Bristow Marchant
@bristowmarchant.bsky.social
📤 114
📥 83
📝 273
Journalist for
@thestatenewspaper.bsky.social
in South Carolina
Chapin's mayor passed away in the middle of a re-election campaign. Before Al Koon's death, we asked the candidates for mayor what they want to do to lead the town forward.
www.thestate.com/news/politic...
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Meet the two candidates running for mayor in Chapin
Two candidates are running for mayor in Chapin after the incumbent mayor’s death.
https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/election/article312452007.html
about 8 hours ago
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
The State Newspaper
1 day ago
The cat was “just trying to survive” when he was found as a stray.
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‘Gentle,’ blind cat struggled in SC shelter — then family answered ‘urgent plea’
The cat was “just trying to survive” when he was found as a stray.
https://bit.ly/47cgaOs
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What happened at Columbia's
#NoKings
rally at the SC State House this weekend, from John Monk and
@sfretwell83.bsky.social
www.thestate.com/news/politic...
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Thousands march, flood SC state capitol at ‘No Kings’ rally to protest Trump
Protesters march to SC capitol to protest President Trump
https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article312558060.html
1 day ago
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ICYMI: Chapin Mayor Al Koon died Friday, leaving a big hole in the Lake Murray community as the election for the next mayor approaches
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Days after entering hospice care, Chapin Mayor Al Koon has died
The town of Chapin announced earlier this week the 74-year-old mayor had been moved to hospice care.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312547186.html
1 day ago
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Breaking news: Koon's passing comes just days after the mayor was moved into hospice care.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Chapin Mayor Al Koon has died
The town announced earlier this week the 74-year-old mayor had been moved to hospice care
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312547186.html
4 days ago
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Protesters are planning another
#NoKings
protest at the SC State House this Saturday, one of a series of gatherings since Donald Trump was re-elected. With three years left in Trump's term, is the movement sustainable?
www.thestate.com/news/politic...
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Another ‘No Kings’ protest is coming to SC State House. Can momentum keep going?
As organizers prepare for a repeat of the event that drew thousands in the summer, they talked about how they hope to keep people engaged long-term.
https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article312513609.html
4 days ago
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A SC town councilman is up for re-election. He's also under investigation, SLED confirms.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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An Irmo town councilman is under criminal investigation. He’s up for reelection
SLED has become involved in an investigation involving a member of Irmo Town council.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312518057.html
6 days ago
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Cayce City Council launches investigation of one of their own as mayor fights back, from
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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With mayor absent, Cayce City Council votes to investigate one of its members
Cayce leaders voted for the investigation after sitting in a closed-door meeting for more than three hours.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312458304.html
6 days ago
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Got a first look at where Mission Lexington, the charity that has long served some of the neediest people in the county, are moving to create a bigger service center.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Lexington charity says new location will allow it to help more families in need
The charity, and the number of people who rely on it, have outgrown its current Lexington County location, the group’s CEO said.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312496206.html
6 days ago
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Lexington County rejected a proposed housing subdivision for the first time last month because of its new concurrency standards. But that hasn't stopped all planned developments in the county.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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After blocking subdivision, Lexington County approves 3 other housing projects
What makes these new Lexington County neighborhoods different from one that didn’t survive the review process?
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312487573.html
6 days ago
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The church claims to have a council member saying on camera saying she wouldn't back the project because the request came from a religious organization.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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Did discrimination by Richland County kill mall redevelopment? Lawsuit says yes
A church says they were denied funding for the projet because a council member didn’t want to give taxpayer money to a religious group.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312418452.html
13 days ago
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The Creightons were researching their family roots in South Carolina. What they found might right a 135-year-old injustice.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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Living relatives of Lexington lynching victim found. Can he now be exonerated?
Old records on one family’s South Carolina connections could pave the way for reconsideration of Willie Leaphart’s 1890 Lexington lynching.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/civil-rights/article312163915.html
13 days ago
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Mourning the loss of Lexington's favorite camel, from
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Lexington remembers Abraham, county councilman’s Mountain Dew-drinking camel
The camel, which belonged to Lexington County Councilman Clifford Fisher and the county’s coroner Margaret Fisher, died Tuesday morning.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312415761.html
14 days ago
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
Meg Kinnard
15 days ago
The home of a SC judge who blocked release of voter data sought by DOJ has been destroyed by fire. Officials haven't linked the blaze to Judge Diane Goodstein's order, but authorities are providing extra security as they investigate. By
@jeffreycollinsap.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/judg...
