism: Legends Golf Resort in Myrtle Beach is building “The Piper,” a lighted nine-hole par 3 course opening for play in late 2026, with holes from 54 to 122 yards and a focus on social play plus extended evening rounds. Theme-Park Investment: Carowinds plans “Rip Roarin’ Falls,” a 2027 water ride at the SC/NC line near Fort Mill, promising record-setting flume drops and a super flume design. Lowcountry Preparedness: Joint Base Charleston is urging Lowcountry families and service members to prepare now for hurricane season, emphasizing 72-hour kits, evacuation planning, and mass notification enrollment. Sports Tourism Dollars: Savannah’s inaugural Savannah Invitational volleyball tournament (May 22–24) drew 206 teams from 13 states and generated an estimated $3.38M in local economic impact, led by lodging spending. Community & Travel Support: Lowcountry Food Bank kicks off its Summer Lunchbox-Summer Meals program June 8 through Aug. 7 at multiple accessible sites, helping fill summer meal gaps for kids. Local Business: Howard Hanna Allen Tate opens a new Port Royal office to serve the Lowcountry with listings for primary homes, vacation/second homes, and military relocations.

Gas Prices & Summer Travel: AAA reports South Carolina gas averages dipped nearly 20 cents over the weekend, easing pressure as the summer road-trip season ramps up. Fuel Watch (E85/Regional): GasBuddy data shows E85 as low as $3.29 in Colleton County (week ending May 30), while the Grand Strand saw drops of more than 20 cents—good news for drivers heading to Myrtle Beach. Family Fun in the Upstate: The City of Greer is rolling out a packed summer lineup, from arts and camps to youth sports like its Greer 76ers rugby program. Equine Access for Kids: The Human-Animal Alliance is funding $21,500 in equine summer programs, including Myrtle Beach Therapeutic Riding and Vaulting Club, to help underserved children attend camp. Tourism Infrastructure: SCDOT begins overnight repairs to the Eagle Drive Bridge on I-26 in Charleston County, with nightly lane closures running through July. Weather & Safety Prep: South Carolina agencies will run a full-scale hurricane evacuation exercise June 10, testing readiness ahead of the 2026 season.

Gas Prices & Summer Travel Relief: South Carolina’s average gas price dipped again, with GasBuddy reporting the state average at $3.65 per gallon as of Monday—down 19.8 cents in a week—while local “cheapest station” reports highlighted lower midgrade and premium options across multiple counties. Outdoor & Beach Safety: With heat building and marine hazards potentially returning, Lowcountry beachgoers are being reminded to watch for rip current risk as summer ramps up. Health Watch for Travelers: U.S. measles cases are on pace to top 2025’s record high, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people—an important reminder for anyone planning trips. Local Travel/Attractions: Travel South USA is expanding its international reach, naming a Germany-based partner to boost DACH (Germany/Austria/Switzerland) tourism efforts starting July 1. History & Culture for Trips: Two new books aim to map the American Revolution through surviving historic sites, including a South-focused volume covering SC, NC, and VA—built for travelers planning America’s 250th anniversary stops.

Healthcare & Safety: HCA is expanding in South Carolina’s urgent-care market, buying about a dozen MedCare clinics (including multiple coastal sites) and rebranding them as HCA CareNow. Public Health: Measles cases keep climbing nationwide, with South Carolina listed among the hardest-hit states this year—MMR protection remains the key message for travelers and families. Coastal Flood Risk: A new study links upstream wetland loss since the 1980s to higher flood insurance payouts for South Carolina coastal homeowners, with major impacts flagged around Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Road Travel Alerts: Fatal crashes are under investigation across the state, including a rollover on U.S. 601 in Orangeburg County and a deadly motorcycle crash after a chase in Horry County. Family Fun: The Lexington County Blowfish turned “Cowfish” for a weekend farm-support fundraiser, raising $4,000 for a young farmer and rancher program. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports a low of $3.54 regular in Pickens County for the week ending May 30, with diesel and midgrade lows also tracked across several counties.

