South Carolina Lede
News & Politics Podcasts
South Carolina Lede is a podcast about the people, issues, and events shaping the Palmetto State. Join host Gavin Jackson and reporters from across the state each week for in-depth discussions of the biggest news affecting you, your family, and your fellow South Carolinians – from state politics and legislative happenings inside the state house to the ongoing effects of the pandemic and more. It’s the factual and timely information you need, with a dash of irreverent fun to keep it all interesting.
Location:
United States
Description:
South Carolina Lede is a podcast about the people, issues, and events shaping the Palmetto State. Join host Gavin Jackson and reporters from across the state each week for in-depth discussions of the biggest news affecting you, your family, and your fellow South Carolinians – from state politics and legislative happenings inside the state house to the ongoing effects of the pandemic and more. It’s the factual and timely information you need, with a dash of irreverent fun to keep it all interesting.
Language:
English
Email:
sclede@scpublicradio.org
Episodes
Fall Fiscal Vibe Check Y’all
9/9/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 9, 2025: updates on statehouse activity, including the latest with former state Rep. RJ May who is set to go on trial in a month; a new CBS News poll on how Americans feel about National Guard troops in Washington and potentially other cities; a look at some economic data ahead of the Fed’s meeting next week on interest rates; and more!
Duration:00:30:36
The Epstein SC Connection
9/6/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 6, 2025: we look at the new hands-free cellphone driving law; the Epstein files were the talk of the first week back in Washington, including among several of our lawmakers in the delegation; we have some spicy campaign trail activity as gubernatorial candidates continue to vie for President Donald Trump’s endorsement; and more!
Duration:00:26:11
The Ad Wars Begin
9/2/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for September 2, 2025: we’re looking at the ad wars that are heating up and we’re on the campaign trail with Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in Walhalla; Rep. Joe Wilson was recently in Syria; we find out what Gov. McMaster thinks about Taylor Swift’s engagement; and more!
Duration:00:26:39
Uh Oh! Big Infrastructure Pod Alert!
8/26/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 26, 2025: we have a small, dedicated pod on infrastructure; we welcome special guest SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell; we catch you up on all things roads and bridges; and more!
Duration:00:27:35
Deep Fried Rose Ceremony
8/23/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 23, 2025: we brief you on what four of the five Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed at a recent Republican gathering in Myrtle Beach; we caught up with Sen. Lindsey Graham on the campaign trail in the Pee Dee; two big endorsements also dropped this week—who got a the political equivalent of a Bachelor rose from whom; and more!
Duration:00:30:17
Campaign Ketchup
8/19/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for August 19, 2025: we have several major campaign announcements to bring you, including two new Republican candidates and the first Democratic candidate; we also have another Republican candidate who has jumped into the attorney general’s race; updates from two congressional races; and more!
Duration:00:30:21
Special Oops Our Bad Alert!
8/12/2025
A.T. and producer Sean say they're sorry, take listener calls, argue about the merits of DOTs as a candy, but mostly are very sorry and hope you understand.
Duration:00:08:10
No Rest for the Campaign Trail Weary
7/26/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 26, 2025: a new contender enters the governor’s race—Congressman Ralph Norman; we also pivot to some big statewide news this week dealing with infrastructure issues and a death from a brain-eating amoeba earlier this month; Scott Morgan has a report on how the so-called Big Beautiful bill, now law, will affect SNAP benefits in our state; and more!
Duration:00:28:42
Tim Scott and Lindsay Graham Busy in the Dog Days of Summer
7/22/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 22, 2025: we hear from both of our U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott on a variety of issues from international conflicts to the Epstein files and Medicaid cuts; we have a gubernatorial campaign trail update with announcements from two of the three candidates and a potential fourth candidate who is gearing up for a run; we also have some statewide economic data, including new unemployment numbers and a GOSMAR update; and more!
Duration:00:31:04
It's Pam!
7/19/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 19, 2025, we converge 2026 coverage with 2028 coverage: in the 2026 column, we look at Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s campaign launch for her gubernatorial bid; in the shadow 2028 campaign column, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear made a multi-day swing through South Carolina, we caught up with him in Greenville; and more!
Duration:00:27:55
“Golden Age” of Campaign Trail is Upon Us
7/15/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 15, 2025: more Republican gubernatorial candidates enter the race, with one facing legal issues over allegedly diverting $2 million from his business partner; Sen. Lindsey Graham’s campaign is also out with its first TV ad; Russ McKinney brings us the latest on energy in the state; and more!
Duration:00:22:40
Doctor! Help! I’m Seeing Double Gavins!
7/14/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 12, 2025: state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch becomes the first Republican to jump into the attorney general’s race; California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s two-day swing through S.C.; where the Confederate battle flag is 10 years after it was removed from the statehouse grounds; and more!
Duration:00:32:30
Campaign Trail CHURNETH
7/8/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 8, 2025: we catch you up on the latest campaign trail moves from the U.S. Senate and S.C. governor’s race; several big-name Democrats and one Republican are heading to the state over the coming weeks; and more!
Duration:00:21:39
The Ken Burn-isode: The American Revolution
7/5/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 5, 2025: Gavin Jackson’s interview with PBS legend, award-winning documentarian Ken Burns. The two discuss Burns' latest project The American Revolution that he co-directed with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.
Duration:00:23:54
The 2026 Campaign Trail Cometh
7/1/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for July 1, 2025: we catch up on some big news, including the latest on suspended Lexington Republican Rep. RJ May; we OFFICIALLY have 2026 gubernatorial candidates with Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson and Republican Spartanburg Sen. Josh Kimbrell; Maayan Schechter brings us up to speed on all this news; and more!
Duration:00:34:44
Remembering Mother Emanuel 10 Years Later: Part II
6/21/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 21, 2025: we bring you part two of our 10-year commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting featuring stories from our Voices Collected initiative, focusing on the downing of the Confederate flag, legislative issues like hate crimes, and gun reforms that have stalled in the state; and more.
Duration:00:32:22
Remembering Mother Emanuel 10 Years Later: Part I
6/17/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 17, 2025: the first of two episodes dedicated to the 10-year commemoration of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting where nine black parishioners, including the pastor of the church state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, were murdered in a racially fueled massacre; we’ll share reflections from South Carolinians who participated in our Voices Collected initiative as well as from folks who participated in the Charleston Forum last week.
Duration:00:38:04
Aiken Breakin' Heart with Shane Massey
6/14/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 14, 2025: our live event recorded Thursday, June 12 at Good Girl Brewing in Aiken featuring host Gavin Jackson, reporter Maayan Schechter, and special guest South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.
Duration:00:34:07
Gavin Gets Gaslit
6/10/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June10, 2025: we look at some action happening this week in the Statehouse; we hear about a new gas-fired energy plant that Duke Energy is proposing in the Upstate; we begin bringing you stories from our Voices Collected series commemorating the 10 year anniversary of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting; and more!
Duration:00:29:13
Grand Strand with Pam
6/7/2025
On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for June 7, 2025: state Democrats got a boost with a big special election House seat win; Lt. Gov. Pam Evette continues to test the waters; we look at some of the ramifications of the tariffs on businesses in our region; and more!
Duration:00:29:05