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Agents investigate cause of fire that destroyed judge's home on South Carolina island
State investigators are trying to find the cause of a fire that destroyed a judge's home on a South Carolina island.
https://apnews.com/article/judge-house-fire-diane-goodstein-south-carolina-0ca7558e66215dc5ec23683dc861b8ae
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It was a wild day for residents of one Cayce neighborhood, when a gas leak led to evacuations that lasted 5-plus hours.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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Hazardous material removed that caused evacuations in busy Cayce neighborhood
Authorities had asked all residents near the Crystal Clean environmental services facility in Cayce to evacuate as a “precaution”
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312352141.html
18 days ago
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Update on this morning's story about people evacuated from their homes in Cayce over a hazardous gas leak.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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Hazardous material removed that caused evacuations in busy Cayce neighborhood
Authorities had asked all residents near the Crystal Clean environmental services facility in Cayce to evacuate as a “precaution”
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312352141.html
19 days ago
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
19 days ago
It's their pleasure.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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A new Chick-fil-A is being built in the Columbia area. Check out where
Plus, another Midlands Chick-fil-A closes temporarily for site upgrades.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312352757.html
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Changes are coming to the school map next year. Where might your child wind up?
www.thestate.com/news/local/e...
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A Midlands school district is changing its attendance lines. What to know
How parents in one Midlands school district can find out where their students will be headed next school year.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/education/article312338394.html
19 days ago
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If you're in Cayce this morning, look out for this.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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Evacuations ordered over hazmat incident in busy Cayce neighborhood
Authorities have asked all residents near the Crystal Clean environmental services facility in Cayce to evacuate as a “precaution”
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312352141.html
19 days ago
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With the police chief's last day set for Sunday, the town won't have any officers on staff going forward. Officials say they simply don't have the money.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Midlands town will be without a police department next week after resignations
The Midlands police chief tried to rescind his resignation, but the town council voted to move on without a local police department.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312321604.html
20 days ago
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ICYMI:
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
on how Lexington County voted down a proposed housing development because of school crowding concerns, setting up a potential legal test of the county's concurrency standards.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Lexington denies first homes under new review process. Will a lawsuit follow?
Lexington leaders are unsure what the legal ramifications of denying a project under the new review are, but some think it’s worth it.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312241576.html
22 days ago
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We had a great time talking to readers at our Chapin coffee clatch earlier this month. Now we're doing another one in Lexington on Oct. 10, and this time we're bringing
@christrainorsc.bsky.social
along! RSVP to hang out with us here.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Meet us for another Coffeehouse Conversation. Share your ideas in Lexington
We want to hear from you. Share your story ideas with us in one of the Midlands’ quickly growing towns.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312073975.html
22 days ago
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As Tropical Storm Imelda churns off the SC coast, I took a look at what SC utilities are doing to keep the lights on this
#HurricaneSeason
www.thestate.com/news/weather...
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‘Can’t control Mother Nature.’ SC utilities work to limit hurricane power loss
Last year, Hurricane Helene knocked out power across South Carolina for days. How are utilities preparing for the 2025 hurricane season?
https://www.thestate.com/news/weather/hurricane/article311941609.html
22 days ago
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When this story published, I hadn't heard back from the upstart North American Lutheran Church that St. Paul's might join if it leaves the ELCA. But now I've updated it with their SC dean's response to the bishop's accusation it spread "misinformation."
www.thestate.com/living/relig...
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Columbia church votes to leave its denomination. Bishop blames ‘misinformation’
Why most members of a 140-year-old South Carolina church are considering changing their affiliation.
https://www.thestate.com/living/religion/article312145782.html
about 1 month ago
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Cool story from
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
about a new Rainn Wilson movie based on the life of a real Lexington County paramedic.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Lexington paramedic penned tale of EMS life. It’s made it to the big screen
“Code 3,” inspired by a former Lexington County paramedic’s experiences on the job, released into theaters around the U.S. in September.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312145362.html
about 1 month ago
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Some surprising and mysterious news out of SC elections world at a time when the handling of voter information is in the spotlight.
www.thestate.com/news/politic...
