News & Commentary

Mar 06, 2026

Statehouse Dispatch: March 9, 2026

During House Budget Week, a bathroom bill advances and a classroom censorship bill looms on the horizon

By Paul Bowers

"Statehouse Dispatch: March 9, 2026"
Feb 21, 2026

Statehouse Dispatch: Feb. 23, 2026

The enemies of freedom are relentless. So are we.

By Paul Bowers

"Statehouse Dispatch: Feb. 23, 2026. This Week under the copper dome." Background photo of the South Carolina Statehouse dome tinted green and blue.
Feb 17, 2026

Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson

The Rev. Jesse Jackson (1941-2026) was a South Carolina icon and a champion of civil rights for all people. He believed in the power of a rainbow coalition, a patchwork quilt of Americans from all backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and identities laboring for a better tomorrow. May we all carry on that work together.

By Paul Bowers

Jackson speaks on a radio broadcast from the headquarters of Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) at its annual convention. July 1973, photograph by John H. White
Jan 30, 2026

Statehouse Dispatch: Feb. 2, 2026

S.C. lawmakers keep attacking the rights of women, LGBTQ+ people, and students. We have some better ideas for them.

By Paul Bowers

"Statehouse Dispatch: Feb. 2, 2026. This week under the copper dome." Background photo of the South Carolina Statehouse dome in pink and blue tints.
Jan 23, 2026

Statehouse Dispatch: Jan. 26, 2026

Our lawmakers want to dismantle the wall between church and state, take away our reproductive rights, and make life harder for trans youth

By Paul Bowers

"Statehouse Dispatch: Jan. 26, 2026." Background photo of the Statehouse dome tinted yellow and blue.
Jan 16, 2026

Statehouse Dispatch: Jan. 19, 2026

Free speech, voting rights, abortion, and trans rights are all on the line this week

By Paul Bowers

"Statehouse Dispatch: Jan. 19, 2026. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Background photo of the Statehouse dome with a blue tint.
May 28, 2025

State House Dispatch: May 28, 2025 (Budget Edition)

Two state budget provisos threaten our freedoms and our local governments’ ability to fund public services

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: May 28, 2025. Special Budget Edition." Text appears over a salmon-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.
May 06, 2025

With 10 additional books removed, South Carolina leads nation in statewide school book bans

It's official: We're Number 1 when it comes to removing or restricting access to literature

By Paul Bowers

It's official: South Carolina leads the nation in number of state-mandated book bans. Update, 5/6/2025
May 05, 2025

State House Dispatch: May 5, 2025

Mandatory flag salutes, juvenile justice reform, and a unanimous vote for school proselytization — plus an update on the teacher criminalization bill

By Paul Bowers

"State House Dispatch: May 5, 2025. This Week Under the Copper Dome." Text appears over a yellow and blue-tinted image of the South Carolina State House dome.