Urgent-Care Expansion: HCA Healthcare is buying about a dozen MedCare urgent clinics across South Carolina, including eight along the Charleston-to-Grand Strand corridor, and rebranding them as HCA CareNow—more “doc-in-a-box” access ahead of peak travel. Public Health Watch: Measles is surging nationwide, and South Carolina is among the hardest hit, with officials reporting cases in the Lowcountry and Hampton County; health experts stress MMR protection and staying alert if you’ve been exposed. Road Safety: The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating fatal crashes in Orangeburg County (a single-vehicle rollover) and Horry County (a chase that ended in a motorcycle crash). Gas Prices Check: Fuel remains volatile but in some areas drivers are seeing lower local lows—diesel hit $4.59 in Pickens County and $4.79 in Edgefield County for the week ending May 30, while midgrade lows included $4.18 in Lancaster County. Coastal Flood Risk: A new study links upstream wetland loss since the 1980s to higher flood insurance payouts for coastal SC homeowners, with Charleston and Myrtle Beach among the hardest hit.

Urgent-Care Expansion: HCA Healthcare is buying about a dozen MedCare urgent-care clinics across South Carolina, including eight along the fast-growing coast between Charleston and the Grand Strand, and rebranding them as HCA CareNow. Beach Safety Watch: North Carolina’s coast faces a rip-current risk Sunday, with officials warning swimmers to stay alert. Hurricane Prep in the Lowcountry: Dorchester County hosted a major hurricane expo with emergency management, rescue teams, and community partners, emphasizing inland flooding risks. Road Safety: South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal Charleston-area motorcycle pursuit crash in Summerville. Travel-Friendly Health: A new report highlights how more destinations and attractions are becoming autism-friendly through accessibility training and credentialing programs. Gas Prices Snapshot: GasBuddy data shows diesel and premium prices vary by county, with several Upstate areas posting the week’s lowest diesel deals around the mid-$4 range. Quick History Note: June 7 marks the opening of Graceland to the public in 1982 and the 1998 murder of James Byrd Jr. in a hate crime.

Road & Traffic: SCDOT says the Highway 17 widening in Myrtle Beach—adding lanes from four to six between Hwy. 707 and Harrelson Blvd—could wrap up by the end of 2026, with median barriers and storm-drain work already underway. Beach Safety: Rip current risk remains a concern for Coastal Lowcountry beaches through Wednesday evening, with Isle of Palms also warning visitors ahead of summer. Local Deals for Travelers: GasBuddy’s week-ending May 30 reports show diesel and midgrade/premium bargains popping up in multiple counties, including Greenville ($4.49 diesel), Williamsburg ($5.19 diesel), and Dorchester ($3.25 E85). Accessibility & Planning: A new look at “autism-friendly travel” highlights how destinations and attractions use training and credentialing to reduce barriers for visitors on the spectrum. Myrtle Beach Hospitality: Contour Airlines is adding seasonal Myrtle Beach flights from Altoona and Parkersburg for summer 2026. Safety Incident: A pedestrian was killed in a Florence County crash on TV Road, and the Highway Patrol is investigating.

Folly Beach landmark sale: The Sand Dollar bar in downtown Folly Beach—known for live music and Harley-friendly parking—closed June 4 after nearly six months under contract, with the property transferring from the Estate of Richard Weatherford to a Greenville-area developer tied to Ron Rallis. Lowcountry beach safety: The National Weather Service warns of rip-current risk along parts of the SC coast through Wednesday evening, including Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Folly Beach and Kiawah. Road work for summer travelers: SCDOT’s Highway 17 widening in Myrtle Beach (707 to Harrelson Blvd) is nearing completion, with a six-lane expansion expected by end of 2026, weather permitting. Hurricane readiness: South Carolina leaders held a tabletop exercise to rehearse responses as the 2026 hurricane season begins, urging residents and businesses to have plans. Outdoor travel tips: SC state parks are seeing more snake encounters in warmer months, with several parks flagged as especially snake-active for hikers and beachgoers. Tourism spotlight: A new report looks at how Dolly Parton built a tourism empire through Dollywood, driving major regional development in the Smoky Mountains.