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SC election commission ousts executive director Howard Knapp
The commissioners voted to remove Knapp from his role heading the agency responsible for administering elections.
https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article312150281.html
about 1 month ago
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More SC church breakup news. This time it's a 140-year-old Columbia Lutheran church looking to break away from the national denomination.
www.thestate.com/living/relig...
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Columbia church votes to leave its denomination. Bishop blames ‘misinformation’
Why most members of a 140-year-old South Carolina church are considering changing their affiliation.
https://www.thestate.com/living/religion/article312145782.html
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
The State Newspaper
about 1 month ago
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared unfamiliar with an infamous Charleston church shooting during a hearing before a U.S. House committee.
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‘Dylan Ruth’? Did FBI director forget Charleston church shooting at hearing?
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared unfamiliar with an infamous Charleston church shooting during a hearing before a U.S. House committee.
https://bit.ly/47O8ynb
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The 2015 Charleston church shooting seemed to slip the FBI director's mind at a congressional hearing today. "I've got a lot in front of me."
www.thestate.com/news/politic...
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‘Dylan Ruth’? Did FBI director forget Charleston church shooting at hearing?
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared unfamiliar with an infamous Charleston church shooting during a hearing before a U.S. House committee.
https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article312151368.html
about 1 month ago
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Former Richland County councilwoman pleads guilty to public corruption charge.
www.thestate.com/news/local/c...
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Former Richland County councilwoman pleads guilty to public corruption charges
The ex-councilwoman was accused of public corruption nearly five years ago and was set to head to trial in the Midlands later this month.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article312135453.html
about 1 month ago
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Took a long look at the new housing developments springing up in what might be an unexpected place; near Gilbert in the long-time rural west of Lexington County.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Gilbert, long on the Midlands’ edge, is the latest frontier of housing growth
Is “crackerbox housing” supplanting farmland in Lexington’s wild west?
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311901465.html
about 1 month ago
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You still have until the stroke of midnight to vote for your preferred
#Cocky
entrance in
@christrainorsc.bsky.social
's fan poll here:
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Black box or Cockaboose? Vote for your favorite Cocky entrance in our poll
USC’s mascot used to “magically” appear from a box before football games. In recent years, he’s emerged from a train. Which way is the best?
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312049699.html
about 1 month ago
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Why are the children of a public school board chair going to a private school? And is that a problem?
www.thestate.com/news/local/e...
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She chairs a public Midlands school board. Her kids are going to private school
Why a public school official in the Columbia area decided to send her children to a private school out of the district.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/education/article312115576.html
about 1 month ago
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A new school on the site will replace Dutch Fork Elementary
www.thestate.com/news/local/e...
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https://www.thestate.com/news/local/education/article312081122.html
about 1 month ago
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The one main road into this lakeside community is bound to get even busier next year.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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More than 100 new homes to go by Lake Murray park that raised traffic concerns
The new neighborhood will face Pine Island State Park, which has already raised worries among residents about traffic once it opens to the public this fall.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article312064616.html
about 1 month ago
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You can now legally carry a sign saying "Trust Christ He paid the price" in the town of Chapin without a permit.
www.thestate.com/living/relig...
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SC man who sued town over rules on religious signs, scores double victory
A judge’s order in the man’s lawsuit follows changes to rules in the SC town that stopped him from carrying a religious sign on a public sidewalk.
https://www.thestate.com/living/religion/article312053635.html
about 1 month ago
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It's been almost a year since Hurricane Helene left thousands of South Carolinians without power for days. What are the state's utilities doing now to prepare for this hurricane season?
www.thestate.com/news/weather...
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1 year after Hurricane Helene, how are SC utilities prepping to keep lights on?
Last year’s major hurricane knocked out power across South Carolina for days. How are utilities preparing for the 2025 hurricane season?
https://www.thestate.com/news/weather/hurricane/article311941609.html
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
The State Newspaper
about 2 months ago
Tomorrow!! We want to hear from our readers about what they think is important for our Chapin coverage. On Friday, Sept. 5, our Lexington County reporters and editor will be at The Daily Grind Cafe, from 12-2 pm. Let us know if you plan to stop by:
bit.ly/4plLZwC
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Irmo's Water Walk development, planned to add hundreds of new homes along Lake Murray, could be getting even bigger.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Controversial Lake Murray development set to add hundreds of homes is expanding
The developer has told town planners they want to add more acres to the site along the shore of “The Jewel of South Carolina.”