ACC-SEC Challenge (Women’s Hoops): South Carolina will play Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Dec. 3 as part of the 2026 SEC-ACC Challenge, with the Gamecocks riding a strong recent record vs. the Blue Devils. Local Tourism & Culture: Angel Oak on Johns Island has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, cementing its status as a major Lowcountry draw. Upstate Public Safety: A man and woman accused in the death of a 4-year-old in Travelers Rest had bond denied after investigators alleged improper nutrition. Coastal/Community Safety: A Chester County deputy is credited with saving a breast cancer patient after a crash left her trapped in a partially burning vehicle. Travel Disruption Watch: South Carolina and North Carolina canceled their 2028 and 2029 home-and-home football series, with USC paying UNC $1 million—an item that could affect visitor planning around those dates. Road-Trip Reality Check (Gas Prices): AAA reports the national regular average is down 18 cents to $4.24, while GasBuddy shows South Carolina midgrade and regular prices hovering in the mid-$3 to mid-$4 range by county. Family Fun: NarroWay Productions in Fort Mill is set to welcome baby camel Cleopatra on June 8.

Myrtle Beach Resort Leadership: Mark Hucek has been appointed Complex General Manager for The Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach (Tapestry by Hilton) and DoubleTree Resort Myrtle Beach, overseeing day-to-day operations, guest experience, and growth. Coastal Water Safety: Isle of Palms police are urging beachgoers to watch for rip currents as summer crowds increase risk. Drought Update: South Carolina’s interior and Upstate drought improved to Level 1–2, but coastal areas remain in serious Level 3 drought. Travel & Flights: Contour Airlines launches seasonal service from Altoona to Myrtle Beach starting July 1, and Breeze Airways is set to expand at Atlantic City after Spirit’s exit. Sea Turtle Conservation: Volunteers moved more than 100 loggerhead sea turtle eggs to a safer Myrtle Beach nest site. Boating Safety: SCDNR charged a Charleston County man with involuntary manslaughter in a fatal Shem Creek crash; documents cite alcohol use, reckless/careless operation, and lack of proper lookout. Gas Prices: Charleston County regular gas hit $3.73 in the week ending May 30, while statewide averages eased slightly.

Gas Prices & Summer Travel: With the Strait of Hormuz closed for 96 days, a GasBuddy analyst tells Forbes gas prices may get worse before they get better, with a “50-50 chance” averages top $5 this summer; still, major drive-to tourism markets like Myrtle Beach say demand is on par or better than last year. Public Safety—Kids Home Alone: South Carolina has no set minimum age for leaving children home alone, but a Columbia pediatrician recommends at least age 9, and warns parents can face criminal responsibility if something goes wrong. Local Law Enforcement—Microwaved Fish Gun Case: Myrtle Beach detective Michael DeBiase was arrested and fired after allegedly pointing his gun at a fellow officer over a microwaved fish odor. Health Alert—Measles in Hampton County: DPH confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated adult; eight others were advised to quarantine after international travel. Beach News: Pawleys Island was named South Carolina’s best beach for a third straight year. Getting There: Contour Airlines will add seasonal nonstop flights from Parkersburg to Myrtle Beach starting July 1. Hurricane Season: Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1; North Myrtle Beach urges residents to review plans, kits, and evacuation zones.

Beach Safety & Tourism: A red sponge-like substance has been disrupting fishing and swimming along Grand Strand beaches, with locals saying it clings to lines and leaves swimmers “slime red weeds” worries; officials are still trying to identify what it is. Local Travel & Planning: Mount Pleasant is reviewing confusing “wild west” parking around Shem Creek, where mixed public/private lots and towing rules leave visitors unsure where they can park. Lowcountry Outdoors: The Spanish Moss Trail is kicking off “Trails Month” in June with National Trails Day events, encouraging locals and visitors to get outside on the year-round route. Camping Getaway: Tuck In The Wood Campground on Saint Helena Island is being highlighted as a quieter, more secluded camping option just 12 miles from Hunting Island State Park. Public Health: South Carolina confirmed a measles case in Hampton County; eight people were flagged as potentially exposed and advised to quarantine through June 21. Coastal Incident: A Myrtle Beach detective was fired after allegedly pointing a gun at a fellow officer during a dispute over microwaved fish.