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311954912.html
about 2 months ago
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Y'all still have time to join
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
,
@jorlaw.bsky.social
and I for coffee this Friday in Chapin. Sign up using the link so we'll know we'll see you there.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Get coffee with The State and tell us what you think of our Chapin coverage
The first in our series of Coffee Conversations is set for Friday, Sept. 5.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311811914.html
about 2 months ago
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@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
found a for-sale listing for the headquarters of one of Lexington County's biggest local companies.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Nephron, one of Lexington’s largest employers, lists headquarters for sale
The move comes just a few months after the company’s owner and CEO sold her Lake Murray home for millions.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311906582.html
about 2 months ago
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New today: What can Swansea's next mayor do to fix its financial difficulties?
www.thestate.com/news/politic...
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Can a new mayor get cash-strapped Swansea’s finances in order?
This small Lexington County town has seen its share of financial struggles in recent years. It will soon have a new mayor to tackle those problems.
https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/election/article311749287.html
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
The State Newspaper
about 2 months ago
A Lexington County SC man accused of threatening Presidents Trump and Biden on social media is mentally unfit for trial, a federal judge has ruled.
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Former SC nuclear inspector who allegedly threatened Trump, Biden unfit for trial
A Lexington County SC man accused of threatening Presidents Trump and Biden on social media is mentally unfit for trial, a federal judge has ruled.
https://bit.ly/47khUqx
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reposted by
Bristow Marchant
Jordan Lawrence
about 2 months ago
One week from today,
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
,
@bristowmarchant.bsky.social
and I will be at The Daily Grind Cafe in Chapin to talk with you about our local news coverage. Come on by!
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Get coffee with The State and tell us what you think of our Chapin coverage
The first in our series of Coffee Conversations is set for Friday, Sept. 5.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311811914.html?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawMemBxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE0YmdrT1ZlaVdPTEVtUlVYAR7rrsVPpAkaI4FHEz_8GgkDXCObr2XkuTDh5LBj8xdJHmXiIkaapQR1ciNe9Q_aem_c3aLVrsVhu-IKl2I27zI3A
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Watch me take a ride at Riverbanks Zoo
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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What’s that above the Saluda River? Columbia zoo’s Skyline ride takes flight
The new ride, now in operation, offers visitors a new view of the Saluda River as they cross over a 1,700-foot span in aerial gondolas.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311876782.html
about 2 months ago
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How a Midlands school district stood up to hackers that stole students' data.
www.thestate.com/news/local/e...
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Hackers demanded Midlands school district pay ransom. They refused
District officials offered the most detailed insight yet into a data breach that left some former students’ information exposed, and offered next steps to those affected.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/education/article311857645.html
about 2 months ago
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LR5 is looking to revise its budget at the beginning of the school year after fewer students enrolled than expected, potentially depriving the district of per pupil state funding.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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Midlands school district staring down budget shortfall as attendance drops
A Midlands school board will consider changes to its budget for the school year, after the opening of a new charter school in the district.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311846829.html
about 2 months ago
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👀
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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As we follow up on last night's (thankfully false) alert of an active shooter at USC,
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
tries to run down that viral image of a "gunman" that turned out to be a student carrying an umbrella.
www.thestate.com/news/local/a...
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USC officials spoke with student carrying umbrella amid active shooter scare
Videos of the USC student carrying an umbrella, which some mistook for a gun, were shared online, including by a candidate for governor.
https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article311839854.html
about 2 months ago
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Join me,
@hannahwade2000.bsky.social
&
@jorlaw.bsky.social
for some journalism office hours at the Daily Grind in Chapin next Friday, Sept. 5, from 12 to 2 p.m.
www.eventbrite.com/e/coffeehous...
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Coffeehouse Conversations with The State
Eventbrite - The State presents Coffeehouse Conversations with The State - Friday, September 5, 2025 at The Daily Grind Cafe, Chapin, SC. Find event and ticket information.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffeehouse-conversations-with-the-state-tickets-1622861284789?aff=oddtdtcreator
about 2 months ago
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